Forest Product Conversion Factors

By Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Analysts, policymakers, forest practitioners and forest-based manufacturers often have a need for this information for understanding the drivers of efficiency, feasibility and economics of the sector. In addition, conversion factors are often needed to convert from one unit of measure to another. The publication also includes explanations on the units of measure, the drivers of the ratios, as well as information on physical properties of wood-based forest products. Finally, where reported factors were unavailable, factors from other sources are given.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• Release date: May 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9789251323311

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

An intergovernmental organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has 194 Member Nations, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union. Its employees come from various cultural backgrounds and are experts in the multiple fields of activity FAO engages in. FAO’s staff capacity allows it to support improved governance inter alia, generate, develop and adapt existing tools and guidelines and provide targeted governance support as a resource to country and regional level FAO offices. Headquartered in Rome, Italy, FAO is present in over 130 countries.Founded in 1945, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO provides a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. The Organization publishes authoritative publications on agriculture, fisheries, forestry and nutrition.

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Required citation:

FAO, ITTO and United Nations. 2020. Forest product conversion factors. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca7952en

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) or the United Nations, concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO, ITTO or United Nations in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.

The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO, ITTO or United Nations.

ISBN 978-92-5-132247-5

E-ISBN 978-92-5-132331-1 (EPUB)

© FAO, ITTO and United Nations, 2020

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Designed at United Nations, Geneva – 1915745 (E) – December 2019 – 1 – ECE/TIM/NONE/2019/4/iPub

Cover image: © Shutterstock_ID:1521053633/Juan Enrique del Barrio

CONTENTS

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Acronyms and abbreviations

Explanatory notes

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 General uses of conversion factors

1.2 The use of conversion factors by FAO, ITTO and UNECE

1.3 Methods

2. ROUNDWOOD

2.1 Volumetric measurement

2.2 Weight and physical properties

2.3 Summary of country data on roundwood

3. WOOD PARTICLES

3.1 Volumetric measurement

3.2 Weight

3.3 Summary of country data on wood particles

4. SAWNWOOD

4.1 Volumetric measurement

4.2 Weight

4.3 Material balance

4.4 Summary of country data on sawnwood

5. VENEER AND PLYWOOD

5.1 Volumetric and surface measurement

5.2 Weight

5.3 Material balance

5.4 Summary of country data on veneer and plywood

6. PANELS MADE OF WOOD PARTICLES

6.1 Volumetric and surface measurement

6.2 Weight

6.3 Summary of country data on panels made of wood particles

7. WOOD PULP AND PAPER

7.1 Weight

7.2 Summary of country data on wood pulp and