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This study addressed multi-product optimization in Cedrelinga cateniformis plantations in the Peruvian Amazon, aiming to maximize volumetric yields of logs and sawn lumber. Data from seven plantations of different ages and types, established on degraded land, were analyzed by using ten stem profile models to predict taper and optimize wood use. In addition, the structure of each plantation was evaluated using diameter distributions and height–diameter ratios; log and sawn timber production was optimized using SigmaE 2.0 software. The Garay model proved most effective, providing high predictive accuracy (adjusted R2 values up to 0.963) and biological realism. Marked differences in volumetric yield were observed between plantations: older and more widely spaced plantations produced higher timber volumes. Logs of optimal length (1.83–3.05 m) and larger dimension wood (e.g., 25.40 × 5.08 cm) were identified as key contributors to maximizing volumetric yields. The highest yields were observed in mature plantations, in which the total log volume reached 508.1 m3ha−1 and the sawn lumber volume 333.6 m3ha−1. The findings demonstrate the power of data-driven decision-making in the timber industry. By combining precise modeling and optimization techniques, we developed a framework that enables sawmill operators to maximize log and lumber yields. The insights gained from this research can be used to improve operational efficiency and reduce waste, ultimately leading to increased profitability. These practices promote support for smallholders and the forestry industry while contributing to the long-term development of the Peruvian Amazon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of sustainable innovation in the wood industry is growing, but there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of its evolution, regional differences, and patterns of convergence in China. Based on the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021, the sustainable innovation index of the wood industry is measured by the projection pursuit method. On this basis, the kernel density estimation method and Dagum Gini coefficient are used to study the dynamic evolution trend, regional differences, and sources of the index, and the convergence characteristics are examined using the coefficient of variation method. The study shows that (1) China's overall wood industry sustainable innovation index shows a decreasing trend from 2011 to 2021. (2) The differences in the four regions mainly come from inter-regional differences. (3) The index shows significant nonequilibrium characteristics and progressive evolution patterns, and the spatial agglomeration is significant. The magnitude of the index deviation from the average did not decrease over time for the northern and southwestern forest regions. (4) The wood industry sustainable innovation index of the four major forest regions has obviously converged to the same level; under the condition of considering multifactors differentiation, the growth rate of the index of the lower regions is significantly higher than that of the higher regions. The study concludes that current regional imbalances in sustainable innovation in China impede progress and equitable distribution of benefits in the wood industry, and that the impact of regional differences on the β-convergence of sustainable innovation varies according to specific regional characteristics and conditions. These findings provide important theoretical contributions and practical guidance for the development of targeted innovation strategies for the sustainable development of the wood industry, as well as for the promotion of balanced regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work covers the issues related to the diagnosis of selected occupational safety hazards in Polish wood processing enterprises. The main objective is to build models in order to identify occupational accident profiles in these enterprises on the basis of individual records characterizing the casualties, provided by Statistics Poland. The modelling task employed the latent class analysis (LCA) data mining technique. In order to enhance the process of building the LCA model and to support the procedure of selecting input variables relevant to the model, an iterative algorithm was elaborated by the authors. The impact of an enterprise size on occupational accident consequences was statistically confirmed. Following this result, LCA models were developed independently for smaller (micro and small), and for larger (medium and large) enterprises. Latent classes, presenting occupational accident profiles, were visualized in the form of heat maps. Similarities and differences between the occupational accident profiles identified for the two types of enterprises were indicated. It has been shown that employees of smaller enterprises are at greater risk of suffering more serious injury from accidents at work than employees of larger enterprises. However, in both cases, the most critical latent classes concern occupational accidents related to operating machinery; they affect workers with a low level of job seniority, and result in injuries (often traumatic amputations) involving upper limbs in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of this study stems from Russia’s significant lag in the efficiency of wood use compared to leading wood-producing nations. Identifying the cause-and-effect relationships between factors and the performance of key sectors, along with determining the primary resource factors and technological factors, is crucial for developing effective measures to improve the economic performance of the industry. This study proposes a methodological toolkit for assessing the growth factors influencing the efficiency of Russia’s wood industry, employing mathematical modeling and forecasting. The findings reveal and quantify the impact of resource and technological factors on improving efficiency, providing a detailed analysis of their influence on target performance indicators. Regional assessments of resource and technological factors impacting the development of the industry were conducted. Utilizing the compiled database, resource efficiency indicators were calculated for each studied region, allowing for the identification and classification of development factors and their influence on resource productivity. The study also classifies activities in the wood industry based on the types of resource and technological factors exerting the greatest influence on the industry’s growth in the region. The proposed toolkit for assessing these factors demonstrated its effectiveness, establishing that the primary determinant of wood industry performance remains operations management. Emphasis on the integrated use of raw materials and the technological interconnection of core and auxiliary operations remains important. While innovations and high technologies are gradually increasing their contribution to economic efficiency, progress in their adoption has been slow. This underscores the need for targeted and substantive efforts to integrate advanced technologies as part of a transformative approach to production processes.

This study aims to compare the yield and quality of Teak wood from a Forest Industry Organization (FIO) plantation and a private teak plantation (PTP) in Thailand to provide guidelines for the sustainable utilization of teak wood. To quantify yields, we employed a randomized design at two locations (FIO and PTP), and determined volumetric proportions, the yields of milled teak and wood properties. We found that the whole lumber yield differed significantly (p≤0.05) between the two locations, although the yield of lumber sheets did not differ (p>0.05). While more teak wood was produced at the FIO plantation than the PTP, the sawing techniques used at the two locations resulted in no significant difference in wood yield. Wood drying had significantly different effects (p≤0.05) between the two locations, but the drying method did not differ (p>0.05). Overall, the lumber yields were greater for timber harvested from an FIO plantation than a PTP. Even though there are differences in sawing techniques adopted, the final lumber yield did not differ significantly between these two sources. The mechanical properties of teak wood improved with kiln drying, FIO plantation exhibits better properties than dried wood from the PTP.

According to most energy demand forecasts, woody biomass has the potential to become an important source of renewable energy, especially during the transitional period of energy transition. The aim of this article was to estimate the energy potential of the biomass from the forest and the biomass generated by the mechanical processing of wood raw material and also to show the spectrum of possibilities for the potential use of the biomass for energy production in Poland. This research used available statistical and literature data on the species structure of harvested wood and the qualitative and assortment structures of woody biomass. The basic parameters of the raw material were evaluated in accordance with the EU classification of energy wood. This study confirmed the relationship between the energy potential of woody biomass and energy demand in Poland. The correlation coefficient for these variables was r = 0.984. This correlation was reflected in the significant shares of biomass in the production of electricity (more than 9%) or heat (almost 14%). Energy wood resources in Poland are smaller than in other European Union countries, which affects the scale of the potential use of woody biomass for energy purposes. Nevertheless, the use of such a biomass is fully justified from the point of view of possible development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to compare the yield and quality of Teak wood from a Forest Industry Organization (FIO) plantation and a private teak plantation (PTP) in Thailand to provide guidelines for the sustainable utilization of teak wood. To quantify yields, we employed a randomized design at two locations (FIO and PTP), and determined volumetric proportions, the yields of milled teak and wood properties. We found that the whole lumber yield differed significantly (p≤0.05) between the two locations, although the yield of lumber sheets did not differ (p>0.05). While more teak wood was produced at the FIO plantation than the PTP, the sawing techniques used at the two locations resulted in no significant difference in wood yield. Wood drying had significantly different effects (p≤0.05) between the two locations, but the drying method did not differ (p>0.05). Overall, the lumber yields were greater for timber harvested from an FIO plantation than a PTP. Even though there are differences in sawing techniques adopted, the final lumber yield did not differ significantly between these two sources. The mechanical properties of teak wood improved with kiln drying, FIO plantation exhibits better properties than dried wood from the PTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article sets out to analyse how and why the wood industry in France has recently responded to various calls for its economic models to fit better with the demands of climate change and ecological transition. By adopting a 'politics of industry' approach to the linkages between business practices and their regulation by the European Union, the state, and regional authorities, it unpacks the structuration of this industry, then examines the political work undertaken either to change or conserve it. The study draws upon interviews with public, private, and collective actors from throughout the industry, documentary analysis, and observation of stakeholder meetings. First, we show that in this industry, access to markets and to its factors of production (natural and financial capital) has indeed become increasingly driven by environmental criteria and practices of ecological planning. Second, however, the industry is still struggling to make its productive models fit with an institutional order that has only partially transitioned in this direction. In endeavouring to make productive models and this institutional order match up, key actors in the industry are still working politically to reach three objectives that are often contradictory: (i) build cohesion within the industry aligned with decarbonization ambitions, (ii) re-organize value chains that respond to calls for more national sovereignty for wood, and (iii) maintain ties between a productivist model that has taken on board ecological constraints and another, essentially conservationist, one which still resists change to the very definition of the overall objectives of the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Wildland Fire Science is the property of Journal of Wildland Fire Science Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Human-driven changes threaten environmental and economic stability, prompting the formulation of sustainability objectives and innovation efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of economic activities. However, the pace of this transition is often seen as slow, and businesses' commitment to sustainable development is frequently deemed insufficient. In this context, the current study explores the motivational factors that drive businesses to adopt and implement sustainable practices. The findings reveal significant differences in how companies approach social and environmental sustainability and balance it with economic goals. To capture the diversity of motivations behind sustainability initiatives, investments, and related preparatory planning, we propose a model of three types of existing development mindsets in companies, distinguishing between "a spreadsheet mindset", "a mindset of strategic capabilities" and "a value-driven mindset". This typology serves as a tool for companies to self-assess their motivations as well as for governments to fine-tune sustainability regulations and support mechanisms accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social acceptability of forestry practices plays a key role in defining sustainable forestry policies and strategies. In this study an online survey was distributed among members of environmental, non-governmental, professional, and academic organizations to assess the acceptability of forestry practices in Puerto Rico among members of civic society interested in environmental management issues. Participants were asked about their perception of forest uses, their preference of tree harvesting technologies, methods that may apply in small scale wood production settings, and trust in organizations providing forest information. We also inquired about attitudes towards economic activity in forests and the impact of such activity on recreation and biodiversity. The results show that even though participants do not place a high priority on economic development through forestry activities, acceptance of forest management for wood harvesting will be possible by considering adherence to particular forestry technologies and methods to safeguard current recreation activities and biodiversity conservation. Social acceptability information would be worthwhile when seeking consensus among a broader group of local stakeholders. As a next step we suggest the creation of a council constituted by diverse forestry sector stakeholders that would engage in a strategic planning exercise to delineate a clear road map that can guide short and long-term sustainable forest management, including wood industry development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In transitioning to a carbon‐neutral chemical industry, the intake of fossil feedstocks will have to be reduced by maximizing end‐of‐life product recycling and introducing alternative feedstocks based on renewable carbon. This perspective article analyses the potential of domestically grown and sourced woody biomass for the supply of renewable carbon for chemicals in Europe. The European chemical industry can become a major consumer of woody biomass in a context where burning wood for energy production is viewed as an unsustainable practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The static bending properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) clear wood were studied using a material collected from commercial thinning forests in eastern Finland. In Myrtillus type, the modulus of elasticity and bending strength of the first thinning wood were 7.8 GPa and 66.0 MPa, respectively, whereas for more mature wood from the second thinnings, the modulus of elasticity and bending strength were 10.0 GPa and 80.3 MPa. The results were compared with final fellings, which resulted in the modulus of elasticity of 10.1 GPa and bending strength of 81.8 MPa. The bending properties of the first thinning material were low, and thus they did not indicate any potential for applications requiring high strength or stiffness and material homogeneity. On the contrary, the properties of Scots pine wood from the second commercial thinnings may be comparable with or sometimes even better than those of the final-felling wood. The results can be utilised in wood marketing, procurement, sorting, allocation to different industries and end-uses, as well as in wood processing, product sales, and branding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems offer various functionalities to support an organization's core functions. However, many anticipated benefits often need to materialize due to business context changes and users' high expectations. Continuous adaptation and improvement are necessary to address user disappointments. This research focuses on ERP systems, exploring key factors influencing the success of their implementation. Recognizing challenges in ERP system implementation, this study provides a comprehensive literature review, identifying essential and contemporary Critical Success Factors (CSFs) influenced by technological advancements. Addressing challenges specific to the wood industry, this research introduces additional industry-adapted CSFs, including industry adaptability, integration with production machinery, effective warehouse management, and supply chain tracking. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes the need for continuous adaptation and improvement of ERP systems, especially in light of current trends and technological achievements. This study recommends a holistic approach, considering traditional or essential CSFs while adapting to new trends. Critical success factors in ERP implementation in the next decade involve considering cloud technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data security, mobile access, IoT integration, user experience, and training. The main objective of this paper is to identify the latest CSFs in ERP implementation. This research highlights essential success factors in ERP implementation, and contemporary trends in ERP implementation with a particular focus on the specifics of wood industry. While organizations should aim to maximize the potential of ERP systems, they should also acknowledge the crucial role played by human intervention in the effective and responsible implementation of artificial intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the impacts of industrial activities is that it provides regional economic progress, especially contributing to the value of regional GDP. This research uses a survey method through observation and interviews as well as literature study and is presented descriptively analytically. The results of this research show that in terms of the perception of farmer households living around the timber industry location as measured by indicators of the company's presence in terms of infrastructure and environment, social relations and employment opportunities, it shows the medium category with a score of 32.74. One of the reasons for this is the increase in the number of migrant residents and the increase in the allocation of working hours to earn a living. Judging from the economic aspect, it is known that the average economic household of farmers living around the location of wood industry activities has an income of around IDR 2,180,540 per month, while the average living needs (DLN) in the area is IDR 3,000,914. - per month or minus Rp. 820,374,- per month. The contribution of income from working as a laborer in a wood factory to the total income of farmer households is 67.35%. This means that the influence of the presence of timber companies in the community is quite a positive contribution to the economy of the surrounding community. However, the company's existence also raises environmental issues, including the potential for disruption to physical-chemical and socio-cultural components as well as public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a complete approach for the wood industry for assessing the state of circular economy adoption by companies. A methodology for achieving this purpose is proposed and then implemented with the help of a specific questionnaire. The study is based on a literature survey with two components, one relating to reports on the concept of circularity and one relating to the methodological aspects of determining and measuring the progress of companies. Starting from these aspects and factoring in the sectoral evolution in Romania, the assessment directions and detailed questions for each are established essentially through a mind-mapping process. For validation, the questionnaire with seven evaluation viewpoints covered in 28 items is applied within the Romanian wood industry to 60 companies. The analysis of results is carried out using descriptive and inferential statical methods, such as ANOVA, showing good progress of the industry at company level, through individual efforts as well as the need to continue the transformation of the sector from the point of view of regulatory oversight and market acceptance. A set of recommendations for companies to advance their situation is proposed to help the maturation of the current circular approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wood industry, forest certification stands as a pivotal factor that supports the implementation of sustainability and market acceptance. Recognizing its significance for both the wood sector and exports, this study explores the impact of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody certificates on the export of Croatian wood to European Union (EU) countries. Through a dynamic panel data analysis using the system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator, our aim is to uncover the implications of this certification on wood industry exports. Additionally, the model assesses other determinants of wood exports, such as GDP, GDP per capita, remoteness, manufacturing value added, unemployment, and the real effective exchange rate. The results indicate that the number of FSC certificates during the observed period (2000–2021) have a positive and significant impact on wood exports from Croatia, suggesting that wood certification plays a predominant role in shaping such exports. Furthermore, the econometric analysis confirms the statistical significance of selected macroeconomic indicators, including nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP), GDP per capita, unemployment, added value of manufacturing and real effective exchange rate, on wood exports. This study emphasizes the importance of forest certification in promoting wood exports and improving market competitiveness, offering a unique contribution to the literature by considering a range of macroeconomic factors in the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Social Sciences Research / Sosyal Bilimler Arastirmalari Dergisi is the property of ODU Journal of Social Sciences Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Densification, i.e. the transverse compression of sawn timber has been studied and commercialised for well over 100 years but remains an expensive niche product with low annual production volumes. One reason for this is the reliance on time-consuming batch processes in a hot press. To solve this, a continuous densification process using a belt press, capable of densifying full-sized sideboards was developed. However, there is insufficient knowledge about the effect of knots on the densification outcome. The objective of this study was to assess how different knot parameters affect the densified wood in terms of damage and deformation to the knot itself and the surrounding wood material. Multivariate data analysis methods were applied to a dataset of 171 knots, described by 23 variables. The data showed that it is possible to densify knots in a continuous process without causing damage. Especially sound knots are often unproblematic, even at relatively large sizes, while densifying dead knots often resulted in unacceptable damage to the knot or the surrounding wood. From a material selection standpoint, any knots bleeding into the board edge and dead knots greater than 20 mm in diameter should be avoided altogether. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial role in job creation in the wood industry. The process of employee ageing and avoidance of heavy physical effort affect the labour market contribution. The need to increase work efficiency is certainly reflected in the pressures on employees. Workplace health investigations with the Work Ability Index (WAI) is a one of several tools that take into account job requirements, the employee health status and their resources. In the conducted study, an attempt was made to assess the workability of logging workers in the private sector of small and medium-sized enterprises. Excellent work readiness was found only among harvester and forwarder operators aged 20-30. Different dynamics of WAI decline as a function of age were also observed. In general, for the study group, the WAI fluctuated at a moderate level depending on the technical equipment, age of the employees, BMI, log dimensions and quality (pulp, industry or large saw log wood) or machine productivity. The worst situation was observed during silvicultural treatments of deciduous (beech) stands using the cut-to-length (short saw log wood harvesting) method. Ageing, being overweight, deteriorating health and the mainly physical nature of work are risk factors for low (mediocre) work capacity. It can partially be modelled by increasing employee engagement through an appropriate incentive system. We often observed differences between the work demands determined by the employer's expectations and the social, physical, and health limitations of employees, which led them to seek easier jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses the case of Afro-descendants in the Rio Santiago Cayapas Commune, Ecuador. Chapter I contextualizes Esmeraldas within the Chocó Biogeographic region. Chapter II analyzes the history from African slaves to the resistance stronghold. Chapter III explores how the resource-rich Rio Santiago Cayapas Commune faces state-driven displacement, logging industry, oil palm agriculture, and mining, prioritizing resource exploitation, impacting local communities. Logging, oil palm, and mining lead to deforestation, territory loss, conflicts, and environmental degradation, straining life in the Rio Santiago Cayapas Commune. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood plays a very important role for daily household needs. In this paper, we have taken three parameters, forest biomass density FB, wood‐based industries density WI, and synthetic‐based industries density SI in the proposed mathematical modeling. The forest biomass is assumed to grow logistically, which requires a fixed time to achieve full growth. The excessive cutting of wood for the growth of wood‐based industries not only depletes these forest resources, but there comes a delay in the growth of forest biomass as well. On the contrary, the growth of synthetic‐based industry is independent of forest biomass, yet there is a competition between wood‐based products and synthetic‐based products as per market demands. With the help of differential equation, we studied the stability of the system. Delay plays a significant role in the system to understand the complex behavior of the system about non‐zero equilibrium point. Hopf‐bifurcation observed and directional analysis is studied using normal form theory and manifold reduction. MATLAB software is used to graphical representation of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, both authors led a comprehensive review to discuss cross-laminated timber (CLT) as an engineered wood product, addressing the information and discussion on this building input in terms of the main details, materials, production forms, performances, codes, sustainability, applications, and perspectives for residential uses. The current scenario of CLT developers was raised in that previous paper as one of the missing factors in the available literature, and was the reason why this gap became the main goal of the present study. A global perspective was driven to provide information and discussion to every possible stakeholder. A systematic review on this sector was carried out, through the Web of Science and Scopus databases, to collect information and confirm this gap, using a representative method. CLT manufacturers were identified by their own websites, using a blended strategy formed by the systematic review results combined with the search for these companies using the Google search engine. Nearly a hundred CLT developers were identified and analyzed, in a representative sampling process. Results demonstrated that the CLT industry has manufacturing plants on the five habitable continents, which evinced a global commercial interest in this timber forest product. Despite the global presence of this mass timber product, most producers are concentrated in the northern hemisphere, despite being willing to serve international markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use and consumption of wood has always captured the attention of forest researchers, mainly from the point of view of forest management and the sustainable processing of raw materials. For this reason, the wood industry has not only been concerned with the maintenance of forests, but also with efficient processing. The objective was to identify, analyse and discuss the main elements that influence the efficient use of natural timber resources at a global, regional and local level, providing a historical and current perspective of the industrial forestry sector in Mexico. Historically, the wood industries worldwide have been concerned with applying intensive silvicultural treatments in native and artificial forest stands, in search of satisfying the demand of a growing market. In this context, industries evolved as processes needed to be more efficient. Therefore, efforts were made to reduce and take advantage of forest residues, at the same time various historical events generated additional needs. At present, the integration of silviculture and forest transformation allow to increase and improve the quality of the products generated. Through the application of intensive silvicultural treatments, products of a single species are obtained. However, it is possible to direct production to a specific market as the forest mass develops. For its part, selective treatments in uneven-aged forests maintain a constant production of diverse products for different specialized markets. In Mexico, it is imperative to analyse and generate innovative or competitive products derived from wood to improve the efficiency of forest harvesting.

In Ethiopia, sawmills have poor capacity utilization primarily due to the outdated equipment that resulted in a low recovery rate and the production of a high amount of wastage. The lumber recovery rate is the output (lumber) of a log in the sawing process. In Ethiopia, Cupressus lusitanica is significantly used for lumber, for furniture production, construction, poles and posts. Sampled logs were processed according to the normal production rate and standard lumber dimension of the sawmill for the purpose of estimating the lumber recovery rate. The present study aimed to investigate the lumber recovery rate of C. lusitanica and the factors affecting it. A total of 26.93 m3 of lumber was produced by the sawmilling operation, representing 72.86% of the overall lumber recovery rate. Furthermore, the sawdust and slabs were recorded as 2.92 m3 (7.90%) of sawdust and 7.11 m3 (19.24%) of slabs, respectively. There were a number of factors that decreased the magnitude of the lumber recovery rate. It was observed that cutting using a wider saw kerf caused a reduction in the rate of lumber recovery owing to the generation of an increased quantity of sawdust. The lumbers were air-seasoned in the sawmill yard. Maximizing the volume of the lumber recovered from the logs can increase the sawmill profitability, lessen the effects of climate change, ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, enhance the energy efficiency and manage wood waste (e.g., recycling and prevention) for green economic development and industrial transformation. This species has a great demand in the wood industry of Ethiopia; hence, the plantation and yield of C. lusitanica must be expanded in order to provide sustainable forestry, protect valuable forest resources and safeguard the biodiversity in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the impact on productivity and cost reduction, decision making in industrial processes is one of the most required aspects in the industry. Specifically in the panel industries, product quality depends on multiple variables, especially wood variability. Among other factors, quality depends on the adhesion of veneers or perpendicular tensile strength. The main objective of this study was to evaluate a Machine Learning approach to predict the adhesion under industrial conditions in the gluing and pre-pressing stage. The control variables that determine this adhesion are mainly: operational times, amount of adhesive, environmental conditions, and veneer temperature. Using Knowledge Discovery in Databases data analytics methodology, Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machine were evaluated. Sigmoid activation function was used with 3 hidden layers and 245 neurons. In addition to the Adam optimizer, Multi-Layer Perceptron, Artificial Neural Networks delivered the best accuracy levels of over 66 %. Best result with Relu and Sigmoid functions were obtained. Sigmoid showed accuracy over 66 %, precision fit good to find positive results (70 %). Relu function obtained the best recall (over 74 %) showing a good capacity to identify reality. Results show that it is not sufficient to generate a data set using the averages of each process variable, since it is difficult to obtain better results with the algorithms evaluated. This work contributes to defining a methodology to be used in plywood plants using industrial data to train and validate Machine Learning models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species identification from timber helps combat ilegal wood trafficking. In the present work, it is shown a method that aims to detect wood species from previously cut and stored pieces through the interaction of the volatile compounds that they emanate with an array of chemical sensors (electronic nose). The device processes the response of the chemical sensor array using linear regularization and probabilistic machine learning methods trying to resemble current biometric systems. In particular, this method includes a heuristic parameter estimation stage on the signals provided by the sensor array, followed by a variable selection stage through L¹ regularization, to finally use Gaussian mixture models [GMMs] for the process of probabilistic modeling. As a result, a performance (measured by EER) of 17.5 % is obtained for the detection of four wood species; and, for the particular case of Sapán, an EER of 12 % is achieved. In conclusion, this biometric approach gives good results compared to previous works, taking into account that in the present work, the experiments are carried out in conditions that are closer to reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu is a significant producer of natural rubber in India. However, rubber cultivation is slowly becoming less profitable for the growers. Scientific research greatly aids in understanding the threats and opportunities to the development of any industry. The present study reviews the research carried out on the rubber plantations of the district. The low research interest and the research lacuna in rubber plantations of the district are identified. There is no previous research on the properties, utilization, or potential applications of rubberwood in the district. Underutilization of rubberwood can be considered a primary reason for the gradual decline of interest in rubber plantations of the district. Despite its uniqueness and good structural properties, people still view rubberwood as a waste or by-product. It has been mainly used as firewood or in single-use applications which require low or no value addition. Theoretical quantitative assessment of the district's rubberwood was done due to the absence of data. The present value of rubberwood in the district is understood from levels of value addition. This study serves as a base for further research by providing an overview of the rubber plantations in the district with detailed insight into rubberwood utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the development of the Chinese wood products development in the last 10 years, besides offering an overview about its forestry and specific export and import markets for the commodities, encompassing sawn wood and wood-based components. In the last decades, China's forestry and wood industry encountered an accelerated development. This progress resulted in China's emergence as the largest player not only in the global wooden raw materials, but also in the wood products market, and has become the largest exporter of value-added wood products. Since 2000, China has introduced modern industrial equipment for the forest products manufacturing and consolidated its trade marketing. It is likewise the largest importer of unprocessed or semi-processed soft-, hard- and tropical wood species. Moreover, China itself developed over the past 10 years into the largest importer of logs worldwide, a position traditionally held by the USA. Its imports are decreasing nowadays due to increasing restrictions imposed on wood exports by other countries. The national consumption of wood-based panel products in China increased steadily due to the higher purchasing power that determined a quick development of the furniture, flooring and construction industry. China is the largest producer of medium density fiberboard/high density fiberboard, plywood and particleboard, as well as container floors and wooden pallets; furthermore, one of the world's largest user and especially important producer of pellets. China has been the leading exporter of wooden furniture since 2004, overtaking the traditional European exporters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With sustainable design as a vital strategical component for companies competing on the market today, many companies will need to transition to a use of sustainable and/or renewable materials in the near future. But how can this be done, and what can be done to bridge the gap from current affairs to a new, more sustainable state? Looking towards industries with experience might help making the first step just a little bit easier. This study aims to find challenges and bottlenecks when working with sustainable materials, in order to help companies interested in transitioning towards using sustainable or renewable materials in their products. The paper describes an interview study with five Swedish wood industry companies, differentiated in size and products, where the authors identify several key findings for both industry (already working with wood or aiming at transitioning towards renewable materials) and academia (on using renewable materials, need for further research, and pointers for teaching design and engineering students). Findings range from how organisational culture affects material selection, to how flexibility and efficiency effects automation solutions via how these companies have approached outsourcing of parts of their production.

The wood industry is facing many challenges. The high variability of raw material and the complexity of manufacturing processes results in a wide range of visible structure defects, which have to be controlled by trained specialists. These manual processes are not only tedious and biased, but also less effective. To overcome the drawbacks of the manual quality control processes, several automated vision-based systems have been proposed. Even though some conducted studies achieved a higher recognition rate than trained experts, researchers have to deal with a lack of large-scale databases and authentic data in this field. To address this issue, we performed a data acquisition experiment set in the industrial environment, where we were able to acquire an extensive set of authentic data from a production line. For this purpose, we designed and implemented a complex technical solution suitable for high-speed acquisition during harsh manufacturing conditions. In this data note, we present a large-scale dataset of high-resolution sawn timber surface images containing more than 43 000 labelled surface defects and covering 10 types of the most common wood defects. Moreover, with each image record, we provide two types of labels allowing researchers to perform semantic segmentation, as well as defect classification, and localization.

The structure of the forest sector as part of the national economy where the production and marketing of forest products take place provides essential information for formulating strategies for the sustainable management of forest resources. The present study aims to contribute to the clarification of some aspects regarding the structural attributes of the demand of logs for industrial use. To meet the objectives of this study, we proceeded to analyse the available data from 2013-2019 with the help of specific tools such the Herfindahl-Hirshman index (IHH), the concentration rate C5, the degree of market concentration and the Pareto index. A few key ideas can be summarized according to this study: i) Productivity is lower than the national average, but growing almost 50% more than in 2014; ii) The increasing evolution of the number of companies (+21%) suggests a tendency towards fragmentation and deconcentration, especially in the forestry segment, where the increase in the number of companies (+31% number of companies) did not follow the same pace as the increase in turnover; iii) Forestry sector in which micro-enterprises predominate (84%), about 10% of the sector's turnover is achieved through subcontracting, which shows an adaptation reaction to the uncertainties and risks of the sector by transferring commercial risks downstream; iv) For comparison, during the crisis period of 2013, 5% of the national turnover on the total economy was made by over 110 thousand companies that did not have any employees; v) The top 20% of logging firms account for 70% of the segment's turnover, while the top 20% of wood sawing and planning firms account for 89% of the segment's turnover; vi)Among all segments of the forestry sector, logging is the segment with the weakest degree of concentration - which negatively affects the possibility of innovation precisely in this sector where investment and innovation are needed due to the new protection/ecological requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workers in the wood industry are continually exposed to a wide range of risks. Some risks are potentially high and may lead to serious work-related accidents or occupational diseases. It is a sector where physical work is predominant and where high-risk machinery is used. There is also the age factor, as the age of the workforce increases the risks of loss of skills, particularly physical skills. This study analyses the impact of age on the occupational safety and health management in the wood industry. To this end, a qualitative analysis was carried out through semi-structured in-depth interviews. A total of 52 interviews were conducted with wood-based entrepreneurs, occupational safety technicians and experts from Galicia (Spain). The results show that there is a growing concern to integrate the older group in occupational safety and health management due to the increasing work life. The older group is not the one with the greatest number of occupational accidents (8.3%), but rather the one that needs better working conditions in the face of physical deterioration, considering that a large proportion of senior workers is transferred to administrative tasks. Consequently, the proportion of older workers performing physical tasks, which are the tasks with the highest associated risk, is lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly industrializing Hungary, the wood industry became an important economic branch in the country by the beginning of the 20th century, which also played a significant role in the country’s foreign trade. This industry was extremely important in the area I studied, as the forest cover along the Dráva was above the national average, and the quality of the forest stock also had an international reputation. In the last third of the 19th century, domestic and foreign demand for wood products increased, which was accompanied by an increase in the purchase prices of wood raw materials. During this period, the logistical and transportation possibilities of the region improved, as the railway lines – built almost completely until the war – networked the region. In addition to transport on the river, crossing opportunities also increased, so the raw material could reach a processing unit more and more quickly. In the age of dualism, a strong stratum of forest owners and entrepreneurs in the wood industry developed. In my study I present the larger wood companies in the region, the results of the plants, the operation and extent of the industry, and their market relations. Major wood industry enterprises were established mainly in the larger estates (Bellye, Dárda, Barcs, Berzence) or through citizenship in the territory of certain large municipalities. Outstanding among these was the Beliscian plant beyond the Dráva, which in two decades had become the largest timber company in Central Europe, employing thousands of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: It is still not well established how occupational air pollutants affect the prognosis of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study uses nationwide Danish registers and quantitative dust industry exposure matrices (IEM) for the farming and wood industries to estimate whether previous year dust exposure level impacts hospital readmissions for workers diagnosed with asthma or COPD. METHODS: We identified all individuals with a first diagnosis of either asthma (769 individuals) or COPD (342 individuals) between 1997 and 2007 and followed them until the next hospital admission for asthma or COPD, emigration, death or 31 December 2007. We included only individuals who worked in either the wood or farming industries at least one year during follow-up. We used logistic regression analysis to investigate associations between dust exposure level in the previous year and hospital readmission, adjusting for sex, age, time since first diagnosis, socioeconomic status, and labor force participation. RESULTS: Asthma readmissions for individuals with low and high dust exposure were increased [adjusted rate ratio (RR_adj) 2.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45–4.40] and RR_adj 2.64 (95% CI 1.52–4.60), respectively. For COPD readmission, the risk estimates were RR_adj 1.36 (95% CI 0.57–3.23) for low and RR_adj 1.20 (95% CI 0.49–2.95) for high exposure level in the previous year. For asthma readmission, stratified analyses by type of dust exposure during follow-up showed increased risks for both wood dust [RR_adj 2.67 (95% CI 1.35–5.26) high exposure level] and farming dust [RR_adj 3.59 (95% CI 1.11–11.59) high exposure level]. No clear associations were seen for COPD readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that exposure to wood or farm dust in the previous year increases the risk of hospital readmission for individuals with asthma but not for those with COPD.

The wood industry is facing many challenges. The high variability of raw material and the complexity of manufacturing processes results in a wide range of visible structure defects, which have to be controlled by trained specialists. These manual processes are not only tedious and biased, but also less effective. To overcome the drawbacks of the manual quality control processes, several automated vision-based systems have been proposed. Even though some conducted studies achieved a higher recognition rate than trained experts, researchers have to deal with a lack of large-scale databases and authentic data in this field. To address this issue, we performed a data acquisition experiment set in the industrial environment, where we were able to acquire an extensive set of authentic data from a production line. For this purpose, we designed and implemented a complex technical solution suitable for high-speed acquisition during harsh manufacturing conditions. In this data note, we present a large-scale dataset of high-resolution sawn timber surface images containing more than 43 000 labelled surface defects and covering 10 types of the most common wood defects. Moreover, with each image record, we provide two types of labels allowing researchers to perform semantic segmentation, as well as defect classification, and localization.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), quite often do not have the capacity to independently meet all the requirements set by the market, which is why they strive for cooperation and business networking. This research aims to determine the attitudes of SME representatives in the forestry and wood industry towards cooperation and business networking in the Južnokučajsko forest region (JKFR). The paper uses methods of analysis and synthesis, comparative and statistical methods. Primary data were collected in two phases. At first, surveys were conducted with 43 representatives of SMEs in the forestry and wood industry, which operate on the territory of JKFR. After that, in the second phase, interviews were conducted with representatives of leading enterprises (six respondents), institutions and organizations from the public sector (three respondents) and business-professional and interest organizations (one respondent). The results of the research indicate that the majority of SMEs in forestry (78.9%), primary (60%) and final wood processing (92.9%) cooperate with other enterprises. The most common forms of cooperation are joint appearance on the market, and cooperation through the purchase of raw materials. However, in terms of business networking, the results indicate that none of the analysed enterprises is a member of an association. Regarding the cooperation with the competent institutions and organizations, it was determined that it is not present in most enterprises. Based on the conducted analyses, it can be concluded that there is support for the implementation of the proposal related to the establishment of SME associations in the forestry and wood industry. Also, respondents agree that it is necessary to improve cooperation with relevant institutions and organizations, by increasing the awareness of SMEs in the forestry and wood industry about their activities and work programs.

Understanding biomass interaction is critical for bottom‐up design of novel biocomposites and existing manufacturing processes. In this study, interactions between bioadhesives (lignin, carbohydrates, or proteins) and fibers (cellulosic fiber or wood fiber) are elucidated via experimental bonding strength tests and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Experimental results reveal a good, nearly linear correlation between the composite's density and tensile strength, a finding which has rarely been reported previously. Adhesives are compared to one another: soy protein isolate is found to be the best for pinewood fiber, while apple pectin and soy protein isolate are the best for α‐cellulose fiber. It is further shown that the fiber type plays an important role in defining the composite strength. In agreement with experiments, the MD simulations at nanoscale predict a linear strength to density correlation; this is driven by the hydrogen bond (H‐bond) content in the composite. The H‐bond content is also found to determine the varied performances of different adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a literature review of recent research on introducing the Industry 4.0 approach to improving energy efficiency, especially in the wood industry. While researchers focus on processes, service, and customer concepts, the effect on energy consumption is less addressed in these studies and applications. This paper focuses on previous works that discuss how to apply Industry 4.0 concepts to energy issues, such as to achieve better efficiency and performance for the industry in general and the wood industry in particular. The complexity of the study requires a multistep development. First, we define each concept separately and the relationships between them. Second, we apply a search algorithm to find related articles with specific terms, and then use the PRISMA method to select the most important ones, eliminating duplicates and excluding articles that do not mention energy efficiency and Industry 4.0 in the manufacturing or wood industry. Third, we explain and categorize the results and consolidate the study with brief examples from other industries. Finally, we conclude the study by mentioning the limitations and perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romania is a European Union member state that has an important history in the furniture industry. After the communist regime fall in Romania in 1989, the country registered chaotic development for many years. In general, the transition from communism to capitalism was very hard in Romania, and without any doubt, it was poorly implemented. In a difficult economic climate, the structural changes in all industries considerably affected the furniture industry as well. The sector has a strategic value for the Romanian industry. It is unanimously accepted in the literature that the best value added in wood processing sector is obtained in the furniture industry. In this regard, this paper will describe and analyse the sustainability of the furniture industry in the changing economic climate of the last years. Also it will underline the weaknesses and threats of the furniture sector in the European Union context, and in this regard will propose some directions in order to improve the sustainability of the furniture industry sector.

Contractors for forest services play an important role in the forestry sector and, nowadays, are a common model of performing activities in forests. In addition, they represent a link between forest owners and enterprises within the wood industry. This research aims to study the characteristics of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the forestry and wood industry and the organization of their business processes in the Južnokučajsko forest region (JKFR), as internal critical success factors. JKFR was chosen because it has a high forest cover, a large share of privately owned forests, and the largest primary wood processing company in East Serbia is located within the region and developed furniture industry. Data were collected by conducting surveys with 43 representatives of SMEs from the forestry, primary and final wood processing sectors, which operate on the territory of JKFR. The following internal critical success factors are analysed: characteristics of the enterprises and organization of business processes. The results show that most of the forestry and wood industry enterprises were established after 2000. All enterprises from the forestry and primary wood processing sector belong to the category of micro-enterprises, while 14% of final wood processing enterprises belong to the category of small, and the rest to micro-enterprises. The largest number of SMEs in forestry (77.8%) perform activities in state forests, and 66.7% in private forests. Around ½ SMEs in forestry perform work without long-term contracts with other enterprises. However, most (88.9%) of these enterprises perform forest work independently (using their own machinery). Primary wood processing enterprises most often procure raw materials from private forest owners (77.8%), and final wood processing enterprises from sawmills (78.6%). Most wood industry enterprises have their own processing facilities, while others perform processing in cooperation with other enterprises. The most frequent buyers of products from primary processing enterprises are individuals, while most (78.6%) of final wood processing enterprises sell products through retail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With sustainable design as a vital strategical component for companies competing on the market today, many companies will need to transition to a use of sustainable and/or renewable materials in the near future. But how can this be done, and what can be done to bridge the gap from current affairs to a new, more sustainable state? Looking towards industries with experience might help making the first step just a little bit easier. This study aims to find challenges and bottlenecks when working with sustainable materials, in order to help companies interested in transitioning towards using sustainable or renewable materials in their products. The paper describes an interview study with five Swedish wood industry companies, differentiated in size and products, where the authors identify several key findings for both industry (already working with wood or aiming at transitioning towards renewable materials) and academia (on using renewable materials, need for further research, and pointers for teaching design and engineering students). Findings range from how organisational culture affects material selection, to how flexibility and efficiency effects automation solutions via how these companies have approached outsourcing of parts of their production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory and applications of Smart Factories and Industry 4.0 are increasing the entry into the industry. It is common in industry to start converting exclusive parts, of their production, into this new paradigm rather than converting whole production lines all at once. In Europe and Sweden, recent political decisions are taken to reach the target of greenhouse gas emission reduction. One possible solution is to replace concrete in buildings with Cross Laminated Timber. In the last years, equipment and software that have been custom made for a certain task, are now cheaper and can be adapted to fit more processes than earlier possible. This in combination, with lessons learned from the automotive industry, makes it possible to take the necessary steps and start redesigning and building tomorrows automated and flexible production systems in the wood industry. This paper presents a proof of concept of an automated inspection system, for wood surfaces, where concepts found in Industry 4.0, such as industrial Internet of things (IIoT), smart factory, flexible automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and cyber physical systems, are utilized. The inspection system encompasses, among other things, of the shelf software and hardware, open source software, and standardized, modular, and mobile process modules. The design of the system is conducted with future expansion in mind, where new parts and functions can be added as well as removed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wood industry is facing many challenges. The high variability of raw material and the complexity of manufacturing processes results in a wide range of visible structure defects, which have to be controlled by trained specialists. These manual processes are not only tedious and biased, but also less effective. To overcome the drawbacks of the manual quality control processes, several automated vision-based systems have been proposed. Even though some conducted studies achieved a higher recognition rate than trained experts, researchers have to deal with a lack of large-scale databases and authentic data in this field. To address this issue, we performed a data acquisition experiment set in the industrial environment, where we were able to acquire an extensive set of authentic data from a production line. For this purpose, we designed and implemented a complex technical solution suitable for high-speed acquisition during harsh manufacturing conditions. In this data note, we present a large-scale dataset of high-resolution sawn timber surface images containing more than 43 000 labelled surface defects and covering 10 types of the most common wood defects. Moreover, with each image record, we provide two types of labels allowing researchers to perform semantic segmentation, as well as defect classification, and localization.

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BACKGROUND: Carbon‐MIL‐125 can be successfully prepared from pre‐hydrolysate and metal oxide TiO2 (Ti‐MOF) by coupling hydrothermal and carbonization processes. The use of this pre‐hydrolysate to prepare carbon (C)‐based materials could provide a value‐added product and allow the more complete use of bioresources. Combining the photocatalytic bactericidal properties of Ti‐MOF and adsorption capacity of biomass‐based C materials could further improve the antibacterial efficiency of the materials, and C could expand the response range of TiO2 to light and reduce the reorganization rate of photogenerated electrons and holes. This strategy could potentially increase the rate and efficiency of catalytic reactions. RESULTS: The morphologies and structures of samples were controlled via one‐ and two‐step routes. The obtained samples exhibited 1‐2 μm size and different morphologies. C1‐MIL‐125 showed a spherical morophology via ont‐step, C2‐MIL‐125 displayed a new type of rough tablet structure via two‐step. Meanwhile, Ti exists in the form of the mixture of TiO2 in the anatase and rutile phases. The catalytic activity of mixed TiO2 forms is higher than pure anatase or rutile, removal of Escherichia coli could reach 99.00% and 98.67% under a xenon lamp via one‐ and two‐step processes, respectively. CONCLUSION: This work could realize high value‐added utilization of biomass and is expected to provide new prospects for the design of superior photocatalysts for water disinfection. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]