Wood processing and concerns about raw material sources

(Baonghean) - The MDF wood processing project is considered the largest in Southeast Asia today, requiring large-scale planning of raw material areas.

The total demand for raw materials when both production lines are put into operation is expected to be 800,000 tons/year. Currently, along with the urgent installation of equipment to soon complete the operation of the MDF and finger joint wood processing factory, May Forestry Company is taking care of input materials.

According to the report, by March 2015, the forestry area of ​​the MDF wood and fiberboard processing factory owned by May Forestry Joint Stock Company was 531,255.3 hectares, of which the factory's planted forest area was 136.738 hectares. The area and reserves of the area 5 years old or older in the planning area of ​​12 districts, total area 3,230.85 hectares, reserves 210,005.25 m³. The raw material forest area serving processing is located in 9 districts such as: Nghia Dan, Quy Hop, Yen Thanh, Thanh Chuong... The main crop structure is acacia and eucalyptus, of which acacia accounts for 85%.

The total estimated demand for raw materials is 800,000 tons/year. The production lines of wood planks and plywood have come into operation, helping Nghe An farmers develop raw material forest plantation.

In preparation for production, May Forestry Joint Stock Company has a plan for purchasing raw materials and the actual volume of purchases has been detailed and sent to local authorities and large forest owners. There will be quarterly discussions to resolve issues and create favorable conditions for the people. For loyal suppliers to the project, there will be preferential policies.

Currently, there are affiliated companies: Dong Bac and Phu Quy Company providing raw materials for the factory; developing high-tech tree nurseries, supporting forest growers. In addition, cooperating with the biofertilizer processing company of TH Group to provide fertilizers and preferential policies. Forest growers for the project will also be coordinated with Bac A Bank to build and provide preferential capital. Along with implementing good purchasing policies, the company pays special attention to forest planting.

Mr. Le Hong Son - Chairman of Nghia Dan District People's Committee shared: In response to the large demand for raw materials for this project, for Nghia Dan district, because the forest area is not large, we will focus on directing communes to invest in increasing the productivity of planted forests. Right from the beginning, the district has proactively reviewed the forest area of ​​raw materials, assessed the reserves and output of planted forests for the MDF wood processing project invested by May Forestry Company. Along with that, we focus on planning, technical measures for intensive forest cultivation, tree varieties, strengthening protection and better care.

Wood panel production line during trial run

However, the current problem is to ensure raw materials for the factory to operate. Currently, there is a phenomenon of private traders purchasing raw materials in the factory's planning area. Entering the eucalyptus forest of Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh in Dong Hoi 1 hamlet (Nghia Hoi, Nghia Dan), we witnessed people chopping wood and loading it onto trucks to transport to Quang Ninh to make pillars to support coal mines.

Identifying raw materials as the key for the factory to operate sustainably, Mr. Nguyen Cong Vinh - General Director of May Forestry Joint Stock Company is very worried about this issue. Mr. Vinh said: There has been a phenomenon of wood chip processing facilities operating illegally in the province, causing businesses investing in wood processing projects in the planning to fall into difficulties due to lack of raw materials for production. Currently, the factory has not officially come into operation, so the demand for raw materials is not yet tense, but in the long term, if localities do not resolutely rectify management work in this field, it is very easy to lead to disruption of regional planning and socio-economic development. Recently, to proactively source raw materials, we have contacted and worked with localities with large forest areas such as Tuong Duong and Con Cuong to expand the area of ​​raw material forests.

However, because small private processing facilities do not build production areas for raw materials, but mainly rely on available raw materials in the localities, it affects investors with processing plants operating in the area; and indiscriminate exploitation without following the process will cause many people to cut down young forests that are not yet ready for exploitation for sale. At that time, not only will businesses suffer losses, but it will also affect forest growers as well as the investment environment of the province.

The exploitation of the MDF wood and fiberboard processing project will bring about economic efficiency and development not only for the investor but also for the people. Therefore, authorities at all levels, managers and forest owners need to properly manage the proposed planning to ensure adequate supply of raw materials for the project.

Thu Huyen