Thomas Schnabel

Thomas Schnabel is a Research Group Leader and Senior Researcher in Design and Green Engineering at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, where he heads the Green Materials and Processing research group and leads the Salzburg Center for Smart Materials 2.0 initiative. His work bridges academic research with practical industrial applications in sustainable materials science.

His research focuses on:

• Valorization of wood byproducts, particularly tree bark extracts for multiple applications
• Development of natural fiber insulation materials from recycled wood residues
• Life cycle assessment of sustainable material production processes
• Application of bioactive compounds from bark for biomedical uses
• Green chemistry approaches to material processing and purification

Dr. Schnabel's publication record shows a cohesive research trajectory focused on extracting maximum value from wood processing byproducts. His recent articles demonstrate increasing sophistication in characterizing bark extracts and developing practical applications across construction, biomedical fields, and sustainable manufacturing. The research directly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to responsible consumption, climate action, and industry innovation.

He leads multiple significant research initiatives including:

• NETTLE: Cross-border cooperation for alpine plant bioactive compounds (2024-2026)
• DRWO4.0: Danube Region Wood Industry Transformation toward Industry 4.0 (2024-2025)
• SCSM 2.0: Salzburg Center for Smart Materials 2.0 (2023-2026)
• User-centered teaching materials development in forestry and bioeconomy (2023-2026)

His collaborative network spans the Danube region and beyond, reflecting the international significance of his work in advancing sustainable materials science and engineering practices.