haketettu

Haketettu is a Finnish term used as an adjective and participle meaning “chipped” or “shredded.” It describes material produced by mechanical chipping or shredding, and it is commonly used in reference to biomass and wood-based products. The word is formed from the verb hakettaa, with the suffix -ttu indicating a past participle.

Production and materials: Haketettu material is produced with wood chippers or shredders from a variety of feedstocks. Typical sources include logs and branches from forestry work, mill residues such as slabs and edged waste, bark, and other wood waste. In addition to wood, the term can apply to other plant and agricultural residues that have been chipped or shredded for similar uses.

Uses: The most widespread use of haketettu material is as biomass fuel, especially in boilers and combined heat and power plants. Wood chips are valued for their energy content, ease of storage, and transportability. Beyond energy, haketettu material is used as landscaping mulch, soil amendment, and sometimes as a substrate in horticulture and mushroom cultivation, depending on the properties of the feedstock.

Properties and handling: Chip size and moisture content vary with the source and production method, but haketettu materials are generally produced in small to medium fragments suitable for handling and combustion. Proper storage in dry conditions helps prevent mold growth and self-heating. Storage and transport considerations depend on whether the material is intended for energy use, mulch, or substrate applications.

Etymology: The term originates from hakettaa, meaning to chip or shred, with -ttu forming the past participle haketettu. In English, it is often described as “chipped” or “shredded” biomass, with context indicating wood chips or other chipped materials.