MATERIAL AND ENERGY FLOWS FROM THE FOREST TO THE SAWMILL

The comparison of the ecological aspects of production processes and p roducts are playing an increasingly important role in the decision-mak ing processes of e.g. public enterprise and consumer behaviour. Raw ma terials such as wood and wood-based products are also being affected b y these developments. The listing of all material and energy flows, st arting with the production of wood in the forest to the manufacturing of products up to and including the further use or disposal of wood pr oducts provides the basis for the elaboration of product-related life- cycle analyses. This paper presents, structures and discusses the firs t two modules ''Wood Production in the Forest'' and ''Sawn Timber Manu facture'' in the life-cycle analysis of wood products.