Wood Processing Enterprises Research Articles

Повышение ресурсного потенциала древесного сырья

According to the strategy for the development of the forestry complex of the Russian Federation until 2030, approved by Order of the Prime Minister of Russia no. 312r dated February 11, 2021, the contribution of the forestry industry to the country’s economy should increase by 2 times, including through deep wood processing. To this end, enterprises for deep processing of wood raw materials will be actively developed. Consequently, there will be a shortage of wood raw materials, which will lead to an urgent need to expand the raw material base of these industries. Despite this, as the analysis of the practical experience of modern logging enterprises has shown, today, during logging operations, only the stem part of the tree is removed from the cutting area, and the rest of the biomass in the form of stumpwood, branches, twigs and tops is burned or buried, although these parts of the tree are valuable raw materials for the production of many types of products of wood processing enterprises. This state of affairs is due to the lack of effective technology for processing potential raw materials in the places of their formation and a complex of mobile machines for its implementation. As a result, a technology for the production of wood and coniferous flour, technological chips and semi-finished wood-fiber products, as well as mobile equipment for its implementation, has been proposed for the processing of logging waste in the form of tops, branches and twigs. The article presents technological solutions and equipment models built in the SolidWorks computer-aided design system. The introduction of the proposed technologies, machines and mechanisms will increase the share of harvested raw materials per unit area, reduce the environmental load from the logging process, and increase the efficiency of the industry.

ТЕПЛОФИЗИЧЕСКАЯ МОДЕЛЬ И РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНОГО ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ ГАЗИФИКАЦИИ ДРЕВЕСНЫХ И РАСТИТЕЛЬНЫХ ОТХОДОВ

The article compares the calculation results using the developed thermophysical composition model for the study of thermal gasification of wood and plant waste – renewable natural energy resources in a gas generator with the reverse combustion process and forced steam-air blast, which allows to achieve minimal formation of a by-product – resin. Based on the thermophysical model, the optimal consumption of solid fuel – wood and plant waste and oxidizer – atmospheric air is determined. The work can be used by technical engineers at enterprises in Russia and abroad for the environmentally friendly disposal of wood and plant waste in autonomous energy technology installations with combustion gas generators to generate thermal and electrical energy for the consumer. In particular, large volumes of wood and plant waste accumulate at wood processing and agricultural enterprises in the Tyumen region, which are an additional cheap source of energy.

Экологические особенности конвективной сушки пиломатериалов

Lumber drying is a mandatory technological operation that gives wood the properties necessary for the production of items, during which the wood is given shape and size stability during operation and/or increases biostability during transportation. Chamber drying is carried out at elevated temperatures, which predetermines the transfer of wood to a chemically active state. As a result, the first stage of extraction is realized – the release of a complex of substances in a solid, liquid and gaseous states onto the surface of the board. With all the variety of substances that accumulate during the growth process in each tree species, phenol and formaldehyde, which are common to all, are released during drying. They belong to class II hazard to humans. In the specialized literature, this issue is given unjustifiably little attention. The problem is complicated by the fact that a significant part of the wood drying production capacity is currently located within the urban area. Therefore, the entire spectrum of substances that are released from the dried wood is concentrated in the residential area, having a negative impact on humans. The aim of the research is to determine the degree of environmental impact of substances released from wood during drying. The list of substances that are released during convective drying from larch and pine wood, as well as data on the amount of these substances, which are given in the article, indicate the presence of an environmental pollution problem. In Russia, the entire volume of lumber for the production of products is dried in drying plants that do not have devices that neutralize pollutants. Consequently, harmful substances released from dried wood accumulate both on the territory of wood processing enterprises and in residential areas. From the above, it follows that drying lumber using low-temperature conditions cannot be considered an environmentally friendly type of production. This problem requires a more detailed study, which will allow us to develop a set of measures to reduce the negative impact of convective lumber drying on the environment.

The Use of Recycled Wood as a Factor in Production Efficiency of Manufacturers in V4 Countries

This article deals with a quantitative assessment of the production efficiency of wood-processing enterprises in the V4 countries. Efficiency was calculated through a non-parametric method of data envelopment analysis. This method allows the construction of an efficiency frontier without having to make any assumptions about its shape. The analyses are based on the financial statements of individual companies from 2018 to 2021. Efficiency assessments are therefore based on the actual performance of individual companies (i.e., quantities of output, costs, and capital). This micro perspective allows us to examine differences in efficiency not only by country but also by company size. A total of 10 companies have been selected in the V4 countries that can be identified as actively using recycled material in their production. The results of our empirical analyses show that this group of »recyclers« performs better than other market players in terms of median efficiency. Even in 2020, which can be marked as the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, overall, these companies had better results. Our results also show that the efficiency is significantly affected by company size (which is also reflected in economies of scale).

Research on Logistics Cost Management Strategy for Wood Processing Industry Based on Environmentally Conscious Supply Chain

Introduction: The wood processing industry is an important component of the forestry industry; It is a green and low-carbon industry with low energy consumption and low environmental pollution. With the acceleration of global economic integration, logistics costs have become a key factor in improving the development level of wood processing enterprises and an important component of the competitiveness of the forestry industry. In response to the current problem of high logistics costs in Chinese wood processing enterprises, starting from the innovative concept of logistics cost management, a strategic management system for logistics costs is constructed using Environmentally Conscious Supply Chain, management theory; Strengthening the logistics cost management of wood processing enterprises in the forestry industry plays an important role in promoting China's transition from traditional quantity forestry to modern efficiency forestry. Objective: To improve the overall level of logistics cost management of the whole country's wood processing industry. Results and Discussion: Forestry is an integrated industry combining the economic value, ecological value and social value of forests. Due to the importance of t green coordinated and sustainable development of overall benefits in the forestry green supply chain, it is not only necessary to achieve economic benefits, but also to continuously increase resources and improve the ecological environment. Research Implications: This research can implemented in order to bring environmental sustainability

The introduction of modern woodworking equipment into the logging process as a tool to improve environmental management

The paper substantiates the relevance of the rational use of wood resources by logging enterprises. The reasons preventing the use of logging waste as additional raw materials for wood processing enterprises have been identified. An assessment of the feasibility of production from logging waste in the form of branches, limbs and twigs of technological chips on mobile chopping machines is given. The necessity of raw material barking for the production of technological chips in the conditions of logging operations has been revealed. As a result, the purpose of the research was to increase the efficiency of using wood biomass by developing a design and introducing a mobile barking machine into the logging process. To achieve this goal, the main requirements for the technical capabilities of the barking machine were identified based on the geometric features of the processed raw materials and the places of its processing. To produce a laboratory prototype and implement a series of experiments, a set of design documentation was developed and a 3D model of the machine was built. A series of experimental studies has been carried out, consisting in the debarking of branches, limbs and branches of various wood species using a machine of the proposed design and a drum-type debarking machine. An analysis of the results of experimental studies has shown the effectiveness of the proposed machine design for drilling raw materials of small diameter and with a curved longitudinal axis. In the course of the research, methods of statistical analysis, analytical, modeling and active experiment were used. The results obtained can be used by logging and wood processing enterprises, as well as in the design of new types of barking equipment.

Technical and economic peculiarities of wood processing enterprises in modern conditions

This paper examines the key aspects of forest industry enterprises. These enterprises are important from both an economic and an ecological perspective. Forests are a vital element in the fight against climate change. The wood industry can and should play a leading role in the fight against global climate change. This paper sets out to study some technical and economic features and to develop relevant principles that should guide forestry enterprises in their activities in modern conditions. Descriptive and analytical methods were used to collect data for the research. Some data was obtained directly at the logging sites in the forest area. The structure of wood industry output is presented. Two key aspects of environmental impact are highlighted. Key directions for improving the efficiency of the industry are shown. The principles that should guide forestry enterprises in their activities in the modern conditions are proposed. The activity in the forest area is presented as one of the key directions of development. Timber waste is a valuable and underutilized resource that can significantly affect the economic performance of enterprises and improve the environmental situation in the forest area. It is therefore important that the modernization of wood processing enterprises is accompanied by changes in the approaches to the environment and forests on the part of the state, business and society.

Efficiency of Micro and Small Wood-Processing Enterprises in the EU—Evidence from DEA and Fractional Regression Analysis

Micro and small wood-processing enterprises represent the heart of European forest-based industries, being among the key drivers of economic growth in rural, mountainous, and poor regions. Their economic efficiency is of fundamental importance for their existence and the provision of income for the local population in rural areas. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used in the current research, which is a nonparametric, linear-programming-based approach that is commonly used to analyse the efficiency of organisational units. The main objective of this study was to investigate and evaluate the economic efficiency of micro and small wood-processing enterprises in EU countries and reveal the hidden inputs that facilitate efficiency generation. The economic efficiency evaluation was carried out on the basis of the official statistical data for the micro and small wood-processing companies in EU member states for the period 2015–2020 by performing a two-stage DEA analysis. The data used were standardised by value per employee. In addition to the first stage of DEA, a fractional regression probit and logit models with four contextual variables were used to reveal the influence of the hidden inputs in the model. The results showed that the micro and small wood-processing enterprises can be regarded as more scale-efficient than technically efficient entities. The only contextual variable affecting the economic efficiency was Investments per Person Employed, improving the efficiency by 2% per 1% increase in the investments.

Gluing characteristics of Papua New Guinea timber species for various non-structural applications

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has abundant natural forest resources but there are many constraints which need to be addressed to support the development of competitive value-added wood industries. There is a need to develop knowledge and capacity in wood science and processing technologies which support successful domestic value-adding wood processing enterprises. A comprehensive testing program has been developed to assess the glue‐bond strength and performance of selected commercial PNG timber species in various climatic conditions to simulate service conditions in potential market destinations. Two criteria namely shear strength and wood failure have been used to determine if a species can meet the minimum requirements for either dry use or wet use applications. The performance of 24 different PNG commercial timber species has been assessed using a one-component cross-linking polyvinyl acetate emulsion adhesive. The bondability of the selected species has been carefully estimated considering the wood density and wood moisture content for the strength and durability in dry- and wet-use conditions. The testing results show that as the wood density as a wood property factor and moisture content as a service condition factor increase, high shear strength with high wood failure become more difficult to achieve consistently. The highest shear strength and wood failure results were achieved by softwood plantation species and low-density hardwood species. Based on the testing results, the selected species have been classified into bondability classes (bond very well, bond well, bond with difficulty, very difficult to bond).

Introduction of Eco-Friendly Finishing Method (YAKISUGI) among the Millennial Generation in Perina Village: Innovation in Unique Furniture Products with High Aesthetic Value

The demand for a diverse range of solid wood products has been steadily increasing. The unique grain patterns inherent to each wood species render solid wood products to possess distinct market segments. Nevertheless, the inherent vulnerabilities of wood as a biomaterial, such as susceptibility to decay, dimensional instability, and low resistance to organisms, necessitate specialized treatment for wood products. One environmentally sustainable treatment methodology, capable of enhancing the aesthetic value of wood, is the yakisugi finishing technique—a method involving the controlled charring of the wood surface. Notably, this technique remains relatively unfamiliar amongst small and medium-sized wood processing enterprises (UMKM) and the millennial generation. Consequently, this engagement initiative assumes significant importance in introducing the yakisugi finishing method to the millennial cohort. The unique visual characteristics of wood, engendered by this technique, hold the potential to serve as a catalyst for innovation in the realm of wooden product development by millennials. The engagement activities primarily encompass instructional modules, comprising theoretical elucidations and practical applications. Participants, affiliated with the youth group 'karang taruna,' have demonstrated appreciable enthusiasm towards the engagement activities that pertain to the yakisugi technique. It is anticipated that novel products will emerge as a result of the application of the yakisugi finishing technique, particularly within the domain of contemporary minimalist furniture products.

Analysis of the rationality of using a natural resource in the form of wood biomass

The paper presents an analysis of the rationality of using a natural resource in the form of wood biomass. An assessment was made of the volumes of their formation and disposal in the process of logging operations in the period from 2019 to 2021 based on the data on the formation, processing, disposal, neutralization, disposal of production and consumption wastes provided by the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources. The inefficiency of the modern approach to the issue of using a natural resource in the form of wood at the harvesting stage is substantiated based on the assessment of the volumes of formation and disposal of waste from individual parts of wood biomass. To achieve this goal statistical analysis was chosen as the main research method. The results obtained in the course of the work are necessary for the formation of a development strategy for both individual logging and wood processing enterprises, and the entire timber industry complex. Research of the type, characteristics and volume of the wood resource not used in the main production will allow rationally forming the technological chains of logging and wood processing works, the park of equipment and machines for the enterprises of the timber industry complex.

Strategic opportunities for digitalization of Russian timber industry enterprises

The timber industry complex is of high significance to the economics of Russia due to vast stocks of wood, extensive distribution of the forests throughout the territory of Russia, large scale of the timber industry and widespread use of finished timber products both in our country and abroad. Digitalization of the timber industry complex has been developing in recent years, as the digital transformation is a global technological trend penetrating more and more spheres of human activity and facilitating accelerated development and increased effectiveness of manufacturing. At the same time there are a lot of challenges on the way to full digitalization. The purpose of the article is to analyze the current situation and to reveal the opportunity of raising the level of digitalization of the timber industry complex of Russia as a strategically important component of the Russian economics on the basis of implementation of new platforms. The authors study the issues of digitalization of the timber industry complex of Russia focusing on the external environment: analyze qualitative indicators of the ICT sector development in Russia and abroad and the intensity of application of the ICT achievements in the industry as the basis for further digitalization. The authors examine the impact of the current crisis on the entire timber industry complex and on the prospects for its digital transformation. The key risks and threats for implementation the ICT achievements have been determined. Recommendations on mitigating these problems for the timber industry complex have been developed including the step-by-step algorithm for implementing digital platforms at the wood processing enterprises.

Особенности клонального микроразмножения триплоидной осины с применением ростостимулирующих препаратов

The creation of fast-growing triploid aspen plantations in the area of wood processing enterprises has high importance in terms of increasing demand for deciduous wood associated with the development of board production and the prospects for the introduction of innovative technologies for deep processing of wood. The article presents the results of studies of triploid aspen clones of Kostroma origin at the stages of “introduction to in vitro culture”, “proper micropropagation”, and “rooting of microshoots” with the use of growth-regulating substances. At the “introduction culture to in vitro” stage, the most effective sterilizing agents were silver nitrate with the concentration of 0.2 %, Lysoformin 3000, 5 % applied for 15 min and sulema, 0.2 % used for 10 min. At the “proper micropropagation” stage, the total length of triploid aspen shoots did not differ significantly depending on the composition of the nutrient media studied but was slightly exceeded the options with Woody Plant Medium. An increase by 1.2–2.6 times was observed in the total length of triploid aspen microshoots in vitro, when the concentration of 6-benzylaminopurine in the nutrient medium was increased from 0.5 to 1.0 mg/L. The maximum value of the total length (5.6 cm) of tryploid aspen microshoots in vitro was observed on Woody Plant Medium at the 6-benzylaminopurine concentration of 1.0 mg/L and the presence of Epin-Extra preparation of 0.5 mg/L. At the “rooting of microshoots” stage the number, average, and total length of triploid aspen roots in vitro had no statistically significant differences depending on the nutrient medium composition. Increasing the concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid and indole-3-acetic acid from 1.0 to 2.0 mg/L in the nutrient medium increased the total length of regenerated plant roots of triploid aspen in vitro by 2.3–2.4 times. The maximum total length (5.1 cm) of triploid aspen roots in vitro was observed on Woody Plant Medium with indole-3-butyric acid at a concentration of 1.0 mg/L. Clonal micropropagation appears to be a perspective for accelerated production of elite planting material of triploid aspen for the purposes of laying out timber plantations. For citation: Makarov S.S., Bagaev E.S., Chudetsky A.I., Kuznetsova I.B., Lebedeva O.P., Antonov A.M. Features of Triploid Aspen Clonal Micropropagation Using Modern Growth-Stimulating Preparations. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 2, pp. 183–194. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-2-183-194

The use of a mobile unit for separating coniferous trees for rational nature management

The paper gives the analysis of the problem of rational nature management in the process of logging operations. An assessment of the formation of logging waste in the form of coniferous tree greenery, the expediency of separating needles directly in the places of their accumulation for further transportation and processing is substantiated. To solve the problem of separating needles from branches in logging conditions, the design of a mobile plant for needle separation was proposed. Analytical and mathematical methods were used, as well as modeling of the structures of units and assemblies. The results obtained can be widely used both at logging and wood processing enterprises. The use of the proposed design of a mobile device for separating needles in the process of logging operations will reduce the amount of logging waste by removing needles from the cutting area. This, in turn, will not only reduce the fire hazard of the logging process, but also expand the raw material base for the production of essential oils, bioactive preparations, vitamin flour and other products from coniferous trees.

The use of mobile debarking equipment as a basis for rational environmental management

The paper analyzes of the problem of rational nature management in the process of logging operations. An assessment of the formation of logging waste in the form of branches, twigs and twigs is given. The expediency of their processing directly in the places of their accumulation into technological chips is substantiated. In order to debark branches, twigs and twigs before processing into technological chips in logging conditions, a design of a mobile debarking plant was proposed. To achieve this goal analytical and mathematical methods were used, as well as modeling of the structures of units and assemblies. The results obtained can be widely used both at logging and wood processing enterprises. The use of the proposed design of a mobile debarker together with a chipper in the process of logging operations will reduce the amount of logging waste by removing technological chips from branches, branches and twigs from the cutting area.

A forest-based circular bioeconomy for sustainable development: a case study of Konya Province, Turkey

The concept of the circular bioeconomy is becoming increasingly important for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development worldwide. The aim of this study is to develop a set of indicators suitable to monitor the implementation of the circular bioeconomy principles in the forest-based sector. The indicators were defined considering the 4R framework and tested in a case study in Konya Province, Turkey. The data to calculate the indicators were collected through the administration of a questionnaire to wood processing enterprises in the study area. The results show that the majority of roundwood processed by enterprises and the workforce are locally sourced. Two strengths of the forest-based sector are the high average productive yield and the economically efficient allocation of wood residues for panels and bioenergy production. Conversely, the main weaknesses are the low amount of certified roundwood processed and the high CO2 emissions due to the transport of wood materials. Considering the results of this study, the current situation in Konya Province could be improved through an enhancement of the Chain of Custody (CoC) certification for both local roundwood and wood residues.

Warehouse management at wood harvesting and processing enterprises: main aspects of organization and functioning

Warehouse management at wood harvesting and processing enterprises: main aspects of organization and functioning

Financial Literacy in Micro-Scale Enterprises Operating in Forest Products Sector

Enterprises are one of the main components of the economic system and they are indispensable for maintaining the sustainability of economic activities. The majority of these enterprises are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Sustainability of SMEs depends on their good financial management. Inadequate financial literacy causes SMEs’ owners to make inaccurate financial decisions. The forest products sector is mostly composed of micro-scale enterprises in which financial problems are common. Therefore, this study aims to reveal the financial literacy status of the owners of micro-scale and wood-processing enterprises. For this purpose, 78 enterprises were selected as study population. Data were collected by applying a structured questionnaire to 43 of these companies by the face-to-face interview method. The structured questionnaire consisted of multiple-choice and open-ended questions and statements prepared on the Five Likert scales. Data were analysed by using the Independent-Sample T-Test, Mann-Whitney U-Test and correlation test. The reliability coefficient of the data was found to be 0.791. Of the enterprises, 58 % produced in the furniture sub-sector and 42 % in the wood products sub-sector. This study provides evidence that there was no statistically significant difference between the knowledge means of economics and financial behaviour of the furniture and wood products sectors. However, the enterprise owners’ knowledge of financial analysis positively affected their financial literacy and financial behaviour.

Factors Affecting the Working Motivation of Office Staff at Export Wood Processing Enterprises in Binh Dinh Province

It is important to study factors affecting the working motivation of the office staff who work for export wood processing enterprises in Binh Dinh province. The research indicates seven factors that affect the working motivation of those staff members including wages and benefits, working conditions, training and development, relationships with colleagues, leadership style, autonomy in work, and stability in work. In particular, the factors of wages and benefits have the strongest impact. The research results provide an important suggestion for the development of appropriate strategies and plans on human resources in export wood processing enterprises in Binh Dinh province.

Factors Affecting the Working Motivation of Office Staff at Export Wood Processing Enterprises in Binh Dinh Province

It is important to study factors affecting the working motivation of the office staff who work for export wood processing enterprises in Binh Dinh province. The research indicates seven factors that affect the working motivation of those staff members including wages and benefits, working conditions, training and development, relationships with colleagues, leadership style, autonomy in work, and stability in work. In particular, the factors of wages and benefits have the strongest impact. The research results provide an important suggestion for the development of appropriate strategies and plans on human resources in export wood processing enterprises in Binh Dinh province.