WISA plywood's carbon footprint

Text: Tuovi Similä
Photo: Herman

WISA plywood's carbon footprint from forest to finished product has now been established. One cubic metre of softwood plywood generates 80−150 kg and, correspondingly, one cubic metre of birch plywood 130−400 kg of fossil carbon dioxide emissions depending on the mill in question. On the other hand, plywood acts as a carbon reservoir which sequesters more carbon than is incurred in its production. One cubic metre of softwood plywood sequesters on average 800 kg of carbon and one cubic metre of birch plywood 1,070 kg.

The model of the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) − the same as that used to calculate the carbon footprint of UPM's paper grades − has been applied in calculating the carbon footprint of plywood. Only the mill-specific carbon footprint of uncoated standard plywood has been calculated so far. The footprint has been calculated from forest to mill gate, and therefore emissions arising from transportation to customers are not included.

The carbon profile of plywood has been calculated according to the amount of carbon sequestered in the product itself. Fossil CO₂ emissions arising from plywood production and from the manufacture and transportation of raw materials, and from raw materials other than wood-based ones, for example, adhesives are included. The energy consumed in production is included as well.

The carbon footprint of plywood arises mainly from fossil CO₂ emissions from energy used in the manufacturing process. Another significant addition is caused by emissions other than those from wood-based raw material production.