VALORISATION OF FOREST AND AGRICULTURAL BIOMASS FOR THE SPANISH CERAMIC TILE INDUSTRY

Since ceramic tile industry is an energy intensive industry, European ceramic companies are challenged to reduce their CO2 emissions in the medium and long-term. According the Roadmap for moving to a low-carbon economy in 2050 (European Commission, 2011) the objective is to achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions of between 34 % and 40 % by 2030, and between 83 % and 87 % by 2050. In the present paper we present a study on the viability of the incorporation of biofuels in the energy mix of the Spanish ceramic industry with the objective of (1) identifying the potential use of biomass resources, with a special focus of forest and agricultural biomass, in the manufacturing process of ceramic tile products; (2) identify in what part of the production process it can be introduced; and (3) calculate the reduced environmental impact from the manufacture of ceramic materials through a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. In order to proceed we firstly present the relevant state of the art for the study of the use of biomass for the ceramic manufacturing process. We continue with the methodology for biomass resources evaluation and present relevant data on forest and agricultural biomass for the ceramic tile industry. We then present data on the evolution and actual energy demand of the ceramic tile industry to characterize its energy demand. And then we identify an opportunity for biomass use in a specific phase of the manufacture of ceramic products, estimating the savings of fossil fuels and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and therefore assessing the environmental impact reduction through the introduction of biomass in the manufacturing process of ceramic tile products.

HEIGHT INCREMENT OF NATURALLY REGENERATED YOUNG FOREST STANDS OF SCOTS PINE PINUS SYLVESTRIS L. IN MYRTILLOSA FOREST SITE TYPE

One of the most important stand productivity and competition indicators is height annual increment, which is affected by various factors such as soil preparation, initial density as well as various management risk factors. Empirical material for the research was collected in the northern part of Latvia. In four pure Scots pine stands in Myrtillosa forest site type 29 circular plots tree diameter, height and the last five years annual height increment was measured and visual state of health was described. The aim of this research is to analyse Scots pine height annual increment in naturally regenerated young forest stands in Myrtillosa site type forest stands and to give an evaluation of the impact of the initial stand density and the health status on height growth. The mean height increment in studied stands is 0.26 ± 0.009 m and the average periodical increment is 0.37 ± 0.042 m. The annual height increment has been in the height range from 0.23 to 0.53 m. Initial stand density affects the annual height increment significantly. In the stand with an initial density of 5770 ± 961 trees the height increment during the last five years has risen by 36%, but in stand with initial density of 12,650 ± 1,581 trees (P = 51.8 % and R = 6.0 %) the height increment during the five-years period has increased by only 12 %. The tree health status does not affect the tree height increment significantly.

LONG-TERM DRIVERS OF WHEAT AND MAIZE COMMODITIES PRICES

In the last decades prices of agro-food commodities have a tendency of explosive growth. This increase quite usually is related with biofuels development. However, the prices of commodities are influenced by the set of different variables, i.e. supply and demand factors. In order to provide appropriate policy recommendations for agro-culture there is a need to evaluate the factors and their impact on agro-food commodities. This paper uses the multi regression model in order to analyze long-term drivers of annual world wheat and maize commodities prices. Analysis involves both demand (direct: biofuels production, commodities stock in the end of the period; indirect: the exchange rate, the interest rate, gross domestic product) and supply (price of crude oil) factors. The empirical results indicate that the main price drivers of wheat are crude oil prices, exchange rate and stock of wheat lagged one period. While the main maize price drivers are crude oil price and stock of maize lagged one period.

10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.06.003

The aim of the paper is to identify the share of rural areas in the absorption of EU funding available for the purposes that are thematically related to natural assets in Poland in 2007–2013. Rural communes and small towns situated beyond the sphere of influence of the agglomeration were classified as rural areas. The paper is based on the data disseminated by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development of the Republic of Poland. Findings presented in this paper show that rural areas were the most significant beneficiaries of the EU funds allocated for utilization of natural assets on a national scale, although some regi onal differences were also noted. Rural beneficiaries prevailed in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Pomorskie Voivodships, like in the whole of Poland, while in the Dolnośląskie Voivodship their share in utilization of the EU funding allocated for natural asse ts was the lowest. Financial resources available from the EU funds provided support for rural areas in the field of promotion of the regions, creation of new tourism products and reconstruction of neglected natural and cultural objects. The projects implemented in these regions combined natural, cultural, tourism and educational contents

HYGIENIC SANITARY ESTIMATION OF MAIZE SILAGE IN DAIRY FARMS IN LITHUANIA

The aim of this study was to estimate maize silage hygienic sanitary parameters, contamination with mycotoxins in dairy farms in Lithuania. In 2011–2012 maize silage samples were collected from 20 dairy farms: prior to ensiling and 3 and 8 months after ensiling. In maize samples, prior to ensiling, L. monocytogenes was detected 25.0 % and after 3 months of ensiling – 10 %. Average of yeast and filamentous fungi in raw material samples were respectively – 71.39 ± 32.17 and 47.67 ± 18.31 CFU/g, after 3 months – 50.06 ± 16.09 CFU/g and 28.27 ± 13.18, after 8 months – 213.81 ± 55.98 and 215.08 ± 56.16 CFU/g. In raw maize dominated Fusarium spp. and in silage – Aspergillus, Penicillium spp. Average of lactic acid bacteria – 189.01 ± 57.79 (3 months after ensilage) and 436.11 ± 93.97 CFU/g (8 months after ensilage). Compared prior to ensilage and 3 and 8 months after ensilage maize samples, higher mycotoxins concentrations of DON – 36.96 % (P < 0.05) and ZEA – 77.32 % (P < 0.05) were detected in 3 month after ensilage, T-2 toxin – 72.69 % (P < 0.05), AFL – 94.31 % (P < 0.05) were detected in 8 month after ensilage. Concentration of OTA was higher 34.99 % (P > 0.05) in samples after 3 months of ensiling. Dry matter and pH respectively: prior to ensiling – 36.96 % and 5.26, 3 months after ensiling – 33.17 % and 3.84, 8 months after ensiling – 40.52 % and 3.91. The current results indicate the presence of yeast, viable fungi spores and mycotoxins AFL (total), ZEA, DON, T-2 and OTA contamination in maize silage in Lithuania.

THE EU SUGAR MARKET PROFILE AND ITS MAIN DRIVERS

Sugar is one of the most important elements in human nutrition. The Common Market Organisation for sugar has been a subject of considerable debate since its establishment in 1968. The European agricultural market has been criticized for its heavy regulations and subsidization. The sugar market is one of the most regulated ones; however, this will change radically in 2017 when the current system of production quotas will end. The current EU sugar market changed is structure during the last several decades. The significant number of companies left the market and EU internal sugar market became more concentrated. The aim of this paper is presentation characteristics of sugar market with respect to the supposed market failure – reduction in competition. The analysis also identifies the main drivers and determinants of the EU especially quota sugar market. In relation to paper’s aim the following results are important. The present conditions of the European sugar market have led to market failure when nearly 75 % (10 million tonnes) of the quota is controlled by five multinational companies only. These multinational alliances (especially German and French one) are also taking control over the production capacities of their subsidiaries. In most countries, this causes serious problems as the given quota is controlled by one or two producers only. This is a significant indicator of market imperfection. The quota system cannot overcome the problem of production quotas on the one hand and the demand on the other; furthermore, it also leads to economic inefficiency. The current EU sugar market is under the control of only Sudzucker, Nordzucker, Pfeifer and Langen, Tereos and ABF.

EUROPEAN UNION´S SUGAR MARKET CONCENTRATION UNDER THE SUGAR QUOTA PRODUCTION SYSTEM

The European sugar beet quota system is in very high dynamic process in recent years. The number of sugar companies involved in this system has been constantly decreasing. The aim of this paper is to define subjects (companies/alliances), which possess the current production capacities working under the production quotas system. The paper is determining especially the level of beet sugar production quota holder system concentration using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. The paper provides the following findings. The European quota holder system is extremely concentrated and it is becoming more and more dominated by fewer players. Sugar quota is distributed among 19 EU-Member States. In this regard, the quota is generous, especially in relation to France, Germany, Poland and United Kingdom. In Finland, Lithuania, Hungary, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Slovakia and the United Kingdom controlled by two or even one subject (companies, alliances). There is a large discrepancy between political efforts to distribute equitable R 1308/2013-sugar quotas among states and the actual reality of those distributions. While the EU-quota holder system does not indicate an extreme concentration, an analysis according to the headquarters´ location and allocated quotas to owners of production capacities provides the evidence of extreme concentration.

EVALUATION OF EXPORT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FROM TURKEY TO LITHUANIA

In this paper, export opportunities of textile products from Turkey to Lithuania are analyzed. The main goal of this article is to present an analysis of the opportunities to import textile products from Turkey to Lithuania. The empirical research basing on the statistical database analysis was used. The analysis of Turkey’s markets was showed that the economy is strongly dependent on exports of various products from Turkey and it is about one forth of Turkey’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The bulk of exports from Turkey is t o countries in the European Union. Turkey is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and exporters of textiles. The analysis of Lithuanian markets was indicated that Lithuania has a feasible market for imports due to its fast growing GDP, increasing labor wages and modernization of agriculture industry. Furthermore, advantageous and adequate policies of Lithuania’s foreign trade should encourage the development of imports to this country. The demand for textile products in Lithuania is growing rapidly and it is one of the most important sectors in fostering its economy