Wood Residues in the Moratuwa Woodworking Industry Cluster of Sri Lanka: Potential for Sector Synergies and Value-Added Products

Abstract The Moratuwa Woodworking Industry Cluster (MWIC) is a geographically concentrated cluster of over 1,600 small-to-medium scale wood-based manufacturing and retail facilities in Sri Lanka. Firms include furniture manufacturers, carpentry shops, sawmills, and integrated sawmills. The concept of industrial symbiosis explores the synergies between industrial facilities to exchange energy, water, by-products, and waste to achieve a higher efficiency in resource utilization. This research was undertaken to address the lack of quantitative information on wood residues generated within the MWIC. A survey of 180 primary and secondary wood product manufacturers was undertaken to quantify MWIC firm by-product production and consumption of wood residues to establish a baseline for possible end use and waste synergies. The total population of enterprises generating wood waste is 730; retail facilities are not included. Sawmills produce approximately 66% of the 6,490 MT of MWIC's monthly wood residue generation, with the balance produced by carpentry and integrated enterprises. Teak (Tectona grandis) and mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) are the dominant species used in the MWIC, accounting for most of the wood waste. Three main types of wood waste were identified in the survey: sawdust (76.5%), boards with significant wane (16.5%) unusable for further products, and offcuts (6.9%). Only 55% of the wood waste generated in MWIC is currently used; the remaining 45% is taken to landfills or disposed of in other ways, such as discarded in waterways or other nonapproved locations. Improved wood waste sorting by type at the mill level and aggregated wood waste within the MWIC was determined to increase the usability of wood waste as potential inputs in other wood manufacturing sectors in the MWIC.

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Wood Residue Processing and Utilization in Southeastern Michigan, U.S.

Arboriculture & Urban Forestry ◽

10.48044/jauf.2011.003 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 13-18

Author(s):

Pascal Nzokou ◽

Jessica Simons ◽

Anthony Weatherspoon

Keyword(s):

New Products ◽

Value Added ◽

Wood Chips ◽

Recovery Efficiency ◽

Wood Residue ◽

Wood Supply ◽

Land Clearing ◽

Conversion Rates ◽

Wood Residues ◽

Tree Removal

This paper is an analysis of southeastern Michigan, U.S.’s wood residue processing and disposal facilities. The analysis was conducted in order to characterize wood supply patterns, evaluate recovery efficiency, and identify potential alternatives for wood residues. Wood collection and processing facilities were identified and surveyed throughout a 14-county area. This study documented at least 180 wood residue yards operating in the region, which employed an average of six employees per yard (for a total of 1,082 employees in the industry). The total volume of wood entering the yards was quantified at 6,659.6 thousand cubic meters (5.3 million metric tons), mainly from land-clearing and tree removal. The wood residue supply was used to produce a total of 2,035.8 thousand cubic meter (1.6 million tons) tons of new products (e.g., wood chips, mulches, firewood), which were mainly sold locally. The overall conversion rate was estimated at 30% for the entire industry, clearly indicating room for improvement. The industry is estimated to contribute approximately USD $40 million to Michigan’s economy. Improvement of conversion rates and value-added product development would require fundamental changes in equipment, training, and processes used by tree service and land clearing companies.

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What Leads to Intra-Industry Trade between Sri Lanka and South Asia?

10.31219/osf.io/hm37b ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Thilini Saparamadu ◽

Nesrine Akrimi

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

South Asia ◽

South Asian ◽

Economies Of Scale ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Value Added ◽

The South ◽

Industry Trade ◽

Asian Region ◽

South Asian Region

This study ascertains the determinants of Intra-Industry Trade (IIT) with particular reference to IIT between Sri Lanka and its major trading partners in South Asia; namely; India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The study uses secondary data published in World Development Indicators, Penn World Table from 1992 to 2017. The level of IIT is calculated by using data gathered from Comtrade Data Base. Using panel data regression, the study adopts Random Effect model to analyze the regression results. The study concludes that economies of scale measured by difference of value added in the net output of the manufacturing sector and market size measured by average gross domestic product exert a significant influence on the level of IIT in the South Asian region. Differences of per capita Gross National Income (GNI - difference in income level) and tariff rate (the proxy for trade barriers) poses a negative influence on the level of IIT. The policymakers should be concerned about the possibility to increase IIT in the South Asian region. Based on the findings of the study, the present research offers policy recommendations to promote IIT within the region.

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Rank-Ordered Analysis of Consumer Preferences for the Attributes of a Value-Added Biofuel Co-Product

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12062363 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 2363 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yejun Choi ◽

Dayton M. Lambert ◽

Kimberly L. Jensen ◽

Christopher D. Clark ◽

Burton C. English ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Consumer Preferences ◽

Value Added ◽

Wood Waste ◽

Biofuel Production ◽

Energy Crop ◽

Waste Wood ◽

Consumer Demographics ◽

A Value ◽

Best Worst Scaling ◽

Potential Market

Biochar is a co-product of the production of advanced biofuels that sequesters carbon when used as a soil amendment. Gardening consumers are a potential market for biochar and their purchase of biochar-amended products could provide biofuel producers with an additional revenue stream. To better understand this opportunity, preferences for the attributes of potting soils amended with biochar were elicited using a best-worst scaling experiment administered in a survey of 880 Tennessee households. The attributes analyzed were whether the biochar was produced in Tennessee, certified as biobased, a coproduct of biofuel production, and produced from food waste, wood waste, agricultural by-product, or a non-food energy crop feedstock. The effects of consumer demographics and attitudes on preferences for the biochar attributes were also estimated. We tested the independence of irrelevant alternative assumption using a structured covariance matrix designed specifically to the survey’s structure. The results suggest that the attributes most likely to influence favorably consumers are production from agricultural by-product or wood waste feedstock. On the other hand, the attributes least likely to entice consumers are biochar produced in Tennessee or produced as a co-product of renewable fuel.

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Global Production Networks and (Distributional) Regional Development: The Cinnamon Industry in Karandeniya and Matale, Sri Lanka

Journal of South Asian Development ◽

10.1177/0973174120956496 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 209-237

Author(s):

Eunyeong Song ◽

Douglas R. Gress ◽

Edo Andriesse

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Regional Development ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Value Added ◽

Production Network ◽

Production Networks ◽

Global Production Networks ◽

Exporting Firms ◽

Global Production Network ◽

Developmental Dynamics

The purpose of this article is to examine the multi-spatial and developmental dynamics of the cinnamon industry in Sri Lanka, the largest exporter in the world by value added. This contribution compares Karandeniya, a major traditional cultivating hub, and Matale, a region new to cinnamon cultivation, deploying a Global Production Network (GPN) framework inclusive of regional development considerations. Analyses, based on input from 23 semi-structured, in-depth interviews, examine the potential for all stakeholders to acquire equity or ‘how’ captured value influences the region ‘and’ individual actors over the course of development. Fieldwork reveals four upstream actors in the cinnamon industry, namely—farmers, peelers, collectors and exporting firms. Results indicate that the cinnamon boom led to strategic decoupling with the exporting firms in Colombo and subsequent strategic recoupling with other actors. The primary contribution of the research rests in the interpretation of resulting structural changes in each region from a bifurcated view of regional development. Based on regional economic growth, Karandeniya appears to be more successful. However, considering the extent of value distribution within the region, Matale is on a more inclusive trajectory vis-à-vis cinnamon exports. Based on these results, three implications for GPN theory and related development policy are suggested.

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Availability of Wood-Residue Fuels for Agribusiness and Industry in Georgia

Southern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/sjaf/6.1.48 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 48-53

Author(s):

Glenn C. W. Ames ◽

Harold O. Baxter

Keyword(s):

Fossil Fuel ◽

Energy Costs ◽

Wood Residue ◽

Logging Residues ◽

Wood Residues ◽

Wood Fuels

Abstract A survey of 278 sawmills and other sources of wood residues in Georgia revealed that wood fuels were available at $3.86 to $5.69 per ton FOB, the source. Unsold wood residues were available in volumes necessary to meet the needs of 7 of 14 firms considering use of wood fuels. If these nonforest product firms converted to wood fuels, the savings in annual energy costs would range from 23 to 57 percent, depending upon the fossil fuel currently being used. However, other firms would have to either pay prices higher than $6 per ton for wood residues or purchase logging residues in order to generate the supply of wood fuels necessary to meet their requirements.

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Durability and Aesthetic Properties of Kenaf/Cotton Blend Fabrics

Textile Research Journal ◽

10.1177/004051759706701104 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 67 (11) ◽

pp. 803-808 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Gita N. Ramaswamy ◽

Elizabeth P. Easter

Keyword(s):

Breaking Strength ◽

Value Added ◽

Elongation At Break ◽

Performance Requirements ◽

Significant Difference ◽

End Use ◽

Kenaf Fibers ◽

Better Than ◽

Thread Count ◽

Made In

To evaluate the serviceability of a new textile product made of an unconventional fiber blend, it is important to determine if the fabric meets the specific standards required for the intended end-use. The value-added textile products of interest are fabrics made of 50/50 kenaf/cotton in the filling direction and 100% cotton in the warp direction, made in sateen, plain, twill, and oxford weaves. The control fabrics are of 100% cotton in only the plain and sateen weaves. The fabrics are characterized and compared based on ten of the most common fabric properties that affect their performance in everyday use: thread count, thickness, weight, breaking strength and elongation, dimensional stability, wrinkle recovery, abrasion resistance, tear strength, staining and stain release, and pilling resistance. Breaking strength of the experimental fabrics compares well with the control fabrics. Elongation at break is greater in the warp direction (19–35%) than in the filling direction (11–15%), but this difference is not significant. Wrinkle recovery for both fabrics is the same and improves over time. Shrinkage is identical in both fabrics. There is no significant difference in the stiffness of the two fabrics, possibly due to the carding step where kenaf fibers are carded to resemble cotton fibers. Abrasion and pilling resistance are good to excellent. Tear resistance is lower for the experimental fabrics compared with the controls, but it does pass the requirements for both upholstery and apparel fabrics. Kenaf/cotton blends perform the same or better than 100% cotton in their ability to release water-based stains, but the oil stain rates between 3 and 4, indicating a residual stain. Stain resistance can be improved by applying a soil-resistant finish. This study demonstrates that kenaf/cotton blend fabrics meet or exceed the performance requirements for both apparel ( i.e., outer wear items such as barn jackets, hunting vests, overalls, and caps) and upholstery fabrics. Additional advantages of the blend fabrics may be luster, interesting texture, and lightness.

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HYDROFLUOROCARBON (HFC) MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR LOW CARBON INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES: MILK PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN SRI LANKA

10.31705/wcs.2021.29 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

R.W.I.S. Karunathilaka ◽

◽

H. Mallawaarachchi ◽

R.M.D.I.M. Rathnayake ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Management Practices ◽

Service Providers ◽

National Level ◽

Water Security ◽

Low Carbon ◽

Processing Industry ◽

Industrial Facilities ◽

Milk Processing ◽

Formal Framework

Milk processing industry consumes hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) at a great extent. Emission of HFC distresses the food security, water security and the future of healthy living beings. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to propose strategies to improve the HFC management practices in Sri Lankan milk processing industry. Case study method was involved under qualitative phenomenon. Thus, three case studies were selected based on the HFC handling process. Nine milk processing agencies representing three importers and distributors, three milk processors and three service providers were selected to collect the data. Case analysis technique was used for data analysis. Findings revealed that, lack of institutional and national level procedures, unstable governmental policies, and lack of technology have increased the unhealthy handling of HFC in milk processing industry in Sri Lanka. Initiating a national level mechanism for governing HFC importers and service providers, empowering inventers for creating sustainable applications over HFC use and improving awareness were identified as key strategies to eliminate the identified issues under organisational and national level. Accordingly, a framework was proposed, which provides a platform to investigate the status of HFC handling procedure of milk processing industry in Sri Lanka. Since there is a lack of national level concern on managing HFC use in milk processing industry, having a formal framework at national level to govern both national and institutional level procedures was determined as a vital step forward to be considered.

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Value-Added Roles of Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Assessment of Medical Students’ Perceptions and Willingness in Sri Lanka

International Journal of General Medicine ◽

10.2147/ijgm.s309021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol Volume 14 ◽

pp. 3187-3196

Author(s):

Nuwan Darshana Wickramasinghe ◽

Shamalee Wasana Jayarathne ◽

Senaka Devendra Pilapitiya

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Value Added

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Agronomic Effects of Tectona grandis Biochar from Wood Residues on the Growth of Young Cedrela odorata Plants in a Nursery

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11102079 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2079

Author(s):

Arantxa Rodríguez Solís ◽

Yorleny Badilla Valverde ◽

Róger Moya

Keyword(s):

Tectona Grandis ◽

Application Rate ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Cedrela Odorata ◽

Alternative Source ◽

Application Rates ◽

Wood Residues ◽

Number Of Leaves ◽

And Performance

Biochar from agroforestry biomass residues is an alternative source of fertilizers for improving the soil fertility. In Costa Rica, Cedrela odorata is planted in pure plantations and agroforestry systems and different types of substrates are used in the nursery to enhance the growth and performance of the young saplings. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the growth (in height, diameter, biomass) and distribution of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N) for C. odorata plants in a nursery with different application rates of biochar produced from Tectona grandis wood residues. The results showed that the above-measured variables were statistically affected by different application rates of the biochar. The stem diameter, total height, number of leaves, and height increment were statistically significantly higher in the substrate with an application rate of 25–50 tons/ha, in contrast to the 0 and 75 tons/ha application rates, which were statistically the lowest. As for the levels of C, H, and N, there were differences, with the highest values of N and C being in the leaves and stem with the 50 tons/ha application rate and the highest values of H for the 75 tons/ha application rate. The above results showed that applying biochar obtained from T. grandis residues improved soil conditions, resulting in better growth of C. odorata saplings with an application rate of 25 and 50 tons/ha.

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Basic Steps to Promote Biorefinery Value Chains in Forestry in Italy

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su132111731 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (21) ◽

pp. 11731

Author(s):

Swati Tamantini ◽

Alberto Del Lungo ◽

Manuela Romagnoli ◽

Alessandro Paletto ◽

Michael Keller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Value Added ◽

Energy Generation ◽

Value Chains ◽

Wood Biomass ◽

Wood Industry ◽

Lignocellulosic Feedstock ◽

New Methodologies ◽

End Use ◽

Main Components ◽

Value Added Products

Biorefineries are an important pillar to conduct the transition toward a circular bioeconomy. Forestry value chains produce wood biomass from harvesting and processing residues that have potential to be used in biorefineries, but currently, these residues are mostly used for energy generation. New biorefineries and new methodologies of wood fractionation allow the production of high value-added products based on carbohydrates and lignin. However, biorefineries based on lignocellulosic feedstock are still few in European countries and even less in Italy. The present study analyses the processes involved in a scenario of establishment of forest biorefineries, reviewing the main components and the actual organization of forestry value chains in Italy. The aim is to have a general vision, to identify and to focus the possibilities of the actual value chains and to fill gaps. The development of the territories is thought of in a perspective of a broader repertoire and more branched value chains than simple energy-generation end use, reviewing the tool for a feasibility study that could potentially involve lignocellulosic biorefineries also based on forest-wood industry feedstocks.

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