Wood-based Industry Research Articles

Opportunities and challenges towards a circular bioeconomy of the Philippines’ veneer and plywood industry

Using harvested wood products (HWPs) in a circular bioeconomy, such as veneer and plywood, is a promising approach to addressing environmental concerns and ensuring sustainable resource management. This paper attempts to conceptualize a veneer and plywood circular bioeconomy system (VPCBES) model and analyse the opportunities and challenges these wood-based industries face in contributing to the circular economy of the Philippines. A systematic literature review and contextualized SWOT analysis were employed to explore potential pathways for sustainable development and circular practices in the country. It adopts the butterfly framework and presents the VPCBES model, exploring the continuous flow of materials, emphasizing waste reduction, products and materials circulation, and nature regeneration. The opportunities for the veneer and plywood industry in the circular bioeconomy include using recycled wood waste, adopting resin as a binding agent, and cascading wood waste in time and value. However, challenges persist, including meeting demands while ensuring regeneration goals, low innovation investments, harvesting practices, waste routes issues, non-compliance to cleaner production and industrial symbiosis, and policy‐related barriers. Addressing these challenges and capitalizing on opportunities will enable the veneer and plywood industry to play a vital role in the Philippine circular bioeconomy.

Assessment of timber engineering needs and practices in Bhutan: A comprehensive study

A survey was conducted to explore the intensity of timber usage and evaluate the knowledge and experiences amongst working professional timber handlers in Bhutan. Subsequently, a need assessment survey was carried out to understand the need and demand for certification courses in timber engineering in the country. Despite having an abundant timber resource and massive usage, Bhutan still needs to gain expertise in timber engineering. This study involved 90 respondents from timber processing, construction and manufacturing sectors across 12 districts in the country. Twenty-one respondents are timber technocrats who have significantly contributed to timber associate infrastructure, while 61 are from the Wood-based Industries, specifically from the timber manufacturing sectors. The key findings from this survey observed several barriers to timber use that include limited knowledge amongst designers, clients and construction companies, alongside concerns about durability and fire resistance. As per the findings, these challenges could be addressed through a dedicated timber engineering course, an idea supported by participants, with 80% of manufacturing professionals and 55–60% of others. The respondents also highlighted the demand for timber testing facilities in the country. This research underscores the need for timber engineering expertise in Bhutan's construction industry.

Effect of climate change on current and future potential distribution of Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) in Türkiye

The demand for nontimber forest products (NTFPs) has increased significantly in recent years. Hundreds of plant species that grow naturally in Türkiye have medicinal and aromatic value. Medicinal and aromatic plants are primarily used as a sources of tea, spices, condiments and essential oils. Species belonging to the genus Arbutus L. are used for decorative purposes and as fuel wood in many wood-based industries, they also have a wide range of uses in packaging, chairs making and furniture production. Additionally, the fruits of these trees are widely consumed by humans and animals because they are rich in sugar and vitamin C. It is predicted that changes in climatic conditions will significantly change the distribution, composition and function of forests threatening biodiversity. The purpose of this study was to model current and future potential geographical distributions of Arbutus unedo L., which is among the species that naturally grow in Türkiye and is of substantial value in terms of its ecological contribution to forest ecosystems, based on species presence data and environmental variables (bioclimatic variables and altitude). The current and future distribution area models for Arbutus unedo L. indicate that the potential distribution areas of the species in the coming years will gradually decrease, and in the SSP5 8.5 model, which represents the highest level of world resource usage this gradual decrease will reach its highest level and there will be no suitable distribution area left for the species. Therefore, it is predicted that the species will become endangered. In-situ and ex-situ conservation measures need to be taken to ensure the sustainability of the species in forestry and landscape areas.

Empirical Insights into Salvage Wood Logistics

Climate crises and natural disasters increasingly challenge wood supply chains by the critical need to transport high volumes of salvage wood quickly out of the forests to limit wood value loss and to prevent inducing forest calamities. Salvage wood logistics covering unimodal, multimodal and multi-echelon unimodal transport as well as storage plays an essential role in tackling existing problems and future risks by linking diverse actors along wood supply chains. Since little is known about specific challenges in salvage wood logistics, an extensive empirical study was conducted to evaluate logistics concepts and coping strategies involving stakeholders representing the entire wood value chain in Austria. The knowledge and experience of 161 forest owners, transport operators and wood-based industry actors were surveyed based on questionnaires with 108 matrix, rating, Likert scale and open questions. Results show a significant loss in salvage wood transport capacity due to long waiting times at receiving mills leading to more than one-fourth lost transport capacity in the unimodal salvage wood supply chain. Sustainable and resilient wood supply chain management can be achieved by increasing train and semitrailer truck wood transport as well as wood storage capacity and by improving both working conditions for self-loading log-truck drivers and cooperation between stakeholders.

Examining Technical efficiency of Wood-Based Industries in Ethiopia

Examining Technical efficiency of Wood-Based Industries in Ethiopia

Developing a water-resistant cellulose-based wood adhesive based on dual dynamic Schiff base and disulfide bonds

Cellulose-based adhesives have been a research focus in the wood composites industry in view of their eco-friendly characteristics with little negative impacts on human health and ecology. Water-resistant property of the adhesives, however, is still a remaining challenge in the wood-based industries to compete with conventional petroleum-based ones. Herein, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a natural and renewable biomacromolecule with extensive resource, was selected as matrix material. Firstly, the hydroxyl groups on C2 and C3 in MCC were oxidized to aldehyde groups in the presence of periodate, resulting in the formation of dialdehyde cellulose (DAC). In consideration of the weak water-resistance of DAC, an integrated strategy that combined DAC with cystamine (CA), was proposed, and a water-resistant cellulose-based DAC-CA adhesive was developed through the cross-linking reaction between DAC and CA. Furthermore, in order to make the adhesive adequately exert the function for bonding of poplar veneer, we performed the interfacial treatment on the poplar veneer using sodium periodate. The performance and structural characteristics of the prepared DAC-CA adhesive were systematically and thoroughly investigated using a multi-spectroscopy technique. The results revealed that the wet bond strength of the DAC-CA adhesive for poplar veneer was higher than that of individual DAC, ranging from 0 MPa in DAC to 0.72 MPa in DAC-CA adhesive. This improvement can be attributed to the enhanced cohesion and toughness resulting from the dynamic Schiff base and disulfide bonds present in the DAC-CA adhesive. In addition, after interfacial treatment, the wet bond strength of DAC-CA adhesive for poplar veneer was dramatically improved, increasing from 0.72 MPa without treatment to 1.06 MPa with treatment. Overall, a water-resistant cellulose-based DAC-CA adhesive was prepared by a rapid and efficient method. This study may provide insights into the development and utilization of innovative wood adhesives.

Reducing Wall Shelf Product Defects Using the DMAIC Method in Furniture Industry Companies

The object of research is a place of business that produces household needs and wood-based industries. One of the products it produces is a minimalist wall shelf. In the period January –December 2021 minimalist wall shelf products are the products with the most defects. Manufacturing companies in this study have a product defect tolerance limit of 5% of the total production, but minimalist wall shelf products have a defect of 5.64%. This study aims to determine the types of defects that occur in wall shelf products, identify the causes of defects minimalist wall shelves and provide suggestions for improvements to reduce the number of future defects. In this research the method used is DMAIC. In the minimalist wall shelf production process, 4 types of defects were found. Based on the Pareto diagram, it was determined that the type of lacquer defect was not suitable to be the most dominant type of defect, namely 80.1%, it was also found that the DPMO value and sigma value on minimalist wall shelves were 14,100 and 3.69. Based on the analysis of the fishbone diagram method and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), it is known that the main root cause of product defects is a dirty, dusty and windy environment with an RPN (Risk Priority Number) value of 448. Analysis was carried out using the 5W + 1H approach to find improvements to overcome the problems that occur, obtained suggestions for improvements for the company, namely making work area picket schedules, making closed work areas, daily and monthly check sheetforms for maintenance of work tools, making varnish process work instructions, making training schedules for operators and submitting additional goods forms.

Cost Valuation and Climate Mitigation Impacts of Forest Management: A Case Study from Piatra Craiului National Park, Romania

With the intensification of the effects of climate change, the urgent need to address their drivers, especially greenhouse gas emissions, has become essential. In this context, forests offer a robust solution, with their potential to store and mitigate carbon emissions. However, striking a balance is critical given the significant economic contribution of the forestry and wood-based industries, which account for about 5% of Romania’s GDP and employ 6% (around 300 thousand) of its active workforce. This study, conducted in the Piatra Craiului National Park located in Romania’s Southern Carpathians, we utilize the EFISCEN application to generate three distinct 50-year forest evolution scenarios based on harvest intensity, namely Business As Usual (BAU), Maximum Intensity (MAX), and No Harvest (MIN), on two historical different managed forests, i.e., conservation and production. The study aims to guide forest owners in decision making with scenario modeling tools, with the objectives of assessing the forest carbon sequestration potential and evaluating the economic feasibility. In the most probable scenario, the BAU scenario, the growing stock increases from 2.6 million m3 to 3.8 million m3 over 50 years, with a more than 40% increase. Comparing the carbon stock change for all tree harvest scenario types indicates that the MIN scenario has the highest carbon sink capacity in the next 50 years; the BAU scenario is a well-balanced option between carbon sink and wood provision and has an optimal EUR 3.7 million in annual revenue. The MAX scenario can boost the growth and increase the annual revenue from wood by 35% but is effective only for a short time and thus has the smallest calculated revenue in time. Achieving a win–win relationship between carbon sequestration and wood supply is imperative, as well as good planning and scenarios to contribute to climate mitigation and also as provisions for local communities and to sustain the local economy.

Institutional analysis of the conservation management for Litsea leytensis Merr. in Laguna and Quezon, Philippines

This paper aims to analyze the institutions involved in the conservation management of Litsea leytensis Merr., with the trade name Medang, a wood species preferred by carvers in the Philippines, particularly in Paete, Laguna. The art of wood carving is thriving as a culture and as a wood-based industry for Filipinos, intertwined with natural resource management, where the seeds and wildlings are collected as planting materials for the nationwide greening program, while the wood as raw material is carefully selected from a list of Philippine native species. Litsea leytensis Merr. represents the many endemic trees in the country that need serious attention for conservation because of their continuing decline in habitat and population. The study highlights in situ and ex situ conservation of L. leytensis by institutions in Laguna and Quezon. The results suggest that the rules-in-form guided the institutions in conservation management, and their interactions in the action arena were in downward, upward, and horizontal patterns. The outcomes of their interventions for L. leytensis were relevant, coherent, effective, and efficient, while project impact and sustainability were implied by the participation and community ownership of conservation activities, government policies, and funding.

Machine Learning Approaches for Pest and Insect Management in Forest Scenario: An Outlook

Forests are nature's most efficient complex ecological system and vulnerable resources of valuable products which contribute to the sustainable development of communities. In the current scenario of climate change, forest became susceptible to major issues such as diseases, insects, pests and their unpredictable pest outbreaks. The sustainable management and protection of this natural environment from insect, pest, diseases, human interference and unwanted disturbances is vital and needs new tools to find insight and effective management. Computer vision is good at spotting disorder and efficient pre-requisite tool for insect pest management. Hence, introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques could be an alternate advanced precision approach to detect and control the herbivorous insect pests at an early stage to avoid huge damage to forest and continuous indiscriminate usage of the chemical pesticides. This is an opportunity which benefits farmers, state forest departments, Forest Development Corporation, forest and private nurseries, wood-based industries, paper and pulp industries etc.

Evaluation of Gmelina Arborea (Roxb) Germplasm for Qualitative Traits and Insect Pest Resistance in Natural and Planted Population Populations of Madhya Pradesh, India

Gmelina arborea Roxb., a fast-growing tree species native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, has garnered attention for its potential in wood-based industries. However, its large-scale plantation in Madhya Pradesh, India, faces significant challenges. This study investigates the prevalent diseases and pests, bole form and branching habit of Gmelina arborea among different populations in Madhya Pradesh. Eextensive field surveys were carried out to identify the natural and planted populations of Gmelina arborea. Based on these surveys three natural populations viz Betul, Mandla and Jabalpur Population and five planted populations Sonaghati, Badhaura, Saraswahi, Neemkheda and Barha were selected for the present investigation. Observations of the bole form of trees was recorded visually as Crooked, less crooked, nearly straight, straight. Branch angle was visually observed and observation is recorded 300, 450, 600 and 900. Disease and pest incidence was visually assessed and intensity of the observations are recorded as Heavy infection, Moderate infection, Low infestation, A healthy tree with no attack. Considerable variation among the qualitative traits was observed among population under study. most straight and nearly straight trees found in planted population than natural populations. 900 and 600 branch angles were observed more in plantation than natural populations. More no of healthy tree and tree with low infestation was observed in plantation. Agroclimatic zones of Satpura plateau performs better for bole form. Kymore plateau and Satpura hills agroclimatic zones performs well in case of branching angle and health status. Northen hill zones of Chhattisgarh underperforms as far as qualitative traits are concerned.

Who Prefers Legal Wood: Consumers with Utilitarian or Hedonic Shopping Values?

Although certification is perceived to be beneficial for enhancing forest sustainability and open access to green markets, certification practices in Indonesia face controversy, particularly in its wood-based industry. We aim to approach this issue from the end-user perspective. Drawing on the theories of value-belief-norm and planned behavior, we examine the psychological aspects of consumers toward legal wood consumption. A survey of 515 consumers showed that individuals with hedonic values tended to have a high perception of green values toward legal wood. Also, when consumers’ hedonic values dominated over their utilitarian consumption, their perception of green values toward legal wood tends to be higher. Based on these results, wood marketers could benefit from directing their communication efforts toward emphasizing the hedonic worth of the product, as opposed to its utilitarian values. It is imperative for distributors and promoters of wood products to carefully deliberate on strategies to effectively elicit the hedonic shopping values that are inherently linked to the utilization of such green products. An illustration can be represented by the case of IKEA in Indonesia. Consumers are probably attracted to IKEA’s neuromarketing strategy, such as their attractive display and labyrinth effect, without realizing that IKEA also applies green marketing and supports green products.

Depicting wood-based sectors to inform policymaking: A structural modeling approach centering on networks of markets

The article presents a new way of conceptualizing wood-based sectors that aims to capture intra- and inter-industrial relationships in order to enable an improved understanding of structural complexities for the design of targeted governance interventions. Building on a sociological perspective that views markets as (resource) linkages, we propose a model that represents the structure of an ideal-typical wood-based sector as a network that can be adapted to specific regulatory systems. The model-building process groups wood-based products (including services and consumers) into nodes and identifies edges that connect nodes through technological conversion pathways (i.e. markets). The structural model reveals how numerous wood-based industries are linked, providing a comprehensive depiction of the sector: a total of 1582 markets link 177 timber-based product groups across 12 different production stages. The model includes Circular Economy options and comprises multiple industries only recently considered part of the wood-based sector, such as the chemical industry. Modeling the wood-based sector when accounting for intra- and inter-industrial relationships leads to an expansion of the “traditional” sequential chain structure into a non-hierarchical network structure. The proposed structural model underscores the complexity of wood-based sectors, which results – among others – from the versatile applicability of wood across production stages. We argue that more reflection is needed on the consequences of simplifying wood-based sector structures in research assumptions. For future research related to policy goals such as circularity, the article suggests a rethinking of wood-based sectors regarding sectoral boundaries and the importance of interpreting markets in their embeddedness.

Problems of wood-based supply chain management in the context of resilience - a case study

This paper outlines the main challenges faced by the supply chain in the wood-based materials sector in the context of building resilience. The research work carried out made it possible to identify the main problems in the selected supply chain from the wood-based industry. They are associated with the occurrence of negative effects, including the destruction of the pallet, aging of goods in the warehouse, high packaging costs, and inefficient transport processes realization, including the processes of handling pallet units. In the context of external risks, a particular challenge is the shortage of raw materials on the market. The analyzed case study is based on the supply chain resilience assessment with regard to resilience potentials evaluation.

Optimizing industrial growth through alternative forest biomass resources: A mathematical model using DDE

Abstract This paper focuses on the classification of forest biomass into two categories: premature and mature forest biomass. The third variable considered is industrialization. The growth of the wood-based industry is believed to be closely tied to the population of mature forest biomass. Any scarcity of the mature population could have a negative impact on industrialization. So, pre-mature forest biomass is provided as an alternative for industrial growth. The industrialization growth is assumed to be based on a modified Leslie-Gower equation. The positivity and boundedness of the system are calculated using the comparison theorem. Stability analysis is done about nonzero equilibrium points with the help of the Routh-Hurwitz theorem. When there is no delay in the system, the system is stable. At τ< 1.8, the system shows asymptotic stability, but at τ ≥ 1.8, system shows Hopf-bifurcation and periods oscillations occur. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis is examined about different parameters of the systems. MATLAB is used to draw the numerical simulation.

Production of Wood-Plastic Composite from Mixed Particles of Pterocarpus angolensis (Mukwa) And Gmelina arborea (Roxb)

Purpose: It is increasingly difficulty to meet the demand and supply for solid wood for human difference end uses, in view of the alarming shrinkage of forest resource. But the un-ending in wood resource supply to wood-based industry basically continue to underscore the need to think beyond total dependent on solid wood. The study creates a template to ameliorate wood scarcity viz production of wood-plastic composite from mixed particles of Pterocarpus and Gmelina, further analysis the effect of particles size on the Physio–mechanical properties of composite.
 Methodology: Five sieved size were employed, polyester and Meth ether Ketone peroxide (MEKP) were used as adhesive and accelerator respectively, sieved samples were oven dried under a control temperature of 1020C to moisture content of 12 to 15%. Fabricated composite was machined according ASTM standards.
 Findings: The water absorption of composite S1, S2, S3 recorded higher water uptake compared to S4 and S5 composites. Experimental results of mechanical properties revealed progressive strength properties with sieved sizes, ranging from 23 KN/mm2 to 67KN/mm2 for compressive strength, while the tensile strength, ranged from 17KN/mm2 to 30KN/mm2. In addition, it was observed that, particle size has influence on the Physical and mechanical properties of composites.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice, and policy:The study hereby concluded that chips from the above species can be used for the production of composite to ameliorate the demand of solid timber from our ecosystem.

Prospects for Wood Pellet Production in Kazakhstan: A Case Study on Business Model Adjustment

Biomass and renewable resources are becoming substitutes for fossil-based resources, providing opportunities for more sustainable environmental management and reductions in environmental damage. This paper studies the prospects for wood pellet production in Kazakhstan through the lens of business model adjustment in a microenterprise in Kazakhstan. This study focuses on answering the following questions: (1) How do microenterprises propose, create, deliver and capture value through business models in the wood industry? (2) What are the opportunities and challenges relating to these business models in the context of wood pellet production in Kazakhstan? Kazakhstan has a high potential for biomass production, providing a particularly interesting case for analysing how microenterprises can tap into this potential to create value. This paper combines an analysis of bioenergy and forestry trends with a qualitative case study. The analysis of the business model is based on Osterwalder’s business model canvas. The value proposition of the enterprise studied herein is to provide a local biomass-based alternative to fossil fuels. The overall growth of wood-based industries in Kazakhstan and the national movement towards renewable energy create favourable prospects for microenterprises engaged in the production of wood pellets; however, these industries are also characterised by high institutional and regulatory dependencies.

Ethno-taxonomy and potential uses of highland bamboo (Oldeania alpina) landraces in Ethiopia

Highland bamboo (Oldeania alpina) (K. Schum.) Stapleton (syn: Yushania alpina), is a naturally distributed and cultivated species in the south, south-west, central and north-western highlands of Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess and describe bamboo landraces in Ethiopia based on their dendrometric and morphological traits, and also to understand their potential uses in a local context and identify and recommend potential landraces for wider industrial application. It was carried out in potential highland bamboo growing areas of four regional states of Ethiopia, viz., Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, and Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Regions. An extensive field survey was conducted using “transect walk for direct observation” across bamboo stands to collect technical information on identifiable characteristics for ethno-taxonomy, potential household uses, and workability of the culms of the different highland bamboo landraces. The study revealed about 24 landraces with some distinct morphological differences and traditional uses. A cladistic method also exposed some hierarchical dissimilarity among clusters of highland bamboo landraces. In the principal component analysis, nodal area contributed the highest variability among the landraces. The study also found the existence of differences in the preference and utilization of different highland bamboo landraces for various products and purposes based on the properties of the landraces. Based on the preferences of knowledgeable local bamboo processors and quality features observed on the landraces in each of the specific sites, we conclude that landraces such as Lala, Lodo, Tsarzo, Hinkonokita, Sella, Midasho, Ganticha, Shimiti, Demamo, Tikuro and Agade be widely promoted in new areas in the highlands. This would enable wood-based industries to produce quality end products while maintaining the diversity of landraces in the landscape.

Introducing a new variety of interspecific Acacia hybrid (Acacia mangium × A. auriculiformis) for renewable biomass energy

An interspecific Acacia hybrid between Acacia mangium and A. auriculiformis has various phenotypic characteristics. The hybrid progenies usually show better growth which is important to support wood-based industry. However, information on other potential uses of the species for renewable biomass energy was still limited. This study aims to observe the potency of Acacia hybrid as raw material for renewable bioenergy. The study was done in three permanent plots in clonal trial of Acacia hybrid established in Central Java following the method of SNI 7724-2011. The tree morphologies were characterized including stem form, branching, and crown-shape characteristic. Wood biomass and energy potential of the species was observed and derived from the growth and wood basic density. The result showed that there was various tree morphology in terms of leaf and stem form within the Acacia hybrid trees. At six years of age, the average of wood biomass was 37.85 Mg.ha−1 derived from the average of 13.9 m (height), 16.5 cm (DBH), and 567 kg.m−3 (wood basic density). While the estimated energy potential ranged from 14.50 to 21.99 toe.ha−1. The results of the study indicate that wood from the Acacia hybrid would be the potential resources for renewable biomass energy.

Impacts of Foreign Trade on the Economy of Wood-Based Sectors Generating Different Levels of Value Added in the Slovak and Czech Republics

Foreign trade belongs among the main sources of economic growth as classical theories of international trade affirm. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the impact of trade balance flows on sectors generating different value-added in the wood-based industries (WBI) of the Czech and Slovak Republics. The multivariate regression method (MLR) was applied to identify the relationship between foreign trade and economic indicators and also specific indicators assessing impacts of foreign trade on the economy of wood-based industries. The results showed that the performance of high value-added production is only slightly affected by foreign trade. It means that both monitored countries do not utilize raw wood so intensively that the positive effects of foreign trade are manifested. Growth in net exports represents a positive influence on the economy of the sector regardless of the value-added rate only if the increase in imports is smaller than in exports. The contribution of the study to existing knowledge is in using specific indicators evaluating trade impacts on the industry’s economy. The article provides new empirical insights into the influence of foreign trade balance flows on the economy of wood-based sectors with a different value-added rate.