Forest fuel and by-products

Forest residues - the large energy supply in the forest

Forest bio-fuel, or forest residues (tree branches and crowns) as we refer to the by-products of value cutting, provide a large supply of energy. In these times of environmental awareness and rising energy prices, the market is ready for greater energy extraction from the forest.

Even before felling, our timber buyers plan the processing of the volumes of forest residues. This is done together with Vida Energy, which has staff available on site to actively process forest residues. Processing forest wood chips is a good business and it is very important for retaining profitability.

Cuttings or cleaning/thinning remains from neglected forest stand that cannot be used as timber or pulp raw materials constitute a new activity in our business. These remains are chipped in conjunction with felling or at our terminals.

Whole tree chips

Whole tree chips are made from forest residues, as well as from cleaning and thinning wood. The whole tree chips are produced by specially designed machines and production mainly takes place out in the forest. With a high dry matter content, whole tree chips are one of the most interesting fuel products from an energy output perspective.

Opportunities for forest landowners

Vida can help you extract forest residues and whole tree chips from your forest property.

Root reduction chips

Root reduction chips are produced when the trunk’s root buttresses are milled down to the level of the trunk. The product is supplied to power and thermal power stations, either as its own product or blended with bark. Dry matter content 40-50%.

Stemwood chips

Stemwood chips are made from rotting wood or pulpwood of a lesser quality. The wood is chipped, most often by specially designed machines at the terminal. Stable dry matter content and an even fraction give the product properties that make it popular for energy production.

Sawmill chips

When round, de-barked logs are sawn, they mainly become planks and boards. A large proportion of the remains become sawmill chips with a dry matter content of 45 – 50%. 25% of Vida’s sawmill chips are used for pulp production. The remainder is sold primarily to the cellulose industry, but it is also excellent for burning.

Dry chips

Planks and boards that have dried after being sawn are adjusted to the desired length. The cut-off part is chipped and the product becomes wood chips with a dry matter content of more than 80%, hence its name. Power and thermal power stations are the main consumers of the product that gives an even fraction and results in a low ash content. Dry chips are produced continuously throughout the year.

Wood shavings

During planing of the sawmill’s dried wood products, wood shavings are produced. The high dry matter content of wood shavings, approx 85%, makes it suitable as a raw material for the production of pellets and bedding for animal husbandry. One of our big products is compressed wood shavings, completely cleaned from dust, packaged in consumer packaging and sold under the name of Vida Stable Bedding.

Sawdust

Sawdust from Vida’s sawmills has a stable dry matter content, approx 50% with small fraction variations and low ash content and is produced evenly through the year. The sawdust is a valuable raw material for the manufacturing of fuel pellets and chipboard. The even quality also makes the sawdust an effective product for power and thermal heat plants.

Bark

De-barking and root reduction takes place before sawing. The dry matter content of the bark varies according to the season, and it is lowest during the autumn and winter. The bark is supplied mainly to power and thermal power stations. Our leftover bark range is bark that comes loose during the handling of the timber before sawing. This bark is suitable for combustion facilities that can manage large fraction variations and a higher ash content than than that of normal bark.