The forest-based sector in Spain
Despite the considerable potential of the forest-based sector in Spain, there is still room for improvement. It should be noted that 68 % of the forest area belongs to private forest owners. The sector represents 1,4% of GDP and, whilst annual growth of forests currently exceeds 45,9 million m³, the logging rate is low: only 36,9% compared with the EU-27 average of 62,2%.
The Spanish forest-based sector, including forest owners, forestry companies, the pulp and paper industry, and the wood processing and furniture industries, has an overall annual turnover of €16 317 million and employs 121 026 people in 18 872 companies (press release INE, 2021, 2022).
The certified area is growing every year in both systems. In the FSC system, some 80 000 additional hectares were added in 2021, an increase of 22 % over 2021. The PEFC system has incorporated 56 000 hectares, increasing by 2,3 % compared to 2019.
R&I landscape and funding structure
Spain has been working on numerous projects and R&D&I lines focused on sustainable forest management, new technologies, production efficiency, biodiversity conservation, improvement and promotion of the bioeconomy.
Some key topics in current forestry and wood sector research include:
- Digitalization and information technologies: Application of digital technologies for sustainable forest management, supply chain monitoring and improved efficiency in timber operations.
- Sustainable forest management: Spain has been focused on finding sustainable forest management practices that balance the conservation of natural resources with economic and social needs. Research to improve forest management practices and certification, as well as reducing the environmental impact of logging operations is very important;
- Forest fire prevention: Given the vulnerability of many forest areas to fires, research has sought to improve forest fire prevention, monitoring and suppression techniques;
- Biodiversity and conservation: Work has been carried out on studies to understand and conserve biodiversity in Spanish forest ecosystems;
- Innovative products and technologies: Research on the development of new wood products and related technologies, such as laminated wood, modified wood products and sustainable construction systems;
- Innovative uses of wood and forests products, bioeconomy: Exploration of opportunities to use wood-based products and forest residues in the production of bioproducts, bioenergy and other sustainable uses;
- Production efficiency and circular economy: Development of techniques and technologies to improve efficiency in the production chain, from forest management to wood processing;
National Support Group
The National Support Group of Spain (NSG Spain), represented by the Spanish Forest and Related Industries Technological Platform (PTFOR), is a cooperation network for promoting R&D&I. Its objective is to help the Spanish forestry sector and industries that make up its value chains (forestry, wood, paper, and pulp sectors), progress in their competitiveness and economic sustainability, social and environmental, promoting research, technological development, innovation, information, training, and internationalization.
PTFOR is also supported and recognized by the State Research Agency of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.
The agenda of the National Support Group of Spain (NSG Spain) aims to:
- Advocate and build partnerships promoting the interests of Spanish forest-based sector stakeholders with regard to R&I initiatives and funding programmes through the FTP network and its activities;
- Foster coordination with the competent national authorities to reinforce their support to the NSG;
- Boost the Spanish forest-based sector through cooperation between private and public stakeholders linked to the sector’s value chains and through promoting their participation in European R&I funding programmes by means of workshops and brokerage events;
- Invigorate the Spanish National Support Group through communication activities and engaging new members;
- Organize workshops to update the Spanish Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda aligning the objectives with the FTP SIRA.
The key topics targeted by the NSG Spain are:
- Sustainable forest management, biodiversity and resilience to climate change
- Greater production and mobilization of sustainable wood
- To obtain more added value from non-timber ecosystem services
- Towards a circular society without waste, the efficient use of natural resources and the diversification of production and logistics technologies
- Development of renewable building materials for healthier living and fiber-based products and 80% less CO2 emissions
- Improvement of the interaction of society and forest areas, the relationship between urban and rural areas and the use and optimization of renewable energies of forest origin.
Exernal links
PTFOR website: https://www.ptfor.es/
Spanish Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SIRA) (Spanish Version)
Do you want to know more?
Are you a representative of a Spanish company or organization and do you want to know what FTP can do to help you in the European arena? Please contact the secretariat of the National Support Group of Spain (NSG Spain).
Research projects
- DIGIMEDFOR (2023-2027) – Digital tools and technology systems for the sustainable management of Mediterranean forest resources
- INFORMA (2022-2026) – Science-based Integrated Forest Mitigation Management made operational for Europe
- FIRE-RES (2021-2025) – Innovative technologies and socio-ecological-economic solutions for fire resilient territories in Europe
- FORGENIUS (2021-2025) – Improving access to Forest Genetic resources Information and services for end-users
- RESONATE (2021-2025)- Resilient forest value chains – enhancing resilience through natural and socio-economic responses
Search for the complete list of Spanish research projects.
