Emergence and rise of eucalypt veneer production in China

Abstract

China's plywood production grew rapidly over the past 15 years from around 9 M m 3 yr −1 in the mid 1990s to over 55 M m 3 yr −1 by 2011. Associated with this has been a proliferation of small-scale eucalypt veneer mills processing young (≤ 5 yrs) small diameter logs (mostly ≤ 12 cm small end diameter); by 2011 there were over 5000 such mills in China with a collective capacity to process well over 15.0 M m 3 yr −1 of logs. We review key characteristics of this eucalypt veneer industry with special focus on three key regions for eucalypt veneer production in China. Factors that have spurred and facilitated the rapid growth of this industry are reviewed along with future challenges likely to emerge for China's eucalypt veneer industry.La production de contreplaqué en Chine s'est accrue rapidement durant les quinze dernières années, de 9 M m 3 yr −1 au milieu des années 1990 à plus de 55 M m 3 yr −1 en 2011. Il faut ajouter à cela la prolifération de scieries de petite envergure produisant le placage d'eucalyptus à partir de jeunes (≤ 5 ans) bûches de petit diamètre (pour la plupart ≤ 12 cm au diamètre le plus étroit). En 2011, il existait plus de 5000 telles scieries en Chine, possédant une capacité collective de produire largement plus de 15.0 M m 3 yr −1 de rondins. Nous examinons les caractéristiques clé de cette industrie de plaqué d'eucalyptus en nous concentrant tout spécialement sur trois régions clé pour cette production en Chine. Les facteurs ayant poussé et facilité la croissance rapide de cette industrie sont examinés ainsi que les futurs défis à l'horizon pour cette industrie du plaqué d'eucalyptus en Chine.La producción de contrachapado en China ha crecido rápidamente en los últimos 15 años, desde aproximadamente 9 millones de m 3 año −1 a mediados de los 90 hasta más de 55 millones de m 3 año −1 en 2011. Asociada a este crecimiento está la proliferación de aserraderos de pequeña escala de chapa de eucalipto que procesan trozas jóvenes (≤ 5 años) de pequeños diámetros (≤ 12 cm en punta delgada). Para el 2011 ya se contaba con más de 5000 de estos aserraderos en China, con una capacidad de procesamiento colectiva de más de 15 millones de m 3 año −1 de madera en troza. Revisamos aquí las características más importantes de la industria de chapa de eucalipto en este país, centrándonos en particular en tres regiones claves para la producción de chapa de eucalipto en China. Se revisan también los factores que han estimulado y facilitado el rápido crecimiento de esta industria, junto con los futuros retos a los que probablemente se enfrentará la industria de chapa de eucalipto en China.

Veneer Grade Analysis of Early to Mid-rotation Plantation Eucalyptus Species in Australia

“…The advancements have been quickly adopted through many Asian countries, including China and Vietnam, for successful veneer production from very small diameter hardwood billets. Arnold et al (2013) report well over 5000 small-scale veneer mills operating in China.…”

Veneer Recovery Analysis of Plantation Eucalypt Species Using Spindleless Lathe Technology

“…In more recent years, spindleless lathes have been further developed and adopted through many Asian countries for processing billets from very small diameter trees with success. According to Arnold et al (2013), there are more than 5,000 small-scale veneer mills in China dedicated to the processing of young, smalldiameter eucalypt logs. However, there are few publications providing detailed information on the veneer quality and recovery from spindleless lathe technology (e.g., Luo et al 2013).…”

“…To date, there are no published recovery data (including product grade recovery) for the use of this technology in the processing of Australia's plantation resources, which involve different species and climates from those in Asian countries. Arnold et al (2013) reported that the adoption of this technology dramatically changed China's veneer processing industry because there is no longer the usual prerequisite for large diameter billets. Instead, small diameter logs (small end diameters of 6 cm or less) from plantations as young as 4 to 5 years old can be processed economically to yield high value veneer .…”

Experimental Investigation on Rotary Peeling Parameters of High Density Coconut Wood

“…The advancements have been quickly adopted through many Asian countries, including China and Vietnam, for successful veneer production from very small diameter hardwood billets. Arnold et al (2013) report well over 5000 small-scale veneer mills operating in China. A parallel could be established between the emergence and proliferation of a eucalyptus veneer industry in China, as described by Arnold et al (2013).…”

“…Arnold et al (2013) report well over 5000 small-scale veneer mills operating in China. A parallel could be established between the emergence and proliferation of a eucalyptus veneer industry in China, as described by Arnold et al (2013). Based on young, small-diameter logs, this industry has transformed a lower-value pulp resource into a higher-value feedstock for veneer production, supporting the manufacture of engineered wood products.…”