International Trade in the Emerging Bioeconomy

Dear Colleagues,

Trade in forest products represents an important dimension of the forest and related sectors. For decades, we have analyzed forest product trade by analyzing traditional products, such as lumber, pulp, and panels, and their derivative products. However, the emerging bioeconomy focus in the forest sector means the sector has now moved to a whole new generation of products that blend traditional and new forest products with the renewable energy sector and the biochemical sector. The ensuing changes require a new approach to examining the forest sector in its totality and this Special Issue call is to look for the latest research into the trade implications of this new development.
Traditional forest product trade models were also deficient in their assessment of the sources of raw material supply. It was frequently assumed that this material supply would be largely dictated by price and not by the biophysical opportunities and constraints.
Finally, price volatility for products can be highly correlated to other resource and industrial sectors. It is essential that this is acknowledged or even studied in its own right.
For the reference to potential research collaborators, here are some of the drivers of changes to the traditional forest sector that could be considered in a research paper for this Special Issue:

1. Bioproduct development. The forest sector is now producing a much wider array of products, even as commodities, for example, (small scale) clothing, CLT, NTFP to large scale (wood pellet, biofuels, biochemicals);
2. Technological change. Technology is accelerating changes in supply chains: In manufacturing, in transportation and logistics, in accountability and transparency, and in markets. The technologies involved include: Remote sensing, blockchain technologies, artificial intelligence, deep learning, 3D printing, laser cutters, CNC , etc.;
3. Biotechnology. Precision forestry and precision agriculture are fueled by biotechnologies, such as genomics. The economics of genomics is continuing to improve;
4. Market uncertainties. There are many new drivers of price volatility that will directly affect the products produced. This include exchange rate changes, tariffs, subsidies, legality of product, etc. Consumer behavior and consumption patterns are also changing, as witnessed with commodities such as newsprint;
5. Land Use changes. The forest sector now competes for land use with traditional agriculture and energy sectors and has to increasingly recognize the constraints of other industries as well;
6. Sustainability. There are ongoing concerns over the sustainability of wood supply, the ongoing emergence of new sources of fiber (plantations), the social dimension of sustainability (e.g., indigenous people’s rights), the cascading use of wood, the new emphasis on resource efficiency, and a host of other complex issues that in their totality will have a significant impact on trade on forest products and the type of products produced;
7. Climate change. The changing climate challenges will affect all aspect of forest and forest product trade. It is essential to integrate these challenges into the analysis.

We are looking for a cross-disciplinary focus, and an assessment of the importance of these new products on the overall use of forests.

Prof. Dr. Gary Q. Bull
Dr. Nicklas Forsell
Guest Editors

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• trade
• bioeconomy
• land use
• technology
• uncertainties
• sustainability