Bjelin has launched the ColorMatch Veneer project, a research and development initiative focused on improving veneer production, increasing material utilisation and enabling more consistent, high-quality wood products.
The project, ‘Research and Development of Uniform-Color Veneer and an Advanced AI System for Automated Veneer Sorting – ColorMatch Veneer’, was officially launched by Bjelin Otok. It’s implemented in partnership with KVALITETA INSPEKT and the Ruđer Bošković Institute, with co-financing from the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
Sustainability and circularity are central to the project. By enabling the use of veneer that would otherwise be discarded or downgraded, the project increases the value extracted from each log and reduces production waste. The development also relies on natural extracts derived from wood industry by-products, such as oak bark and sawdust, which are reintegrated into the production process instead of being treated as waste.
The total value of the project amounts to €3,676,151.17, with €1,944,092.74 provided as a grant from the European Union. “The main objective of the project is the development of two complementary solutions: uniform-colour veneer for premium wood products and Woodura flooring, and an advanced AI system for digital and automated veneer sorting,” says Bjelin Project Manager, Ines Baričević.
The wood processing industry is facing increasing pressure on raw materials. The availability of high-quality logs suitable for veneer production is declining, which leads to inefficient material use, where a significant share of veneer is downgraded or unused despite maintaining good mechanical properties. The ColorMatch Veneer project addresses these challenges by developing methods for colour homogenisation, enabling a larger share of veneer to be used in high-value applications and improving overall resource efficiency.
“The project combines material innovation with artificial intelligence,” explains Ines Baričević. “ColorMatch Veneer focuses on treated veneer with a uniform colour, achieved through natural dyes based on tannins and wood extracts, or controlled rehydration processes, without compromising performance.”
The ColorMatch Veneer project supports Bjelin’s continued focus on innovation, digitalisation and sustainable production. The solutions developed are expected to increase raw material utilisation, expand the company’s portfolio of high-value products and strengthen its competitiveness in the global market, while also opening up opportunities for wider application across the industry.
