Research and development

In the Chemical Product Development Laboratory, we focus on developing adhesive formulations for plywood and various types of plywood panel coatings. Our research is tailored to address the specific needs and market trends of the industry. Our scientists work in close collaboration with specialists to understand the nuances of each industry and devise innovative solutions that deliver outstanding results.

Riga ECOlogical is a new Lignin-based, environmentally friendly green glue used in the production of Riga Wood birch plywood. 

The bio-based renewable lignin, to a significant extent, is used as a replacement for the traditional fossil phenol. The carbon footprint of Riga Wood birch plywood is reduced from production to all its end-uses, offering all Riga Wood customers a significant competitive advantage in the increasingly green business environment. 

Results of Industrial production trials show that all technical properties of Riga Wood birch plywood remain unchanged when the environmentally friendly glue Riga ECOlogical is applied.  

Lignin is a recyclable and ecologically friendly product, abundantly available in the entire world in trees and plants. Therefore, it has recently become an important subject for active research to develop new and more sophisticated uses for it. This rising technological wave with the most promising results belongs to the World’s megatrends today. Riga ECOlogical is one of them.

The international consortium project VIOBOND, led by Latvijas Finieris,  brings together nine partners from five European Union member states with the aim of developing a formula and creating the world’s first industrial production technology for “greener,” environmentally and people-friendly phenol-formaldehyde resins. The project’s objective is to incorporate the use of lignin-based solutions into various everyday products and materials, such as plywood, furniture, flooring, insulation materials, and sandpaper production.

The VIOBOND team shares a common understanding of science-driven achievements and sustainable practices in the represented industries. These are essential prerequisites for the project to significantly contribute to the gradual transition to using renewable, sustainably sourced resources, which is one of the goals of the European Green Deal. The VIOBOND project represents another step in fulfilling Latvijas Finieris commitment to seeking opportunities to completely phase out the use of fossil resources in the company’s economic activities by 2050.

The project is being implemented with support from the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.

The Betulin Lab, an experimental research and production laboratory of Latvijas Finieris, is technologically equipped as a second-level pharmaceutical raw material producer. In collaboration with clients, solutions are offered that encompass various extraction techniques, solvents, and the purity of betulin itself.

Betulin is a valuable extract found in birch bark—a natural compound with antibacterial and cell-renewing properties. These properties are appreciated and applied in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Its potential in other sectors is still being explored.

Our top priority is to practice responsible and sustainable forest management that balances environmental preservation and economic viability.

At the Latvijas Finieris tree nursery Zābaki, we specialize in carefully selecting seeds and cultivating top-notch tree saplings. These saplings later contribute to the reforestation efforts in Latvia and the Baltic region. To make the most of our valuable land resources, Latvijas Finieris undertakes afforestation initiatives on land unsuitable for agriculture. We provide all-encompassing forest management services to guarantee forest nurturing, growth, and restoration.

Therefore, all forest areas of Latvijas Finieris are managed in accordance with the standard of the world’s leading forest certification organisation PEFC, which certifies the sustainability of our operations.

In collaboration with various scientific research institutions, we conduct extensive studies on birch plantation establishment and maintenance and birch wood’s physical and mechanical properties. These research activities take place in specially designated test plots, aiming to identify the most effective afforestation methods that facilitate our forests’ rapid and healthy regeneration.

Iekārtu rūpnīca specialises in delivering metalworking and industrial engineering solutions and services, primarily focusing on serving the woodworking industry. Our comprehensive service encompasses equipment design, assembly, maintenance, and repair, as well as consultations and expertise. Iekārtu rūpnīca extends technical support and innovative solutions to Latvijas Finieris birch plywood production mills, their subsidiary entities, and businesses across various industries in Latvia and beyond.

Our experts in the IT team primarily concentrate on automation systems, robotics, prototyping, data analytics, and unconventional solutions. They evaluate and incorporate the newest digital advancements in the industry, deploying them across the Group. Additionally, the IT experts maintain and enhance existing systems to ensure they remain aligned with daily requirements, enhance work efficiency, and prioritize digital system security.