Puutavaran

Puutavara, commonly translated as timber or lumber, is the primary wood material produced from forests. In Finnish forestry and the wider wood industry, puutavara refers to harvested wood that is intended for further processing or direct use in construction, paper production, energy, and other products. It includes several forms and specifications that determine its end uses and value.

Forms and uses: Roundwood (logs and branches) serves as raw material for pulp mills, sawmills, and panel plants. Sawn timber consists of boards, planks, and structural timbers used in construction and manufacturing. Wood fuels include firewood, wood chips, and pellets used for heating and power generation. Engineered wood products such as glulam and plywood are also produced from puutavara, expanding the applications of raw timber.

Supply chain: The puutavara value chain begins with harvest and transport from forests to processing facilities, where it is sorted by species, diameter, and moisture content. After processing, the products are sold domestically or exported, making timber a key commodity for many forest-based economies.

Sustainability: Sustainable forest management aims to balance growth and harvest, maintaining biodiversity and carbon storage. Certification schemes, such as FSC and PEFC, provide third-party verification of responsible sourcing. Regulations in many countries govern harvest levels, reforestation, and environmental impacts to ensure a renewable supply of puutavara.

Global context: The timber industry is global in scale, with major producing regions in North America and Northern Europe, and significant markets in construction, packaging, and paper. Prices and availability are influenced by forest stock levels, land use, energy demand, and broader economic conditions.