WOOD FROM FINLAND MARKET INFO

Forests and fellings in Finland

  • Finnish forests annually grow by 110 million cubic metres of wood
  • The yearly felling volumes are clearly below the annual growth. 
  • Finnish forest net growth is around 30 million cubic meters per year depending of the yearly felling volume

RAW MATERIAL

Log price on the sawmill’s gate

Price of the raw material consists of different variables including

  • stump price
  • harvesting
  • long hauling

Sawn timber

Price formation

In addition to raw material costs there are several factors affecting the price of timber.

Nordic practise

Brings out the best of log

Advantages:

  • The internal stresses are removed by heart splitting: the good stability of timber 
  • Most of the pith also disappears due to the saw kerf in heart splitting.
  • “Normal” practice splits the heartwood and “heart free” practice removes the heart.

The most common sawing method is to first cut out the cant which is then divided into the centre yield and side boards during the second phase of sawing.

  1. Centre yield
  2. Side yield
  3. Schaalboards

Finnish timber exports

Statistic figures of timber price and volume fluctuation on the 21st century.

Path to the customer

After placing the order there are several steps before the goods are delivered. The time elapsed depends on the raw material, prooduction and logistics.

Climate friendly solutions

Building the future with wood

Wood is a renewable and ecological material that acts as a carbon sink. Using wood can both reduce CO2 emissions and replace non-renewable materials that pollute the environment.

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Less emissions

Replacing concrete with timber in construction can decrease the total emissions from material production and construction by up to 60%.

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Faster

Installation times at worksites are reduced significantly because the surface treatment tasks, curing times or grouting of construction joints typical to concrete are eliminated.

Minutes

Timber retains its load-bearing capacity well in a fire and the failure times are long. Glued laminated timber does not burn through, but instead chars at a rate of less than 1 mm per minute. A timber structure can easily resist fire for up to 120 minutes. 

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Recyclable

Timber used for construction purposes is a recyclable material that can be repurposed for producing other types of wood products or composites. Timber can also be combusted for energy.

FAQ

WHY WOOD FROM FINLAND?

Finnish wood is responsible and sustainable choice for versatile end uses. Wood has been a necessary material in housebuilding, furniture, joinery and even different householding purposes like forks and spoons etc. since last centuries. Nowadays modern technology opens up a totally new world for various future installations – for excellent carbon storages.

WHO OWNS FINNISH FORESTS

Most of Finland’s forests, roughly 60% of the total forested land area and 70% of timber growth, is owned by private individuals and ordinary Finnish families. Forests make up an important part of Finland’s national wealth, as for more than 600,000 Finns, forest ownership is considered ‘green gold’.

 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER FOREST AREA IS HARVESTED?

In Finland forestry is regulated by the most advanced legislation of its kind in the world. One of the obligations stipulated by legislation requires forest owners to reforest their land after logging operations. To ensure reforestation, at least four seedlings are planted for each tree that is felled.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN INDUSTRIALLY USED SPECIES IN MECHANICAL WOOD INDUSTRY IN FINLAND?

The sawmilling industry mainly uses pine and spruce. Half of Finland’s forests grow pine and around one third is dominated by spruce.

IS THE LOGGING DONE ALL AROUND THE YEAR OR ONLY IN WINTERS?

Yes. Due to the size of Finnish sawmill industry the logging is done all year around.

WHAT IS AVERAGE CLEAR CUTTING AREA?

It is just under 2 football pitches.

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH WOOD IN FINLAND?

Finland is Europe’s most forested country. More than three quarters of the total area is covered with forests. Finnish forests annually grow by 110 million cubic metres of wood and the yearly felling volumes are clearly below the annual growth. 

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE DELIVERY DISTANCE OF SAW LOGS TO THE MILL?

Depending on the mill about 100 kilometers.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPRUCE AND PINE?

Pine and spruce are the most common tree species used in construction.    

There are differences between these tree species both in their visual and technical properties, and they therefore have different applications. Find more information from Timber Guide.

WHAT ARE THE SCREW HOLDING PROPERTIES OF FINNISH PINE AND SPRUCE?

This is quite a common question from furniture manufacturers. Due to the relatively high density these properties are good and both spices are use in furniture industry also in applications where screws are used.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN END USES FOR DIFFERENT GRADES AND SPECIES OF FINNISH SOFTWOOD?

Because Finnish wood grows very slowly it is being used for demanding end uses both structurally and visually.  Most important end use segments are: joinery, interior decoration and structural products.

WHAT IS AVERAGE M3 LOAD WE CAN EXPECT IN 40 FEET CONTAINER?

Depending on the pack size and length you could normally expect 40+ cubic meters.

WHAT ARE MAIN TIMBER SHIPPING HARBORS IN FINLAND FOR CONTAINERS AND BREAK BULK?

Finland has several ports for timber exports. Main ones for containers are Kotka, Helsinki and Rauma. The key break bulk ports are Hamina and Rahja.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ADVANTAGES OF WOOD FROM FINLAND WHEN COMPARED WITH EG. CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIMBER

Finnish wood goes for demanding structural or visual end uses and it does not compete in those segments for instance against the lowest southern European grades. Because of the soil and climatic conditions, the growth season in Finland is only about 100 days. The growth cycle is about 60-100 years (as opposed to about 30-35 years in Southern Europe and less in many other areas). Finnish wood grows in harsh conditions and reaches its visual properties and superior strength slowly.

I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE UNCONTROLLED EXPLOITATION OF RAINFORESTS. WOOD FROM FINLAND IS FAMOUS FOR ITS ECO-FRIENDLY, SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION METHODS. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN SAVE THE RAINFOREST BY USING WOOD FROM FINLAND?

Finnish forests annually grow by 110 million cubic meters of wood and the yearly felling volumes are clearly below the annual growth. Finish forestry law practices and certification system together ensure sustainable forestry in Finland. By using Finnish wood, you can fight against illegal loggings and save rainforests. Instead of using tropical wood, e.g. Finnish ThermoWood is a solution for many similar end uses.

Thank you

Woodfromfinland.fi

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