Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH
Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH (Wood K plus), founded in 2001, is a leading research organization in the area of wood and wood-related renewable resources in Europe with core competences in materials research and process technology along the complete value chain. For 20 years, Wood K plus is developing methods, generating basic knowledge and performing applied research on the economy-science interface, in order to enable the resource-efficient use and sustainable production of bio-based materials in a sustainable circular bio-economy.
Wood K Plus is a COMET competence center (Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies) for a sustainable bio-economy and conducts application-oriented cutting-edge research at the highest level. In this program, Wood K plus works with around 30 corporate partners on strategically important topics for the Austrian and European economy and develops solutions for key issues such as climate protection and the circular economy.
Of the 3 departments of Wood K plus, the Area "Bio-refinery Processes and Composite Materials" is partner in the EMPHASIS project. A key focus of research activities in this Area are bio-based carbon materials including bio-based carbon fiber, bio-based carbide ceramics as well as applications of novel bio-based functional carbons in electrochemical applications. The Team Sustainable Innovation and Impact Assessment is supporting the R&D with sustainability assessment including Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Costing and social Life Cycle Assessment.
Role within EMPHASIS
In EMPHASIS, Wood K plus will be working on the development of highly porous and graphitized carbon fibers from cellulosic precursors as well as the characterization of the prepared materials. In addition, Wood K plus will lead “WP6: Support for sustainable innovation - Validation & Benchmarking through modelling and metrology” and will be responsible for Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Costing and social Life Cycle Assessment.
