Advancing Cocowood Technology: Workshop Paves the Way for Sustainable Wood Products

September 25, 2024

In May, the Crawford Fund QLD Committee announced four recipients of their International Engagement Awards which support targeted training and mentoring of overseas scientists and extension officers by experienced Queensland counterparts working on similar agricultural research challenges.

One of the successful projects was proposed by Dr Rob McGavin, Research Facility and Project Manager, from Forest Products Innovation, Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The project titled Manufacturing veneer-based engineered wood products with efficiency and precision to maximise resource recovery and utilisation value in collaboration with the Fijian Ministry of Forestry has now been completed. He delivered the report below.

“In a significant move towards promoting sustainable forestry practices and improving the quality of wood products, a five-day capacity-building workshop was delivered at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ (DAF) Salisbury Research Facility,” said Dr McGavin.

“This workshop, primarily funded by the Crawford Fund with additional support from the ACIAR FST/2019/128 project, is part of a larger initiative to utilise non-traditional forest resources, such as mature coconut palms, to create sustainable and profitable engineered wood products,” he explained.

“The project encourages farmers in the Pacific region to remove unproductive senile coconut palms, thereby safeguarding the future of coconuts while generating economic opportunities,” he said.

Top, participants from Fiji’s Ministry of Forestry engage in a specialised lecture by Hexion experts during the EWP training workshop and bottom, Fijian Ministry of Forestry participants assessing wood veneer thickness during the wood peeling process at the QDAF Salisbury Research Facility.

The workshop brought together seven delegates from the Fijian Ministry of Forestry and SPC, comprising three men and four women, all directly or indirectly involved in the ACIAR project. Throughout the training, participants gained in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in essential areas such as fundamental wood properties, log preparation techniques, veneer peeling, drying processes, product manufacturing and quality assurance measures.

Expert instructors from DAF led the training sessions, ensuring the content was closely aligned with Australian standards and industry best practise. Additionally, industry experts from Hexion and the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) delivered guest lectures on adhesive bonding and quality testing programs for engineered wood products.

“This diverse team of instructors enriched the learning experience, helping participants effectively bridge the gap between theory and practical application,” he said.

“Participants reported high confidence in applying the skills and knowledge gained during the workshop. They plan to implement these skills in their daily operations, focusing on improving product quality, resource management and operational efficiency in collaboration with their Fiji industries,” said Dr McGavin.

“Moreover, the participants are committed to sharing their new skills and knowledge with colleagues through in-house training sessions and mentoring, ensuring a broader impact across the Fijian forestry sector.”

Participants, joined by Project Leader Dr. Rob McGavin and DAF staff, proudly display their certificates after completing the training workshop at the DAF Salisbury Research Facility.

The workshop also strengthened the collaborative relationship between the Fijian Ministry of Forestry and DAF. By aligning their practices with Australian standards, Fijian forestry professionals are now better equipped to contribute to the ongoing success of the ACIAR FST/2019/128 project and support the sustainable development of Fiji’s forestry sector he explained.

“This workshop underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing global forestry challenges and reinforced Queensland’s position as a leader in sustainable forestry and wood product innovation. The successful completion of the training program marks a significant milestone in the joint efforts of the Crawford Fund, ACIAR, and DAF to promote sustainable forestry practices and enhance the capabilities of forestry professionals in the Pacific region,” concluded Dr McGavin.