Wood Residues

Wood Energy Data

Forestry-based wood residues - Agro-based wood residues

Wood production generates considerable amounts of residues that can be used as energy source. Wood residues can be in the form of solid matter (e.g. off-cuts) or in the form of dust from sawing and sandering. Wood residues can be distinguished into forestry-based residues and agro-based residues. Forestry-based wood residues refers to residues from processing by wood-producing industries, like logging, sawing and sandering. Agro-based wood residues refers to residues from perennial plantations, like rubber, coconut, coffee.

The tables below give estimates for the generation of residues for different types of processes. These estimates were compiled from different sources (see the paper: Agricultural and Forest Residues: Generation, Utilization and Availability for more information).

The estimates should be used with care when assessing the resource potential for wood residues. Firstly, actual values will vary widely depending on local conditions, wood species and moisture content. Secondly, generated residues may not be available for energy purpose because they may be used for other purposes, or they are too far from potential users.

Forestry-based Wood Residues

Process	Residue	Residue
	Type	Rate (%)
Logging	Solid	40
Saw-milling	Solid	38
Saw-milling	Sawdust	12
Plywood	Solid	45
Plywood	Dust	5
Particle board	Dust	10
Fibre board	Dust	10
Chemical pulpwood	Black liquor	2.27 m3/ton *
*1 ton of chemical pulpwood generates 2.27 m3 of black liquor in wood equivalent.

Agro-based Wood Residues

Process	Residue	Annual
	Type	Yield (ton/ha)
Cocoa tree	Prunings	25.2
Coconut tree	Fronds	2.34
Rubber tree (25 yr.)	Solid	2.6
Palm oil tree (30 yr.)	Solid	2.2
Palm oil tree (30 yr.)	Fronds	0.5
Cocoa tree (25 yr.)	Solid	2.3
Note: Years indicate rotation period of plantation

Back to the top