Stoffliche versus energetische Nutzung von Holz – wohin geht die Reise? (Essay)

Abstract

Material or energy use for wood: which way forward? (Essay) Wood as a renewable raw material plays an increasing role in the debate about developing renewable energies. Energy use of wood is often in competition with material use. In 2010, in Germany, for the first time more wood was used for energy than as raw material. Rising demand for energy wood is leading to steeply upward price trends for all wood assortments put on the market. In this respect, Germany is not alone. By 2020, in Europe the average share of renewable energies in primary energy consumption should reach 20%. Higher demand for wood biomass from European forests will pose major challenges for countries. One way of covering the rising demand for wood is imports from other continents. European energy companies are constructing pellet plants overseas and transporting the pellets to be burnt as biomass in Europe. In the final analysis, whether to follow the energy or the raw material path for wood in the medium to long term is a choice for society as a whole. However, increased energy use of wood does not necessarily lead to the elimination of traditional material uses. It can also be a bridge for new processes and products to enter the markets. Wood has much potential which has not yet been developed. A new definition of the value chain for wood offers the possibility to unite the ecological and economic approaches and brings the vision of a sustainable society one step nearer.