Baden-Württemberg is leading the way nationwide in climate-friendly construction with wood. At the first Laubholztagen Baden-Württemberg in Eislingen/Fils, science and practice are brought together, highlighting Baden-Württemberg’s pioneering role in the bio-based circular economy.
„Baden-Württemberg is a national leader in climate-friendly construction with wood. Our Technikum Laubholz is an expression of Swabian engineering and inventiveness. Here we are shaping the future of wood usage and setting an example for Germany and Europe. We have set up an innovation hub at the Göppingen site, which develops innovative and high-quality applications for deciduous wood that we need to make our economy future-proof and sustainable and to achieve our climate protection goals. With the Laubholztage, we bring science and practice together and underline Baden-Württemberg’s pioneering role in the bio-based circular economy,“ said Peter Hauk, Minister for Food, Rural Areas, and Consumer Protection, on June 22, 2023, at the opening of the first Laubholztage Baden-Württemberg in Eislingen/Fils, in the district of Göppingen.
The adaptation of forests to climate change will further increase the mixture and proportion of deciduous tree species. „With the Waldstrategie Baden-Württemberg 2050, we are continuing the transformation of our forests that began more than 40 years ago, towards climate-tolerant, resilient, and multifunctional mixed forests. Accordingly, we are already working on market-ready concepts that enable the highest possible value creation in Baden-Württemberg and predominantly channel the increasing amount of deciduous wood into sustainable material use,“ said Minister Peter Hauk.
The area of the company Schuler in Göppingen is ideal for the settlement and further development of the Technikum Laubholz. „The special opportunity lies in the close exchange of various research fields related to deciduous wood. This allows completely new ideas and products to be brought quickly to the market. Only through this can we also keep or attract ambitious young researchers in biotechnology to Baden-Württemberg. With the Technikum, we complement basic research and close the existing gap towards industrial production based on wood,“ emphasized Minister Peter Hauk.
Products made from deciduous wood will replace plastic. The first products will include wood-based cellulose and carbon fibers for lightweight construction and mobility, as well as bio-based packaging, especially for food, which still represent a global plastic problem for the environment based on petroleum. The first facilities are already operational.
Ludwig Lehner, CEO of Technikum Laubholz GmbH, emphasized in his welcome speech: „Innovative solutions for the long-term integration of deciduous wood into the wood value chain are the solution to drive progress in biological transformation. The Laubholztage offer a unique opportunity for exchange. It’s about the future!“
Prof. Dr. mult. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, founder and former director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, described wood as one of the most precious gifts of evolution, with which humanity could save our planet in the coming years. Climate protection will be decided primarily through construction in cities.
The Technikum Laubholz is a non-university research institution of excellence. It was founded in 2020 on the initiative of the state of Baden-Württemberg with the aim of quickly bringing insights from basic research to industrial maturity. The focus of all efforts is the value-added use of wood, especially deciduous wood. The work at the Technikum Laubholz supports the state of Baden-Württemberg’s efforts to accelerate the implementation of the goals set in the bioeconomy. The main focus is on accelerating the biological transformation of industrial production. Interdisciplinary teams are working in four research fields for this purpose. In the final expansion of the facility, eight research fields with internationally recognized expertise will be available.
