Participation in WWSC 2025

Stockholm, Sweden - 17th June 2025

VTT, one of the key research partners of the SURFs UP project, participated in a scientific session at the prestigious Wallenberg Wood Science Center, contributing to Session 2 – Lignin: From Fundamental Understanding to Advanced Materials.

During this session, Stefania Bertella from VTT delivered a presentation titled “A novel class of bio-surfactants via alkali-O₂ oxidation of hardwood hydrolysis lignin”. The talk highlighted the innovative work carried out within the SURFs UP framework, focusing on the transformation of hardwood-derived lignin into functional biosurfactants through alkali and oxygen-based oxidation processes.

This research represents a promising route toward the development of high-performance, bio-based surfactants that can serve as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based ingredients. The presentation underscored the project's strong foundation in lignin chemistry, process optimisation, and material functionality.

It also illustrated how SURFs UP combines fundamental science with applied innovation to unlock new applications for lignin in sectors such as home care, personal care, and agriculture. VTT’s participation helped position the project at the intersection of advanced lignin valorisation and industrial biotechnology, attracting the interest of both academic and industrial stakeholders.

The project is supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members under grant agreement No 101157586 and UKRI grant agreement No 10115826.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CBE JU, or UKRI. Neither the European Union, CBE JU, nor the UKRI can be held responsible for them.