The wood industry is fundamental in Galicia’s economic boost, particularly the development of rural areas. Where does the sector stand now?

Wood is on the rise. Global consumption trends show a responsible, increasingly informed consumers concerned about sustainability, environmental impact, respect for nature, and climate change. Wood is in agreement with all these principles and it is the paradigm of a new economy — circular bioeconomy. It is not necessary to explain that wood captures CO₂ in its growth process through photosynthesis. It is not necessary either to point out that wood is an organic, green, sustainable raw material, reusable and renewable; woods connects you with nature because it comes from nature. 

This rise in demand comes together with the development of new wood products that are already being produced to respond to this global claim in society. The industry is responding to the transformation of an oil-based economy (plastics, polyurethane, polyesters, etc.) into organic, renewable, reusable products that can be easily recycled in order to leave no waste for future generations.

Two decades of business union must have allowed you to monitor the sector, how has it evolved? 

Indeed, last year was our 20^th anniversary and we got together to celebrate. In this meeting, we summarized all our achievements and we were so lucky to have my predecessors, all the chairmen of the Cluster: Ricardo García Borregón, Ángel Hermida, José Blanco, and Alfredo Rodríguez, to share our experiences in different stages.

We all agree that one of the most important accomplishments of the Cluster has been to achieve the union of all the wood value chain. In this sense, we have been doing an important job with the different associations that has had a positive impact in the sector.

During this time, we have developed several initiatives such as training courses, innovation projects, strategic plans, internationalisation processes, conferences, strategic alliances, and internal and external communication both on-line and off-line. All of it made the Cluster be awarded the Gold Label in 2014, gold medal in management excellence; we are the only wood cluster in Europe that has obtained this award, which certifies that the projects we develop are top-level in terms of competitiveness.

We have tried to be the dynamizing element for our partners’ projects, to collaborate in the development of industrial action, and to implement initiatives in different business areas.

The Agenda for the Promotion of the Forestry Industry foresees to mobilise €140 million between 2022 and 2024.

At CMD, we have been making an effort for years to update and digitalise the industry, and we have made great progress. Thus, the Cluster, since its establishment, has implemented 47 innovation projects, among which the Prize Industry 4.0 should be highlighted, in which partners have mobilised over €5 million in technological improvements and innovation and from which 23 wood companies have benefited.

The development of these projects results in considerable profits. We have achieved an improvement in productivity and an optimisation of processes towards the factory of the future; that is, advancing steadily towards updating a historically traditional industry.

Now, we need to focus on updating the forestry sector with systems such as performance indicators and profitability of the companies and on producing sustainable products and services. Furthermore, we are convinced that digitalisation is the only viable solution to bring knowledge to all the production chain.

50% of the timber being cut in Spain comes from Galician forests. What does this figure mean for the industry employment in Galicia?

According to data from the Wood Chain Report published by the Forestry Industry Galician Agency, this sector accounts for a 1.8% of Galician GDP and generates 2.1% jobs in the region. In recent years, there has been a recovery in terms of GDP and employment.

From 2013 to 2018, the forestry chain has grown more that the average of the Galician economy. It accounts for a 10% in Spain and its importance is increasing. Data from the report show that the forestry industry is vital in the rural industrial fabric and affects other branches of Galician economy.

Lastly, the wood industry is strategic among the candidates for the Next Generation European funds, why is it one of the most important sectors for the economic recovery of Galicia?

The wood industry is key for a green transition, not only because it is a renewable, biodegradable raw material, but also because of its new applications.

In 2040, the textile industry aims at using a 30% of wood fibres as raw material globally. In terms of construction, more sustainable buildings are increasingly making use of wood and new materials, such as CLT. Galicia, with over 3,000 companies, is the ninth European power in the forestry industry.

This sector also needs to strengthen its capacity to design products. We have been working with a group of companies for many years to set up initiatives to accompany them in their journey.