Launched in March 2024 under the auspices of the Interreg Greater Region programme, the ExtraBark project aims to transform industrial bark – currently limited to energy recovery or mulching applications – into a strategic resource for green chemistry. This cross-border consortium brings together seven partners (one French, two Luxembourgish, four Belgian): Valbiom, CELABOR, Filière Bois Wallonie, the University of Liège Gembloux AgroBiotech, LERMAB, CRITT Bois, and LIST.
The study covers ten key species (Norway spruce, Douglas fir, oak, beech, etc.), selected for their availability and climate resilience. The central objective is to extract high value-added molecules in order to develop plant protection and wood preservation solutions. Initial laboratory results reveal promising prospects: aqueous extracts (rich in catechin) demonstrate herbicidal efficacy, while ethanolic extracts (containing resin acids and taxifolin) exhibit notable fungicidal properties against wood decay fungi.
For forest managers and industry operators, the appeal lies in the creation of an integrated circular economy. The project includes a scale-up phase (industrial pilot) for the best-performing extracts, while ensuring the final recovery of lignocellulosic residues into panels or fuel. By structuring this value chain, ExtraBark offers sustainable alternatives to conventional plant protection products and strengthens the economic valorisation of every cubic metre of timber mobilised across the territory.