Forestry Investment News
'Promising results' from Brazilian flooring scheme
01/10/2013
A project to improve Brazil’s wood flooring industry and ensure more sustainable use of its resources, is bearing fruit two years after it started.
The International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) said its sustainable model for the Brazilian wood flooring production chain initiative, has delivered “promising results”. The scheme, which is now almost at the end of its two-year funded timescale, aimed to make Brazil’s hardwood flooring sector more efficient and competitive by using different types of sustainable timber in the industry.
Lesser used timber species including Angelim vermelho, Timborana, Tachi preto, and Jarana amarela were among those targeted for use in the scheme, which was run in partnership with the National Hardwood Flooring Association of Brazil.
The scheme covers the whole of the production chain and is part of efforts to ensure forest resources are used more effectively. In addition to better forest management by opting for lesser-used timber species, it aimed to improve the technical side of the industry. It promoted better production and drying processes, and it included training for staff working at logging companies to improve their harvesting and sawing techniques.
Flooring companies have also been encouraged to use small wooden pieces to create timber tiles, cutting down on waste and getting maximum value from the products. Other off-cuts that were too small or unsuitable for flooring have been used to create a number of other commercial products from crafts to wood briquettes for energy generation.
The initiative has resulted in a new quality certification programme being created for the wood flooring sector.
The ITTO worked in collaboration with Brazil’s agriculture, environment and foreign ministries on the project, along with the country’s leading universities. The results of the scheme were discussed with industry stakeholders during the First Amazon Forestry Fair, which was held in Belem last week.
The International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) said its sustainable model for the Brazilian wood flooring production chain initiative, has delivered “promising results”. The scheme, which is now almost at the end of its two-year funded timescale, aimed to make Brazil’s hardwood flooring sector more efficient and competitive by using different types of sustainable timber in the industry.
Lesser used timber species including Angelim vermelho, Timborana, Tachi preto, and Jarana amarela were among those targeted for use in the scheme, which was run in partnership with the National Hardwood Flooring Association of Brazil.
The scheme covers the whole of the production chain and is part of efforts to ensure forest resources are used more effectively. In addition to better forest management by opting for lesser-used timber species, it aimed to improve the technical side of the industry. It promoted better production and drying processes, and it included training for staff working at logging companies to improve their harvesting and sawing techniques.
Flooring companies have also been encouraged to use small wooden pieces to create timber tiles, cutting down on waste and getting maximum value from the products. Other off-cuts that were too small or unsuitable for flooring have been used to create a number of other commercial products from crafts to wood briquettes for energy generation.
The initiative has resulted in a new quality certification programme being created for the wood flooring sector.
The ITTO worked in collaboration with Brazil’s agriculture, environment and foreign ministries on the project, along with the country’s leading universities. The results of the scheme were discussed with industry stakeholders during the First Amazon Forestry Fair, which was held in Belem last week.
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