Wood processing by-products in the northern midland and mountainous provinces: Current situation and solutions

Abstract

This study aims to assess the generation and consumption of wood processing by-products (WPBs) and to propose solutions for enhancing their value in the northern midland and mountainous region of Vietnam. The research methods include the collection of secondary data from management agencies and direct surveys and interviews with 120 wood processing facilities in four provinces. The results indicate that in 2023, the total volume of WPBs in these provinces reached over 2.5 million m³, with the main types being sawdust, sapwood bark, wood slabs, offcuts, and veneer cores. The utilisation of these by-products remains largely at the level of raw or lightly processed products, yielding low added value. This activity also faces multiple challenges, including inconsistent quality of WPBs and a heavy dependence on volatile export markets. The study proposes several solutions, including the application of technology for pre-processing and deep processing, market diversification and the establishment of regional linkages, the improvement of supporting policies and the promotion of sustainability certification, and the organisation of production under a circular economy approach. The implementation of these measures is a key factor in transforming WPBs into valuable resources, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the region’s wood industry.