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The Transformation Story of the Sustainable Firewood Trade Sector in Concepción

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In the Biobío Region, especially in Concepción, firewood sales have been a traditional activity for many families, but in recent years, it has evolved into a more formal and responsible trade. Two key figures in this change have been Maribel Salamanca and Luis García, who have driven more sustainable and professional practices in the sector.

Maribel Dinamarca, an entrepreneur from Concepción, leads Comercial Dinamarca, a company with over 15 years of experience that continues her father's legacy. Her focus on quality, legality, and sustainability has turned her business into a benchmark for certified firewood sales. In a historically informal market, Salamanca has promoted formalization, ensuring compliance with tax and forestry legislation. Each batch of firewood has guaranteed traceability thanks to management plans approved by CONAF, ensuring the product's legality and sustainability.

Quality Seal

Additionally, her company holds the Quality Seal from the Energy Sustainability Agency, certifying that her firewood meets environmental and efficiency standards. One of the sector's main challenges has been controlling firewood moisture levels, and Salamanca has focused on offering high-quality dry firewood with less than 25% moisture. To achieve this, she uses natural and forced drying methods, ensuring a more efficient and environmentally friendly product.

Beyond her company, Maribel has worked to improve the sector by founding the ProLeña Trade Association in 2018. This organization brings together certified firewood traders in the region to strengthen the industry, represent their interests, and promote formalization. Salamanca sees the future Solid Biofuels Law as an opportunity to eliminate low-quality firewood from the market, improving the sector's efficiency and environmental responsibility.

The First to Formalize

Meanwhile, Luis García, current president of ProLeña, has also played a key role in this transformation. With over 25 years in the field, García has witnessed firsthand the evolution of the firewood trade from informality to a regulated and sustainable model. After moving to Concepción from Temuco, he decided to dedicate himself to the firewood trade, starting small and later becoming one of the pioneers in offering certified firewood in the city.

García was one of the first traders to formalize his business, facing numerous challenges. Among the certification requirements were having a commercial license, a fixed sales location, and the ability to guarantee product traceability through documents like cutting permits, invoices, and forest management plans. Although there was initial resistance among traditional traders, García persisted, proving that formalization was not only necessary but also beneficial for the business.

The ProLeña Association, which started with just six founding members, has grown due to interest in certification and new firewood trade regulations. Currently, it is in the process of amending its bylaws to allow more members to join, thereby promoting greater sector formalization. García highlights that many traders now recognize the importance of certification to improve product quality and meet legal and environmental requirements.

Firewood Quality Seal

Meanwhile, Danilo Ulloa, Biobío's Regional Minister of Energy, stated that formalizing the firewood trade is key to advancing toward more efficient, safe, and sustainable heating, especially in critical areas like Greater Concepción and Los Ángeles. This ensures the use of dry firewood, reducing emissions and improving air quality.

"TheFirewood Quality Sealis a fundamental tool that identifies producers who meet legality and sustainability standards. Currently, 53 producers are certified in the Biobío Region. With the newLaw 21.499, which regulates solid biofuels and whose regulations are under public consultation, clear requirements will be established for the production, transportation, and sale of firewood. At the same time, workshops like 'Drier Firewood' are being developed to promote a greater supply of certified firewood," he emphasized.