Willows provide a natural source of salicylic acid the natural equivalent of aspirin. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg – there are plenty of other high value chemicals contained in this versatile genus.
What we know about willow as a source of high value chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Source of many different salicins (such as salicortins), tannins, phenolics and flavonoids.
Natural, high value products suitable for medical applications and cosmetics (creams, perfumes and hair products).
The highest proportion of high value chemicals are present in the bark.
Different willow species and varieties vary in the amount and type of chemicals present.
Willow is a useful bio extractant of valuable metals such as nickel and copper.
What we're exploring next
The best varieties to exploit for large scale production.
Maximising yield through harvesting methods.
Machinery to harvest bark and how this can be incorporated into a biorefinery approach.
