THE FOREST AS A PRODUCER OF WOOD - AN IMPORTANT RAW MATERIAL FOR THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

Abstract

The aim of the article is to show the role of wood as a renewed raw material necessary in numerous processing industries, as well as for creating gross output value and jobs. The second task is pointing out the necessity of collaboration between forestries and forest wood industries as well as the promotion of wooden products.
The economic potential of forest industry, measured by employment and gross output value, is much bigger than that of forestry alone. The gross output value of forest industry is more than nine times larger than forestry and employment is five times as big as in Poland. Therefore wood production by forestry — in 2010 in Poland, 33.6 mill. m3 - enable forest industry operating and development. Wood is a basic raw material for 1,067 business entities, of which: 105 sawmilling and planing of wood, 268 manufacturing wood products, 222 manufacturing paper and paper products and 472 manufacturing furniture.
The use of wood in the power engineering industry systematically rose during the last decade in Poland, amounting in 2011 to 2.6 mill. m3. Raw wood is also used in the chemical industry in manufacturing charcoal, ethyl alcohol, synthetics.
Timber is a valued material in construction. It is estimated that 20% of harvested raw wood is used in homes and households for things such as: windows, doors, stairs, balustrades, windowsills, floors, roofs, fences, scaffolding.In addition, kitchen accessories, matches, musical instruments, toys and sports equipment are made of timber. Wood usage in households is particularly valued for its aesthetic features and for creating a unique atmosphere.
Wood is a renewable raw material. Its resources are reconstructed, in a rational forest economy, growing stock systematically rises, which enables the timber supply to increase. In the wood production process carbon is sequestrated from carbon dioxide. Carbon accumulation in forest biomass is 104t/ha in Poland. Wood is a biodegradable substance and does not require expensive recycling processes, as well as being neutral in the carbon cycle. Timber made products have more favorable material and energy balances than their substitutes made of steel, synthetics, aluminum and concrete.
Wood should be promoted as a renewable and environmentally friendly raw material. It's essential to counteract timber substitution in the construction, furniture and paper industries. Environmental movements, forestry and forest industry ought to collaborate in promoting it.