Pontevedra has been the setting chosen for the MBG to recently host the conference “Revaluing the Galician pine forests through the quality of the resin”, which focused on the presentation of the results of the “PICARE” project.
The day began with a welcome by Rafael Zas Arregui, director of the MBG, and Érika Martínez Carrera, project coordinator picaresque in which the event is framed and Manuel López Luaces, deputy director of the Training, Innovation and Agricultural Research Area of the Galician Food Quality Agency (AGACAL).
In the first block, the “Advances in research in the resin sector” were reported, with presentations by Rafael Zas Arregui, who spoke about the key factors influencing resin quality of Pinus pinaster; Amelia González Arrojo, from the CETEMAS Foundation, who focused her intervention on the NIR analysis applied to the resin; and María Escudeiro Rossignoli, who explained the qualitative characteristics of the resin to satisfy the needs demanded by certain sectors of the industry.
At 12:30 p.m. the round table “The future of resin: a vision from the forest to the final product” took place, and at 1:30 p.m. the main results of the project were presented. DRIP. The project is part of the call for aid for project execution of the operational groups of the European Innovation Association (AEI), co-financed with the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) within the framework of the Rural Development Program (PDR) of Galicia 2014-2020.
The main objective of the project has been to improve the competitiveness of the Galician resin industry, promoting the production of high quality resin and contributing to the economic and social development of rural areas. It has been developed through an Operational Group that brings together companies, universities, research centers and associations in defense of the resin sector.
It has been coordinated by Sinergias Sostenibles Resiforest, SLU (Foresin), in collaboration with the Biological Mission of Galicia (MBG-CSIC), the resin maker Roberto Touza Rodríguez, Xagoaza Pinaster, SL, the Forestry and Wood Technology Center Foundation (CETEMAS) and the Tragsa Group.
“PICARE” Project
The lines of action are framed in:
- Characterize the resin of Pinus pinaster, identifying the genetic and environmental factors. environment that influence its quality and composition.
- Analyze the natural resins market, identifying the needs of processing companies and innovation opportunities.
- Develop innovative tools for resin analysis, such as NIRS (near infrared spectroscopy) technology, which allows rapid and non-destructive characterization.
The main results of the project DRIP, including computer tools, manuals, protocols and informative material, will be made available to citizens as a whole and have been advanced today on this day. They will provide knowledge for decision-making in forest management, genetic improvement and the resin industry, and are expected to contribute to boost the competitiveness of the Galician resin sector.
The event served as a presentation of the main results of the project “DROP”, developed by an operational group formed in 2022, in which the MBG participated, with the objective of promoting innovation in the resin sector of Galicia.