Corma positions Chile as the forestry gateway to South America at France's Eurobois fair
The president of the guild, Rodrigo O'Ryan, presented the Chilean forest model in Lyon - France, highlighted its productive leadership and called for international collaboration in the face of the climate challenge and fires.
With a direct invitation to view Chile as a strategic partner and gateway to Latin America, the President of the Chilean Wood Corporation -Corma-, Rodrigo Ou2019Ryan, gave a presentation at the international fair Eurobois in Lyon - France, the leading fair for the wood industry, machinery, and processing technologies for this resource in France and one of the most important in Europe.
During his intervention, O'Ryan discussed the historical development of the Chilean forestry sector, its economic impact, and the challenges it faces in terms of climate change and forest fires. "We want to be the material of the future, not of the past", he affirmed, alluding to the need to change the perception about wooden construction and promote sustainable solutions based on renewable natural resources.
The president of Corma stated that these types of international instances are key to opening new opportunities for the sector. "The Chilean forestry sector needs to resume its role as a growth engine. We've been going through complex years, marked by fires and less dynamism in investment, so creating spaces for international linkage is essential, especially for our forestry and timber SMEs, which require new alliances to continue growing," he affirmed.
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He explained that Chile has 14.7 million hectares of native forest, which are not used for productive purposes, and 2.3 million hectares of forest plantations, mainly radiata pine (two thirds) and eucalyptus (one third). These plantations emerged in response to severe soil erosion recorded in the early 20th century and allowed for the recovery of degraded soils, CO2 capture, and the development of an integrated forestry industry.
Currently, the forestry sector represents more than 6% of the country's exports, exceeding US$6.300 billion annually. Of that total, the Biobío Region accounts for 79%, equivalent to more than US$4.100 billion.
Chile produces around six million tons of cellulose per year and has companies with global reach. In addition, forest biomass contributes 25% to the primary energy matrix, consolidating itself as the main source of renewable energy and the second most relevant component of the national energy matrix.
Ou2019Ryan emphasized that 70% of productive forests are certified under FSC or PEFC international standards, reinforcing the sector's commitment to sustainability.
The great challenge is in the wood.
The president of Corma also proposed the need to move towards more resilient cities, promoting wood construction with modern engineering standards, urban planning with buffer zones, and new fire-resistant technologies.
"Only 13% of buildings in Chile are made of wood, while in countries like Sweden, the United States, or Canada, they surpass 90%. That is the path to follow," he pointed out, inviting to learn from international experience.
Likewise, he proposed promoting cleaner and more sustainable district heating systems as part of the reconstruction of areas affected by fires, a solution that would allow the elimination of Particulate Matter from poorly used firewood emissions.
Ou2019Ryan invited European companies to consider Chile as a platform for expansion in Latin America, highlighting its stability, track record, and connection with global markets.
He also announced the holding of the Wood Week in October and EXPOCORMA in November, events that bring together the most relevant actors in the sector, both at national and international levels, which have become unmissable for those who are part of this Bioeconomy from the forestry and timber sector.
"Chile is a mature, reliable market with global players. We want to work with you to face the challenges of climate change and develop nature-based solutions," he concluded.