The wood processing industry in Poland is of vital importance to production and employment. However in terms of volume of sales revenue it is more of a middle-sized industry especially when compared to the volumes produced in cars, engineering and electronics.
Timber processing and the production of wood products, wicker and straw is a traditional part of Poland’s industry and the products are used in most sectors of the economy. Sectors such as building, furniture production, cars and railways are large users, but wood products are also needed for toys, sporting equipment and musical instruments.
One of the wood processing industry’s advantages is that it has a constantly renewable domestic source of raw materials – wood. It is extremely positive to observe that the forest sizes are increasing annually, they are not over exploited and therefore the industry is growing without leaving the Czech republic depending on the importation of raw materials. The Czech Republic is now considering increasing the timber harvest before 2030 of certain quality and varieties of wood.
The timber industry currently holds a share of 3.1% of the total manufacturing industry in terms of revenue from product sales. The value at current prices has increased this amount to 3.2% and the number of workers employed is 5.4%.
Each year 14.5million m3 of timber is harvested from the forests within the Czech Republic. In the event of a natural disaster this rises to 15 million m³ of raw wood, 90% of which is coniferous. Over 90% of the timber harvested in the Czech Republic is industrially processed, and used as logs or wood pulp for cellulose or for the paper industry.
When looking at the sufficiency of timber supply and the overall fitness in the sector, with increasing demand for the products, the industry has a promising long term future. It is certainly an industry that produces items necessary across society.
However, there are still reservations within the Czech Republic about the use of timber products particularly within the building industry which is still using classical products like bricks and blocks and other silicate products. These products, however, have environmental impacts, using a lot of water and energy in production and creating dust. Wood, by contrast has the same excellent physical and mechanical properties but are better for both the environment and the general health of the population.
One of the most promising and competitive sectors of the Czech manufacturing industry is in cellulose and paper. Since the raw materials used are mainly of domestic original ie, wood and waste paper, the industry has implemented a sustainable development strategy which has been in place for many years.
All of the leading producers within the Czech republic have environmental management systems in place. Significant improvements have been seen in the reduction of negative impacts of production through the construction of modern sewage plants in every major facility.
The cellulose and paper industry have attracted foreign investors, notably the Swedish multinational Mondi, which has its operations at the former Sepap factory in Štětí. Duropack, an Austrian company, now runs the Duropack Bupak Obaly company based in České Budějovice, and the Smurfit Kappa firm, an Ireland based company and one of the biggest European paper and paper-based packaging companies has set up in the country as has Huhtamaki. This Finnish multinational has come to the Czech Republic and has become the only global producer and supplier of food and consumer goods packaging to produce packaging using recycled paper from moulded cartons. Paperlin X, from Australia, has now become the largest paper wholesaler.
Czech Republic remains below the level of the advanced countries of the EU Despite the dynamic growth of paper and pasteboard consumption. However, a further rise of an annual consumption of up to 200kg per capita, meaning a total consumption of around 2 million tons per year is anticipated.
The growth prospects for the sector are optimised, the raw material is based on renewable resources, the products can be easily recycled, and they are perceived as the environmentally friendly option.
In the field of woodworking machine production and sale the Czech Republic has a good competitive edge. The companies are able to provide ISO 9001:2000 compliance and utilise machinery in according with standards set by the EU. Not only do they provide production, they also supply and give advice to customers regarding complex ensembles.
The products are diverse, ranging from a variety of saws, wood working machines, chucks, milling cutters, window manufacturing machinery, and so on and these are exported worldwide. The Bohemia Line Group which was founded by CzechTrade connects the 4 major Czech manufacturers of woodworking machines. The Group aims to supply the complete technology for manufacturing solid wood products to its customers.
