Sawmill industry and sustainability
The aim of sustainable development is to safeguard good living conditions for future generations. Sustainable development consists of three aspects.
Ecological sustainability
Sawmills produce timber for the needs of the construction, joinery, furniture and packaging industries. As timber is a renewable material, using it helps to reduce the use non-renewable natural resources. During their growth, trees sequester carbon dioxide, and the carbon remains sequestered in timber products throughout their life cycle. Sawmills use energy from renewable sources, and they generate more energy than they consume. At the end of their life cycle, sawn timber can be utilised for energy.
Adapting the activity to the endurance of nature
Renewable material
Wood effectively binds carbon dioxide
Sawmills use renewable energy
At the end of their life cycle, sawn timber can be utilised for energy
Balanced growth
Growth is not based on indebtedness or the destruction of reserves
Income from the forest brings prosperity to the whole country
Responsibly managed forest produces a steady income stream for its owner
Economic sustainability
In 2016, sawn goods were the fourth most important commodity exported by Finland. Timber is Finland’s principal natural resource, but forests can only have a financial value if they are utilised. Without sawmills, trees would rot where they stand and the value of Finnish forests would drop significantly below the current figure, which is EUR 50 thousand million. The income from forests is distributed evenly across Finland, bringing prosperity and well-being to the whole country. Forests that are managed responsibly and sustainably will generate a steady income for their owners.
Social and cultural sustainability
The independent sawmill industry mainly consists of family businesses. The business activity of the sawmills is not considered in terms of quarterly prospects, but in terms of entire generations. The sawmills are located close to the forests. Their operation will not be relocated to other countries in the hope of more favourable costs.
Timber is an important part of the Finnish architectural, cultural and economic tradition. Our prosperity is based on the export of goods and products of progressive forestry and forest industry.
Timber is an important part of the Finnish architectural, cultural and economic tradition. Our prosperity is based on the export of goods and products of progressive forestry and forest industry.
Adapting the activity to the endurance of nature
Renewable material
Wood effectively binds carbon dioxide
Sawmills use renewable energy
At the end of their life cycle, sawn timber can be utilised for energy
contact information
+358 20 779 0960
info@sahateollisuus.com
Säästöpankinranta 4 C 24, 00530 HELSINKI
Association that promotes the interests of the Finnish sawmilling industry
The Finnish Sawmills Association promotes the business operations of its member companies by representing their interests. The association’s membership base consists of approximately 30 companies that operate throughout the country. Nearly all of our members are family companies with a face.
