Houtspaanders

Houtspaanders, or wood shavings, are a byproduct of wood processing produced during sawing, planing and sanding. They consist of small wood fragments, often curled or splintered, with variable moisture content. The term is standard in Dutch and Flemish wood industries and covers a range from fine shavings to larger chips, depending on the machinery and timber species involved.

Production and characteristics: Wood shavings are generated in sawmills, carpenters’ shops and furniture production. The exact size and moisture depend on the process: planing tends to produce finer shavings, milling yields larger chips. They may contain bark and dust and often require drying and cleaning before certain uses. They are typically sold loose or bale-packed and can be combined with other wood wastes in composite materials.

Uses: Common applications include animal bedding for poultry, rabbits and other livestock, horticultural mulch or soil conditioner, and substrate for mushroom cultivation. They can be dried and compressed into biomass pellets or briquettes for fuel, or used as packaging filler and in various renewable-material composites. In composting, they provide carbon-rich material that supports structure and aeration.

Environmental and safety aspects: Utilizing houtspaanders supports waste valorization and circularity when sourced from sustainable forestry. Dust and inhalation hazards require appropriate control measures, such as ventilation and protective equipment, when handling fresh shavings. Contamination with chemicals or paints should be avoided for uses in soil or animal bedding, and storage should be kept dry to prevent mold growth.