RFID drives traceability in the timber industry
Tracing the Limitless Life Cycle Possibilities of Wood. With timber, there are limitless possible designs and construction methods for both engineers and creatives. The many sets of building materials known as ‘engineered timber’ offer huge benefits such as increased dimensional stability, more homogenous mechanical properties and greater durability. Plus, contributions to Net Zero in construction. Of course, other important aspects to consider are wood sustainability and dependable, uncompromising supply chains of timber products. Certainly, efforts are underway to compile comprehensive LCA data (Life Cycle Assessments) for wood and wood products which could collate and analyse a product’s environmental impact through its journey from raw timber, manufacturing processing to disposal or recycling.
As the British Woodworking Federation reports of timber products, potentially, “LCA can measure the relative environmental impacts of using different materials to manufacture a product and it can also be used to analyse the benefits of high-performance specifications over generic industry products.”
RFID Can Improve Traceability and Identification from Manufacturing throughout the Supply Chain
RFIDdirect has been deploying the potential of RFID technology – as part of a data management system for some considerable time – the technology can be embedded throughout the wood-based life-cycle: from growing trees and harvesting timber through manufacturing, and supply chain to recycling/disposal. The number of timber-based products, such as fire doors, pallets, panels etc. is enormous and growing and in demand. Wood for Good – the industry’s campaign body for the promotion of wood in construction, states emphatically;
Andy Leitch, Scottish Forestry’s Economic Growth and Skills Development Advisor
Additionally, establishing RFID technology in the timber market will help this sector benefit from wider technological (digital) advantages like other earlier adopters – such as the automotive industry.
If Wood Could Talk: Connection, Recognition and Compliance
RFIDdirect’s insider knowledge and experience are focused on delivering an RFID solution that can and will improve traceability and identification at all levels in the supply chain – despite challenging lifespan properties. Through consistent R&D into the pioneering project – ‘RFID SMART IN WOOD’, RFIDdirect’s ambition remains steadfast to create a ‘Smarter’ solution to benefit sustainable tracking within the sector – through connectivity, international recognition and compliance.
They say, ‘If walls could talk’ – we could learn so much more about a place and a time; what if wood could talk? Imagine how comprehensive and invaluable the digital data collected, managed and analysed for the timber and wood sector could be.
RFIDdirect gave a keynote speech about Smart in Wood at the IPPS – International Panel Products Symposium (IPPS), 7th&8th October 2019, Llandudno, hosted by the BioComposites centre, Bangor (@BCBangor). IPPS is the leading technical conference on wood-based panels, panel production technology, feedstocks, resins and additives, market analysis and the use of panels in furniture and construction applications.
Please read our case study here to learn more about how RFIDdirect and wood can work together.
Mouna Ghorbel, MSc, 2019
