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May conference focuses on expanding markets for wood residuals

Once logging is done and lumber is sawn, what do you do with the wood chips, bark and sawdust that’s left?What do other manufacturers and mills do with their wood waste?

These materials are commonly used for mulch, fuel, composite products and animal bedding.

But what if wood residuals could be used for other products and generate more revenue? Innovative uses for wood residuals are the focus of the Green Gold: Wood Residuals Summit May 6-8 in Traverse City.

“The management of wood residuals presents an economic and operational challenge that has cascading impacts on the health of our forests and forestry sector," said Julie Manley, chair of the Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute, which is hosting the event. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is a sponsor. "New products are proving that sawdust, bark and chips can be used in insulation, adhesives, chemicals and more – with the added climate benefit of embedded carbon.

“With international speakers representing diverse markets and segments of the supply chain, the goal of the summit is to build bridges across sectors to commercialize higher-value products from wood residuals. Creating stable, higher-margin outlets for wood residuals is a win for both the economy and environment.”

Who should attend?

Those who could benefit from the summit include but are not limited to:

  • Forestry and other sectors seeking outlets for their wood residues.
  • Companies in industries that could use these materials in products such as chemicals, packaging, personal care, building and more.
  • Innovators with scalable technologies using wood residuals.
  • Government, research organizations, finance sector (including venture capital), trade organizations and nonprofit organizations.

More than 30 presenters are scheduled, including Rich Kobe, chair of Michigan State University’s Department of Forestry, and Katariina Kemppainen, senior vice president for research and development at Metsä Spring, the innovation company of Metsä Group, headquartered in Finland.

For a firsthand perspective of the challenges and opportunities of wood residuals, Weyerhaeuser-sponsored tours to local forest product mills and manufacturers will be offered.

Sign up, learn more

Get more details and register for the conference online, or email anniekruise@live.com or call 734-649-4987 with questions.

Join the DNR and Weyerhaeuser as sponsors and Business Finland as a global outreach partner. Sponsorship opportunities start at $750.

The Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on catalyzing innovation and use of materials from forests for a healthy economy and environment.