Conifer needles, which currently remain in felling areas or are used as fuel, can be used as raw materials for biopharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, plant protection products, as well as household chemicals, thereby creating both new jobs and income.

According to rough estimates, about 400,000 tonnes of ecological needles remain in the forest every year, and by processing them, it would be possible to generate billions of euros in income and create new jobs in the regions,” explains Dr. med. Juris Rubens, Chairman of the Board of SIA BF-ESSE.

In his opinion, a portion of the needles, which are currently mostly left in felling areas or used as fuel (by chipping branches), could have their processing into raw materials for the production of various bioproducts become one of the cornerstones of Latvia's bioeconomy. “Conifer needles are a huge and high-quality resource; their processing would be the foundation for green chemistry and open up opportunities to obtain industrial products, such as conifer needle extract/paste, which could be used in the production of plant protection products, nutritional supplements for humans and animals, cosmetics, and medicines,” says J. Rubens.