FPInnovations’ species separation technology now available at sawmills

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A few years ago, FPInnovations undertook a research project to facilitate the automated separation of wood species. The project, which initially targeted the pulp and paper sector, gradually turned into an advanced vision tool for the development of real-time adaptive control technologies applicable to sawmills. 

With this in mind, FPInnovations entered into a marketing agreement with the Autolog company to manufacture a real-time automated system for identifying and separating wood species, based on existing technology using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. This tool has many advantages, depending on where the technology is applied in the plant: increased productivity during drying, reduced labour costs during sorting, improved value, etc. 

The technology is now ready to be marketed and this was recently announced by AutologFPInnovations‘ development partner, which is launching its new wood species separation solution. Autolog’s test results to date have produced a species identification rate of more than 95%.

The project, which is part of the SM2 initiative strategy, aims to foster the emergence of a new paradigm to boost the competitiveness of the Canadian wood processing industry through an agile, intelligent technology platform that makes it possible to increase product and co-product diversification and access new markets.

For more information, contactSerge ConstantineauManager of the SM2 initiative.

FPInnovations would like to thank Natural Resources Canada, the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec and the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation du Québec, for their financial contributions to this project to help the lumber industry add value to the mills’ by-products.


Source: FPInnovations