SU researchers revolutionise construction by turning tree bark into high-performance coating – News – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance [Μετάβαση στο περιεχόμενο](#main) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-02-Dh7f4uYd.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-03-DvaxLIQk.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-06-H_YyMKlQ.svg) [ ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)](https://civis.eu/el) - [ Ανακάλυψε ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance) - [ Τι είναι το CIVIS; ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Το έργο μας ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Αποστολή, Όραμα & Αξίες ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Διακυβέρνηση & Διαχείριση ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Ποιος είναι Ποιος ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) [Ανοιχτά εργαστήρια & Συμμετοχή των πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Σπούδασε ](https://civis.eu/el/learn) - [ Μικτά Εντατικά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Ευέλικτη μάθηση ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Μεταπτυχιακά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Εβδομάδες Κατάρτισης Προσωπικού & Παρακολούθηση Εργασίας ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Σπούδασε στο εξωτερικό ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) [Discover the projects led by our students in 2025-2026 ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026) [Μουσείο CIVIS Φόρουμ Πανεπιστημίων ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum) - [ Δίδαξε ](https://civis.eu/el/teach) - [ Προσκλήσεις υποβολής προτάσεων έργων ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/civis-calls) - [ Καινοτομήστε στη διδασκαλία σας ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Πόροι για εκπαιδευτικούς ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/resources-for-educators) [Μικτά Εντατικά Προγράμματα CIVIS: Ισχυρός Αντίκτυπος και Υψηλά Ποσοστά Ικανοποίησης, σύμφωνα με Νέα Έκθεση ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/civis-bips-strong-impact-and-high-satisfaction-new-report-finds) [Όταν η Τέχνη Υπερβαίνει τους Τίτλους των Ειδήσεων: Το CIVIS Open Lab Επαναδιεκδικεί την Έννοια του Σπιτιού ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/when-art-speaks-louder-than-headlines-civis-open-lab-reclaims-the-meaning-of-home) - [ Κάνε έρευνα ](https://civis.eu/el/research) - [ Συνεργασία στην έρευνα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-collaboration) - [ Σταδιοδρομία, Δίκτυα & Κινητικότητα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Πόροι για ερευνητές ](https://civis.eu/el/research/resources-for-researchers) [Είμαι ακαδημαϊκός/ερευνητής/-τρια ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-an-academic-researcher) [Αντιμέτωποι με Κοινές Προκλήσεις, Διαμορφώνοντας Κοινές Λύσεις για την Αφρική και την Ευρώπη ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/facing-common-challenges-shaping-joint-solutions-for-africa-and-europe) - [ Συνδέσου ](https://civis.eu/el/connect) - [ Ενημερωτικά Δελτία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/newsletters) - [ Ημέρες CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/civis-days) - [ Κοινωνία των Πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας ](https://civis.eu/el/contact) - [ Τύπος και Επωνυμία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [Ποιος είναι Ποιος ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) [Fake It Till You News It: Challenges and Solutions in Modern Media Student Innovation Forum ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026/civis-creathon-contest) [ Ιστορίες ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom) el - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) Menu - [Ανακάλυψε](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29) - [ Τι είναι το CIVIS; ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Το έργο μας ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Αποστολή, Όραμα & Αξίες ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Διακυβέρνηση & Διαχείριση ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Ποιος είναι Ποιος ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) - [Σπούδασε](https://civis.eu/el/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30) - [ Μικτά Εντατικά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Ευέλικτη μάθηση ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Μεταπτυχιακά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Εβδομάδες Κατάρτισης Προσωπικού & Παρακολούθηση Εργασίας ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Σπούδασε στο εξωτερικό ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) - [Δίδαξε](https://civis.eu/el/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31) - [ Προσκλήσεις υποβολής προτάσεων έργων ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/civis-calls) - [ Καινοτομήστε στη διδασκαλία σας ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Πόροι για εκπαιδευτικούς ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/resources-for-educators) - [Κάνε έρευνα](https://civis.eu/el/research) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32) - [ Συνεργασία στην έρευνα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-collaboration) - [ Σταδιοδρομία, Δίκτυα & Κινητικότητα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Πόροι για ερευνητές ](https://civis.eu/el/research/resources-for-researchers) - [Συνδέσου](https://civis.eu/el/connect) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33) - [ Ενημερωτικά Δελτία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/newsletters) - [ Ημέρες CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/civis-days) - [ Κοινωνία των Πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας ](https://civis.eu/el/contact) - [ Τύπος και Επωνυμία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ Ιστορίες ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom) el - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/su-researchers-revolutionise-construction-by-turning-tree-bark-into-high-performance-coating) 1. [The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom) 2. SU researchers revolutionise construction by turning tree bark into high-performance coating SU researchers revolutionise construction by turning tree bark into high-performance coating ============================================================================================== CIVIS Highlights 21 Νοεμβρίου 2024 Researchers at Stockholm University have unveiled a fully bio-based wood coating system that could transform the construction industry by providing a sustainable alternative to fossil-based synthetic coatings. Inspired by the protective functions of tree bark, this innovative solution utilises components sourced from birch and spruce bark. ![](/storage/files/image_5.jpg)Researchers demonstrating the water resistance of the wood. Photo © Matilda Andersson/SUThe research, published in the journal Materials Horizons, aligns with Europe's commitment to improving resource efficiency in the bio-based sector. The new coating combines suberinic acids from birch bark and polyphenols from spruce bark, forming a waterborne suspension that is both safe and easy to apply to wood surfaces. > *Polyphenols play a dual role in stabilising water-insoluble suberinic acids while also acting as nanofillers to enhance the coating’s mechanical properties. When applied to spruce wood panels, the bio-based coating exhibited impressive water resistance, outperforming conventional synthetic coatings even after prolonged water exposure",* explains Fengyang Wang, the publication´s first author. Mika Sipponen, the project supervisor, highlights that tree bark, often burned for energy, can instead be a valuable resource for wood protection. This innovation addresses a crucial need in the construction sector, where traditional wood coatings frequently contain hazardous compounds and rely on fossil-derived chemicals. The new coating provides an eco-friendly alternative without sacrificing performance. > *Our approach not only reduces the carbon footprint of construction materials but also creates a circular, sustainable solution in wood processing,"* Sipponen explains. Collaboration for a greener future ----------------------------------- Although the materials' chemistry was developed at Stockholm University, the research team collaborated across the entire value chain – from bark supply to processing and performance testing. *"While the bark is locally available in large quantities, it’s crucial to work with various experts", emphasises researcher* Ievgen Pylypchuk. The breakthrough supports the growing demand for renewable and sustainable materials in modern building practices, positioning wood as a more environmentally responsible construction material, reducing the environmental impact of protective coatings. ### Latest Highlights: [*WWF recognizes UNIL’s achievements towards sustainability* ](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/wwf-recognizes-unil-s-achievements-towards-sustainability) [*World-renowned ethologist and activist Dr. Jane Goodall gives inspiring lecture at PLUS*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/dr-jane-goodall-inspires-at-the-plus) [*University of Bucharest Tops Rankings for Highest-Paid Graduates in Romania*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/university-of-bucharest-tops-rankings-for-highest-paid-graduates-in-romania) [*25 refugee students from Ukraine succeed 8-month training at UAM*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/25-refugee-students-ukraine-succeed-8-month-training-uam) [*New paintings and significant details uncovered in the Egyptian temple of Esna*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/new-paintings-and-details-uncovered-in-the-egyptian-temple-of-esna) Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/hannahpelikan-2024-liu-7637-800x600.jpg?token=e69d69aad40de681ca5eedde6851d655)Timing challenge for self-driving cars CIVIS Highlights 9 Μαρτίου 2026 ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/timing-challenge-for-self-driving-cars) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/dictionaries-800x600.jpg?token=028d7ffc1ba206cdd38fa50e28ac0083)The 18th‑century dictionary craze vs today’s AI anxiety CIVIS Highlights 11 Φεβρουαρίου 2026 ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/the-18th-century-dictionary-craze-vs-today-s-ai-anxiety) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/packing-for-fieldtrip-2-800x600.jpg?token=fbeffdd50a352350172f1cfbeddffc33)Antarctic expedition searches for clues to future sea-level rise CIVIS Highlights 8 Ιανουαρίου 2026 ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/antarctic-expedition-searches-for-clues-to-future-sea-level-rise) [Ανακαλύψτε όλες μας τις ιστορίες](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom) [ Public engagement with research explored by CIVIS Connect ](< https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/the-theme-of-public-engagement-with-research-explored-within-the-first-edition-of-civis-connect >) [ The University of Glasgow joins global slavery research project ](< https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/the-university-of-glasgow-joins-global-slavery-research-project >) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither can be held responsible for them. ### Άνθρωποι - [ Φοιτητές-/τριες ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-a-student) - [ Ακαδημαϊκοί και ερευνητές ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-an-academic-researcher) - [ Διοικητικοί ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-an-administrator) - [ Κοινωνία των πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Τύπος ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) ### Χρήσιμοι σύνδεσμοι - [ Πόροι ](https://civis.eu/el/resources) - [ Πλατφόρμα CIVIS Agora ](https://civis.eu/el/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus) - [ Πρωτοβουλία των Ευρωπαϊκών Πανεπιστημίων ](https://civis.eu/el/european-universities-initiative) - [ Προηγούμενες εκδηλώσεις ](https://civis.eu/el/past-events) - [ Επικοινωνία ](https://civis.eu/el/contact) [Newsletters](https://civis.eu/el/connect/newsletters) ### Social networks - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/instagram.svg) Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/civis.eu/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/linkedin.svg) LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/civis-eu) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/facebook.svg) Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/CIVISEuropeanUniversity/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/youtube.svg) YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCm0FfreX81BuNH-znlRGQ) © 2026 – CIVIS – All rights reserved - [ Cookie Policy ](https://civis.eu/el/cookie-policy) - [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/el/privacy-policy) Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com) [ ](#top) Search