Metsäntutkimuslaitos Skogsforskningsinstitutet Finnish Forest Research Institute

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1 Metsäntutkimuslaitos Skogsforskningsinstitutet Finnish Forest Research Institute 1

2 Throughout history, forest biomass has constituted a key resource for Finland's national economy... and it will continue into the future The use of forests and wood changes along with developments in the economy and production technology. In the context of a future bioeconomy, founded on renewable natural resources, the use of forests and forest biomass will continue to play a great role. Metla has been developing well-being based on forest biomass since 1917, when the Senate approved the proposal Professor A.K. Cajander made in 1907 on the establishment of a Forest Research Institute. Without high quality forest research, Finland would not have been able to rise to its position among the world's most developed welfare states in the post-war period. 2

3 The modern pencil was born in 1795, when Nicholas Jacques Conte, an officer in Napoleon's army, patented the method of manufacturing the pencil's "lead" by using heat to press powdered graphite mixed with clay into a thin bar. This was one of the finest and most influential innovations of its time... Pencil was an upheaval... 3

4 ...but nothing felt as modern as a plastic pen... 4

5 This pen may look the same as the previous one, but the plastic is made of wood instead of fossil oil 5

6 The constituents contained in wood biomass can be used to manufacture almost anything Research and innovations are needed to realise these opportunities. These are precisely the activities Metla is engaged in, together with the business community. 6

7 The key to Metla's strategy is to support entrepreneurship and business activities within the forest industry. Only a strong national economy can meet protection needs as well. Metla s research covers the entire value chain, from woodland biology and the growing of wood to the properties and use of all the constituents contained in it. Metla studies: The profitability of forestry and the bioeconomy and their markets, new services and business activities Value chains and the environmental performance of wood products New and current end use of biomaterials Biomass properties, their management and product-oriented acquisition 7

8 Metla is involved in making Finland a pioneer of bioeconomy. Forest biomass provides an inexhaustible source of raw material for this. In a sustainable bioeconomy, carbon does not escape into the atmosphere, it circulates. Woodbased products also store large amounts of carbon for a long time. Moreover, by optimising silviculture, transport and production processes, the carbon load resulting from such activities can be significantly reduced. Metla studies: Cost-efficient production of biomass Forest planning and alternative calculation The environmental impacts and risks of forestry The impacts of climate change on forestry 8

9 Metla s research has an extensive societal and economical impact. Metla participates in the preparation and implementation of the National Forest Programme, the Forest Cluster Research Agenda and other national and European policy programmes. For instance, Metla played a key role in the development of the METSO programme. Metla is involved in several Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation (Cleen Ltd, Forest Cluster Ltd). Metla studies: Policies affecting the forest industry Multiple use of forests and immaterial benefits Developments in the forest industry s operating environment and international forestry Methods and acquisition of information for the monitoring of forest resources and the forest environment Forests and forest products in the carbon cycle 9

10 M-Planter is currently the most efficient planting machine. Metla participated in the machine's development together with the entrepreneur. More efficient planting and silviculture provides great opportunities to increase the overall profitability of forestry. Metla s research starts from customer needs Metla s research is organised into multi-year research programmes with broad representation of all interest groups in the programme steering groups. The projects are carried out in cooperation with universities, other research institutes and companies. Metla s Research Programmes 2013: Wellbeing from forests Renewing wood product value chains and timber procurement solutions Wood Energy Research and Innovation Programme - pathways to 2020 and beyond Future forests and forest management Forests and water 10

11 Increment and drain of the growing stock Increment In Finland, silviculture based on research has managed to increase the volume of the growing stock at the same time as the use of wood has grown. This also gives us leeway to develop something new. Drain The National Forest Inventory (NFI) carried out by Metla produces the world s most detailed information on the development of forest resources Metla s services: We combine the forest resource inventories, the monitoring of forest health and state of the environment, the calculation of greenhouse gases and the forest damage and forest statistics information services into a unified, nationwide service package. 11

12 The Transfer of Information and Technology The transfer of information and technology is the only way to turn research results into economical and other societal outcomes. TIT in Metla: Research publications and scientific teaching (in cooperation with universities and learned societies) Direct cooperation with client companies (in the context of research projects, programmes and national and international technology programmes, Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation, Centre of Expertise programmes, etc.) Expert services, education Productization of research An example: forest biomass availability calculations for energy companies, biorefineries and the regions An example: Models for the cost calculation of forest chip procurement An example: : Mechanisation of forest planting An example: Development of a medicine for the treatment of macular degeneration, in cooperation with the University of Tampere An example: A vibrant woodwork shop 12

13 Metla is an actor with regional influence Metla s operations have been organised into four regional units (Southern, Western, Eastern, Northern). This guarantees a strong connection to actors within the forest industry and practical issues throughout the country. A nationwide process organisation and research expert groups ensure that the whole of Metla s expertise is used to solve regional challenges.. For instance, the unit in Suonenjoki, which belongs to the Eastern Finland regional unit, focuses on research and development of plantation forestry. Its research covers the entire value chain, from seed production to the tending of sapling stands. The information service for tree nurseries distributes the information to actors in the field. A publication on the topic, Taimiuutiset, comes out four times a year. In addition, the unit in Suonenjoki studies the impact of moles on forestry and the prevention of mole damage. 13

14 is one of the most well-known and a highly esteemed forest research institute in the world Most of Metla s research has an international scope The EU countries and neighbouring regions are important cooperation partners. There are more than 20 research projects funded by the EU each year, and three global projects. In the past few years, cooperation has been extended to South America, Asia and Africa. Important international cooperation partners: International Union of Forest Research Organizations IUFRO, Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations FAO, European Forest Institute EFI, Nordic Forest Research Cooperation Committee SNS, European Union EU, International Energy Agency IEA 14

15 An example: Metla carries out bioenergy projects in Europe in cooperation with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and national partners. Joint research projects, expert duties abroad, contribution to international processes, publications in international series, mobility of researchers, exchange of information and research data (networks, international seminars, researchers' own contacts), etc.. BEE (Biomass Energy Europe): Harmonization of biomass mapping methods in EU EUWood: Estimation of realistic availability of woody biomass for energy COST action Forest Energy: Harmonization of research methods for forest energy harvesting and transport ForestPower: Nordic project for efficient wood based energy production 15

16 Metla publishes its research results in the best international scientific publication series that are subject to peer review. In addition, we produce several practical guides and individual publications each year. Together with Finnish Society of Forest Science we publish the highly esteemed Silva Fennica -series 16

17 For decades, the hundreds of tables and figures in the Statistical Yearbook of Forestry have provided all the essential information on the Finnish forest sector. Contents Forest resources Forest biodiversity and health Silviculture Roundwood trade Removals and transportation of roundwood Multiple-use forestry Forest sector labour force Wood consumption Energy Forest industries Foreign trade by forest industries Forest sector in Finland's national economy International forest statistics 17

18 Metla s internet-sites: 18

19 Thank you 19