Arno Fruehwald
Institute of Wood Science, University of Hamburg, Germany
Today annually some 150 million m³ of OPT remain on the site when clearing and replanting the plantations. Logistic problems, pest issues and only little availability of recycled nutrients for the new plants parallel to declining wood availability from natural forests increases attractiveness for OPT-utilization in the wood based industry. R&D activities started already around the 1980´s in Malaysia. First emphasis was on material research, later on manufacturing to supplement wood products such as plywood, solid wood based products (furniture, doors etc.) and chemicals. Although understanding of material developed quite well, the manufacturing of good quality products with market potential failed because of the use of common processing technology, machines, tools, un-sufficient product design and finally high costs. After a peak around 2005 production volumes in plywood, lumber and furniture decreased in Malaysia until 2015; in other countries OPT is not in focus at all because of missing knowledge.
Since ten years new R&D efforts are on the way which still deal with the material as such but includes new/adopted manufacturing processes and products as well. Research institutions in Germany in cooperation with technology companies in Germany, Europe and Malaysia as well as research partners in Malaysia and Thailand have set up comprehensive development projects for industrial processing of OPT, appropriate product design, tool and process technology, including material logistics, environmental and socioeconomic aspects. Investments in R&D of this group during the last ten years exceeds some US$ 20 million. Presently the first large sawmill and board manufacturing plant is being commissioned. In the light of the availability of some 150 million m³ of OPT per year, of which 50 % is exploitable for industrial purposes without ecological risks but high socioeconomic benefits and an impressive contribution to future climate gives light for the future. 100 m³ of trunks used can provide one job for a year, can generate an economic value of up to US$ 15,000, and a climate value of 100 tCO2. Taking these figures, only Malaysia could create 75,000 jobs, an economic value of more than US$ 1 billion and reduce actual CO2-emissions by 5%.
Негізгі бет OIL PALM TRUNK UTILIZATION OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FUTURE
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