Reinvesting in Forest-based Products through Nanotechnology: From Underexplored Biomass to Multifunctional Advanced Materials

This paper highlights recent advancements in the diversification of wood and agricultural residues beyond their traditional applications, with particular emphasis on the transformative role of advanced nanotechnology. The forest sector is currently undergoing a significant transition from traditional commodity-based production toward the development of sustainable, high-value and multifunctional materials. In this context, emerging research initiatives are progressively focused on the valorization of forest and agricultural residues into advanced bio-based systems. Current projects encompass: (1) the development of eco-friendly superabsorbent hydrogels derived from agricultural and wood residues; (2) the fabrication of slow- and controlled-release fertilizer systems based on lignocellulosic biomass; and (3) the utilization of wood residues for the synthesis of nanohydrogels and other functional nanostructured materials for green energy storage devices, including supercapacitors. Collectively, these innovations demonstrate the growing potential of forest-derived nanomaterials to support sustainable technologies, a circular bioeconomy, and next-generation multifunctional materials.