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Frane Zilic: "Wood construction is an opportunity to transform the sector"

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Frane Zilic, manager of Biobío Madera, addressed the progress and challenges of the Regional Strategic Program for Modern Sustainable Wood Construction Methods during Conversando en la Acoforag, which recently completed its second year of implementation. The initiative, driven by Corfo, aims to create a favorable context for the development of wood construction and strengthen a more sustainable, competitive industry with the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Zilic explained that the global trend towards sustainability is driving wood construction and that Chile cannot be left behind. In this context, Biobío Madera is working on various projects that seek to industrialize social housing through prefabricated components, allowing SMEs to manufacture standardized and repetitive pieces that are then assembled by construction companies in a collaborative and efficient model.

"SMEs can undoubtedly manufacture components in series, and the construction company assembles this three-dimensional Lego. This model demonstrates that large industries are not needed to transform the sector," stated Zilic.

A milestone in San Pedro de la Paz

The executive highlighted that the demonstration condominium in San Pedro will be a milestone to validate this approach, showing that it is possible to build different types of housing with the same components and open labor and productive opportunities around wood.

Regarding the availability of raw materials, Zilic clarified that the projection of two million cubic meters of structural wood per year corresponds to a goal for 2050, so there is still time to strengthen the forestry chain. In that sense, he emphasized the importance of advancing new regulations, technologies, and certification models that improve resource utilization.

"We need regulations that allow for more recovery from the log, reduce costs, and provide certainty to the market. The State must help by lowering entry barriers, not raising them, so that more actors can participate," he emphasized.

Zilic also addressed the value of sustainable management of native forests, noting that a significant portion of the biomass obtained is not suitable for sawing, making it urgent to develop engineered products that allow its utilization and give it economic value, preventing its degradation.

Finally, the manager of Biobío Madera called for looking to the future with a comprehensive vision, where innovation, sustainability, and the participation of SMEs are pillars for a new stage of the sector:

"Wood construction not only contributes efficiency and sustainability but also generates territorial and social development. What we need is a dynamic and competitive ecosystem where everyone can participate."

The full interview can be viewed on our YouTube channel: