Digital traceability of forest products (DigForeTrace)

Purpose and goal

The project´s aim is to develop a digital traceability model for forest products, from standing trees to receiving industry. This creates opportunities for improved raw material management for better product quality, increased raw material utilization and more efficient industrial processes. The goal is that the forest industry can agree on a common concept and structure that can then form the basis for various commercial actors´ development of both technology and infrastructure for data.

Expected effects and result

Being able to track wood digitally means many advantages and creates the conditions to refine the wood into more high-quality and cost-effective products. In addition, more efficient storage and logistics are enabled upon arrival at the industry. A digital traceability model can also be used to replace physical labeling for a safer work environment. It also means a step closer to standardized transport data, and can provide a basis for new business models and extended sustainability reports. Traceability is also an important component of various certification systems.

Planned approach and implementation

The project is led by Skogforsk and carried out in close cooperation with participating industrial parties, with a broad competence in the value chain for forest products and its logistics. The project is carried out in several work packages, including development of systems for tracking logs; test application for digital roll visualization and data acquisition; concept design for transportation standard as well as demonstrations and field tests. Parts of the project are carried out in coordination with the forest companies´ ongoing development work, others as individual studies.