News

• 2026-09-08

  Collaboration in Focus as the Knowledge Foundation Visits Karlstad University

  On 7 September, representatives from the Knowledge Foundation (KK-stiftelsen) visited Karlstad University to gain deeper insight into how the university collaborates with industry in research and education. During the visit, several projects were presented in which the university and companies work together to develop new knowledge and strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness.

  Throughout the day, the representatives from the Knowledge Foundation met researchers and academic staff from the Pro2Be research environment and the Department of Computer Science. The aim was to gain a better understanding of how the university works with research, education and skills development in partnership with companies and organisations.

• 2026-08-13

  Three New Research Projects on Sustainable Energy and the Circular Bioeconomy

  The NewDePT (New Development for Pellet Technology) research group at Karlstad University has secured funding for three new research projects. Supported by the Richert Foundation and Vinnova, the projects focus on long-term storage of biofuel pellets, resource recovery from sewage sludge, and the sustainable utilisation of forestry industry residues.

  Pellets for Enhanced Energy Security

  This project will investigate how pellets produced from alternative and blended biomass feedstocks can be manufactured and stored safely and efficiently. Led by Associate Professor Magnus Ståhl, the project will run from September 2026 to June 2028.

• 2026-06-17

  Bioeconomy and innovation

  On 16–17 June, researchers, companies and clusters gathered for the BioEco Valley Summit 2026. This year’s theme, lignin, fibres and optimised circular processes, highlighted how the bioeconomy can contribute to the green transition.

  The conference was opened by County Governor George Andrén, who emphasised the strong position of Värmland within the forest-based bioeconomy and underlined the importance of collaboration between academia, industry and the public sector in addressing challenges such as climate change.

• 2026-05-28

  The Knowledge Foundation funds Infinity Fiber – aims to multiply the value of Sweden’s forest raw materials

  The Knowledge Foundation (KK-stiftelsen) is granting funding to the research profile Infinity Fiber at Karlstad University. The aim is to significantly increase the value of Swedish forest raw materials by extending fibre lifespans from today’s 2–3 uses to more than 20.

  The forest industry is central to the Swedish economy but faces increasing demands for sustainability, resource efficiency and biodiversity. Infinity Fiber aims to contribute to this transition by developing new circular ways of using wood fibres.

• 2026-05-11

  Pulp can replace plastic in future packaging

  Through green chemistry and smart processing, cellulose can be given new properties that result in stronger paper and improved barrier materials. This is demonstrated in a new doctoral thesis from Karlstad University.

  Plastic is currently widely used in paper‑based packaging, such as milk and food cartons, to protect against air and moisture. However, plastic is fossil‑based and difficult to recycle together with paper. In her doctoral thesis, Mozhgan Hashemzehi shows how pulp can be modified in a more sustainable way to reduce the need for plastic in packaging.

• 2026-04-21

  Industrial PhD Students in EXACT Present Their Research in Short Films

  How do you explain advanced research in a way that is understandable even outside academia? Industrial PhD students in the research school EXACT at Karlstad University have now taken on that challenge in front of the camera. Four new short films, in which the doctoral students present their research in a popular‑science format, have recently been published.

  The films are part of a new element in the doctoral education, with a strong focus on communication. Instead of presenting their research solely through traditional academic formats, the doctoral students were tasked with summarising their work in a short film aimed at a broad audience.