Raw material costs in woodworking industry are significant: they form approximately 70-80 % of the total production costs of sawn wood and more than 50 % of the production costs of more downstream products such as wood panels.
Significant material loss results from sawing processes, as well as trimming and cutting in downstream production. Several factors affect the yield in sawing, and even small adjustments can bring immerse savings. A miscalculation of just 1 mm in the log dimensions can cause over 20 000 euros in raw material losses for a sawmill that uses 50 000 cubic metres of raw material per year.
Benchmark data based on the best available circular sawing technologies in Central Europe suggest the following yields:
There are several ways to improve recovery rate and minimise raw material losses during trimming and cutting:
For producers of downstream products, there are also several ways to maximise efficient use of wood:
By improving the recovery rate of wood raw material, you directly improve the cost efficiency and competitiveness of your company, and reduce environmental impacts. Procuring timber in optimal dimensions and quality grades even brings savings on labour and time spent on cutting material.
Varis, 2017. Sahateollisuus. Suomen Sahateollisuusmiesten yhdistys ry
RERAM project handbook and wood innovation toolkit (available: www.reram.eu)
Envirowise, 2001, Savings from waste minimisation in furniture manufacturing, Good Practice Guide GG 290, Harwell International Business Centre, UK. http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/GG290.pdf
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/furniture-manufacturing-design-and-purchasing-practices
https://www.metsagroup.com/en/media/Pages/Case-Vilppulas-modern-sawmill.aspx