1. Product Description:- Seasoned wood is wood which has been dried to the extent that its moisture content is less than 15 percent. This type of wood does not shrink or get distorted due to variations of weather conditions. Seasoning of wood also prevents decay of the wood and protects it from attack by fungus, insects, etc. Seasoned wood is lighter and stronger than green (unseasoned) wood and it has got better thermal and electrical insulation properties. It gives better finish after working and gives better adhesion to paints and varnishes. Seasoned wood is used in building and furniture works.
2. Market Potential:- Using seasoned wood in the construction and furniture industries is practically unknown in the Amhara Region. All the wood used in the industries are used in green (unseasoned) form. As a result, the advantages of using seasoned wood instead of green wood are not recognized in the Region. With effective marketing strategy, demand for seasoned wood could be created easily first in the major urban centers of the Region. Since wood is used widely in the Region for building houses, fences, barns, etc and for making furniture, there will be enough demand for seasoned wood in the Region for.
3. Source of Raw Materials:- There are many localities in the Amhara Region where there are sufficient forestry resources which can supply enough quantity of green or unseasoned wood.
4. Process & Technology:- Two types of processes are used for seasoning wood. These are air seasoning and kiln seasoning. In air seasoning, which is the easiest process, sawed or cut timber is stacked with the help of thin strips of wood known as “grosser” over raised plat- form in a clean, dry and shaded place. Horizontal staking is done for sawed timber, planks, poles, bamboos and railway sleepers while vertical stacking is suitable for preliminary drying of non refractory light woods. The stacks should be dried in heat produced from the sun and dry winds. The period of seasoning varies depending upon climate, thickness of the wood, time of year and location. It can be any length of time between 10 days and 3 months. Kiln seasoning is appropriate for thin planks of 2 inches or less in thickness. The kiln is equipped with devices to control temperatures, humidity and air circulation. The temperature is controlled by steam coils and blowers. Loading and unloading is done by trolleys. Saturated humid air is removed from the kiln through the chimneys and fresh air is drown from the bottom of the kiln. As soon as the percentage of moisture in the timber comes to desired level, the timber is taken out and new timber is put in. The time of seasoning can be between 40-150 hours. Machinery required for the kiln process include steam heated internal fan (kiln), transfer trucks, boilers, electric oven, and some laboratory equipment.
5. Estimated Investment:- For the air seasoning press
§ Land 500 m2 100,000
§ Machinery 300,000
§ Working Capital 60,000
460,000
6. Benefits:- Improves the quality of wood used in construction and furniture making thereby increasing their service life, introduces new skills and technology, stimulates development of free farming and the sustainable use of existing forests.
7. Location:- Any locality where there are construction and other wood works activities.