Deciduous tree species for sustainable future forestry Nordic-Baltic Forest Conference: Wise Use of Improved Forest Reproductive Material, Riga, 15.9.2015 Dr. Karoliina Niemi, Finnish Forest Industries Federation
2 The Finnish Forest Industries Federation represents circa 80 member companies Paper production and processing Bioenergy and biofuels Pulp production Paperboard production Lobbying organisation for companies engaged in the forest industry and associated activities in Finland Sawmilling Panelboard industry Furniture and joinery industry and other wood products industry
3 Federation employs almost 40 experts Labour market issues Sustainable forestry Energy issues Transportation infrastructure Environment Education, research and development Competitiveness EU affairs Russian affairs 13.9.2015
Wood flow from forest to mill in Finland 2014 (mill.m 3 ) 4 Annual increment 30 million m 3 Imported wood and chips 9 Annual growth 104 Total drain 73 Total removals 60 Commercial roundwood 55 9 Industry Raw material 64 Pulp and paper industry 37+9 9 73 55 Chips 9 Logging residues, natural drain 13 Firewood 5 Wood products industry 27 SOURCE: FFIF, LUKE
5 Finland s most important export products in 2014 1. Paper and paperboard 4. Sawn timber 1,5 bn euros 5. 6,8 bn euros Pulp 1,4 bn euros 2. Dieselfuel 5.8 bn euros 3. Stainless steel plates 2,1 bn euros Photo ABB 6. Generators and engines 1,4 bn euros 7. Special machinery and equipment 1,2 bn euros Photo: Planmeca 8. Motor vehicles and passenger cars 1,1 bn euros Photo: Valmet Automotive 9. Transformers and frequency converters 1,0 bn euros 10. Cranes and loaders 0,9 bn euros
Value of forest industry export and share of total Finnish exports Billion Euros Furniture industry Wood Products 14 Pulp & Paper Industry share of total exports 30% 12 10 8 6 25% 20% 15% Value of exports, billion EUR 2014 Pulp, paper, board and converted products 8 700 Wood products 2 450 Furniture industry 150 Forest industry total 11 300 Share of total Finnish exports 20,2 % 4 10% 2 5% 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 0% SOURCE: Finnish Customs
Deciduous tree species are essential to successful business of forest-based industry three points of view 7 Forest biodiversity is effectively maintained by using deciduous tree species Forest and Nature conservation Acts Certification (FSC and PEFC) Forest health and vitality Birch is economically feasible alternative in forests infected by Heterobasidion sp. Mixed stands general resistance Climate change mitigation and adaptation C absorption Birch is an important raw material for the forest-based industry Plywood and veneer industry Tissue production Packaging board and carton Graphic paper Labels, decorative or glassine paper etc. Furniture industry Energy production
Certification requires maintenance of deciduous tree species FSC (> 1 M ha in Finland) 8 Sufficient proportion of deciduous trees in coniferdominated forests in thinnings and tending of seedling stands Deciduous trees species 10% of the number of stems of thinning-sized trees Sites of special significance to the forest ecosystem diversity or for diversifying the forest structure forests Forest predominantly dominated by deciduous tree species managed in a manner that maintains biodiversity based on those forests Herb-rich forests with representative vegetation At least 20 dead trees (DBH > 10 cm) / ha retained during forest operations, when available in the area Decaying broadleaved trees are always retained At least 10 living trees (DBH > 20 cm) Importance of willow, alder, cherry, aspen etc. Old herb-rich forests has special role
Certification requires maintenance of deciduous species PEFC (> 20 M ha in Finland) 9 Sites of special significance to the forest ecosystem diversity or for diversifying the forest structure forests Herb-rich forests dominated by deciduous tree species, > 50 % of volume Deciduous tree species have an important role in the maintenance of habitats for game At least 10 retention or decaying trees / ha Old forests not harvested: 4 criteria has to be fulfilled One criterion deciduous tree species, decaying wood (stand and on the ground) represent more than 15 % of the volume
Development of forest resources in Finland 10 2 500 2 000 Mill. m 3 Broadleaved Spruce Pine 1 500 1 000 500 0 1921-24 36-38 1944 51-53 60-63 64-70 71-76 77-84 86-94 96-2003 2009-14 -Agricultural area of birch (P. pendula) has been decreasing in the 21 st century: seedling destruction by moose and reduction of subsidies for afforestation -More deciduous tree species in mixed forests; however, less than 5 % of the all seedlings planted are birch, more than 60% are spruce
Finnish forest-based industry needs birch now and also in the future both domestic and imported wood 11 The chemical pulp industry use of hardwood roundwood was 12.9 M m 3 in 2013 about 80 % of the total consumption of hardwood Other major hardwood roundwood users are the plywood and veneer industries Ratio between drain and annual increment of hardwood growing stocks in forests available for wood production is around 85 % high variation between areas Birch wood s availability is highly challenged Average transportation distance is too long Birch growing area is too scattered In certain areas birch is simply too scarce Natural regeneration versus used of bred FRM Import is an essential part of the birch raw material procurement in eastern Finland
12 Imports of wood raw material 11 mill. m 3 2013 (with bark) Share of Russia of the total wood imports almost 3/4 Almost half of imported volume was birch pulpwood Latvia 11 % Others 3 % Nonconif. chips 3 % Aspen 5 % Logs 5 % Others 5 % Estonia 13 % Pine pulpwood 5 % Birch pulpwood 44 % Russia 73 % Spruce pulpwood 9 % Coniferou s chips 24 % SOURCE: Customs, FFIF Not only birch but also some aspen
Where are our deciduous tree species at the hardwood market? 13 Global hardwood capacity is constantly growing with new eucalyptus pulp mills entering the market especially in Latin America Hardwood kraft pulp production is reaching 20 M t Birch has less cellulose but more hemicellulose than eucalyptus also less lignin Birch easier to refine and needs less energy in the process Big role in strengthen properties: board, carton and tissue production Eucalyptus is stronger in giving high opacity and has less problems with extractives And eucalyptus grows much faster than birch. Role of aspen in the future is a big question mark
Breeding of birch and aspen is essential also in the future 14 The genomes of birch and aspen have been sequenced Opens a new world in targeted breeding Birch resistance to moose plays an essential role can we find an answer? Aspen s resistance to decay can we find an answer? The growth versus quality How can we guarantee both? Quality and usability of FRM Small birch seedlings The use of GM technology? FuturaGene s GM eucalyptus was approved for commercial use: FSC and PEFC do not accept, the pressure is high EU legislation is very strict Semi-natural forests not really suitable for the use of GM trees Certification allows the use of bred FRM How can we increase the use of birch and aspen, because the forest-based industry would need it.?
15 Forest industries invest heavily in Finland Wood usage will increase significantly Forest industries investment activities in Finland Milj. euroa 1200 ennuste Forecast Puutuoteteollisuus Woodworking industries 1000 Paperiteollisuus Pulp, paper, paperboard industries 800 600 400 200 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014e Planned/decided investments: Metsä Group, Äänekoski Bioproduct mill/softwood pulp EUR 1100 million Investment decision 2015, start-up 2017 Stora Enso, Varkaus Fine paper machine converted to packaging EUR 110 million Start-up 2015 UPM, Lappeenranta Biodiesel production EUR 150 million Start-up 2014 UPM, Kymi Expansion of pulp production EUR 160 million Start-up 2015 Forests/Jukka Halonen
Renewable, environment and climate friendly raw material from sustainable sources a wide range of products and solutions 16 Wooden raw material Buildings and interior design Packaging Medicine and wellness Wooden fibers and components New technologies Energy and biofuels Wood and other materials together New wood and paper prodcuts and more processed prodcuts Biopolymers and bio plastics Bio-chemicals Role of Nordic deciduous tree species?