Research need from Focus Group: Market analysis of future demand and supply (long‐and short term perspectives) of forest biomass including potential new and traditional value chains

This need for research has been identified in FG 20 on “forest biomass”. If you want to know more about it, check the final report of the Focus Group.

The demand for forest biomass from the EU forests is likely to increase. This demand is created by the growth of new emerging industries and developed processes, such as packaging and construction sector, and by “new” products such as energy, fuels, and fibres and chemicals for substituting non-renewable raw-materials. In particular, using wood in chemical industry products may provide a channel for adding value for wood, including production of liquid fuels.

However, there are a number of knowledge gaps regarding forest markets. Perhaps a most significant issue is better understanding of the future development of demand and what kind of wood biomass is needed more. Thus, there is fairly limited data on technical requirements for each market, qualities, prices and suppliers and users.

Knowledge on these demand is critical for forest owners, as they're dealing with a (very) long-term crop.