Epf – the European federation representing European manufacturers of chipboard, mdf, hardboard, softboard and plywood – warmly welcomed the principle of cascading use of wood enshrined in European legislation.
After adoption by the European Parliament in September, the Council formally adopted the revised Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII) in early October. “The legislation not only emphasises the importance of wood as a renewable resource, but also sheds light on the need for responsible and efficient use and the strengthening of sustainability criteria, in line with Epf’s calls for at least 60 per cent of Europe’s roundwood harvest to be used, cascaded through multiple cycles and finally incinerated for energy at the end of its life“.
As highlighted in Article 3(3), “…Member States shall take measures to ensure that energy from biomass is produced in a way that minimises undue distorting effects on the market for raw biomass (… ) in order to ensure that woody biomass is used according to its maximum economic and environmental added value“.
Epf also applauds the key decisions of legislators not to subsidise the burning of industrial roundwood (IGRW) and to carry out a European Commission report on market distortions and the limitation of support schemes by 2027. “By encouraging the cascading use of wood and these takeaways, the legislation supports a circular and resource-efficient approach in line with Epf’s long-standing commitment to optimal, responsible and sustainable practices in the wood-based panel industry“.
