Sawmill Safari 2025: South American forest industry leaders to tour Finland and Estonia
The visit of the delegation from Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina will focus on AI, Production Efficiency, and the Transformation of the Sawmill Industry.
In September, a significant 27-member forestry industry delegation from South America will arrive in Finland as part of the 2025 Sawmill Safari visit program. At its core, the delegation includes leading figures from Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina, who will explore Finnish solutions for the digitalization of the sawmill and forestry industries, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), production efficiency, and sustainable development.
The visit is organized by consultant Niina Fu, specialized in international cooperation in the forestry sector in South America. The project is carried out in cooperation with Finnish company Jartek Invest Oy and Estonian company AS Hekotek.
Key Industry Associations Involved
The events will include major industry associations: the Chilean Forestry Association - CORMA (the main representative body of Chile’s forestry and wood products industry) and ABIMCI/FIEP (Brazilian Association of Mechanically Processed Wood Industry and Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná, which together represent significant players in Brazil’s forestry and wood products industry).
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Industry associations will be represented by Rodrigo O’Ryan (President, CORMA) and Patrick Reydams (ABIMCI/FIEP).
Rauma Sawmill: The most modern in the world
On September 3, the delegation will visit Rauma, home to the most modern sawmill in the world, Rauma Sawmill, operated by Metsä Fibre. Inaugurated in 2022 with an investment of €260 million, it has an approximate annual production of 750,000 cubic meters of sawn timber.
The facility features highly automated operations, AI and robotics integrations. However, one of its most notable aspects is its focus on sustainability, utilizing nearly 100% of the material.
B2B Networking Event
Friday, September 5, the B2B networking event, organized alongside Puumessut, offers Finnish and other Nordic companies a unique opportunity to meet potential partners and gain visibility in the South American market.
The event will bring together six medium and large sawmills, six forestry contractors, four consulting companies, two companies planning to establish a new sawmill, as well as a company operating a wood chip terminal for exports to Japan and China and a green biomass drying plant (sawdust drying) for the pellet manufacturing industry.
Also present will be key industry associations: the Chilean Forestry Association - CORMA and ABIMCI/FIEP from Brazil.
Public Seminar: wood products stage
Forestry Giants of South America: Market Outlook & Partnership Opportunities for Finland & the Nordics
- 13:00 - Overview of Brazil’s Forestry/Timber Sector: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities Patrick Reydams, CEO, PR2 Wood Projects Advisory - representing ABIMCI and FIEP.
- 13:30 - Chile, Latin America, the Nordics and the Power of Forests: Global Collaboration for the BioFuture We Need Rodrigo O’Ryan, President, Chilean Forestry Association - CORMA; Director, World Bioenergy Association.
Geopolitical situation highlights the importance of EU cooperation
The United States’ recent tariff policy - especially the 50% tariffs on Brazil - has put pressure on South America’s traditional trade relations. Many industry players in the region are now seeking long-term, stable technology partners from Europe.
The EU-Chile Free Trade Agreement and the upcoming EU-Mercosur agreement (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) open tangible export opportunities for Finnish companies in forestry technology, services, and solution sales.
Finland is viewed as a reliable and progressive partner, whose expertise in AI, machine manufacturing, and process efficiency directly meets the growing needs of South America’s forestry industry.