Assessment of wood types and conversion efficiency of Associated Match in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the assessment of wood types at Associated Match in Nigeria and the research was designed to identify commonly used tree species for splint production, to assess the wood volume consumption pattern of the firm and to analyse the conversion efficiency of logs to splint in the firm. Newton's formula of wood volume estimation was used to get conversion efficiency. The result showed that the only two tree species used in the firm are; Triplochyton scleroxylon (Obeche) and Gmelina arborea. The source of wood waste includes barks, core, veneer clippings and unused splints. In wood volume estimation, the highest value of wood fed into the machine is recorded in log 13 (T. scleroxylon) with a value of 0.240m3 Log 2 (G. arborea) had the lowest volume value of 0.087m3. In wood recovery measurement, log 12 (T. scleroxylon) had the highest recovery value of 0.971m3 while log 2 had the lowest recovery value of .0091m3. In conversion efficiency measurement, log 13 (T. scleroxylon) recorded the highest with 73% while log 2 (G. arborea) recorded the lowest conversion efficiency of 10.46%.The average conversion efficiency for the firm is 55.27% making the firm to lose an average of 44.73% of valuable cellulose as wastes. Further research is advised so that an industry within or outside the company would be able to convert the waste products into revenue yielding ventures and minimize loss of cellulose resources