A new publication explores the modelling of material wood flows from finished products back to forest resources, highlighting how integrating the final stages of the wood value chain can enhance our understanding of resource efficiency and sustainability. As part of the Wood Resource Monitoring initiative, material flows up to the level of semi-finished products were initially modelled building on developments in Wood Resource Monitoring over the last 20 years. This work now involves the integration of finished product flows.
The integration of finished products completes the cycle and ensures that it does not end prematurely. The economic impact does not result from an intermediate stage in the production process (e.g. sawnwood), in which various demand processes converge in a non-specific manner, but from the final intended uses (e.g. furniture construction).
The TRAW model is a tool for analysing various challenges related to the circular economy. As part of the DIFENs project, the effects of increased efficiency, material substitution, and enhanced recycling were simulated using examples. The impact of these measures can be quantified along the value-added chain of the respective finished product sectors.
