HARDWOOD TRADE IN SELECTED COUNTRIES OF EASTERN EUROPE

This study focuses on trade of hardwood products in selected countries of Eastern Europe, specifically the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It was supported by a survey conducted with companies producing products made of hardwoods. It monitors trade trends in the wood products industry, specifically focusing on lumber, wooden veneers, furniture production, musical instruments, and wooden accessories. It also addresses the current and potential import and use of the US hardwood lumber in these countries. The study is also pointing out the shortcomings of the monitored markets. The online questionnaire and follow-up phone calls were used to obtain information from companies in countries of interest. Results showed that 83.3% of Czech respondents already use imported hardwoods in their production, followed by Hungary (69.2%) and Slovakia (54.6%). Despite the relatively high values of imported hardwood products, the overall results show that there is only a small potential for an increase in import of the US hardwoods in the wood products industry in chosen countries. The utilization of tropical hardwood species will continue because of their superior properties for specialized products such as musical instruments. Results also point out the grooving importance of certified hardwoods, their utilization, and trade.

Improving Hydrophobicity of Tropical Hardwood along Axial Positions

Wood is hygroscopic and is considered dimensionally unstable materials when exposed to wet conditions. To increase the hydrophobicity of wood, this study focused on the modification of tropical hardwood (Triplochiton scleroxylon) along different positions of the stem using acetic anhydride The weight percent gain (WPG) was determined and acetylation reaction was confirmed with FTIR. The dimensional stability of the wood was characterized by water absorption (WA), volumetric swelling (VS), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), and water repellent efficiency (WRE). Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance at α0.05. It was observed that the weight gain (WG) by acetylation increases along the axial position (base to top) of T. scleroxylon wood. IR-spectra confirmed properly the substitution of the acetyl group. The treatment resulted in a marked improvement in the WA and VS, ASE, and WRE of acetylated T. scleroxylon wood were also found to improve considerably from base to top of the wood. It could be said that the WPG and hydrophobicity increased, but the percentage of water absorption and volumetric swelling diminished. Hence, the modified wood showed good hydrophobicity and improved dimensional stability.

Chemical evaluation of two tropical wood species for use as grilling planks

This research evaluated the possible use of tropical hardwood species (Myrocarpus frondosus and Ocotea porosa) for grilling plank production. Physical, chemical, and organoleptic properties were evaluated and compared with properties of a well-used wood species for grilling planks, western red cedar (Thuja plicata). For chemical analysis, one technique was used: hydrodistillation. Normality tests and analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used for the comparisons between Thuja plicata and tropical hardwoods. The results of the organoleptic, chemical, and statistical analyses demonstrated the possibility of using Myrocarpus frondosus and Ocotea porosa in grilling plank production.

Application of Postharvest management of Corn to Support Integrated Farming System

Corn is a superior crop and its production centers are in the Grobogan and Pati Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. This plant is partly cultivated in farm fields and forest land owned by Purwodadi Forest Control Area (in Indonesia known as 'Kawasan Penguasaan Hutan – KPH) as an intercrop during re-planting of tropical hardwood, namely teak. Corn has become one of the significant side hustles for most of the residents in KPH with high incomes. Unfortunately, this high corn production was not accompanied by adequate postharvest technology. Some vital problems occurred, especially during raining season, like fungi, undesired germination, and many more. Therefore, the weight loss of corn production is still very high. This activity aimed to assist farmers by changing how farmers look at the quality assurance of the produced corn products and improving farmers' postharvest corn practices. This activity's method was introducing corn harvesting machines, namely corn sheller machines, and improving the farmers’ knowledge about the quality control of corn. The activities were carried out to allocate five (5) units of corn sheller units to five Forest Village Community Institutions (in Indonesia known as 'Lembaga Masyarakat Desa Hutan,' LMDH) who were the targeted partners. The activities of sharing the knowledge regarding good postharvest for corn were going well and the participants gave excellent responses and actively participated.

Impacts of the FLEGT Action Plan and the EU Timber Regulation on EU Trade in Timber Product

The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) is a key element in the efforts of the European Union to curb the trade in illegal timber products. This study helps to remedy the lack of systematic, statistical analysis of the EUTR’s potential impacts on international trade in timber products. Using cointegration intervention—or shock—models we quantify potential shifts in import prices and quantities of tropical hardwood lumber and oak lumber after the entry into effect of the EUTR. We further estimate import demand models to assess the relation between temperate and tropical hardwood products and whether there was a structural change in demand elasticities after the entry into force of the EUTR. The shock model analysis indicates, for most of the bilateral trade flows where we observe cointegration and a significant shock variable, increasing import prices and decreasing import quantities of tropical hardwood lumber following the EUTR start date, consistent with a contraction of the supply of tropical timber. The results of the import demand models do not give a clear indication as to whether oak lumber is a complementary or substitute product for tropical hardwood lumber, and there are no clear signs of structural changes in demand elasticities. Aside from the analysis, an important contribution of the paper is the procedure for building a long and homogeneous time series of tropical hardwood lumber.

Evaluation of cement-bonded particleboards produced from mixed sawmill residues

This study evaluates the application feasibility and properties of cement-bonded particleboards produced from mixed tropical hardwood species. Wood residues from a typical sawmill were collected, dried and used in the manufacturing of the cement composites. The wood residues used were from Ceiba pentandra and Gmelina arborea timber species. The residues were mixed in seven ratios in the production of the composite samples. Two control experimental samples containing unmixed residues of each species were also produced. The test carried out on the boards were flexural strength, water uptake properties and wet and dry screw withdrawal resistance. The effect of the wood mix ratio on the board properties was evaluated. The result showed that all properties except the screw withdrawal resistance were significantly influenced by the mix ratios (p < 0.05). The wet and dry screw withdrawal resistance ranged from 1170 to 1770 N and 1360 to 1830 N, respectively. The optimum wood mix ratio for enhancing mechanical performance of the boards was 1:4 of C. pentandra/G. arborea wood residues. Based on the result of this study, the particleboards produced can be used as wood composite ceiling tiles in building applications.

Development of a Taper Equation for Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) Growing in Western Thailand

Teak is an important and valuable tropical hardwood species. In this study, we developed and evaluated suitable taper equations for teak growing in Western Thailand using a formulation of Goodwin cubic polynomial model combined with a bark thickness model. The best taper model calibration was selected based on goodness-of-fit and leave-one-out cross validation statistical testing. In total, 12 different model calibrations were tested, with Thong Pha Phum (TPP) 2 being the most suitable for teak in Western Thailand. The mean prediction error of three validation statistics: (prediction of diameter under bark given height; prediction of height given diameter under bark; and prediction of under bark volume given log length) were within 10% and the overall validation index was 5.454, which was the lowest when compared to other calibrations. A comparison of TPP 2 with a teak taper equation developed for Northern Thailand, using a graphical analysis of the stem shape and bark thickness, indicated that the teak trees growing in the two regions have similar stem shapes, but the trees in Western Thailand tend to have a thicker bark. These results will also help in further work as they indicate that bark thickness equations are particularly important.

QUALITY OF TROPICAL HARDWOOD FLOORS

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the basic density of the wood and to simulate the performance of flooring produced with wood from five tropical species: Dipteryx odorata (Cumaru), Handroanthus spp. (Ipê), Hymenaea Courbaril (Jatobá), Astronium Lecointei (Muiracatiara), and Bowdichia virgilioides (Sucupira-Preta). Falling steel sphere, static and dynamic friction, indentation caused by loads applied in small areas, rolling load, and abrasiveness impact tests were simulated. The results were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey’s test at 5% significance, and Pearson’s correlation was performed between the basic density and the indexes of each flooring. The basic density of the wood flooring made from the evaluated species ranged from 0.735 to 0.958 g.cm-3. D. odorata, Handroanthus spp. and H. courbaril woods were classified as heavy, while those of A. Lecointei and B. Virgilioides as moderately heavy. It was possible to indicate D. odorata, Handroanthus spp., H. courbaril, and B. Virgilioides flooring for environments with intense traffic where there is dragging or falling objects such as industries and companies. The A. Lecointei flooring can be used in residential environments with light traffic, where the loads exerted are low. There was a correlation between the basic wood density and the flooring use simulation tests.

Wood and bark lignin contents of trees from deciduous forests of eastern India

Lignin is a polyphenolic compound found in plant tissues, especially wood and bark. The lignin content determines the quality of wood biochar in agroecological uses, and is used in the production of synthetic resins and adhesives. Despite its importance in plant physiology and its agricultural and industrial utility, there exists a wide gap of knowledge of lignin contents of tropical hardwood trees of South Asia, except for a few species. We present here the first estimation of lignin content in wood and bark of 48 species from tropical deciduous forests of India. We show that some species are characterized by greater wood lignin (WL) compared with bark lignin (BL) content, contrary to the generalization held for hardwood trees, and suggest a plausible correspondence between the WL to BL ratio and timber quality.