Objetivo A.BACKGROUNDIntroductionThe European Union has set a target to double the share of renewable energy in the European primary energy supply from a level of 6% in 1997 to 12% by 2010. The positive technical, economic and structural conditions for the use of biomass for energy generation will enable biomass to contribute significantly to this aim.In the Kyoto process the European Union has committed to reduce European greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O etc.) by 8% from 1990 level by the year 2010. Energy generated from biomass is able to substitute for fossil fuels used for electricity, heat supply and transportation fuel. Biomass will therefore contribute substantially to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly CO2 from fossil fuel combustion.Landfilling of organic material leads to CH4 emissions, and the GHG potential of CH4 is 21 times higher than that of CO2. Therefore, avoiding landfill of biomass can reduce CH4-emissions from landfill sites. One of the most important sources of biomass - in addition to forestry and energy crops - derives from industrial wood at the end of its life (e.g. demolition wood, timber from building sites and the commercial sector).Amount of recovered wood and wooden residuesThe annual production of roundwood (equ.) in Europe amounts to almost 300 Mio. m3 (FAO statistics) or 180 Mio. tons. Consumption of roundwood is even significantly higher with imports taken into account. This roundwood is harvested mainly from sustainably managed forests and so the forest residues also arise sustainably and permanently. Moreover, the forest products (sawn timber, wood based panels, pulp etc.) derived from this roundwood consumption increase the stock of forest products in use. Table 1 gives an estimation for a number of European countries of the part of this stock available annually as recovered solid wood from wood products reaching the end of their primary life (excludes recovered paper). Some of this recovered wood is recycled, only a small fraction is used for energy generation, and a substantial fraction is landfilled. It is clear from the figures of Schararai-Rad et al. (1999) based on the year 1994 that recovered wood should amount annually to much more than 80 Mio tons (dry) in Western Europe (EU incl. Norway, Switzerland).Figure 1 shows options for the management of recovered wood, the main ones being secondary resource management and disposal.The selection of a certain management option for recovered wood depends on a set of criteria, including quality and quantity of material, environmental burdens of recovered wood treatment, possible options for substitution for other energy carriers, infrastructure, technologies, legislation (driving force), costs and benefits and socio-economic and other factors. These criteria are strongly interdependent.The most important management options for recovered wood are:- disposal- using wood as material (recycling as secondary raw material)- wood for energy use (energy generation)DisposalBoth of the most common recently used disposal strategies - 'landfill' and 'combustion without energy use' - fail to use effectively the material or energy properties of recovered wood. In fact, landfilling of biomass is known to be among the largest sources of climate-damaging methane gas (CH4). Therefore, with recovered wood as one of the most important sources of biomass in landfills, avoiding this disposal route would reduce substantially CH4- and GHG-emissions from landfill sites.Tackling the emissions from landfills is only one important issue supporting moves towards an improved management of recovered wood in Europe. The extraction of recovered wood from industrial and municipal disposal can also provide a valuable secondary source of raw materials that can substitute either for primary raw material or fossil fuels. Creating a Europe-wide strategy to add environmental and economic value to recovered wood will help in the development of future systems designed specifically to give optimal benefits from a sustainable utilisation of forests, wood products and recovered wood.RecyclingRecovered wood for industrial purposes is currently mostly used in the production of particleboard and fibreboard. Other possible utilisation options for recycling of recovered wood as a solid material are of minor significance. In order to provide appropriate consumer protection and to prevent the accumulation of hazardous substances, the recovered wood that can currently be used generally as a secondary raw material and in wood based panel production in particular has to be limited to the non-hazardous fractions. For those fractions of untreated and not contaminated recovered wood also trade (resp. shipment) can be stated within the European internal market. E.g. a particleboard mill in Portugal covers a considerable part of its demand on raw material with recovered wood transported from Eastern Germany via Baltic and North Sea.Energy generationThe 50-100 Mio. tons of recovered wood shown in Table 1 have an energy content of about 750-1.350 PJ, depending on its moisture content. Thus, the use of recovered wood for energy generation could contribute significantly to two major policy goals of the European Union. On the one hand, such use would contribute to doubling the share of renewable energy in the European primary energy supply to 12% by 2010 and on the other hand, being a virtually CO2 neutral energy source, it would help meet the reduction of EU GHG emissions as declared within the Kyoto process. The substitution of coal with the above amount of recovered wood could lead to a reduction of 75 - 135 Mio tons of CO2 per year.Definition of recovered woodA preliminary definition of the relevant wood grades in recovered wood could be based broadly on the system used in the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) as it covers more or less all the range (see Table 2) and is also appropriate for wood residues form forestry operations. Basing the preliminary definitions of recovered wood on this EWC classification is a convenience and must not be taken as an implication that recovered wood legally qualifies as a waste under all circumstances. Indeed, the concept of recovered wood specifically recognises that a large proportion of the potentially available wood being considered under this category is definitely not to be regarded as a 'waste' material.It should also be noted that this approach of definition neither specifies for what a certain waste wood is appropriate nor indicates clearly which recovery treatment could be useful or optimal for the corresponding recovered wood.Current ActivitiesIn some European states several organisations, institutions and branches of industry started research activities, implementation measures and harmonisation efforts in order to ensure proper, safe and environmentally compatible management of recovered wood. There are also interests in extending the use of recovered wood based on its technical properties as a secondary raw material or energy source.The legislation at European level (Commission Decisions and Directives) gives, despite the obligation for the subsidiary legal measures to comply with it, some room for variation at the national level. Additionally, the differing legal frameworks in the Member States influences to an extent the nature of technologies for the industrial use of recovered wood (e.g. atmospheric emission limits).Work is also in progress in the field of standardisation e.g. CEN/TC 335 Solid biofuels that is developing standards for the use of solid biofuels for energy generation and in which recovered wood assortments (e.g. from demolition/building activities) are not yet included.The potential technical and environmental values presented by improved wood recovery systems in Europe offer considerable scope for the specific development and implementation of improved measures for wood recovery. However, to unlock this potential and overcome limitations due to our current state of knowledge, varying methodologies and unequal conditions and backgrounds additional, collaborative activities are needed. The necessary databases are still fragmentary and activity in this field is not spread similarly throughout Europe. Therefore, exchange and research work should be initiated in some areas and continued or extended in others.In order to overcome some of the problems pointed out above and as the current research efforts are somehow fragmented between the sectors within the chain, a cross-sectoral approach is required in order to co-ordinate the activities across the whole wood management sectors in different countries and by co-operation between the institutes and industries concerned. The cross-sectoral design of this COST-Action promises to promote future, compatible opportunities for the recovery of wood and to support the establishment of state-of-the-art standards in this field in accordance with the EU requirements for high levels of environmental and consumer protection. This COST Action will create a multi-disciplinary forum for the exchange of ideas and contribute to the harmonisation of the used methodologies and the comparability of the collected data. Such a forum will consist of the management committee this COST Action and multi-disciplinary working groups drawn from the wood industry, waste management, building, trade and energy sector as well as specialists from outside of these areas.The COST Action will also link together and complement other European activities, such as:- ongoing EC-projects in the field- sustainable building materials activities- energy from biomass activities- national activities which are the background for all COST Actions- the Action will also complement and build on existing COST activities.B.OBJECTIVES AND BENEFITSThe main objective of this Action is the improvement of the management of recovered wood towards a higher common technical, economic and environmental standard.To advance the management of recovered wood significantly on a European level, this Action aims to take into account in particular the following specific issues:- further enhancement of the integration of the management systems for recovered wood- examination of the technical potentials of recovered wood and wood residues as both secondary raw materials and as energy sources- improvement of the quality of the European databases on the technical, economical and statistical information for recovered wood and its potential- analysis of all different management approaches for recovered wood in all the European countries to establish a reliable basis for strategic decisions- broadening of the knowledge basis and improvement of assessment procedures to advance the common understanding and to promote the development of appropriate wood recovery systems at the European level to optimise the use of wood resources- further development of methodologies including the analysis of different recovered wood management systems to achieve an integrated, common description of the recovered wood management sector in the different European countries- enhancement of the systems for the collection of technical, economic and statistical data concerning the different recovered management systems, and on the quantities and qualities of recovered wood- improvement of the methods to monitor the implementation of new systems for the management of recovered wood to avoid landfilling and through the supply of sustainable energy- expansion of the knowledge base on current recovered wood management as well as the available qualities and quantities of recovered wood to support the technical development of further possibilities to use recovered wood in (new) materials and products.BENEFITS OF THE ACTIONThe combined benefits of the Action will be to:- bring together a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural 'team' discipline under one umbrella- establish a European forum for the management of recovered wood- give a comprehensive overview of the different management options for recovered wood- give an overview on available data and stimulate new data acquisition on the different recovered wood assortments in Europe- expand the relevant data base- integrate important disciplines and approaches- provide strategic information for possible European Commission frameworks- contribute to the harmonisation of corresponding legalisation- reduce environmental loads by creating recovered wood management options that minimise landfill and incineration without energy use- mobilise additional biomass as a sustainable energy source- advance the methodology for environmental, technical and economical evaluation of different recovered wood treatment options- improve methods of data collection and exchange- develop tools for the comparison of different management options for recovered wood- initiate possible common proposals to European Community framework programs.INITIAL OBJECTIVESThe initial objectives are separated into 2 main areas, 1) scientific innovation, and 2) public/political information:Scientific innovation- development of new methods including guidelines for the management of recovered wood- improvement of the methods to evaluate existing and possible new treatment options for wood recovery assessing their possibilities and limits- improvement of the methods to generate energy from recovered wood- development of a common method for technical, economic and environmental comparison of different recovered wood treatment options- improvement of the methods to assess the use of recovered wood in (new) materials and products- investigation of possibilities to increase the use of wood recovered as a secondary material- creating new methods including revision of the current definitions for data collection, also for recording of the available or existent recovered wood treatment and management approaches throughout Europe, regarding explicitly the trade flows of recovered wood between Member States and within Europe- development of methods to improve the data collection concerning the (regional) amount of recovered wood taking into consideration the different collection systems and treatments applied to wood recovery.Public/political information- develop and present different strategies for an increasing use of recovered wood for energy generation and secondary raw material use- overview and description of applicable law and subsidiary legislation of all European countries- propose an outlook of the future trends and development in the recovered wood sector- improve the integration of recovered wood management in the energy and waste management sector.Scientific ProgrammeCross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary exchange of knowledge originating from ongoing research activities in Europe is an important aim of all COST Actions. In COST Action E31 specific cross-sectoral LCA topics in the recovered wood sector (particleboard industry, wood industry, energy sector industry, recovered management sector) will be addressed. To cover the topics listed below working groups will be established. Because of the fast developing nature of this science, there is also a need to bring experts in particular areas together for intensive development sessions. These activities will be co-ordinated by the management committee of the COST Action.Two workgroup areas have been identified, in which further task groups might be set up during the life span of the action if necessary. The results of WG 1 and WG 2 have to be combined in order to create a pattern that will allow for any particular case selection of the optimum recovered wood treatment option. Intensive workshops/multi-disciplinary Seminars engaging the whole action are particularly essential for this outcome. Also future prospects and recommendations to political, economical and institutional decision-makers shall be results of this effort.1) Workgroup 1 - European management of recovered woodThe main task is to analyse the current systems of wood recovery in Europe, i.e. technical and legal aspects as well as environmental impacts of the management schemes for recovered wood used in the different European countries, recovered wood potential, criteria for the choice of recovered wood treatment option.Workgroup objectives:- Analysis of the management systems for recovered wood in Europe (flows, treatment, current conditions and situations..): for a reliable determination of total volume of recovered wood and its different components (residues, waste etc.) including future projections- Logistic/infrastructure (transport, sorting, collection, dismantling etc.): analysis of recent collection logistics, transportation characteristics; public versus private recovered wood management- Legislation: European legislation and difference in implemented subsidiary measures at the Member State level, definition of recovered wood characteristics, their duration and their particular application on the wide range of recovered wood types; precise definitions and standards that have to be met by a recovery measure- Analysis of the market conditions: landfill fees, energy prices, price for fresh wood- Definition of recovered wood: classification of industrial and forest residues, waste nomenclature: development of recovery compatible and harmonised recovered wood categories- Systems in use- Forecast and recommendations for future development- Socio-economic factors: public opinion, employment, tradition, comfort, etc.2)Workgroup 2 - Treatment options for recovered woodAnalysis of different current and future treatment options for recovered wood based on technical, economic and environmental criteriaWorkgroup objectives:- Energy, recycling and landfill of recovered wood- Technologies for energy generation- Environmental effects (ash, air emissions etc.): environmental burdens of the different recovered wood treatment options; definitions and standards for environmentally sound recovery technologies; examination of the conditions under which the energy input in the recovery or recycling of recovered wood leads to a higher environmental value; comparison of energy supply based on different energy sources, substitution modelling; prevention of contaminating substances accumulation in closed substance cycle (recycling) coming from (hazardous) impurities in recovered wood- Economic and socio-economic parameters, costs: examination of the conditions under which the energy input in the recovery or recycling of recovered wood leads to a higher economical value; substitution effects (e.g. fossil fuels) and economic balance for the employment of recovered wood compared with fresh wood or other (fossil) energy sources in the relevant technical processes- Design of wood products and end-of-life product management- State-of-the-art technology for wood recovery and treatment including the prospects for and elaboration of technological standards for energy recovery: emission limits, energetic efficiency factor, use of the generated heat, treatment of remaining residues- Internalisation of environmental costs and their impact on the market, e.g. new European landfill directive governs that all costs of landfill (incl. after care and land restoration cost) must be included in the collection price.3)Multi-disciplinary SeminarsIt is the intention of the Action to bring the workgroups together for multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral workshops to present results and progress towards objectives.I. OrganisationThe Management Committee (MC) will manage the Action in accordance with rules and procedures for implementing COST Actions and establish its course of activities in the first meeting. The MC will organise two annual meetings to monitor the progress of the COST Action. One of the annual meetings will be organised together with the Scientific Workshop/Conference of the Action.Two Working Groups will be established. Each will elect a Leader and Deputy Leader, and they will assist the MC Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson in ensuring that the groups' work as stated in the MoU are of a high standard. The WG will hold separate meetings, once or twice per year if possible. Wherever possible the MC, WG and other meetings associated with COST will be held at the same time and venue.Short-Term Scientific MissionsTo broaden the European research community in that specific area the MC will also encourage new networking by especially young scientists under Short Term Scientific Mission scheme.Scientific seminarsOne scientific Workshop/Conference is organised after each of the three main phases of the Action. The organised three events are intended to open a dialogue between appointed country representatives, international bodies dealing with rural development and small-scale forestry, and disseminating information on forest based development opportunities. The organised seminars form a core part of the dialogue and interaction between the representatives in the Action.II. TimetableThe Action is planned to complete within 48 months after its initiation.III. Economic DimensionThe following COST countries have actively participated in the preparation of the Action or otherwise indicated their interest:- Austria- Denmark- Finland- Germany- Greece- Norway- Switzerland- Sweden- The Netherlands- United KingdomOn the basis of national estimates provided by the representatives of these countries, the economic dimension of the activities to be carried out under the Action has been estimated, in 2001 prices, at roughly Euro 17 million.This estimate is valid under the assumption that all the countries mentioned above but no other countries will participate in the Action. Any departure from this will change the total cost accordingly.IV. Dissemination PlanThe management committee will organise at least three seminars during the Action with the main aim of presenting results. Joint meetings among the working groups will be organised in such a way as to best promote interdisciplinary communication.All publications arising from research carried out under the present COST-Action will give credit to EU support. The management committee will encourage and promote co-authored papers. Results of research carried out by the working groups will be submitted to international scientific journals and reviews.The target audiences for the dissemination of the results of the Action (in particular, findings and recommendations) are mainly other researchers working in the field, research Institutes, industry represented by manufacturers and service providers, European level policy makers, government policy makers and policy makers.The dissemination will be done by using the following various existing possibilities, e.g.- posting of general information on a public Website;- posting of working documents on a password protected Website;- establishment of an e-mail network;- publications: state of the art reports, interim reports, case study reports, proceedings, guidelines, manuals, final reports;- events: workshops, seminars and conferences organised by the MC, contributions to other national and international conferences and symposia;- articles in scientific and technical Journals;- non-technical publications. Programa(s) IC-COST - European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST), 1971- Tema(s) 14 - Forestry Convocatoria de propuestas Data not available Régimen de financiación Data not available Coordinador N/A Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos
