Thuringia is investing seven million euros in wood innovations!

Thuringia is investing seven million euros in wood innovations!

In an important initiative to strengthen the Thuringian Forest, the Holz-21-regio research alliance is receiving significant funding of seven million euros from the federal government. This was announced as part of the federal program “WE! – Change through innovation in the region”. This financial support is intended to fully exploit the potential of wood as a driving force for innovation and sustainable development by the end of 2028. This is an important step because since the project started in 2020, total funding has amounted to an impressive 15 million euros.

The research alliance is led by the Erfurt University of Applied Sciences and brings together a large number of partners, including universities, research institutions such as the Technical University of Ilmenau and several Fraunhofer Institutes as well as companies, administration and players from tourism. The aim is to develop innovations in several areas, including the construction and monitoring of species-rich mixed forests and technologies for sustainable timber construction.

Goals and priorities of the project

A central aspect of the project is strengthening the sustainable use of wood along the entire value chain. This includes new uses and processing options for raw wood as well as a contribution to promoting sustainable tourism. The creation of new economic prospects in rural areas is also on the agenda. According to Professor Gunther Notni, the interaction between science, business and politics is crucial for the future of the Thuringian Forest. This is also confirmed by project leader Erik Findeisen, who emphasizes the bridge between research and practice and emphasizes the importance of the economic future viability of the Thuringian Forest.

The project also aims to develop processes and products for climate-resilient forest conversion. This also includes the high-quality use of wood in areas such as vehicle construction or textile production, as well as the use of sustainable building materials. These innovative approaches are supported through close networking of all stakeholders involved.

The forest as a habitat and economic factor

But the forest is not only a place of great economic importance; it also functions as a diverse habitat and an essential ecosystem. It offers peace and strength, helps to reduce stress and prevents soil erosion through its root system, protects against avalanches and falling rocks and stores up to 200 liters of water per square meter. These multifunctional properties are crucial for environmental and nature conservation.

Wood is an essential source of income for forest owners and plays a central role in securing jobs in sustainable wood processing. In addition, the associated income flows into financial resources that are used to finance forest protection and recreational services. The forest also provides food in the form of berries, mushrooms and game meat, which further underlines its economic importance.

In conclusion, it can be said that the funding of the Holz-21-regio project not only strengthens the economic prospects of the forest, but also promises an environmentally conscious and innovative future for the Thuringia region. The support of the federal and state governments will be crucial to further promote the sustainable use of natural resources and to exploit the diverse possibilities of the forest.

For more information you can visit the coverage TU Ilmenau, n-tv and holzhauskonfigurator.at read up.