Short answer

Explore and develop novel applications for wood-based materials beyond traditional uses to create new revenue streams and ensure the long-term sustainability of the forest industry.

Field: Resource Management
Source: Canadian Journal of Forest Research (2018)
Method: Mixed-methods review
Evidence: Strong effect

Diversifying into new wood-based products like textiles, biofuels, chemicals, plastics, and packaging offers significant revenue potential for forest industries, compensating for the decline in graphic paper markets. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Canadian Journal of Forest Research. Using Mixed-methods review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Explore and develop novel applications for wood-based materials beyond traditional uses to create new revenue streams and ensure the long-term sustainability of the forest industry.

Study

Resource ManagementHigh ImpactStrong effect

Wood-based products can offset graphic paper decline, boosting forest industry revenue by up to €75 billion annually.

Canadian Journal of Forest Research · 2018

Key Findings

01New wood-based products (textiles, biofuels, chemicals, plastics, packaging) show considerable market potential.
02A 1%-2% market share in selected global markets could increase annual revenues by €18-€75 billion in the studied countries by 2030.
03This revenue increase can offset the projected decline in graphic paper markets.
04Many new products utilize by-products, and primary wood use increase is mainly for construction and textiles.
05Potential increase in primary wood use is 15-133 million m³, representing 2%-21% of current industrial roundwood use.

Application

Design takeaway

Explore and develop novel applications for wood-based materials beyond traditional uses to create new revenue streams and ensure the long-term sustainability of the forest industry.

How to apply

Investigate the feasibility of developing products from wood by-products for markets such as bioplastics, advanced textiles, or bio-based chemicals. Conduct market research to identify specific niches and potential revenue streams.

Project actions

01Consider how to transform wood waste into valuable new products.
02Research emerging markets that could benefit from wood-based alternatives.

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess the potential of new wood-based products to compensate for the decline in graphic paper markets and to evaluate their impact on revenue and wood use in major forest industry countries.

MethodMixed-methods review

ProcedureThe study reviewed existing literature and market data to identify emerging wood-based products with market potential. It then assessed their production value within different value chains and projected their impact on revenue and wood consumption in the USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland, comparing these projections to the decline in graphic paper markets.

ContextForest industry, product diversification, market analysis

Variables

IV["Development and market penetration of new wood-based products","Market share of new wood-based products"]

DV["Forest industry revenue","Wood use (primary and by-products)"]

CV["Economic conditions in the four selected countries","Technological advancements in wood processing","Environmental regulations"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides quantitative projections for revenue and wood use.
+Considers multiple emerging product categories.
+Analyzes the impact in major forest industry countries.

Limitations

The economic projections are estimates and depend on many factors. The availability and cost of specific wood by-products can vary.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliance on market projections and assumptions about future growth introduces potential limitations to its predictive validity. The mixed-methods approach, however, likely enhances its robustness by triangulating data from various sources.

Think critically

How might the increased demand for wood in these new sectors impact forest sustainability and biodiversity if not managed carefully?

Design Principles

"Embrace material innovation and value chain diversification to adapt to market changes and maximize resource utilization."

This research highlights a strategic opportunity for the forest industry to adapt to market shifts by leveraging existing resources and by-products. It underscores the importance of innovation in product development and value chain positioning to ensure long-term economic viability and resource utilization.

What This Means for Your Design

The forest industry can make a lot more money by creating new things from wood, like clothes or fuel, instead of just making paper, which is becoming less popular. This can help them earn billions and use wood more wisely.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify exploring alternative materials or product applications in your design project.
2.Cite this study when discussing the economic and environmental benefits of diversifying material use.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research indicates that diversifying the forest industry's product portfolio into areas such as textiles, biofuels, and bioplastics can significantly boost revenue, potentially by €18-€75 billion annually in key regions, thereby offsetting the decline in graphic paper markets and promoting more efficient resource utilization through the use of by-products.

Source

Canadian Journal of Forest Research

Diversification of the forest industries: role of new wood-based products

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about wood-based products can offset graphic paper decline, boosting forest industry revenue by up to €75 billion annually?: Explore and develop novel applications for wood-based materials beyond traditional uses to create new revenue streams and ensure the long-term sustainability of the forest industry. Evidence: Canadian Journal of Forest Research (2018).
Why does "Wood-based products can offset graphic paper decline, boosting forest industry revenue by up to €75 billion annually." matter for design?: This research highlights a strategic opportunity for the forest industry to adapt to market shifts by leveraging existing resources and by-products. It underscores the importance of innovation in product development and value chain positioning to ensure long-term economic viability and resource utilization.
How can designers apply this research?: Explore and develop novel applications for wood-based materials beyond traditional uses to create new revenue streams and ensure the long-term sustainability of the forest industry.
What were the main findings?: New wood-based products (textiles, biofuels, chemicals, plastics, packaging) show considerable market potential.. A 1%-2% market share in selected global markets could increase annual revenues by €18-€75 billion in the studied countries by 2030.. This revenue increase can offset the projected decline in graphic paper markets.. Many new products utilize by-products, and primary wood use increase is mainly for construction and textiles.
What research method was used?: Mixed-methods review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Canadian Journal of Forest Research.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Investigate the feasibility of developing products from wood by-products for markets such as bioplastics, advanced textiles, or bio-based chemicals. Conduct market research to identify specific niches and potential revenue streams.
What are the limitations?: Projections are based on market share assumptions and future market growth, which are subject to uncertainty. The study focuses on four specific countries, and impacts may vary elsewhere.