Integral utilization of raw material

This paper provides a brief outline of development of chemical conversion of wood through history and importance of chemical conversion of wood today. A special stress has been put on importance of wood as a raw material for production of pulp and paper, then importance of thermal conversion of wood and hydrolysis of carbohydrates, and a role of investigation of lignin and extractives utilization. This work emphasizes a role of chemical conversion of wood in this country underlining the aims of scientific and research program in the field of pulp and paper technology in the SR of Croatia for a period 1986-1990.