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Finland, the Small Superpower of the Sawmill Industry with a Focus on Digitalization and AI

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With around 130 industrial sawmills and over 12 million cubic meters of sawn wood produced annually (2022 data), Finland ranks as the seventh-largest producer and fifth-largest exporter of softwood lumber in the world.

Although this represents only 3% of global production, the country is the fourth-largest exporter of softwood lumber worldwide, a clear demonstration of its specialization and efficiency. Finnish sawmills produce the equivalent of one-third of the wood harvested from forests (the rest is mainly used in the pulp and paper industry), and nearly 80% of wood products are exported to over 70 countries.

This sector accounts for 12% of the country's total industrial production, employs 15% of the manufacturing workforce, and generates a business volume close to 4 billion euros. All processed wood comes from forests certified under international FSC or PEFC standards, ensuring quality, traceability, and low environmental impact.

Comprehensive Solutions

Finland stands out not only for its abundant natural resources—with over 75% of its territory covered by forests—but also for being one of the world's most advanced hubs in technology, sustainability, and efficiency applied to the forestry industry. It doesn’t just export wood: it exports comprehensive solutions capable of transforming sawmilling on a global scale. Finns can provide the entire chain—from timber to complete sawmills.

Investment Boom

The independent sawmill industry has invested hundreds of millions of euros in machinery and equipment in recent years, most of which have been designed and manufactured in Finland.

"Sawmills have modernized and invested in their facilities at an unprecedented rate. Thanks to these investments, companies in the sector will be highly competitive in the future," says Tino Aalto, CEO of the Finnish Sawmill Industry Association.

More and more Finnish sawmills operate as smart plants: sensors, computer vision, digital twins, and machine learning algorithms optimize processes, minimize waste, predict failures, and improve productivity. The integration of these tools has transformed industrial operations and set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The Most Modern in the World

One of the most emblematic examples of Finland's technological leadership is the Metsä Fibre sawmill in Rauma, inaugurated in 2022. This fully automated, fossil fuel-free plant can operate at over three times the speed of a conventional sawmill, exceeding 200 meters per minute. It produces 750,000 m³ of sawn wood annually, runs entirely on renewable energy, and is entirely monitored from a central control room. 70% of the technology in this sawmill is Finnish.

Technical Tour in September

The technical visit aims to strengthen the capabilities of Chile's timber sector, foster collaboration networks, and explore new opportunities. Entrepreneurs, technicians, and specialists from Chile and other countries in the region will participate.

The program includes visits to state-of-the-art sawmills, prefabricated house factories, a thermally treated wood plant, technology suppliers, and participation in the sector's leading trade fair, Puumessut. Additionally, there will be one-on-one business meetings (matchmaking) with key players. An extension to Estonia, a leader in prefabricated housing exports, is also planned, where opportunities to promote timber construction in Chile will be identified.

Puumessut Trade Fair

Held biennially in Jyväskylä, the Puumessut fair brings together the main players in the forestry and sawmill sector. It is a key platform to discover the latest innovations in machinery, automation, digitalization, and sustainable solutions for wood processing.

"Puumessut provides a comprehensive look at the most advanced technologies in the sector," says Hannu Mennala, Commercial Director of the fair. Its mission, he adds, is to "drive the development of more sustainable and efficient solutions in the international sawmill industry and foster concrete cooperation between Finland and Chile."

During the fair, Chilean companies can request meetings with strategic suppliers. It will be possible to meet, in one place, all the players capable of building a state-of-the-art sawmill.