Enhancing the Future of Forestry

A Sustainable Approach to Pine in Portugal

The demand for sustainable solutions in the forestry sector has never been greater. As industry professionals strive for a more eco-conscious future, it is becoming increasingly more crucial to explore alternatives to traditional materials. Sonae Arauco, a leading global wood-based manufacturer, has taken up the mantle in this pursuit, aiming to become an example for sustainable solutions where wood serves as an excellent resource.

In a groundbreaking Research & Development (R&D) project on forest management in Portugal, Sonae Arauco is producing a testament to their commitment to sustainable development through their understanding that the future of the forestry sector depends on our collective ability to unlock the true potential of natural assets. By harnessing the power of sustainable forestry and the industrialisation of wood, it is possible to generate value, settle populations in inland areas, and preserve ecosystems. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Rui Correia, Sonae Arauco has embarked on a journey to revolutionise the sector through cutting-edge R&D initiatives.

Radiata Pine & Maritime Pine - An R&D Project

One of Sonae Arauco's flagship R&D projects, launched in 2020, focusses on cultivating radiata pine and maritime pine. This endeavour aims to significantly increase the production capacity of forest producers in Portugal, countering the alarming trend of declining pine areas. In doing so, the project not only contributes to the revitalisation of Portugal's forestry sector, but also champions sustainable investments in natural resources on a global scale. The project involves the careful selection and cultivation of over 200 000 seeds from 136 families of radiata pine and maritime pine. These seeds come from genetic improvement programs spanning Portugal, Spain, France, and Chile, the diversity of which ensures the plants' behaviour can be thoroughly tested under various soil and climate conditions throughout Portugal. The goal is to use this and other rigorous experimentation to identify the most resilient and productive varieties of radiata pine and maritime pine that can be perfectly integrated into our unique environment.

Evaluating the Performance

The first phase of the project, which continued until mid-February 2021, consisted of nurturing the plants in a specialised forest nursery. Once ready, the young saplings were then transplanted across six different locations, covering a total of 35 hectares in central and northern Portugal.

The preliminary results showed the radiata pine plants from Chile demonstrating exceptional resilience. After outstanding performance across all environments and soils tested, to ensure the reliability of the findings, the testing process was repeated in 2022, taking into account the potential influence of climatic variations.

Identifying Optimal Varieties

Following this, Phase 2 involves in-depth assessment of individual tree growth. By closely examining each tree's development, families and provenances of maritime pine or radiata pine exhibiting the highest productivity under specific climatic and soil conditions can be identified. This promises to provide invaluable insights for forest producers, enabling them to access plants of exceptional genetic quality and productivity.

Sonae Arauco's commitment to sustainable forest management exemplifies its dedication to shaping a greener future. By harnessing sustainable innovation and scientific research, new possibilities are unlocked to reach the full potential of forests while preserving their integrity for generations to come.