Mehrdad Arshadi

Associate Professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology in Umeå. Mehrdad Arshadi’s research centers on the sustainable utilization of forest biomass, with a strong emphasis on bioenergy and biorefinery systems. His work involves the chemical and physical characterization of biomass materials—such as wood, bark, and lignocellulosic residues—to better understand their properties and optimize their use in energy production and value-added products. A key aspect of his research is examining how different treatment methods (e.g., drying, extraction, storage) influence the quality, stability, and emissions of biofuels.

One of his notable areas of study is the off-gassing behavior of wood pellets and other biofuels during storage. These emissions, which include carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds, pose safety and environmental concerns. His research aims to identify how factors like wood species, moisture content, heartwood/sapwood ratio, and processing conditions affect these emissions.

In addition, Arshadi explores advanced biorefinery concepts, where forest biomass is converted not only into energy but also into chemicals, materials, and fuels. He applies methods from analytical and organic chemistry to improve biomass conversion efficiency and assess the environmental impacts of bioenergy systems.

Overall, his research contributes to the development of cleaner, more efficient, and climate-friendly technologies for forest-based bioenergy and bioproducts, aligning with goals for circular economy and sustainable development.

Dr. Mehrdad Arshadi’s research focuses on the sustainable use of forest biomass with the goal of supporting the transition to a bio-based, circular economy. He investigates how forest-derived materials—such as wood, bark, and other lignocellulosic biomass—can be efficiently converted into renewable energy, biofuels, and high-value bioproducts through environmentally friendly processes.

A major focus of his work is bioenergy, particularly the production, processing, and storage of wood-based fuels such as pellets. He studies how different factors—like drying temperature, wood species, sapwood/heartwood composition, and storage conditions—influence fuel quality and safety. One important area of his research is off-gassing, which refers to the release of volatile compounds (such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons) during biomass storage. His findings help improve fuel storage practices and reduce health and safety risks in the bioenergy supply chain.

In addition, Dr. Arshadi conducts research in biorefinery development, where biomass is fractionated and processed into multiple end-products, including bio-based chemicals, materials, and energy. He applies analytical and organic chemistry techniques to characterize biomass composition and optimize conversion processes such as pyrolysis, supercritical extraction, and fermentation.

His research is highly interdisciplinary and connects forest technology, chemical engineering, and environmental science. It contributes to global sustainability goals by advancing knowledge on how to replace fossil-based systems with renewable and more climate-resilient alternatives based on forest resources.

Dr. Mehrdad Arshadi is actively involved in teaching at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), where he contributes to courses related to forest biomaterials, bioenergy systems, environmental chemistry, and biorefinery technologies. His teaching is closely linked to his research and emphasizes the sustainable use of forest resources in modern energy and material systems.

He teaches at both undergraduate and graduate levels, focusing on topics such as:

Chemical characterization of biomass
Thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes
Biofuel production and storage
Life-cycle assessment and environmental impact of bio-based systems
Analytical techniques in biomass research
Dr. Arshadi also supervises Master’s and PhD students, guiding research projects that integrate forest science, chemistry, and environmental technology. His teaching approach combines theory with applied knowledge and encourages critical thinking around sustainability, innovation, and the role of forestry in the bioeconomy.

Through his teaching and supervision, he helps train the next generation of scientists and professionals working in the fields of bioenergy, circular economy, and forest-based technologies.

Authored 54 publications, with 2,755 citations and over 11,000 reads on ResearchGate. ResearchGate
Recent interests include:

Off-gassing in wood pellets depending on sapwood/heartwood and drying temperature (Sep 2023).
Studies on off-gassing during storage of biofuel wood pellets (2022).
Supercritical extraction of biomass and its impact on pyrolysis (2021).

Lists around 60 results, including research articles, reports, book chapters, abstracts, and more