Josef Ressel Research Centre

1. CIRCBIO – Circular Bioeconomy & Sustainable Materials

The Josef Ressel Research Centre (JRRC) is a specialised hub for innovation in wood-based materials, circular bioeconomy technologies and sustainable product development. Equipped with advanced laboratories for the modification, testing and optimisation of wood and wood-composite materials, JRRC enables full-cycle innovation—from prototype development to mechanical, thermal and durability testing, numerical simulation, surface treatment, impregnation, and eco-design validation. As part of the Department of Wood Science and Wood Processing Technology, the Centre provides the infrastructure needed to develop renewable, recyclable, high-performance materials. It supports Horizon Europe CIRCBIO topics through TRL-oriented experimentation, value-chain optimisation and demonstration of circular wood-based solutions.

2. BIODIV – Biodiversity, Ecosystems & Nature-Positive Solutions

JRRC contributes to biodiversity-oriented Horizon Europe topics by developing and testing low-impact, renewable wood-based materials and technologies that support nature-positive value chains. Its laboratories enable the assessment of wood durability, resistance, ecological treatments, and alternative material pathways that reduce environmental footprints. JRRC supports BIODIV calls by providing infrastructure for the development of eco-compatible materials, fostering sustainable forest–wood linkages, and enabling multi-actor collaboration for mainstreaming bio-based, biodiversity-friendly innovation.

3. CLIMATE – Climate Action, Adaptation, Mitigation & Resilience

JRRC supports climate-related Horizon Europe research through advanced testing and development of climate-smart wood technologies and resilient bio-based materials. The Centre’s equipment enables evaluation of material behaviour under changing temperature and humidity regimes, mechanical stress, ageing, and biodegradation—key for understanding how wood products contribute to carbon storage, energy-efficient buildings, and low-impact construction systems. JRRC directly supports CLIMATE topics by enabling innovation in renewable materials that reduce carbon emissions, increase resilience, and strengthen sustainable forest–wood value chains.

4. FARM2FORK – Sustainable Food Systems & Agroforestry Interfaces

JRRC provides specialised laboratory infrastructure relevant to FARM2FORK topics that intersect with forestry and agroforestry, particularly in wood material quality, plant-based renewable products and sustainable rural value chains. JRRC supports projects focusing on healthy, resilient tree-based systems by examining wood affected by pests, diseases, or environmental stress, developing treatments and protective technologies, and optimising the use of wood in agroforestry-linked production systems. The Centre enables field-to-product workflows that strengthen sustainable biomass utilisation within integrated landscapes.

5. GOVERNANCE – Digitalisation, Data Integration, Innovation Systems

JRRC supports Horizon Europe GOVERNANCE topics by providing an advanced environment for generating high-quality material datasets, conducting numerical simulations, and advancing digital innovation in manufacturing and bio-based sectors. The Centre’s laboratories support data-driven research on wood properties, material behaviour, and process optimisation, enabling integration into EU-wide digital twins, modelling platforms, and standardisation efforts. JRRC also facilitates collaboration with industry, SMEs and innovation actors, making it a strong asset for multi-actor governance, capacity-building, and transformative innovation systems.

6. COMMUNITIES – Rural Innovation, Local Value Chains, Skills Development

JRRC contributes to rural innovation and sustainable regional development by supporting local and regional wood-based industries with testing, prototyping, and technology transfer services. Its laboratories provide small and medium enterprises, artisans, and rural producers with access to advanced material characterisation, quality testing, and product optimisation, strengthening rural competitiveness and promoting high-value, renewable, place-based wood products. JRRC is well-suited for COMMUNITIES topics focused on innovation ecosystems, knowledge transfer, skills development and sustainable rural bioeconomy value chains.