Technological Characteristics and Sustainability Assessment of Short Forestry-Wood Chain for Alpine Hardwood Furniture

The timber and furniture industry is an important economic sector in Italy, which imports a large amount of timber despite the fact that the country is covered by extensive forests. Further, the alpine region experiences an increase of forests in lands once used by agricultural activities. Consequently, the increased availability of hardwood from the spontaneous regenerating process could provide industrial roundwood. An interdisciplinary project was undertaken to study the potential of these forests in regards to the sustainability of the short forestry-wood chain for the production of furniture involving local designers and industries. Furnishing requirements of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) wood were evaluated, focusing on physical and aesthetical behaviour after laboratory ageing. Technological tests like bonding were performed. To evaluate the environmental sustainability of the whole supply chain, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of pieces of furniture (school desk and chair) were conducted using certified wood. The aim of this study was to quantify the benefits stemming from eco-design solutions and short supply chain provision of the wood and to identify further possibilities for improvement. The short supply chain ensures a more sustainable use of hardwood compared to long distance imports or other uses of local wood (e.g., burning). Moreover, the eco-design of furniture for schools can be a good way to find a market for the wood products through Green Public Procurement (GPP). The good technological characteristics and the environmental profile of the furniture supply chain indicate that the use of these hardwoods can be improved by a short forestry-wood chain.