CASCADES Study (Study on the optimised cascading use of wood ) published

The Study on the optimised cascading use of wood commissioned and funded by the European Commission is now available for free download in the EU online bookshop.

The objectives of the study are to define the cascading use of wood and assess the environmental and socio-economic impacts of cascading, to identify and analyse the barriers preventing cascading and the possible measures adapted to local conditions to overcome them in the European Union (EU). The results of the study are intended to serve as a basis to develop good practice guidance on the cascading use of wood to policy-makers and value-chain stakeholders.

Cascading use is the efficient utilisation of resources by using residues and recycled materials for material use to extend total biomass availability within a given system. Cascading at the market level (sectors and products) can be quantified through wood flow analysis. The cascading use of wood takes place in the EU in a variety of forms and contexts. Identified measures to promote the cascading use of wood focus largely on the recovery of post-consumer wood in line with existing circular economy and resource efficiency initiatives. However, strong efforts are needed to address the current imbalance between material and energy uses of industrial residues where more significant potential for cascading exists.