bioforest

BIOFOREST
Excellence in Forestr y Research
ARAUCO: A global leader
For 45 years, ARAUCO has been driven forward by its vision of being a global leader
in sustainable forest products. During this time, we have evolved into one of the most
respected forestry companies in the world, not only because of the size and health of our
plantation forests, the quality of our products, and our superior customer service, but for
our social commitment, environmental responsibility, and technical innovation as well.
ARAUCO’s sustainable business model is anchored by its extensive forest estate in Chile, Argentina, Brazil
and Uruguay, and a sustainable management policy that conforms to strict international standards. This,
coupled with continuous research and innovation applied to the full use of the forest resource, provides the
foundation for ARAUCO’s continued competitive strength in the marketplace.
ARAUCO combines excellence in sustainable forest management with advanced manufacturing techniques
to produce a wide range of value-added forest products to satisfy customers’ needs. With ARAUCO’s
deep understanding of global markets, these products are sold in 71 countries around the world through
an extensive network of sale representatives and business offices established in Argentina, Australia, Brazil,
Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Holland, Japan, Mexico, Peru, and the United States.
ARAUCO Bioforest
To help realize its vision for a sustainable future, ARAUCO has been developing and applying innovation
company-wide. Innovation initiatives have been launched in all of the company’s business and areas of
influence, including forestry management and production, occupational health and safety, and the development
of greater social and environmental responsibility.
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Research and innovation applied to forestry technological development, and to the company as a whole,
generates a significant competitive edge for ARAUCO, because it allows the company to move forward
towards a strengthened value proposition – identifying new opportunities for growth and differentiation
while continuously improving products, processes, and services. Innovation is the common driver behind
improvements in quality for our customers, a safer and more meaningful workplace, protection for the
environment, and the quality of life in neighboring communities.
Innovation is “growing the future.”
BIOFOREST
ARAUCO
Bioforest
Excellence in research for the
development of sustainable
forest products
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Bioforest
“Created as a center of excellence for
research, Bioforest is renowned for its
leadership, and is committed to finding
solutions for the challenges the forestry
sector will face during the next 15 to 20
years. Bioforest transforms research into
an efficient and profitable activity”.
Eduardo Rodríguez,
Bioforest Manager
BIOFORE
ARAUCO Bioforest
Bioforest, a leading company in forestry research
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Bioforest was founded in 1990 with a mission to develop and
apply technologies to maximize production of ARAUCO’s
industrial and forestry resources. Today it is recognized as a
scientific-technological research center of excellence, the only
one of its type in Chile and South America. Recognized for its
leadership in the development of technological forestry and
industrial development, Bioforest employs highly specialized
personnel, applying the latest technology in its labs, plant
nurseries, and the company’s forestlands and industrial facilities.
In addition, Bioforest is part of a technological network of open
collaboration among national and international organizations
that are up-to-date on the latest industrial forestry scientific
knowledge, generating an exchange of information that nourishes
the company and the forestry industry as a whole.
ST
In addition to the research work and innovationthat
is applied to the company’s production activities,
Bioforest conducts significant work in the development
and implementation of standards for the protection,
conservation, and monitoring of biodiversity across
ARAUCO’s 390,000 hectares (~963,700 acres) of
native forest holdings.
Bioforest
the pulp production process, as well as thoroughly
studying the fiber to be used in different applications
with an eye towards achieving new potential through
product development. This area also promotes
environmental improvements in pulp production,
especially those relating to effluents and solid waste.
ARAUCO
Today, the research center develops technology
for ARAUCO’s Forest and Pulp business areas. For
the Forestry area, Bioforest works with sustainable
precision clonal silviculture technology, which will
result in a growth increase of 25% for Radiata Pine
and a 40% increase for Eucalyptus. Implementationof
this technology encompasses a sequence ofactivities
that includes an accurate description of thesite to be
established (soil, water, biodiversity, pests, production,
etc.); allocation of the best genetic material for each
site; development of establishment prescriptions
and management; and permanent monitoring of the
plantation with measurements that permit plantation
growth assessments, as well as monitoring ecosystem
values. Research for the Pulp area focuses on optimizing
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Bioforest’s Organization
Staff
and OHS
Risk
Prevention
Environment
Division
Fiber Products
Division
ARAUCO Bioforest
Pulp Production
Division
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Biocelab
Laboratory
Bioforest
Management
Administration
Library
Secretary
Forestry Group
Management
Silviculture
and Genetics
Division
Phitosanitary
Protection
Division
Raw Material
Unit
Wood
Properties
ivision
Ecosystem
Management
Division
Labs Unit
ARAUCO
Bioforest
Bioinformatics
Unit
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Silviculture and Genetics
The Silviculture and Genetics Division’s
objective is to improve production of
ARAUCO’s forest plantations through
the development and application of
silvicultural and genetic strategies and
techniques which include tree breeding,
plant propagation, nutrition, competing
vegetation management, thinning and
pruning. Several tools are developed in
order to accomplish these strategies.
These tools allow for the correct allocation
of the best genetic material to the best
sites, and define specific prescriptions for
each planted area.
ARAUCO Bioforest
The main lines of research include breeding
of species of interest for the company
(Pinus radiata, Pinus taeda, Eucalyptus
globulus, Eucalyptus nitens, Eucalyptus
grandis and Eucalyptus hybrids), and the
development of propagation strategies
and protocols for the elite genetic material
of these species. It is important to note
that ARAUCO does not plant genetically
modified trees nor does it use them to
manufacture any of its products.
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The work of the Silviculture and Genetics Division involves
a deep understanding of the species of interest, as well as of
the sites to be established, in order to develop silvicultural and
ecophysiological prescriptions to optimize plantation management
and the operational implementation of the company’s programs
for genetics and propagation. This work also encompasses the
precision characterization of the sites to be established and
harvested.
Forestry Area
ARAUCO’s forestry activity is the foundation
for all the company’s business units. This is
why the lines of forestry research developed
by Bioforest aim to fully understand the
properties of wood in order to optimize and
maximize the forest resource in the company’s
plantations in Chile, Argentina and Brazil.
Also, in keeping with ARAUCO’s commitment
to environmental responsibility, Bioforest
performs significant work to fulfill the
company’s broad environmental objectives, as
well as the conservation and protection
of biodiversity present in the company’s
390,000 hectares (~963,700 acres) of
native forests.
The Division’s work also includes the implementation of sanitary
surveillance systems in the plantations for early detection
of damaging agents, and the development of protocols for
management of potential pests.
Bioforest
Bioforest’s Phytosanitary Protection Division develops and
implements integrated strategies for pest management to minimize
the damage caused by insects and diseases to ARAUCO’s forests
and industrial assets. The work includes research programs in
Pathology, Entomology, and Forest Products Health. Among
the division’s tasks are providing diagnoses of damaging agents,
selection of pest-resistant plants, and the production of biocontrol agents in the Biotechnology Laboratory.
Among the most relevant lines of research conducted by this
Division are studies on epidemiology and control of the pathogens
Phytophthora pinifolia, Neonectria fuckeliana and Fusarium
circinatum, as well as studies on population dynamics and control
of insects, including Sirex noctilio, Gonipterus scutellatus and
Hylurgus ligniperda.
ARAUCO
Phytosanitary Protection
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Ecosystem
Wood Properties
Wood Properties
The objective of the Wood Properties
Division is to characterize current and
future plantations for better industrial use
through a number of research programs,
such as models to describe the pulpability
of Eucalyptus and Radiata Pine clones
and plantations, using non-destructive
technology (NIR).
ARAUCO Bioforest
This division also works on the industrial
validation of wood properties through
the operational segregation of logs for
their best industrial use, using an X-ray
scanner.
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Ecosystem Management
Bioforest’s Ecosystem Management Division is responsible for the development
of tools based on scientific knowledge to
ensure forest management sustainability.
Its work involves an ongoing cycle of learning, assessment, and modification of management practices to attain explicit environmental objectives. Operational tools
are developed to maintain and improve
the quality of ecosystem services related
to ARAUCO’s silvicultural activities, and
to conserve and protect the biodiversity
present across the company’s forestland.
Management
Bioinformatics
Biotechnology
The Biotechnology Unit operates laboratories for tissue culture, molecular biology
and forest health. The Unit’s main lines
of research and development focus on
the production of embryogenic clones
of Pinus radiata and Pinus taeda,
molecular certification of genetic material,
morphological and molecular identification
of pathogens, and the production of
biological control agents.
The Bioinformatics Unit implements technologies and applications to improve production efficiency, and contributes strategic information to ARAUCO’s subsidiaries.
In order to fulfill this objective, this unit
designs and develops methods for analysis,
processes and applications that are then
transferred to users.
Bioforest
The main lines of work are related to forest
hydrology and biodiversity. In forest hydrology, tools are developed to ensure water
quality and quantity at the catchment level.
In biodiversity, tools are developed for the
conservation of biological diversity across
ARAUCO’s forestlands at different scales,
from landscape-level to specific populations. This work includes monitoring and
designation of priority conservation areas,
and management programs for conservationand restoration.
Bioinformatics
ARAUCO
Biotechnology
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In 2008, Bioforest expanded its field of research to
include the Pulp area, due to the company´s increased
growth in pulp production and the relevance of this
product in the global market.
Pulp Area
ARAUCO Bioforest
Research in this area focuses on optimizing
production processes and developing pulp
products. Bioforest employs a team of
highly qualified and experienced research
professionals who operate a new, worldclass research laboratory. Different pulp
production processes can be simulated in its
facilities, and analyses of critical parameters
of processes and products can be performed.
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The Pulp Production Division conducts
research and development, with an
emphasis on innovation and optimization
of production processes. Work centers
on reducing the use of water and chemicals in the manufacture of chemical pulp;
increasing production of the fiber line;
and studying chemical interactions and
their impact on pulp-making processes.
The main objective of the Fiber Product
Division is to develop a deep understanding of the fiber that ARAUCO produces, and identify the key variables of the
process that influence the quality of the
company’s fiber products.
This area of research encompasses studies on the properties of pulp products
for their use as raw material in different
applications; identification of options to
improve product properties enhancing
current and future uses of fiber; and
the provision of technical support to
ARAUCO’s pulp customers.
Environment
The Environment Division of Bioforest
Pulp conducts research on the description, treatment and reuse of effluents for
the continuous improvement of environmental aspects relating to ARAUCO’s
pulp mills. It also searches for opportunities to reduce the production of solid
waste and/or its transformation into by
products for energy generation, silvicultural purposes, and other applications.
Bioforest
Pulp Production
Fiber Products
ARAUCO
During its first years of research,
Bioforest Pulp has focused on three
areas:
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Milestones
1990
1991
1993
1995
1996
• Bioforest is
• Bioforest’s f irst
forestr y laborator y
begins operation. Work
commences on the
biological control of
the pine shoot moth,
and the f irst Radiata
Pine micropropagated
plants are produced.
• The f irst Radiata Pine
plantations with cuttings
from controlled crosses
are established.
• Bioforest moves to
a research center in
Concepción, in Chile’s
Bío Bío Region.
• The f irst wood
characterization of
AR AUCO’s plantations
is completed.
created in the city
of Valdivia, Chile.
• Bioforest’s f irst ten-year
goal is set: “Achieve a 40%
increase in volume per
hectare in Radiata Pine
plantations established by
AR AUCO as of 2001.”
ARAUCO Bioforest
• Radiata Pine Gene
Projects star t in Chile.
2003
2005
2006
2007
• Proposal for the f irst
High Value Environmental
Areas is draf ted.
• The f irst clonal trials
for Pinus taeda are
planted in Argentina.
• New populations
of the native vine
plant Berberidopsis
corallina (Michay Rojo)
are identif ied in the
Nahuelbuta area. The
number of registrations for
this endangered species
increased from 9 to 123.
• Radiata Pine clonal
plantations begin in Chile.
• Eucalyptus globulus
clonal plantations
begin in Chile.
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• The training program
for post-graduate
researchers begins.
• The f irst clonal trials
for Eucalyptus nitens
and the hybrid nitens x
globulus are established.
• BOATR AY® is registered
in Chile as an insectmonitoring product
developed by Bioforest.
• High Value Environmental
Areas are proposed,
using Systematic
Conser vation Planning.
1997
1999
2000
2001
2002
• A research program
begins in Alto Paraná,
Argentina.
• The Pine Gene Project
in Arauco Argentina (Alto
Paraná S. A) begins.
• The f irst embr yogenic
tree produced in
Chile is planted.
• Bioforest’s f irst tenyear goal is accomplished:
Radiata Pine plantations
established by AR AUCO
as of 2001 will have a
40% increase in volume.
• The molecular markers’
laborator y is implemented.
• First E. globulus
plantations with families
from controlled crosses
are established.
2009
2010
2011
• Species Alsodes
vanzolinii (Ramadillas frog)
is identif ied af ter 30 years
of no registered sightings.
• Methods to reduce
chemical consumption
during the bleaching process
of pulp are identif ied.
• The f irst Pinus taeda
plantations with cuttings
from families of controlled
crosses are established
in Arauco do Brasil.
• Sustainable Precision
Clonal Silviculture
is implemented on
plantations established
by AR AUCO in Chile.
• A new fungus species is
described, Phytophthora
pinifolia, which causes
pine foliage disease (DFP).
• Dar win’s fox species,
considered ex tinct in the
area, are sighted nor th of
Nahuelbuta National Park.
• Methods are identif ied
and experimentally
implemented to increase
pulp production in
Batch digesters.
• The Bioforest Pulp
laborator y begins operation.
• Bioforest’s Pulp
Area is created.
Bioforest
• The f irst clonal trials
for Pinus taeda are
planted in Brazil.
• AR AUCO establishes a new
research goal: Accomplish
a 25% volume increase of
Radiata Pine and a 40%
volume increase of Eucalyptus,
in addition to maximizing
product value through the
implementation of Sustainable
Precision Clonal silviculture.
• The f irst plantations of
Pinus taeda with cuttings
from families of controlled
crosses are established in
Alto Paraná, Argentina.
2008
• Research programs begin
at Arauco do Brazil.
• AR AUCO’s native vegetation
description program begins.
ARAUCO
• Biodiversity program
on native vegetation
is launched.
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BIOFOREST
Excellence in Forestr y Research
Camino a Coronel Km. 15
Concepción, Chile
Tel.: (56-41) 272 8800
Fax: (56-41) 272 8801
www.bioforest.cl
14163 MARZO 13 / V3
www.arauco.cl