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Sawmills were asked to estimate the quantity of other products (excluding sawnwood) that they generated from softwood and sold to different industries.  The figures presented below are based on these estimates.

Other softwood products amounted to 2.8 million tonnes in 2018 (Table 2.15).  Around one third (34%) of other softwood products were sold to wood processing industries in the form of chips and 12% were sold to these industries in sawdust and other formats (Table 2.18). A further 24% of other products were sold to bio-energy (including pellet manufacturers), 25% were sold to others and 5% were used internally for heat or energy.

Table 2.18 Larger mills1, 2018: other softwood products

Destination and type of product2 England Wales Scotland Northern Ireland UK
per cent of total other softwood products     
Sold to wood processing industries          
    Wood chips 32 56 36 0 34 
    Bark 0 0 0 0 0
    Sawdust & other 14 22 12 0 12
    Total 46 78 48 0 46
Sold to bio-energy (incl pellet manufacturers)          
    Wood chips 9 6 13 64 16
    Bark 0 0 0 10 1
    Sawdust & other 0 0 8 21 7
    Total 10 6 20 95 24
Other sales          
    Wood chips 20 0 10 1 10
    Bark 7 11 7 1 7
    Sawdust & other 11 4 9 2 8
    Total 37 15 25 5 25
Internal use for heat/energy          
    Wood chips 6 0 4 0 4
    Bark 0 1 2 0 1
    Sawdust & other 0 1 0 0 0
    Total 7 2 6 0 5

Source: Sawmill Survey (detailed)

Notes:

1. Sawmills producing at least 25 thousand m3 of sawnwood (softwood and hardwood).

2. The table does not show sales of firewood and other products disposed of as waste, which together accounted for less than 0.5% of other softwood products.

The proportions of other products that were reported as sold to wood processing industries has reduced over the last five years, whilst other sales have increased (Table 2.18a).

Table 2.18a Larger mills1, 2014-2018: other softwood products

Year Destination    Total2
  Sold to wood
processing industries
Sold to bio-energy
(incl pellet manufacturers)
Other sales Internal use for heat/ energy  
per cent of total other softwood products     
2014 59 22 17 3 100
2015 60 21 17 2 100
2016 58 21 19 2 100
2017 56 22 19 3 100
2018 46 24 25 5 100

Source: Sawmill Survey (detailed)

Notes:

1. Sawmills producing at least 25 thousand m3 of sawnwood (softwood and and hardwood).

2. Total includes sales of firewood and other products disposed of as waste.

Additional resources

Sources chapter: Sawmill Survey

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