Impressions of Finland

The Wood of Finland :
a family, economic and ecological affair

by our special envoy Véronique BOILLOT

When we think of Finland we often imagine an austere setting, but this nation is young, in population as well as in its recent independence. Finland also has quite a few treasures, including the wealth of its healthcare and well-being sector, and… wood. The forest industry is an integral part of the cultural, economic and family landscape.

Finland is a country that possesses nearly 187,888 lakes, covering a total of 338,145km2. A landscape carpeted with forest, with the exception the extreme north, which is tundra. Clearly, the forest is a vital factor in the Finnish economy. When a family owns a forest they pass it on through the generations. Lodging is equally adapted to this type of milieu. The forest industry has undeniable resources; to better appreciate them we decided to first meet with a real forester. Discovery of a living material that plays a significant role in the full bloom of a nation…

Wood, a family's source of life

"Over 61% of forests are owned by families." Finland's third industry (after high technology and metallurgy) would be thus… family-oriented. We know the climate of Finland : extremely cold winters, minus 30°C in Lapland, and staggering heat in summer, sometimes 30°C, depending upon the region. The land is flat and barren, but consequently adapted to the growth of fir trees. According to figures by the Finnish Forest Industry Federation, firs represent 34% of the country's wood production. The birch, making up about 15% of production, is utilised mostly in home construction, but it's the pines that are grown the most, destined for export as well as for construction in Finland, adding up to 47% of production.

The clients are mainly Finns and other Europeans, mainly Germans. But the cultivation is still a difficult task. It is the climate and the land that decide which species shall flourish. Olli Oittila, the forest owner we met with, owns what he refers to as a farm (of wood) of 135.3 hectares, 112.9 of which are exploited.

His farm produces 51% firs and he explained that the toughest thing was not erosion but the land and Kastikka, a Finnish forester's word for "weeds", which can cover up and choke fir tree seedlings, his main source of revenue. Owning a forest is not easy. Forest owners must meet the state-established regulations. Indeed, the wood comes from native and foreign forests. Ninety-five percent of owners have been certified in accordance with the FFCS (Finnish Forest Certification System) and have submitted to strict inspections. So owning a forest in Finland is first taking on a big responsibility. Only 6% of forest belongs to the State and 5% of it to a few industries, including that of the writers…

The paper industry

Finnish forests cover a surface of 20 million hectares. M. Rikku Eksymä, manager of European business and commerce explained to us how Finland's climate suits the production of wood, then how the paper industry market has decrease these past few years. "We produce paper for the European market but we must produce more and more to survive," the manager specified. Production in 2005 indeed has reduced enormously.

These forests are found mostly in the southern part of the country, near airports and other modes of transport, so that exporting is easy. However, this quality of production and work hasn't brought about the results that were anticipated. Since 1980 the majority of forest industry domains (production, paper export, etc.) have lost revenue. Indeed, domestic wood cannot supply the nation's demand and Finland had needed to turn to foreign countries for some years now. In total, 23% of wood is imported, 80% of it from Russia, 16% from the Baltic States. That's why it's crucial that Finland possesses other industries, growing industries which do have global success, such as Nokia and its famous mobile phone production.

Nevertheless there is some evolution pertaining to the demand on the level of paper. Production is now oriented towards writing paper exports as well as, especially, printing paper. But the wood industry is very present in Europe and the figures are rising in Western Europe, where production places Germany ahead of Finland by 21%.

And in the rest of the world the competition is fierce : the USA is on top with 83.4 million tons of paper produced in 2004, followed by China with 30.9 million. Finland ranks only sixth, with 14 million. This is why the State attaches so much importance to development and innovation and wants to reinforce its position.

The work of the Finns faces competition

This work first commences on the level of human resources, in order to train the most competent people possible and to be a force on the labour market. A 2004 study by the International Wage Tracking Programme shows that Finland is in first place above both Japan (third place) and France (15th place) in terms of school success of 15 year old students.

Then, the work linked to development continues in research, always in search for solutions and innovations.

Lastly, work is moving towards flexibility in economy structures that allow for creativity and to continuous adaptation according to needs. For instance, less wood is used to produce paper now than thirty years ago. Despite the development of high-tech, internet, etc., statistics show that the paper industry still succeeds in turning some profit. Moreover, there are industries that take used paper to make new paper (73% of used paper is collected), which adds up to a gain in production. Paperinkerays Oy is one of the largest paper recycling companies. Recycling holds such a significant place here that in 2005 the nation made it into the record books.

This is evidence that the paper industry, and consequently the wood industry, this renewable material, has every chance to take on the major global companies, for Finland is also betting on its other natural material possessions. Carbon, aluminium, iron, and others, all make up the natural resources that are poised to be utilised in the future . Finland is blessed with all of these materials and hopes to be able to count upon them in the years to come. But wood is essentially destined for construction. The Finns are going by the concept of well-being. A discovery of these typical kinds of constructions via three successive examples…

Wood construction

The first example refers to the professional world, and more specifically to offices. In 2002, Finnforest (Finland's wood building and construction corporation) sponsored an architectural contest aiming to create a product for industrial export. The winning project "Sydänpuu" (the heart of wood) produced this office building in wood, FMO (Finnforest Modular Office, belonging to Tapiola), the highest in Europe in this category. "This renewable construction material sets the carbon dioxide (reducing its emissions) and stocks heat. The emotional effects of the wood are positive," confides the structure's architect, Pekka Helin.

"CO2 emissions have reduced by 6% in Europe since 1990, compared to a frightening increase in Asia of 180%," adds Finnforest's vice-president Lauri Plojärvi. Wood thus brings benefits to man as much as it does to the environment.

The result of this construction : an agreeable unity of work. All is made in stratified wood while the main surface is covered in laminated wood planks. Only the elevator cage, basement and exit stairways are in concrete. The facade has a conical sun-window, a curve that sets off the wood's capacity to adapt itself to other structures.

On an economic level, this type of construction will pay off over its many years of duration. Indeed, "the fixed objective for the duration of the structures is for over one hundred years," specifies the architect. On the ecological level, wood is undoubtedly the safest. Places like Asia, who pollute enormously, should follow this example. Moreover, wood is a material that will always be current, a conclusion that goes beyond any ambitious project, that wood constructions aim to be human-scaled and facing towards the future.

The second example leads us outside a church : "Vikki Church in Tampere." A long, slow and meticulous construction, just like its result, 16 months in all of intensive work for this religious work of art. "Sustainable and repairable materials were used in its construction," architect Samuli Miettinen proudly exclaimed. Wood boards are mainly done in fir. The surfaces have even been cleaned with washing soda to assure the best maintenance and easier revitalisation. The excellent resonance is completely adapted to this kind of setting. The furnishings are custom-made with twin chairs, giving a church pew impression, a set off altar, acoustic elements hanging from the ceiling, nothing was left unconsidered.

Churches, offices… but can we (private individuals) benefit from these structures for our living spaces ? The Finns respond in the affirmative with the Tampere quarter in the south of Finland.

The goal of these wood structures : an attractive price (about 330,000 euro for the purchase of one house) and a resistant insulation for the harsh climate. Eighty-five percent of families have adopted this type of housing. A success that delights Finnforest, as well as other construction companies doing this type of work.

Finnforest is ardently promoting wood and has launched a campaign in France which, according to sources, has had a great success and continues to make its way to other European nations as well as Asia. We can say that the Finns constitute a fine example in terms of wood utilisation and protection of the environment. Perhaps lodging and offices won't be such a craze in France but why not take a few lessons in initiative from our Finnish friends ?

Sources : Finnforest - Finlande, L'encyclopédie de l'Agora, www.europa-planet.com, www.atlasgeo.net, www.info-finlande.fr