Mapping and analysing wood flows across the Italian forest-based wood value chain: a material flows analysis

Understanding national wood flows is essential for assessing the sustainability and efficiency of a forest-based bioeconomy, as well as evaluating its possible impacts on decarbonization processes. This study develops a comprehensive material flow analysis model for Italy's forest-wood sector in 2018 using the Italian Lumber Exchange (ILEX) model, by integrating a wide range of data from secondary sources (national and international official statistics) and some primary sources of information. A system dynamics approach is applied to harmonize upstream and downstream flows, quantify hidden flows, and convert economic values into physical ones. The model extends the mapping of wood flow to include emerging sectors, such as green chemistry, and post-consumer product recycling. It also estimates bioenergy consumption and the removals of fuelwood associated with that. The results of the model show that the total removals of Italian forests in 2018 amounted to 17.26 million m3, of which approximately 87.1% consisted of fuelwood. Nearly 90.0% of the sawnwood, veneer, and plywood supply in the Italian market depends on imported wood, either directly through imports of these products or indirectly through imports of industrial roundwood used as raw material for their production. In contrast, the panel sector uses 66.1% recycled wood, while the paper sector relies on 57.1% recycled paper. To our best knowledge, this work provides the first complete and operational representation of Italy's forest-wood value chain and could serve as a decision-support tool for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to enhance climate and resource-use policy in the wood sector.