INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER. ORGANIZATION

ITfO

TITLE

SERIAL NUMBER

PERMANENT COMMITTEE

SUBMITTED BY

ORIGINAL LANGUAGE

SUMMARY

PROJECT PROPOSAL

DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION OF RUBBERWOOD PROCESSING AND UTILIZATION TECHNOLOGY

PD 3/96 (I)

FOREST INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT OF CHINA

ENGLISH

This project proposal intends to further develop rubberwood processing and utilization technology by adopting the existing mature processing technology, especially from Malaysia. This is a follow-up of IITO funded pre-project PPD 6/94 Rev.1 (I) and the output of this project will benefit other IITO members.

EXECUTING AGENCY

COOPERATING GOVERNMENTS

DURATION

APPROXIMATE STARTING DATE

BUDGET AND PROPOSED SOURCES OF FINANCE

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF WOOD INDUSTRY (CRIWI) CHINESE ACADEMY OF FORESTRY (CAP)

GOVERNMENT OF CHINA

2 YEARS

JULY 1996

Contribution Local Currency Source in US$ Equivalent

ITTO 180,000 Gov't of China 118,000

TOTAL 298,000

-,

PART I - CONTEXT

A. Relevance to IT TO

1. Compliance with ITTO Objectives

This project relates to the following working areas as stated in the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) (1983), Article 23 Para 5: 5ea) Wood utilization, including the utilization of less-known and less-used

species; 5( d) Harvesting, logging infrastructure, training of technical personnel; 5(e) Institutional framework, national planning.

2. Compliance with ITTO Criteria

This project related to the following working areas of the ITTA, article 23 para 5: 5(a) Wood utilization including the utilization of less-known and less used

species. 5(e) Institutional framework, national planning.

This project meets the criteria stated in IT TO par 6 which reads: 6(a) Be related to the production and utilization of industrial tropical timber. 6(b) Yield benefits to the tropical timber economy and be relevant to producing

as well as consuming members. 6(c) Be related to the maintenance and expansion of the international tropical

timber trade. 6(d) Offer reasonable prospects for positive economic returns in relation to

costs. 6(e) Make possible to avoid duplication efforts.

3. Relationship to ITTO Action Plan and Priorities

This project conforms IT TO Action plan and Priorities, such as: -- studies on supply and demand, including the availability and market

acceptance of lesser-known species; -- the flow of technology to improve the use of tropical timber and the value

of tropical timber production.

B.Relevance to national policies

1.Relationship to sectional policies affecting tropical timber

2

This project conforms to the China Forestry Action Plan of 21th century.

--Integrated utilization of forest resource. --Reducing chemical pollution to the environment.

2. Relationship subsectoral aims and programs

--Extending markets for rubber wood products to improve industrial competiti veness.

--Promoting trade of wood products with other countries.

3. Institutional and legal framework

The Research Institute of Wood Industry I which is the research center of forest ind ustry in China, is a part of Chinese Academy of Forestry. The Academy functions within the Ministry of Forestry. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation and the Ministry of Forestry will instruct the Institute to manage the project and provide personnet material and financial resource necessary for its successful implementation.

PART II - THE PROJECT

1. Origin

This is an extension to the pre-project ITTO PPD 6/94 Rev. 1 (I): Development and Extension of Rubberwood Processing Technology.

2. Objectives

2.1 The development objective

The development objective of this project is to further· develop rubber wood processing and utilization technology by adopting the existing mature processing technology so as to make contribution for better utilization of rubberwood resources in the world.

2.2 The specific objectives

The specific objective is to upgrade the efficiency and competitiveness of the rubberwood processing industry in China.

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3. Justification

3.1 Problem to be addressed

--The pre-project had revealed that the huge potential of the rubber wood resources is still largely untapp€!d or under-exploited in China. As there exists a severe shortage of wood resources in China, the further development of the rubberwood industry is of paramount importance for the future economic development of the southern provinces, as well as that of China as a whole.

--The surveys and study tours conducted during the pre-project had revealed that, although great progress has been achif?'.f(;J in recent years, the rubber wood industry in China still lags behind those in countries such as Malaysia, in terms of efficiency and competitiveness.

--At present, rubber trees are usually felled, sawn into lumber, and the lumber impregnated and dried within about 7 to 10 days in China. As Hainan Island and coastal southern regions of China are prone to hurricane which could further delay timely delivery of logs to processing facilities, temporary protection of logs using cost-effective preservatives should be promoted.

--The common preservative used is a mixture of boric acid, borax and sodium pentachlorophenol (BBP). BBP is used by all· the plants in Hainan and most of Guangdong province. The pentachlorophenol in BBP is highly toxic and it has been strictly restricted or prohibited in some countries. BBP is highly corrosive to the inner surface of the impregnation plant as well as the components of seasoning kilns. Furthermore, BBP also discolors the wood, thus lowering the acceptability and value of treated rubberwood.

Pentachlorophenol- free preservative for rubber wood will therefore minimize many of the problems encountered at present. The procedures of treating rubber wood with preservative containing only boric and boric acid followed by kiln drying, commonly practiced in Malaysia, should be studied for possible adaptation for the industry in China.

--Most of the kilns used for drying rubber wood are the conventional steam-heated kilns. To minimize warping, sawn timber must properly stacked using stickers of uniform dimension with correct sticker spacing, and with heavy weight placed on top of the stack. Studies revealed that, either due to the lack of uncl~.:-.st:mding of the importance of these procedures, or the lack of incentives (higher premium) from improving dried lumber quality, seasoning of rubberwood is generally not accorded with the proper attention.

4

The drying period for rubber-wood is fairly long resulting in high energy consumption. Another serious problem in the seasoning of rubber wood is the severe corrosion of kiln components, believed to be the result of using pentachlorophenol in the preservation process. In addition, discoloration of sawn timber is often serious.

--Sawn timber is mainly used for the manufacture of furniture. There are 15 rubber wood furniture factories in Hainan Agricultural Reclamation System with a yearly output value of RMB 100 million (USD12.5 million). Besides these there are several joint-venture or private rubber wood furniture plants, whose products are mainly sold to Hainan Province and Zhujiang Delta. In view of t.he huge population and fast economic growth, China has a very large market for furniture. Hainan island, being a Special Economic Region and is also strategically located and rich in timber resources, has great potential to further develop and expand the currently small furniture industry. Furthermore, most of the products produced are of the lower end category. Awareness of technology and product development as well as production management techniques will need to be instilled to increase value-adding and upgrade the industrial competitiveness. These could be achieved through having regular training courses for the operators and supervisory staff, which will be an important component of this project. Opportunities to visit and/or participate in regional or international trade fairs such Woodtech Asia (Singapore), Malaysia International Furniture Fair, Nagoya Trade Fair, Milan Furniture Fair or Ligna Fair (Germany), would be also beneficial to the industrialists and researchers.

--A number of treatments of fire retardant of wood-based panel products had been developed, these treatments, if adopted and adapted for rubber wood veneer and thin plywood, would enable these products to be accepted as interior decorative panels, door skins, as well as material for cabinet and other joinery

~ items, further enhance the marketability of these products. Development of fire retardant of. wood-based panel will benefit other ITTO members.

3.2 Characteristics of the region or area where the project will be located

Rubber tree is an important plantation tree crop in the sub-tropical southern region of China. Rubber trees are mainly grown on the Hainan Island, in Xishuangbana of Yunnan Province and the western part of Guangdong Province. In 1992, the total growing area was recorded as 616,000 ha w;'''';'..:::- ranked China as the fourth largest rubber growing country after Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Hainan Island has the largest rubber planting area of 374,200 ha, accounting for over 60% of the total in China. With an economic life of 30 years,

5

8,000 ha of rubber plantations should be fell for replanting annually. With an average yield of 30 tg 45 cU.m of round logs and 60 to 75 cU.m of branch wood per hectare, the potential annual yield of rubberwood in China is about 0.9 to 1.2 million cU.m. This rather huge potential resource, if utilize efficiently, will ease China's dependence on the ever escalating imports of wood and wood-based materials to satisfy the growing demands resulted from the fast economic growth.

3.3 Other relevant aspects of the pre-project sil.U~tjon

Before the implementation of the pre-project there was little cooperation and exchange between the research institute and the rubber wood processing plants or and the relevant administrative agencies in China. The research outputs from the research institutions, such as CRIWI, were not readily applied in the industry and many of the problems faced by the industry were not fully understood by the researchers.

3.4 Intended situation after project completion

--Environment-friendly rubber wood preservative. --Integrated utilization of rubber wood. --Extending products market.

3.5 Target beneficiaries

The target beneficiaries of this project are the rubberwood processing plants, agricultural reclamation and other administrative agencies of several provinces in southern China. During the· implementation of the pre-project the target beneficiaries had cooperated and offered much effective assistance towards the successful achievement of the objectives.

Through the pre-project, agreements have been reached between the implement­ing agency and the beneficiaries extending the cooperation for executing the activities proposed under the follow-up project, which will include:

Organizing regular training courses; Conducting production trials or pilot and on-site testings of research outputs.

3.6 Project strategy

3.6.1 Reason for selection

According to the recommendations of ITTO expert panel and currently situation

6

of rubberwood processing and utilization in China, it is a efficient route to adapt Southeasl. ~~ian countries (such as Malaysia) mature technology to improve industrial competitiveness. The design of this project is upon the rubberwood industrial needs and the recommendations of ITTO expert panel.

3.6.2 Lessons drawn from past evaluation.

Following evaluation materials are used in designing this project: The recommendations of ITTO expert panel. Report on the consultancy for ITTO project: Development and Extension on Rubberwood Processing Technology in China.

Experiences and lessons learned from the pre-project: The pre-project has established closer contact and cooperation among the research institute, the administrative· agencies, and the various plants in the rubber wood industry in China. The study tour to Malaysia has further strengthened the relationship between CRIWI and FRIM, and also provided a much needed in-sight into the development of the rubber wood industry outside China. All these have resulted in a better understanding of the needs of the industry in China.

3.6.3 Technical and scientific aspects.

Following materials are used in designing this project: --Rubber wood processing .& utilization, FRIM, Malaysia, 1995. --Background information papers:

a. Rubberwood processing and utilization in the world; b. status of rubber wood preservation; c. Review on rubber wood drying. Currently situation of rubber wood processing and utilization in China. Report on the study tour of the rubber wood industry in Malaysia. Report on the consultancy for ITTO project: Development and Extension on Rubberwood Processing Technob:JY in China.

3.6.4 Economic aspects

The outputs from this project will bring socio-economic benefits. The cost of the project compared with similar project is reasonable.

3.6.5 Environmental aspects

This project will develop environment-friendly technology including sodium pentachlorophenol free preservative.

7

3.6.6 Social aspects

This project intents to extend plywood market and provide much employment opportunities.

3.6.7 Managerial aspects

This project will be implemented by CRIWI, an institute with fairly large research staff and comprehensive facilities capable of carrying out the proposed activities efficiently under the supervision of the Chinese Ministry of Forestry I Chinese Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, and ITTO. Over the years, the institute has been recognized as a premier research institution in the fields of wood technology and has been fairly active internationally. Hainan General Agricultural Farm Bureau(HNGAFB) will assist in the implementation of the project by providing facilities for on-site and pilot tests at the bureau's Xilian and Sanya wood processing plants. The training courses will be implemented at Hainan Province. The close relationship established with FRIM through the pre-project will be extended into collaboration in carrying out some of the activities under this project, which could include joint research, consultancy and assistance in the organizing of the proposed training courses.

3.7 Reasons for ITTO support

3.7.1 ITTO aspects

--Rubberwood processing and utilization has been a important subject in ITTO activities.

--This is a follow-up project of IT TO funded pre-project PPD 6/94 Rev(l) and the results from project will also benefit other ITTO members.

3.7.2 Relationship to relevant actions supported by other donors.

No.

3.8 Risks

No.

4. Outputs

Specific Objective: Integrated utilization of rubberwood upon adapting mature processing and utilization technologies.

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--output 1: Establish preservation and drying techniques upon adapting mature procedure based on borax and boric acid preservative and guidelines for manufacturing of fire retardant rubberwood plywood.

--output 2: Training courses for operators and supervisory staff;Participation/ visits to regional/international fairs, conferences,seminars;Workshop/ seminar to disseminate the outputs of this project.

5. Activities and inputs

--output 1: Establish preservation and drying techniques upon adapting mature procedure based on borax and boric acid preservative and guidelines for manufacturing of fire retardant rubber wood plywood

Activity 1.1:

Activity 1.2:

Activity 1.3:

Establish preservation technigues. based on borax and boric acid preservative and efficient temporary protection techniques. 4 CRIWI staff

Establish drying techniques to complement preservation using borax and boric acid preservative. 1 CRIWI staff

Establish treatment technique of fire retardant of rubber wood veneer and decorative plywood. 1 CRIWI staff

--output 2: Training courses for operators and supervisory staff;Participation/ visits to regional/international fairs, conferences,seminars;Workshop/ seminar to disseminate the research outputs of this project

Activity 2.1:

Activity 2.2:

Activity 2.3:

Conduct training courses on sawing,preservation, drying of rubber wood, furniture design and. marketing as well as production management. 4 CRIWI staff, 2 international experts Organize participation/ visits to regional/ international trade fairs, conferences or seminars(study tour). 3 CRIWI staff Organize a workshop/seminar to disseminate the outputs of this project. 4 CRIWI staff

6.Logical framework worksheets.

The detailed Logical framework worksheets is as shown in Appendix 1.

7.Work plan

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The project is proposed to start at July 1996, and will last for 24 months. The detailed work plan is a:s shown in Appendix 2.

8. Institutional arrangements for the execution and operation

8.1 Management structure

The project is organized and will be complemented by CRIWI and assisted by Hainan General Agricultural Farm Bureau(HNGAFB) and FRIM.

8.2 Key staff

Ye Kelin

Liu Yanji

Teng Tonglian

Jiang Mingliang

Liu Xiuying

Xing Jiaqi

Senior Engineer, Deputy Director of CRIWI, born in 1956, Chinese, M.S., graduated from Nanjing Forestry University in 1982.

Professor of CRIWI, born in 1937, Chinese, B.S., majoring inorganic engineering, graduated from Tianjin University in 1961, research focus on fire retardant of wood based pa:nels

Professor of CRIWI, born in 1939, Chinese, B.S., majoring wood drying, graduated from Beijing Forest University in 1964, research focus on wood dry technology

Assistant Professor of CRIWI, born in 1965, Chinese, B.S., majoring Organic Chemistry 1 graduated from Wuhan University in 1985; PhD., majoring Agrochemicals, graduated from Beijing Agricultural University in 1994, research focus on wood preservation and preservative .

Assistant Professor of CRIWI, born in 1954, Chinese B.S., majoring Micrology, graduated from Tianjin Light Industry college in 1976, research focus on wood fungi and wood preservation.

Assistant Professor of CRIWI, born in 1960, Chinese, B.S., majoring Entomology, graduated from Nankai University in 1982; M.S., majoring Entomology, graduated from South China Agricultural University in 1987, research focus on wood insects and wood

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Li Wei

preservation.

Engineer of CRIWI, born in 1971, Chinese,· B.S., graduated from Beijing Forest University in 1993, administrator.

9. Prior obligation and prerequisites

This project is the follow-up of the pre-project IT TO PPD 6/94 Rev. 1 (I).

10. Possible future actions

The outputs of this project will be introduced to rubber-growing areas of China, as well as neighboring countries, to facilitate the upgrading of their local rubberwood industries. Training programs will be continued for as long as the industry deemed necessary. The performance of the industry will be continuously monitored through visits and regular dialogues, to evaluate the impact of the outputs of this project and to identify further needs for future actions.

PART HI - MONITORING, REPORTING AND EVALUATION

1. Monitoring reviews

In accordance with the policies and procedures of the ITTO, CRIWI will present to the IT TO progress reports made in the proposed activities, at half-yearly intervals until the end of the project.

2. Evaluation

In accordance with the policies and procedures of the ITTO, CRIWI will present to ITTO the completion report at the end of the proposed activities.

3. Schedule

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The monitoring and reporting schedule indicates the following dates:

Description Date

1. First disbursement request 15 June 2. First Project Progress Report 30 Dec. 3. Second Project Progress Report 30 June 4. Third Project Progress Report 30 dec. 5. Monitoring Mission 30 June 6. Project Completion Report 30 June

PART IV - PROJECT BUDGET

1.Project budget(USD)

10. Project Personnel 11. National experts* 12. Administrati ve personnel* 13. Consultants 14. Other labor 15. Fellowships and training 16. International experts 19. component Total

20. Sub-contracts 21. Sub contract x 22. Sub contract y 29. component Total

30. Duty Travel 31. Daily subsistence allowance 32. Transport costs 39. Component Total

40. Capital items 41. Premises 42. Land 43. Capital equipment* 49. Component Total

12

35,000 10,000 20,000

6,000 o o

71,000

45,000 35,000 80,000

73,000 73,000

1996 1996 1997

1997 1997 1998

50. Consumable items 51. Ra w materials 20,000 52. Spares 53. Utilities 13,000 54. Office supplies 10,000 59. Component Total 43,000

60. Miscellaneous 61. Sundry 13,000 62. Refund of Pre-Project costs 69. Component Total 13,000

70. IT TO 71. 72. 79.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Administration Monitoring and evaluation 10,000 Administrative costs 8,000 Component Total 18,000

99. GRAND TOTALS 298,000

*Chinese goverment(in kind)

2. Yearly Project Budget by Source

CONSOLIDATED YEARLY PROJECT BUDGET (USD)

ANNUAL DISBURSEMENTS Total 1996

BUDGET COMPONENTS

10. Project personnel 71,000 50,000

20. Sub-contracts

30. Duty travel 80,000 40,000

40. Capital items 73,000 73,000

50. Consumable items 43,000 38,000

60. Miscellaneous 13,000 7,000

13

1997

21,000

40,000

o

5,000

6,000

70. IT TO monitoring, evaluation, and ad ministrati ve

99. GRAND TOTAL

18,000

298,000

14

10,000 8,000

218,000 80,000

OUTPUT/ACTIVITIES

I I

Activity

1.1 Preservation tech.

1.2 Dry techniques

1.;1 Fire retardant I

I Output 1 Sub-total

1 Activi ty

2.1 Training course

2.2 Study tour

2.3 Workshop

Output 2 Sub-total

r. ... "ml Tnt"J

I I

, .

I PROJECT I

PERSONNEL

20,000

10,000

15., 000

45, 000 I

15,000

6,000 I

I 5,000

26,000

71. nnn

I

I

I I

I

OVERALL PROJECT BUDGET BY ACTIVITY

BUDGET COMPONENTS

SUB I DUTY CAPITAL I CONSUMABL I MISCEL I IITTO I GRAND I CONTRACTS I TRAVEL

j I I ITEMS I I

MONITORING I TOTAL I I I

I I 16,000 25, tlOO 18,000 3,000 I I 8, 000 23, 000 8,000 I 2, 000 I I

I

I I 11,000 l 25,000 12, 000 2,000 !

i I

35,000 I 73,000 I :13,000 7,000 10, 000 203, 000 I I

I I I I I 13,000 5,000

I 2,000

15,000 2,000 I I I

I I 12, 000 2,000

\

45,000 5,000 6,000 3,000 I 90,000

I I

I !In. nnn I 7'L nnn A'L nnn I l'L nnn I 1!l. nnn ?QIi. nnn I (..oi""""'''''''''' .... ..., ... i.-c.... IJJV'VVV

IS-

Project element

Development Objective: 1

1 Further deve lop rubberwood I

processing and uti tization

technology so as to make

contribution for better

uti lization of rubberwood

resources in the world

Specific Objective:

l To upgrade the effiCIency

and competitiveness of the

rubberwood processing

. industry

Appendix 1-1

LOGICAL FRAMEWORK WORKSHEETS

11 I ( Objectively verifiable

I Means of verification I Important assumptions I

indicators I I I I

The tedmique reports of this I I I proj ect wi 11 be dissminated I

I

I I to ITTO members to improve the

rubberwood processing and I

utilization technology I

I I ! I

i

I-The tedmi que procedure /--Pi lot survey in some rubber-!

I achieved wi tt be emp loyed III

6-8 plants

--Extending plywood market

and upgrading value-adding of

products

-250 trained operators

i6

i wood processing plants 1 .

I-R.l,vant reports

I

~

Proj ect elements Objectively verifiable

indicator

I ;

Appendix 1-2

Means of verification Important assumption

I Output: \

13 reports. 2 procedures, 13 reports. 2 guidlilles of I--Typhoon may de lay the I I implemention of aCtiVitieS! -Establish the procedures

, of pentach loropheno l-free

! sawn timber and fire

1

1 product and 2 standards will I procedures and 2 standards wi t 1

be comp lected be submi tted to ITTO for

I I : I

retardant plywood processing

--Training course, study

tour, workshop

morni toring,

11 product wi It be

ITTO officers

inspected by

\

I I Activi ties: 10 CRIWI staff, 250 partici- The input categories as follows I 1.1 Preservation techniques pants in the training course, project persOlmel. 71,000 (USD) I 1. 2 Dry techniques 2 international experts, I duty traveL 80,000 (USD) .1

1.3 Fire retardant plywood vacuwll pressure equipment. I capital equipment. 73,000 (USD) I 2. I Training course dry ing kiln, ON-ID flamab i I i ty I consumab le items, 43, 000 (USD) \

2.2 Study tour test meter, 30 model calorime-lmisceLlaeous" 13,000 (USD) !

2.3 Workshop ter I 486 comDuters I ! .. , -. . I

17

I

ACTIVITY

'"

RESPONSIBLE PART

I CRIWI staff

1.1 Preservation techn. 3

Appendix 2

WORK PLAN

SL]EDULE(in months)

7 3 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6

I 1. 2 Dry teclmiques 1 -------------

11.3 Fire retardant plywood 1

2.1 Training course 6

2.2 Study tour 4

2.3 Workshop 3 ----I _______________ L-______ -L ______________________________________ _

)g

I I

I