Birch bark compounds offer a wealth of business opportunities

Birch is a standout wood species: Half of the weight of birch outer bark consists of betulin and fatty acids of suberin. These compounds can replace pine oil and resin in technochemical products. They can also be used in pharmaceuticals. VTT is researching and developing the potential for producing birch bark-based products in Finland and their business opportunities.At the moment, birch bark is mainly combusted for production of heat and electricity. At sawmills and pulp plants, birch logs are debarked mechanically in large drums. Birch bark is thus available in great quantities.