Fixteri Ltd. - A handy way of bundling wood
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The traditional ways of logging and processing small-dimensioned wood in forests are rather troublesome. However, there is a distinct need for the efficient logging of small-dimensioned wood for reasons of forest management and of industry's need for the raw material. What if you could bale wood like hay in the fields? Pasi Romo, a forest machine driver, got excited about this idea and started to develop Fixteri, a technology for harvesting small-dimensioned wood. With the help of Fixteri it is possible to harvest raw wood material in larger quantities while the surrounding forests are preserved.
HUMAN TECH SOLUTION
The Fixteri stem wood baler is an accessory to a harvester. It can be used in bundling small-dimensioned wood with a diameter of 6-16 cm into ready-measured bundles of wood. The technology for harvesting small-dimensioned wood has been developed in cooperation with the Finnish forestry industry, the forestry research institutions, universities of applied sciences and universities. Fixteri offers three approaches to improved well-being. A clean cut logging operation makes the forests more pleasant for recreational use. The forest owner benefits as the economic productivity of the forest is improved. In addition, the system has a great effect on the use of forest energy as the fast growing small-dimensioned wood has the biggest potential in terms of renewable energy sources.
RESULTS
Fixteri is a company that has set its sights on international growth. It is also the first in the world to offer these kinds of harvesting technologies and supply chain solutions for small-dimensioned wood. Compared with the pruning process of the tree trunks, forests are now estimated to produce roughly 40% greater volumes for sale as this system allows an efficient harvesting of even the smallest amounts of wood. Besides, the whole logistics chain works twice as efficiently compared to the chipping process done by the roadside of forests. Fixteri offers a cost-efficient method for harvesting raw material with higher quality, and it eases the wood sales by making the supply chain more transparent. It differs from other harvesting methods in that the quantity of the bought energy wood is measured by the time of harvesting. This factor increases trust and takes cooperation between the forestry and energy industries, the harvesting operators and the forest owners to a new level. And nature says thank you.
Human Tech Center Finland brings together international experts, researchers and companies to jointly develop new successful products from a human perspective and, at the same time, humanize these products. It is not a company but rather an entire area and a way of thinking. A centre for expertise in Jyväskylä in the heart of Central Finland. Welcome aboard.
HTC's impetus is provided by Jyväskylä Regional Development Company Jykes Ltd, the City of Jyväskylä, the University of Jyväskylä, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä Educational Consortium, Jyväskylä Innovation Ltd, Ääneseudun Kehitys Ltd, Jämsek Ltd and the Regional Council of Central Finland.
