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Wood Waste Management in Europe through the Lens of the Circular Bioeconomy

Author

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  • Marcin Zbieć

    (Institute of Wood Science and Furniture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Justyna Franc-Dąbrowska

    (Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Nina Drejerska

    (Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Over 30% of the world’s land area is covered by forests. Approximately 761 million m 3 of wood is harvested annually in Europe (2017). The aim of the paper is to assess the amount of wood (biomass) produced in Europe per year, as it determines the amount of carbon dioxide released from wood because of combustion for heating and energy purposes. The circular bioeconomy was applied as the theoretical framework for this study. The study employs official statistics on material flows and also uses a technology assessment, which allows for more precise estimations. It can be estimated that 110 million tons of harvested woody biomass are converted into energy every year. This constitutes nearly 69% of processed wood, with burned wood treated as zero-emission. From the analysis of the compiled results, it can be concluded that, in Europe, more than 50% of the mass of raw wood material harvested per year is used for energy in the first stage of processing by manufacturing industries. These processes produce products that become the raw material for further processing, as a result of which, further amounts of wood biomass are used for energy purposes.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcin Zbieć & Justyna Franc-Dąbrowska & Nina Drejerska, 2022. "Wood Waste Management in Europe through the Lens of the Circular Bioeconomy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-9, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:12:p:4352-:d:838839
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bartosz Choiński & Ewa Szatyłowicz & Izabela Zgłobicka & Magdalena Joka Ylidiz, 2022. "A Critical Investigation of Certificated Industrial Wood Pellet Combustion: Influence of Process Conditions on CO/CO 2 Emission," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.

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