The Ducerf Group invests in the production of compressed logs for the wood energy market

As part of a global approach to reusing wood by-products and promoting the energy transition, the Ducerf Group is launching a wood-energy project with the development of its first compressed log production line.

Launched this summer and operational since early autumn, this new project, located on the Bourgogne Bois Industrie site (Beire-le-Châtel-21 France), is a response to growing consumer demand for wood energy. In France, 24% of households use wood for heating. That's almost 7 million households, 47% of which use it as their main source of heating.^₍₁₎

1. ADEME, Hugues de Cherisey, Consultant, 2018, Overview of the reconstituted log sector

Committed production, 100% made in France

In a context of energy crisis, producing in a virtuous way is now a priority. Committed to this approach for several years now, the Ducerf Group now recycles all its wood processing by-products (sawdust, shavings and shavings) on the Bourgogne Bois Industrie site, turning them into a fully-fledged product and a genuine source of renewable energy. With the installation of this production line, the Ducerf Group is optimising the use of all the raw materials it processes. The €600,000 investment is expected to produce 1,200 tonnes of logs by 2024, equivalent to around 1.5% of the French market.

And there's an added ecological benefit, because by transporting compressed material, compared with dry chips, we'll be reducing the number of transports required by around 30%. 

Over time, this initiative is intended to be duplicated across all the Ducerf Group's sites.

"It's part of a global approach to the recycling of all production-related materials that the Group launched several years ago, and which we now want to develop. - Edouard Ducerf, CEO of the Ducerf Group

Greener, more economical home heating

A modern fuel, the compressed log is cleaner, more standard and denser than the traditional log. An ideal alternative for urban areas.

The Ducerf Group's compressed hardwood logs are 100% natural. Made from recycled oak and beech logs and manufactured on the same site, no additives are used in the product's composition. They burn efficiently and have a high calorific value, while producing very little ash. They are also ideal for wood-fired cooking. With a space saving of between 25% and 50% compared to traditional logs, they are easy to store and handle.

Ducerf compressed logs are sold via short distribution channels in the greater Dijon area.

Responsible ambitions for a virtuous strategy

This new production facility for compressed logs is just the first step in the company's overall investment strategy to make better use of biomass. Indeed, in order to reduce its carbon footprint, the Ducerf Group, which already uses its biomass to power its drying kilns and to heat its workshops, wants to go further with a cogeneration project, which involves producing two types of energy - thermal and electrical - from this biomass.

"This exciting project is part of the energy transition supported by the public authorities. ADEME, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency, has enabled us to apply for the "Biomass heat for the wood industry" call for projects, which encourages manufacturers in the sector to invest in this type of electricity production structure. We therefore hope to be able to benefit from a substantial subsidy to set up the project. It's a virtuous circle, both ecologically and economically." Thibault Chastagnier, Manager of the Ducerf Group's 1st and 2nd transformation sites