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Description
The purpose of the project is to introduce a new product group into production that would consist of:
- using wood cuttings/residues which, in combination with Class A high quality solid wood lamella, to create a product which, according to its physical and visual characteristics, is equivalent to high-quality solid wood finishing material.
- When recycling wood cuttings/residues, the Company will create composite bricks from which picture, canvas, photo frames will be produced on the automated CNC machine.
The purpose of the project is to introduce a new product into production in the Company, reducing the environmental impact. As part of the project, a high value added product will be introduced into production, which will continue to ensure the sustainability of the Company in the domestic and foreign markets and increase the Company’s productivity and competitiveness. The project will be implemented in the field of green innovation as it will result in a significant reduction in environmental impact. The reduction in environmental impact following the introduction of the new technology will be ensured in the choice of raw materials, in the manufacturing process and in the lifecycle of the product. Low-value wood, the alternative use of which is heating, which would generate CO2 emissions, will be the raw material for the manufacturing process. The Company will produce high value added products using this wood.
Summary of project results
There were no significant problems or challenges faced within the project implementation.
The Project (“Introduction of an innovative and environmentally friendly product into production”) was needed to put into production a new product of the Project Implementer`s company (Sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību “NDB timber”) reducing an environmental impact. The challenges the Project set out to address were related to the implementation of a new product, using new technologies and cooperation with the Project Partner (Norwegian company).
As part of the Project, a new group of products was introduced into production:
- using wood scraps/residues, which, combined with class A quality solid wood lamella, will create a product that, in terms of its physical and visual properties, can be compared to high-quality solid wood finishing material;
- by processing wood scraps/residues, the Company produces composite slats, from which frames for paintings, canvases, and pictures are produced on an automated CNC workbench.
The Project aims to put into production a new product in the Company, reducing the impact on the environment. As part of the Project, a high-added-value product will be introduced into production, which will continue to ensure the Company''s sustainability in local and foreign markets and will increase the Company''s productivity and competitiveness. Until now, the Company did not have the appropriate equipment and know-how to produce such products. As part of the Project, both equipment and knowledge were acquired in cooperation with the Norwegian partner.
The following outputs were realized during the Project:
- understanding material trends in sustainability;
- understanding of main customers and their markets;
- evaluating of material choices;
- preparing the inspirational report in English.
The following activities were implemented within the Project:
- purchase of production equipment;
- 3 (three) Informative events about the Project and the support program as a whole were held;
- cooperation with a Norwegian partner – the Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology (Treteknisk) – was successfully implemented.
These activities and products were important because they helped to reach the aim of the Project and they gave a chance to the end beneficiaries to get a new product at the end of the Project.
The main result of the Project is putting into production a new product of the Project Implementer`s company (NDB Timber) reducing an environmental impact. The new product is more climate-neutral in the production process and reduces influence on the environment. The new product production is planned to reduce CO2 emissions by 170.50 tonnes/year, as well as reduce energy consumption for an amount of 431.39 MWh/year.
By implementing the Project, the impact on the environment will be significantly reduced throughout the product''s life cycle – in the selection of raw materials, the production process, as well as during the use of products and their entry into the waste stream.
As a result of the Project, at least 30% of the new product will be exported to large-scale markets, in Europe as well as Asia.
By implementing the Project, the Company has created at least 4 (four) working positions (working places for new employees).
The Project achieved its results, was successful and has the expected long-term impact. It matters that it achieved its results and was successful because into production was put a new product and it has a positive impact to the end beneficiaries.
As part of the implementation of the Project, a new production facility has been purchased, which enables the production of a new environmentally friendly product. It is important that the new product will have a high added value – in the production process, a high-quality final product is produced from low-quality timber. This will allow the Company to strengthen its position in the market and increase turnover. As part of the Project, the highest quality equipment was purchased, which will reduce the percentage of defects and will function for a long time, for example, the press was purchased from the German company Weinig, which is one of the world leaders in its field.
Summary of bilateral results
The Project Partner - the Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology (Treteknisk) provided knowledge transfer activities which are necessary for the introduction of a new product and technology in production and development.The Project Partner also provided information on the product development of a multi-layer wall panel product both theoretically by consulting and practically by physical product testing.A systematic review of the production process and production parameters was the basis for recommendations to avoid material deformation before and after flatwise glueing of the panel layers. Best practice within the fields of material storage and handling and glueing of multi-layer products was shared with the Project Implementer (NDB Timber).The Partner provided a short environmental assessment of these wrapping materials based on documentation provided by the company and identified the material with the best environmental profile.Product samples were sent to the Project Partner (Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology (Treteknisk)) for documentation of the dimensional stability. For this, the new multi-layer product and a traditional product were compared to different climates in a climate chamber. The test protocol has been long established at the Project Partner (Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology (Treteknisk)) and was used to test the dimensional stability of wall panelling and parquet flooring under indoor climatic conditions typical for the Nordic countries. Product deformations were measured and recorded as bases for the final comparison between the products. Recommendations for further product optimization were given based on experience from other projects within flooring and furniture production.