29 May 2013

AHEC to demonstrate LCA profiling for U.S. hardwoods at Interzum.

It was at Interzum 2011 that AHEC first went public about its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) project which was undertaken to create accurate environmental profiles for American hardwoods. Two years on LCA will once again be a focal point of AHEC’s 2013 presence at Interzum.
During the last two years LCA consultants, PE International, have been collecting fresh data from U.S. hardwood lumber and veneer companies to produce unique and accurate Life Cycle Inventories (LCI’s) for all the main commercial U.S. hardwoods. The final ISO conformant report on the Life Cycle Assessment of rough-sawn kiln dried hardwood lumber was published in July 2012. Veneer data collection is now complete and the critical review panel will meet in early May to assess the veneer findings.
An important part of the project has been the development of modeling systems known as “i-reports” that enable industry to produce LCA cradle-to-gate profiles for U.S. hardwoods based on average findings from the research of 19 U.S. hardwood species. Visitors to the AHEC stand had the opportunity to access the modeling system and see for themselves how life cycle assessment can be used to determine scientific profiles for a range of environmental impacts including global warming (carbon foot-print) and acidification potential.
The AHEC stand also feature some of the pieces from the ground breaking ‘Out of the Woods’ project, which merged experimental seat design and LCA profiling. Video and publications showed how this unique project has helped inform the debate on ‘green’ product design.
A team of AHEC staff and consultants was available on hand to discuss and answer questions on a wide range of current issues relevant to U.S. hardwoods; including EUTR compliance, LCA research, potential for heat treated hardwood and structural applications and the NHLA lumber grading rules.
According to AHEC’s David Venables; “Interzum provides a very valuable platform every two years to reach the widest possible audience of international wood traders and manufacturers. Export is an increasingly vital component of U.S. hardwood production so we expect a strong turnout from the industry. AHEC will provide an informative focal point for discussion and debate.”

For more press information, please contact Mrs Belinda Cobden-Ramsay:

AHEC: American Hardwood Export Council
London /United Kingdom
Tel. +44 20 7626 4111
Fax +44 20 7626 4222
Email: pr@americanhardwood.org