Wood-products value-chain mapping

ABSTRACT

With the increasing importance of wood as a sustainable material and addressing challenges facing the wood products industry, there is an emerging need for innovation and collaboration across all industry sectors. The mapping of the wood products industry has become crucial for gaining an overview and overall understanding of material flow. It also proved beneficial for educational and research purposes. The outcome of this study should help seek new economic opportunities and promote sustainable resource management. A Generic Map was developed to navigate the entire wood products industry as well as Dive-in Chain Maps will guide the four major production chains: sawmill (I), veneer mill (II), reconstituted wood manufacturing (III), and pulp and paper mills (IV). In addition, a By-products Management Wheel Diagram was introduced to clarify waste management practices within these chains. Our approach sheds light on efficient material flow and utilization, revealing opportunities for innovation and the development of high-value products. It also offers strategies for minimizing waste and making informed end-of-life decisions. Ultimately, this study enhances the understanding and potential for circularity and sustainability in the wood products industry.

KEYWORDS:

• Wood products
• wood products chain
• circular economy
• innovations

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University, USA; the Slovenian Research Agency, Program P4-0015, P4-0059; and Bilateral project BI-US/22-24-043.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).