Modern Analytical Tools for Pulp, Paper, and Biorefinery

Advanced Courses at Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology,
Åbo Akademi University
Modern Analytical Tools for Pulp, Paper, and Biorefinery DS00CJ20
December 8-12, 2025
Turku / Åbo

This course will present recent analytical techniques for pulp and paper. It is a combined course for PhD students and researchers from industry and research institutes.

• For students, who want to earn 5 credits (ECTS) for the course, there will be  lectures, group work and essays. We strongly recommend that students should have at least a basic knowledge of wood/biomass chemistry and analytical methods before registering.
• For industry representatives, you may attend all the lectures. Group work and course essay are not required.

Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology

Course leaders:

Prof. Chunlin Xu, Docent Anna Sundberg,

Contact information:

Professor Chunlin Xu
Åbo Akademi/Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology
Henrikinkatu 2, FIN-20500 Turku
Chunlin.Xu@abo.fi

Course venue:

K124B, Agora, Åbo Akademi University
Vesilinnantie 3, 20500 Turku, Finland

Course schedule:

The course will be start at 10 am on Monday 8^th and end at noon on Friday 12^th of December 2025. Detailed agenda can be downloaded here.

Course fee:

• PhD students from Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku: Free for participation; register in Peppi
• PhD students from other Universities: Free for participation with a course participation certificate; alternatively, 150€ to Åbo Akademi university for credits transfer. Information: https://www.abo.fi/en/supplementary-studies-for-non-degree-students-extra-students/#fees
• Representatives from industry and research institutes: 950€

Registration:

• Online form (CRM)
• Note! The number of participants is limited.

Preliminary Course Contents

Theme 1. Basics of Analysis

1. Sampling, pre-treatment and extraction of different samples (wood, pulp, paper, waters, deposits), Chunlin Xu, ÅA
2. Introduction to NMR spectroscopy, Robert Lassfolk, ÅA
3. Introduction to liquid chromatography and molar mass determinations, Antje Potthast, BOKU
4. Introduction to gas chromatographic techniques, André Mazega Fontes, ÅA

Theme 2. Lignin analysis

1. Lignin analysis and some microanalytical techniques including GC&GC-MS for lignin, Andrey Pranovich, ÅA
2. NMR analysis for lignin, Ewellyn Capanema, RISE

Theme 3. Carbohydrate and fibre analysis

1. Analysis of cellulose, hemicelluloses and pectins: cleaving and chromatography, Anna Sundberg, ÅA
2. NMR for Polymer/Nanocellulose analysis, Alistair King, VTT
3. Solid-state NMR and Diffusion NMR Lars Evenas, Chalmers University of Technology
4. Aging, bleaching and chromophores of cellulose fibers, Thomas Rosenau, BOKU
5. Mass spectrometry for carbohydrate analysis, Chunlin Xu, ÅA
6. Fiber properties – standard and advanced analysis of fibers, pulp and paper, Jan Gustafsson, ÅA

Theme 4. Extractives

1. Lipophilic and hydrophilic extractives – a mess without appropriate analyses; Challenges with extraction/polymerized extractives, Anna Sundberg, ÅA
2. SPME – A versatile technique for methanol, volatile terpenes, odorous compounds, cognac aroma etc, Andrey Pranovich, ÅA
3. Non-destructive techniques – NIR and Raman combined with machine learning, Julia Chrzastowska, ÅA

Theme 5. Forest industry cases

1. Chemical analysis of paper surfaces, Janet Preston, Artemyn Minerals Ltd
2. Barrier properties and quality control, Vinay Kumar, VTT

Accommodation:

Moderate-price hotels at walking distance are found from www.booking.com.

Links:

• Homepage of the university:http://www.abo.fi/
• Information about Turku/Åbo can be found at http://www.turku.fi/ and http://www.visitturku.fi/

 

Questions? Do not hesitate to contact Prof. Chunlin Xu! See you in December!