**2. Traceability in the wood supply chain**

Individual identification of the wood items (tree, trunk, board, pole, etc.) allows detailed in‐ formation to be associated with them which can be used to optimise the production. The simplified basic wood supply chain is illustrated in Figure 1.

© 2013 Häkli et al.; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Häkli et al.; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

value chain from forest to the wood product.

**2. Traceability in the wood supply chain** 

Radio Frequency Identification

2Tieto Oyj, Tampere, Finland

**1. Introduction** 

described.

10.5772/54205

**Challenges and Possibilities of RFID in the Forest Industry** 

Janne Häkli1, Antti Sirkka2, Kaarle Jaakkola1, Ville Puntanen2 and Kaj Nummila1 kaj.nummila@vtt.fi

Considerable added value in wood and timber production can be achieved via higher yield and quality of the wood products deriving from improved control of the production processes. The key to improve the production is the identification of the individual wood items in order to utilise exact information of their properties. This can be realized by marking and tracking of tree trunks, logs and sawn wood products to allow the information associated with them to be collected and utilised in all stages of the

Marking and traceability technology for forest industry have been investigated for some time and several technologies have been considered. Recently, UHF RFID technology tailored for the needs of the forest industry has been developed. This Chapter will discuss the unique challenges that the forest industry sets for the radio frequency identification technology and will highlight the benefits and possibilities of the RFID use. Recently developed technical solutions and their trials in production conditions are

> which are then sorted based on their dimensions and quality (e.g. number and size of the knots in them). The sawn boards are usually dried in a kiln and graded for quality after the drying. The graded boards are then stored and packaged for shipping to the end user or to a

> > Roadside / Intermediate

•Packaging & Storage

The trees are felled and cut into logs by a harvester. The harvester also carries out a multitude of measurements on the logs such as measuring their dimensions to determine the volume of wood felled. Next the logs are transported to a pile in the road side by a

Challenges and Possibilities of RFID in the Forest Industry

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/54205

303

The logs are collected from the road side by a timber truck which transports them either directly to a saw mill or to an intermediate storage. From this storage the logs are transported to a saw mill by truck, train or by floating. At the saw mill the logs are received and sorted into different classes – this sorting is usually based on dimensional measurements using a 3-D laser scanner. In addition to the laser scanner, X-rays may be used to characterise the internal properties of the log. After sorting, the logs of a suitable class are sawn into boards which are then sorted based on their dimensions and quality (e.g. number and size of the knots in them). The sawn boards are usually dried in a kiln and graded for quality after the drying. The graded boards are then stored and packaged

Currently, the wood material properties are measured when needed in the wood conversion chain and the gathered data is usually

secondary manufacturer.

The Nordic wood supply chain is illustrated in Figure 2.

Forest •Harvesting •Forwarding

Storage

Saw Mill •Log sorting •Sawing •Sorting •Drying •Grading

Figure 2. Nordic wood supply chain for sawn timber.

**Figure 2.** Nordic wood supply chain for sawn timber.

Figure 3. Examples of a harvester and a forwarder [1].

**Figure 3.** Examples of a harvester and a forwarder [1].

for shipping to the end user or to a secondary manufacturer.

lost between the processing steps as illustrated in Figure 4.

**2.2. Possibilities and benefits with wood traceability** 

forwarder. A harvester and a forwarder are shown in Figure 3.

1Sensing and wireless devices, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland

Figure 1. Simplified general wood supply chain. **Figure 1.** Simplified general wood supply chain.

First the trees are cut down and then they are transported for processing into products. The processed products are then transported to a secondary manufacturer or to an end-user. The supply chain varies in different countries and for different products as does the level of automation – for example the felling of trees can be done manually with a chain saw or by a forestry harvester. The felling is followed by removal of the branches and in some countries the trunks are cut into logs in the forest by the forestry harvester. The trunks or logs are transported to road side for storage and subsequent transportation to an intermediate storage or directly to a processing plant. The processing steps depend on the product in question – the most common ones being pulp for paper or cardboard making, boards, panels, veneer and poles. Each of these products uses different wood as their raw material and wood with different properties. The highest value round wood in the Nordic countries is used for the production of sawn timber such as boards. This supply chain is discussed in more detail in the following Section. After processing into the primary product (e.g. boards) the wood products are transported via the associated logistics chain to a secondary manufacturer such as a building component manufacturer or a furniture manufacturer or the end-user (e.g. a consumer First the trees are cut down and then they are transported for processing into products. The processed products are then transported to a secondary manufacturer or to an end-user. The supply chain varies in different countries and for different products as does the level of au‐ tomation – for example the felling of trees can be done manually with a chain saw or by a forestry harvester. The felling is followed by removal of the branches and in some countries the trunks are cut into logs in the forest by the forestry harvester. The trunks or logs are transported to road side for storage and subsequent transportation to an intermediate stor‐ age or directly to a processing plant. The processing steps depend on the product in ques‐ tion – the most common ones being pulp for paper or cardboard making, boards, panels, veneer and poles. Each of these products uses different wood as their raw material and wood with different properties. The highest value round wood in the Nordic countries is used for the production of sawn timber such as boards. This supply chain is discussed in more detail in the following Section.

or a constructor). If the wood material could be identified at individual level (trees, trunks, logs, boards, poles, etc.) information can be associated After processing into the primary product (e.g. boards) the wood products are transported via the associated logistics chain to a secondary manufacturer such as a building component manufacturer or a furniture manufacturer or the end-user (e.g. a consumer or a constructor).

with it – and this information can be traced through the supply chain to optimise the production of wood products. **2.1. Nordic wood supply chain for sawn timber**  If the wood material could be identified at individual level (trees, trunks, logs, boards, poles, etc.) information can be associated with it – and this information can be traced through the supply chain to optimise the production of wood products.

#### **2.1. Nordic wood supply chain for sawn timber**

The Nordic wood supply chain is illustrated in Figure 2.

The trees are felled and cut into logs by a harvester. The harvester also carries out a multi‐ tude of measurements on the logs such as measuring their dimensions to determine the vol‐ ume of wood felled. Next the logs are transported to a pile in the road side by a forwarder. A harvester and a forwarder are shown in Figure 3.

The logs are collected from the road side by a timber truck which transports them either di‐ rectly to a saw mill or to an intermediate storage. From this storage the logs are transported to a saw mill by truck, train or by floating. At the saw mill the logs are received and sorted into different classes – this sorting is usually based on dimensional measurements using a 3- D laser scanner. In addition to the laser scanner, X-rays may be used to characterise the in‐ ternal properties of the log. After sorting, the logs of a suitable class are sawn into boards

which are then sorted based on their dimensions and quality (e.g. number and size of the knots in them). The sawn boards are usually dried in a kiln and graded for quality after the drying. The graded boards are then stored and packaged for shipping to the end user or to a secondary manufacturer. The Nordic wood supply chain is illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Nordic wood supply chain for sawn timber. **Figure 2.** Nordic wood supply chain for sawn timber.

Radio Frequency Identification

2Tieto Oyj, Tampere, Finland

value chain from forest to the wood product.

Figure 1. Simplified general wood supply chain.

**Figure 1.** Simplified general wood supply chain.

302 Radio Frequency Identification from System to Applications

or a constructor).

more detail in the following Section.

**2. Traceability in the wood supply chain** 

Harvesting Processing Use

First the trees are cut down and then they are transported for processing into products. The processed products are then transported to a secondary manufacturer or to an end-user. The supply chain varies in different countries and for different products as does the level of au‐ tomation – for example the felling of trees can be done manually with a chain saw or by a forestry harvester. The felling is followed by removal of the branches and in some countries the trunks are cut into logs in the forest by the forestry harvester. The trunks or logs are transported to road side for storage and subsequent transportation to an intermediate stor‐ age or directly to a processing plant. The processing steps depend on the product in ques‐ tion – the most common ones being pulp for paper or cardboard making, boards, panels, veneer and poles. Each of these products uses different wood as their raw material and wood with different properties. The highest value round wood in the Nordic countries is used for the production of sawn timber such as boards. This supply chain is discussed in

After processing into the primary product (e.g. boards) the wood products are transported via the associated logistics chain to a secondary manufacturer such as a building component manufacturer or a furniture manufacturer or the end-user (e.g. a consumer or a constructor).

If the wood material could be identified at individual level (trees, trunks, logs, boards, poles, etc.) information can be associated with it – and this information can be traced through the

The trees are felled and cut into logs by a harvester. The harvester also carries out a multi‐ tude of measurements on the logs such as measuring their dimensions to determine the vol‐ ume of wood felled. Next the logs are transported to a pile in the road side by a forwarder.

The logs are collected from the road side by a timber truck which transports them either di‐ rectly to a saw mill or to an intermediate storage. From this storage the logs are transported to a saw mill by truck, train or by floating. At the saw mill the logs are received and sorted into different classes – this sorting is usually based on dimensional measurements using a 3- D laser scanner. In addition to the laser scanner, X-rays may be used to characterise the in‐ ternal properties of the log. After sorting, the logs of a suitable class are sawn into boards

**1. Introduction** 

described.

10.5772/54205

**Challenges and Possibilities of RFID in the Forest Industry** 

Janne Häkli1, Antti Sirkka2, Kaarle Jaakkola1, Ville Puntanen2 and Kaj Nummila1 kaj.nummila@vtt.fi

Considerable added value in wood and timber production can be achieved via higher yield and quality of the wood products deriving from improved control of the production processes. The key to improve the production is the identification of the individual wood items in order to utilise exact information of their properties. This can be realized by marking and tracking of tree trunks, logs and sawn wood products to allow the information associated with them to be collected and utilised in all stages of the

Marking and traceability technology for forest industry have been investigated for some time and several technologies have been considered. Recently, UHF RFID technology tailored for the needs of the forest industry has been developed. This Chapter will discuss the unique challenges that the forest industry sets for the radio frequency identification technology and will highlight the benefits and possibilities of the RFID use. Recently developed technical solutions and their trials in production conditions are

Individual identification of the wood items (tree, trunk, board, pole, etc.) allows detailed information to be associated with them

First the trees are cut down and then they are transported for processing into products. The processed products are then transported to a secondary manufacturer or to an end-user. The supply chain varies in different countries and for different products as does the level of automation – for example the felling of trees can be done manually with a chain saw or by a forestry harvester. The felling is followed by removal of the branches and in some countries the trunks are cut into logs in the forest by the forestry harvester. The trunks or logs are transported to road side for storage and subsequent transportation to an intermediate storage or directly to a processing plant. The processing steps depend on the product in question – the most common ones being pulp for paper or cardboard making, boards, panels, veneer and poles. Each of these products uses different wood as their raw material and wood with different properties. The highest value round wood in the Nordic countries is used for the production of

After processing into the primary product (e.g. boards) the wood products are transported via the associated logistics chain to a secondary manufacturer such as a building component manufacturer or a furniture manufacturer or the end-user (e.g. a consumer

If the wood material could be identified at individual level (trees, trunks, logs, boards, poles, etc.) information can be associated

with it – and this information can be traced through the supply chain to optimise the production of wood products.

which can be used to optimise the production. The simplified basic wood supply chain is illustrated in Figure 1.

sawn timber such as boards. This supply chain is discussed in more detail in the following Section.

**2.1. Nordic wood supply chain for sawn timber** 

supply chain to optimise the production of wood products.

The Nordic wood supply chain is illustrated in Figure 2.

A harvester and a forwarder are shown in Figure 3.

**2.1. Nordic wood supply chain for sawn timber**

1Sensing and wireless devices, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland

The trees are felled and cut into logs by a harvester. The harvester also carries out a multitude of measurements on the logs such as

The logs are collected from the road side by a timber truck which transports them either directly to a saw mill or to an intermediate storage. From this storage the logs are transported to a saw mill by truck, train or by floating. At the saw mill the logs are received and sorted into different classes – this sorting is usually based on dimensional measurements using a 3-D laser scanner. In addition to the laser scanner, X-rays may be used to characterise the internal properties of the log. After sorting, the logs of a suitable class are sawn into boards which are then sorted based on their dimensions and quality (e.g. number and size of the knots in them). The sawn boards are usually dried in a kiln and graded for quality after the drying. The graded boards are then stored and packaged

Currently, the wood material properties are measured when needed in the wood conversion chain and the gathered data is usually

**Figure 3.** Examples of a harvester and a forwarder [1].

Figure 3. Examples of a harvester and a forwarder [1].

for shipping to the end user or to a secondary manufacturer.

lost between the processing steps as illustrated in Figure 4.

**2.2. Possibilities and benefits with wood traceability** 

#### **2.2. Possibilities and benefits with wood traceability**

Currently, the wood material properties are measured when needed in the wood conversion chain and the gathered data is usually lost between the processing steps as illustrated in Figure 4.

The yield in the production can be also increased with improved information utilisation and control enabled by the traceability. Downgrading of the boards in the final grading can be reduced when the desired final quality is more consistently achieved. The yield can be also increased by using the right raw material for each product - each type of wood can be used for the most valuable product it is suitable for and less wood material of higher quality is wasted in the production of basic wood products. The production costs can be reduced with improved processing control as the need to 'over-process' the wood is reduced when the ac‐ tual properties of the wood can be traced instead of relying only on the information on the batch. The improved control over the wood supply and conversion chain together with the more efficient and comprehensive utilisation of the information on the wood material allows also potential new and tailored wood products. Individual identification of the wood items can also be utilised in the logistics – transport planning and control, stock inventory and

Challenges and Possibilities of RFID in the Forest Industry

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305

The traceability in the wood supply chain can also be used to certify the origin of the wood

The forest industry presents some unique challenges to the traceability – item marking and identification, and information storage, retrieval and exchange between the different actors in the supply chain. Different supply chains with somewhat different challenges exist for different wood products e.g. pulp and paper, sawn timber, other wood products and energy wood. For simplicity, the discussion is limited here on the sawn timber supply chain with

The wood harvesting takes place in the forest outdoor conditions in rough terrain. The wood is stored outdoors where there is ice, snow, rain, water, dirt, mud, etc. The transporta‐ tion is by trucks, train or by flotation in bunches from forest to the saw mills. The logs are subjected to impacts with machinery parts, other logs, rocks and the ground. At the saw mill the logs are handled with cranes and conveyors. These conditions are challenging for the log

The logs are sawn into boards, which usually destroys the physical markings in the wood and the boards have to be re-marked if full traceability over the chain is targeted. Board marking represents a different challenge from the log marking – the boards are handled in a more con‐ trolled industrial environment mostly indoors but the number of boards is larger than that of the logs as each log is sawn in to several boards and the value of each board is lower. Thus the

In the following Sections, the approaches considered for log marking and identification are discussed together with the specific challenges and limitations related to the use of UHF

markings and their identification, and for the electronic hardware to be used.

board marking and identification needs to be very inexpensive to be feasible.

**3. Challenges of traceability in the Nordic forest industry**

control in storage, etc.

to prevent illegal logging and log theft.

the focus on the round wood.

RFID technology in the forest industry.

**Figure 4.** Collection and utilisation of information in the wood supply chain [2].

As the collected information is lost between the processing steps, measurements need to be repeated - such as the measurement of the log dimensions in the forest by the harvester dur‐ ing cutting and the re-measurement of the dimensions in log sorting in the saw mill to deter‐ mine the volume of the wood for the second time. The lost information also naturally means reduced control over the wood conversion chain from forest to end product as the informa‐ tion related to the wood cannot be traced along the chain.

The traceability of the wood and the associated information can be achieved by identifying the individual wood items – logs and boards, instead of relying on classification of wood and processing in batches of the same class of wood. The benefits of the traceability include:


The quality of the products can be increased with improved control of the production proc‐ esses by effectively utilising the information collected in the previous stages of the conver‐ sion chain. The production process can be optimised based on the individual properties of the wood - processing parameters can be adjusted to better suit the material in question and the most suitable raw material can be used for the product in question.

The yield in the production can be also increased with improved information utilisation and control enabled by the traceability. Downgrading of the boards in the final grading can be reduced when the desired final quality is more consistently achieved. The yield can be also increased by using the right raw material for each product - each type of wood can be used for the most valuable product it is suitable for and less wood material of higher quality is wasted in the production of basic wood products. The production costs can be reduced with improved processing control as the need to 'over-process' the wood is reduced when the ac‐ tual properties of the wood can be traced instead of relying only on the information on the batch. The improved control over the wood supply and conversion chain together with the more efficient and comprehensive utilisation of the information on the wood material allows also potential new and tailored wood products. Individual identification of the wood items can also be utilised in the logistics – transport planning and control, stock inventory and control in storage, etc.

The traceability in the wood supply chain can also be used to certify the origin of the wood to prevent illegal logging and log theft.
