A traditional raw material with potential for the future
Wood is the most important native renewable raw material available in Germany. It is a source of energy and a building and engineering material with a wide range of possible applications. Bavaria offers a good basis and development opportunities for a multifarious timber industry:
The use of wood extends from housing and industrial construction all the way to state-of-the-art bridge structures or such spectacular projects as the EXPO roof in Hanover – a sign of outstanding engineering skill accomplished by a Bavarian timber construction firm.
Bavaria – expanding fast in the forestry and wood sector
Bavaria is the most important “timberland” in Germany: thanks to a consistent forestry policy and sustainable ecologically oriented forest management, every one in three solid cubic meters of timber is found in Bavaria. This makes Bavaria easily the Number One state in Germany in terms of forestry and wood and also one of the most important such regions in Europe.
While in many parts of Europe (Scandinavia, Austria) limited supplies of wood are now slowing down further growth in the timber industry, the potential for expansion in Bavaria is reaching proportions unparalleled anywhere else in Europe. In Bavaria extensive stocks are offering ideal prerequisites for sustainable use of wood. Of the approx. 33 million solid cubic meters of annually regenerating timber, only about two thirds are used to date.
Forestry and wood in Bavaria
The forestry and timber sector generates over EUR 25 billion per annum and thus occupies a front-line position among the manufacturing industries. If trade is included, revenues amount to as much as EUR 30 billion. Altogether there are close on 185,000 people employed in the timber industry in Bavaria.
Bavaria is a major location for diversified woodworking and processing trades and also has an efficient timber building industry. Woodworking plants are found right across Bavaria and range from the small, local sawmill up to the large high-tech sawmills operating on an international scale. These sawmills guarantee the prompt availability of high-quality sawn wood products throughout the state. The State of Bavaria is home to expert companies of international renown covering the entire bandwidth of wood processing: the spectrum ranges from Europe’s leading manufacturer of parquet flooring, through well-known kitchen and upholstered furniture makers all the way to producers of wood engineering materials, wooden pallets and wood houses.
Market and partners in the field of forestry and wood
With its biannual symposiums “Holz Innovativ” in Rosenheim, Bayern Innovativ GmbH leverages new technological developments, cooperation schemes and cross-sectoral technology transfer. Furthermore, the following bodies contribute to cooperation and the exchange of know-how: Attractive research environment for forestry and woodWell-qualified workforce for the field of forestry and wood
A wide range of renowned and efficient educational establishments in Bavaria provides courses for training and continuing professional development in the forestry and wood sector. Optimal environment
In an international comparison, Bavaria offers excellent conditions for the timber industry. With its well-developed commercial forests throughout the state, the raw material timber is available all the year round and at low transport costs. Bavaria’s many timber plants are situated in close geographical proximity to the raw material as well as to consumer centers in Germany and abroad. The State also has an excellently developed road and rail network and a large number of major waterways.
Access to funding
With its many venture capital companies, Bavaria is Germany’s center for risk capital. Through Bayern Kapital GmbH vital impetus is given for the provision of risk capital. The funding provided by private investors can be tripled by Bayern Kapital and TBG Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft investing the same amount.
Bavarian initiatives and programs in the forestry and timber sector
The Bavarian State Government supports the management of forests and production of wood and specifically promotes use of the native renewable raw material wood as a building and engineering material and source of energy: - The “Bavarian State Forests“ is a business-oriented organization created for the purpose of managing the state forests.
- Bavaria supports private ownership of forests and the self-administration of private and corporate forest-owners with a view to guaranteeing sustainable and efficient use of the forests.
- “Building with wood” is promoted by Bavaria through a range of model schemes and, in particular, innovative, wood-friendly building laws.
- Subsidies granted for applied wood research
Timber locations in Bavaria
Owing to its uniform forest cover, Bavaria’s forestry and timber industry is a sector of the economy represented all over the state. The following regional concentrations are, however, discernible:
Region of Swabia - Sawing industry
- Paper industry
- Carpentry and timber construction
- Furniture industry
Southeast Bavaria - Timber center of excellence for research and training in Rosenheim, Munich, Weihenstephan.
- Fields of joiner/carpenter/wood construction
North Bavaria - Upholstered furniture and veneer industry with research and training facilities in Coburg
- Networking with the textile industry, plaiting craft, new materials, packaging and logistics
- Department of “Integrated Product Design“ at Coburg University of Applied Sciences
Upper Palatinate
- Wood engineering industry
- Small, medium-sized and large sawmills along the border with the Czech Republic
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