Increasing sustainability in forestry with OptiBoost® technology – Tree plantations often play a role when it comes to sustainable forestry.
The planted forest can be felled and used for timber or in the paper industry while preserving, for example, the Amazon rainforest.
What’s crucial then is that the propagation of trees is as efficient as possible, and that’s where OptiBoost® technology makes a significant difference and impact.
Increasing survival rate of unrooted cuttings
Trees are propagated either by seeding or by cuttings. Many growers have the ambition to turn to cultivation throug cuttings. The advantages are many. With cuttings you get a faster start to cultivation because it is already a small plant. Compared to seeds, cuttings have a shorter growth period, which generally means, you can harvest faster.
Another big advantage is, that you can develop better varieties because a plant propagated by cuttings becomes genetically exact the same as the mother plant, which is not possible with seed propagation.
The technology for growing by cuttings is constantly evolving and there are strong drivers to improve the process. The OptiBoost® for cuttings technology is one of those technologies enabling increased sustainability and efficiency in the forest industry.
The treatment of cuttings has a majority of positive effects, including strengthening the growth, robustness and root system of cuttings, which improves the survival of transplanting and faster growth.
Aperam BioEnergia LTDA is a global supplier of stainless, electrical and specialty steel products. Aperam has customers in over 40 countries and is a leader in high-value specialty products.
The company produces charcoal from its own FSC-certified eucalyptus forests in Brazil.
Aperam is a world leader in the cultivation of various varieties of tropical tree cuttings and produces approximately 30-50 million eucalyptus cuttings annually.
After another forest company, based in Chile, Aperam is now the second company is South America to treat their eucalyptus cuttings with the OptiBoost technology.
Brazil is covered by 463 million hectares of forest, which is more than 50% of the whole land area. 5.3 million hectares are dedicated solely to eucalyptus plants.
Brazilian pulp and paper production have a major market impact, being the 4th, respectively 9th, biggest producing country in the world.
100% of the Brazilian pulp and paper production originates in planted eucalyptus and pine forests. Planted eucalyptus forests are to a minor extent also used for wood panels.
Furthermore, Brazil is the world leader in the use of charcoal for the steel industry. Aperams trees are, among other things, grown to produce coal, which is used for steel production.
The OptiBoost® for cuttings machine, called Saga, treats up to 400 cuttings in 40 seconds. The cuttings are placed inside the treatment chamber. In the first phase, pressure change causes the evacuation of air from the leaf air spaces.
The pressure parameters are carefully designed and controlled to achieve impregnation. In the second phase, pressure is gradually modified to allow the nano-based nutrient solution to enter the specific fraction of the tissue.
The cuttings are boosted with nutrients, ensuring an increased survival rate, as the growth, robustness, and root system of cuttings are strengthened.
Being a first-mover brings a lot of advantages. Your business receives early access to an advantageous new product and technology. Get in touch now to discover how this could be beneficial to your company.
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In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the science behind vacuum infusion in forest cuttings propagation, understanding the principles and mechanisms that make it such an effective method for propagating forest cuttings.
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With the OptiBoost technology, we contribute to an extended, optimized, and more sustainable Cut Flower Experience. We help growers, wholesalers and retailers boost quality, increase sustainability and improve business.
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