Wood processing sector in Benelux

Forests cover 21% of the area of Belgium. Commercial production of timber is limited; roundwood production in 2003 was estimated at 4.76 million cu m (168 million cu ft). Most common trees are beech and oak, but considerable plantings of conifers have been made in recent years. Belgium serves as a large transshipment center for temperate hardwood logs, softwood lumber, and softwood plywood. Large quantities of timber for the woodworking industry are typically imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The total output of Belgium’s wood processing and furniture industry in 2004 was €5.65 billion, with furniture accounting for 52%; wood panels, 22%; and construction, packing, and other wood products, 26%.

The total value of exports of forest products in 2003 was $4.7 billion, with imports of $3.9 billion. Belgium’s wood processing industry consists of over 2,000 enterprises, 65% of which are furniture manufacturers, typically with fewer than five employees.

Wood use in the Netherlands is widespread. In 2012 the sum of wood import and production stood at 29.1 million m3 of roundwood equivalents9, of which more than 95% was imported. A large amount of that wood was only in transit and exported again,
leading to a total in-country use of 11.7 million m3 of roundwood equivalent. Wood use
in the Netherlands is commonly subdivided by application into paper and cardboard
(50%), panels (15%), sawn wood (30%) and other uses (5%). The current status of wood
cascading in the following sectors is described:

• Wooden packaging sector
• Timber and construction sector
• Paper production
• Furniture production

Subsequently options for (increased) cascading have been identified and described.

Biggest Companies in the sector

Wood processing Clusters

Wood processing Fairs