Coconut and other non-traditional forest resources for the manufacture of Engineered Wood Products Project (EWP Project)

Research objective

This research will deliver and validate wood processing technologies to transform coconut and other currently low-value forest resources, often treated as a waste disposal cost, into high-value engineered wood products (EWPs) suitable for local and international markets. By providing new, profitable outlets for low-value logs, there will be increased returns from these materials to farmers, timber growers, and processors, which will contribute to the renewal of the coconut estate and expand employment and trade opportunities.

The objectives are to:

Determine the availability, accessibility, and readiness to supply non-traditional forest resources such as senile coconut palms.
Establish efficient conversion and profitable manufacturing protocols aligned with market expectations.
Identify product and market opportunities that will deliver economic and social benefits throughout the value chain.
Examine the potential for and promotion of gender-balanced participation in the Fiji forest products industry.

Expected impact/outcomes

The profitable production of coconut and non-traditional-resource-based EWPs will provide many wide-reaching benefits:

Build capacity along the forestry value chains through “learning by doing”.
- Technical solutions
- Training
- Business support
Improve the viability and profitability of the forest products sector in Pacific Islander countries.
- Upskilling
- Boosting investment
- Employing locally with a gender balance
- Stimulate domestic markets
Upskilling of Pacific Islanders to gain employment in enterprises that supply and process logs, as well as manufacture and market new EWPs.
Facilitate the greater adoption of coconut and other non-traditional forest resources into processing and manufacturing operations in:
- Pacific Islander countries
- Australia
Encourage young women to study in non-traditional forest resource areas.
- Proven and established employment path to wood processing and EWP manufacturing enterprises.
Encourage postgraduate research in gender based social relations in Fiji.
- Enrolment at the University of the South Pacific
Understand the pathways and partnerships required to commercialise coconut and non-traditional forest resources EWPs; liaise with:
- Government
- Private resource managers
Community groups develop technology and product innovations in EWP manufacture.

Scientific Endeavours

Deliver and validate technologies that can produce high-value EWPs from senile coconut palms and other low-value forest resources.
- Profitable local and export markets
- Supplement dwindling traditional timber resources
- Ongoing availability of high-quality, low embodied energy products
Identify a veneer grading standard for coconut-based EWPs as well as drying, glueing, pressing, and finishing methodologies.
Identify markets, routes of entry, price points, and product specifications for coconut-based EWPs.
Know how to make profitable products and become the cornerstone of enterprises into the future.
Investigate markets to drive a program of product design, manufacture and performance testing.
Acquire new scientific knowledge through postgraduate studies in:
- Gender topics
- Resource economics
- Labour force development
- Value-chain analysis
Understand where women can integrate into the Pacific EWP value chain, including industry and research roles.
Supply research reports and notes, fact sheets, technical manuals, and harvesting guidelines for the forest and forest products sectors to provide guidance and information.

Key Partners

Pacific Community (SPC)
Queensland Department of Primary Industries
University of Queensland
Griffith University
Fiji Ministry of Forestry
Fiji Veneer and Plywood Industry
Tei Taveuni and Fiji Hardwood Board
University of the South Pacific
Fiji National University
Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program
Big River Group
Robertson Brothers Sawmills
Jowat Adhesives

Life beyond the project

The project’s successful delivery of technology, processing capability and markets will lead to long-lasting development impacts for Fiji, neighbouring Pacific Island countries, and Australia. The project will deliver innovation in partnership with key stakeholders from across the value chain to transform coconut and non-traditional forest resources into high-value EWPs suitable for local and export markets that will generate future investments and continued momentum in this sector. Having key stakeholders directly engaged in all aspects of the project will ensure that the outputs are delivered, and early adoption opportunities can be fast-tracked.