At the end of May we had our annual audit for BetterBiomass (NTA8080). Although our organization is certified for various systems and has relevant processes structurally on our agenda, this is still a time to ensure that there are some points missing. The audit took place at a larger central location where we store woody biomass. After going through various procedural and administrative questions, we went outside to assess the stock, which was and is quite large.
The auditor then stated that it looked a bit like we were deliberately cutting down entire forests and processing valuable wood to turn it into biomass for energy. Sigh. Something that was thrown at me this week via the social media for the umpteenth time and without any substantiation. The auditor wondered how it is possible that there are so many wood chips in stock if they are not made consciously.
That required and requires further explanation. First, there is the assumption that a forest owner deliberately cuts down trees or forest just to chip the wood and sell it as fuel. The forest owner would be a fool to do this, simply because selling round wood pays better than biomass. The costs for production and logistics of biomass for energy are higher than those for round wood. When wood is harvested, the round wood is sold to factories (for production).
In addition, there are of course residual flows. These are released by Staatsbosbeheer for the management and maintenance of forests, nature and landscape. In 2023, roughly 50% of wood chips were released during forest rejuvenation activities. Just for the sake of the image, most of the branches remain in the forest. This is necessary for biodiversity and the maintenance of the mineral balance. Only where the soil permits (richer soils) and where the branches hinder rejuvenation are they removed, shredded and disposed of. In 2023, 50% of the wood chips were released during the management of landscape objects (wooded banks, canals, avenues, etc.) and the implementation of projects in the context of Natura 2000. In these cases too, the round wood is used for products. But especially in the landscape, branches and tops of trees almost always have to be cleared away.
In short, we saw no trees or entire forests because of the production of biomass for energy. We use residual flows as usefully as possible. Our ambition is to use all bio-based raw materials that are produced in such a way that the stored CO2 is buffered in products or their applications for as long as possible. We therefore prefer to use wood for construction, because buildings remain standing for a relatively long time and building materials are increasingly used for reuse.
What is also relevant to the argument is the fact that large stocks of wood chips are created because the period in which work is permitted in nature is relatively short and is becoming increasingly shorter. That has to do with nature (and legislation). The forest owner does not work in the forest from mid-March until the end of summer. Breeding birds are active then and we do not want to disturb them. This means that wood and residual flows are produced in a period of 6 months, while customers usually need raw materials throughout the year. Previously we could store supplies in the forest for later delivery. But that is still allowed to a limited extent. Because birds can also breed in wood piles and reptiles and amphibians can work on their offspring in piles of wood chips. That is why stocks are increasingly being removed from the sites and stored elsewhere in central storage locations. That is why you can find stocks of wood chips and round wood in some places in the country. I know skeptics don't want to believe this, but it has all been harvested for the sake of forest rejuvenation, landscape management and nature development. We use the proceeds to keep these activities affordable, because these activities would have to be carried out even without bioenergy to keep the Netherlands beautiful. In the past, when bioenergy did not yet exist, many maintenance work was not carried out, simply because it was unaffordable. This is possible with a modest return for the site owner for marketing the residual flows. By using wood chips for sustainable heat, forests, nature and landscape can be maintained and we ensure that the Netherlands remains beautiful in that respect.
I have told this story countless times and I will have to explain it many more times. Not just to the auditor, who was able to follow my argument well. And I don't mind explaining this either. I would rather have critical questions asked about our activities than have a judgment made without asking any questions.
We are currently working with companies to increase the value of low-quality residual flows, such as the use of wood chips, grass and reed for insulation boards. More about that later…
About the author
Henk Wanningen
Forestry Commission
Henk Wanningen has a forest and nature management background and works at Staatsbosbeheer on high-quality use of green raw materials from the green environment. He works closely with land management organizations and with companies that realize innovations and development, aiming to ensure that the use of these bio-raw materials through sustainable applications leads to a high climate impact. This includes timber construction, insulation materials, bio-based materials, green chemistry and renewable energy.
