ReTREEaSURE

Summary

Forests cover nearly 40% of the EU’s land area, generating 80.7 million tonnes of residues annually, yet only 3% are currently utilised. These residues, rich in fibres, lignin, and bioactive compounds, require region-specific management: they are left onsite in cooler regions to support soil health, removed in drier areas to reduce wildfire risk, and managed in wetter zones to avoid methane emissions and decay. Onsite collection and preprocessing can improve quality, reduce transport, and enable sustainable, local value chains.

ReTREEaSURE aims to transform such forestry residues by combining ecological assessments, onsite collection technologies, and a machine learning tool to support sustainable biomass harvesting and reforestation. The project will use underutilised residues such as branches, treetops, bark, and leaves as the main source of feedstock.

Beyond residue collection, the project will enable the production of biopolymers, cloth hangers, chemicals, leather alternatives, bio-pigments, bioactive compounds, and sustainable packaging. This approach supports circular bioeconomy pathways, reduces waste, and maximises economic and environmental benefits from forestry residues.