Forest production systems based on added-value trees
- Reference number
- RBP14-0011
- Start and end dates
- 150101-210630
- Amount granted
- 20 971 715 SEK
- Administrative organization
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Research area
- Life Sciences
Summary
Forests are biological production systems that in addition to timber and pulp and paper provide renewable energy and chemicals. In this project we aim at genetically improving trees for short rotation forest production systems, which combine high biomass productivity with new functionalities. This will generate added value and make the utilization of these trees economically attractive for the end user. Combining the consortium’s extensive knowledge of the biochemical and genetic pathways, cutting edge resources of UPSC, interdisciplinary approach, and collaboration with industry (Sunpine AB, Green Fuels, and SweTree Technologies - all potential users of the products developed in this project) will ensure custom-tailoring trees for the production of bioenergy, biofuels (bioethanol, biogas, biodiesel) and oils. To obtain these new functionalities we will mine large collections of transgenic and naturally existing aspen variants. Best trees will be tested in the field under short rotation regime to gain information about the whole value chain. The project will result in increased knowledge of genetic factors that underlie high-value biomass as well as deliver trees optimized for the production of a variety of green chemicals and fuels in fast-growing short rotation forest production systems.
Popular science description
Forests are biological production systems that in addition to timber, pulp and paper provide a renewable source of energy and chemicals. This places Sweden at the frontier for developing new industries based on renewable forest resources. These new industries require optimization of the lignocellulosic raw material and the forest tree cultivation methods to increase the productivity of the whole value chain. We propose in this project to take an interdisciplinary approach to optimize the chemical composition of the lignocellulose in order to improve oil content, and the biochemical and thermochemical conversion rates in trees grown under short rotation forest practices. To achieve this goal, we will utilize large collections of transgenic hybrid aspen trees and naturally existing aspen variants that display large variation in the lignocellulose chemistry. These trees will be tested for the first time for several key properties such as production of thermal energy, oils, syngas, and biofuels in collaboration with academic collaboration as well as three industrial collaborators. The best performing trees will be tested in field conditions under short rotation regime. The project will result in knowledge on genetic factors that underlie high-value lignocellulose as well as forest feedstocks for different end purposes. The results can be implemented in short rotation forest production systems that are based on optimized, high value lignocellulose for production of a variety of different green chemicals and fuels.