haketuksiin

Haketuksiin is a Finnish term referring to the process of turning biomass into wood chips (hake). The concept is central to biomass supply chains, particularly in forestry and bioenergy, where various feedstocks are reduced to uniform chip material for easier handling, storage, and combustion.

The process typically involves mechanical size reduction using chippers, grinders, or shredders. Pre-processing steps may include sorting, debris removal, and moisture measurement. Chip size commonly falls in the range of roughly 8 to 50 millimeters, with moisture content varying depending on source and end use. In some cases, further drying is performed to improve combustion efficiency or to meet plant specifications. After processing, the chips are stored and transported to end-users such as heating and power plants, pulp mills, or pellet facilities.

Common feedstocks for haketuksiin include forestry residues (branches, tops, small-diameter trees), logging residue, clean urban wood waste, and agricultural by-products. The resulting wood chips are used primarily as fuel in wood-fired boilers and cogeneration plants, and can also serve as raw material for pulp production or for subsequent processing into pellets.

Quality and logistics are important aspects. Key quality parameters include chip size distribution, moisture content, cleanliness (low contamination with soil or metal), and ash content. Contamination and inconsistent particle size can affect handling, storage, and combustion performance. Environmental considerations emphasize sustainable sourcing, waste minimization, and adherence to forestry and energy regulations.

In Finland and other Nordic countries, haketuksiin supports district heating, renewable energy goals, and forest-based value chains, linking forest management with energy production and industrial use.