ForValueNet - NSERC Strategic Network on Forest Management for Value-Added Products

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Forests are Canada's most important renewable natural resource, contributing significantly to the country's environmental, social and economic well-being. Until recently, the Canadian forest products industry has been essentially a volume-driven, commodity-based, export-orientated primary producer. In recent years, this industry has faced serious challenges and is shifting toward value-added manufacturing to maximize the value of the forest resource. On the other hand, forest management is intensified to enhance forest productivity and value. To ensure that the forest resource is managed, harvested and utilized to its maximum economic value, it is necessary to develop a series of integrated models to support a value-based and market-driven decision-making strategy instead of a segmented, raw material-driven and volume/yield-based approach. The overall objective of this Strategic Network is to develop a series of new and integrated models to support value-added wood decision-making strategy for Canada's boreal forests. The project includes five themes: 1) Stand and tree growth modelling; 2) Three-dimensional stem quality modelling; 3) Sawmilling products recovery modelling; 4) Value-added wood products recovery modelling; and finally 5) Development of integrated decision-support systems considering the information generated in the four previous themes plus silvicultural, harvesting, manufacturing and marketing costs and end-product value. The development of an integrated wood manufacturing optimization system for principal boreal forest species will allow the industry to optimize the wood products manufacturing processes based on both external stem geometry and internal wood characteristics in order to maximize the value from the individual trees. The integrated models developed] from the project will support value-added silvicultural and harvesting planning to enhance forest stand value. Overall, this Strategic Network will allow the Canadian forest industry to add value along the forest-wood value chain, directly supporting the industry's strategic positioning towards achieving greater value-added wood manufacturing, enhanced forest value and competitiveness within the global market.