Wood is one of the world’s oldest and most versatile building materials. The choice and quality of the raw material is important for the beauty, durability and sustainability of the finished product, both indoors and outdoors. The Russia/Ukraine conflict and the resulting economic sanctions have completely changed the raw material supply situation for the European timber industry. Since 10 July 2022, the import of wood and wood products from Russia into the European Union has been banned. This meant that sustainable substitutes for Siberian larch products had to be found. To better understand the reasons behind the decision to switch to Canadian larch and the differences between the two types of wood, we spoke to Manfred Golob, who is responsible for sales and production management at FEEL WOOD.
Interview with Manfred Golob
‘We are always happy to provide our customers with transparent and open information.’
Mr Golob, can you give us a general overview of the differences between Siberian and Canadian larch?
There are more similarities than differences between the two species due to the almost identical latitudes where both Siberian and Canadian larch grow. Both grow in cold and harsh climates, resulting in slower growth and tighter annual rings. This gives the wood greater density and strength. This makes both Siberian and Canadian larch equally suitable for use in exterior products such as cladding and decking, as well as solid wood flooring.
What are the practical implications of switching from Russian to Canadian raw materials for solid wood flooring?
Canadian and Siberian larch are on an equal footing when it comes to being processed into solid wood flooring. Siberian larch is slightly heavier and harder, but also more brittle, which means it is more prone to cracking when exposed to temperature changes. Canadian larch, on the other hand, is slightly more flexible and less prone to cracking, making it particularly suitable for interiors and rooms with changing climatic conditions.
What role do environmental and sustainability aspects play in this?
This is a very important point. Sustainability and environmental protection are very important to FEEL WOOD. Both Siberian and Canadian larch can only be sourced via longer transport routes of around 6,000 to 7,000 kilometres. Siberian larch is mainly transported by rail, while Canadian larch is transported by ship and then by rail. We only work with certified suppliers and sawmills that source logs from sustainable forestry. These certification schemes ensure that the timber is managed with the utmost care and concern for future generations.
Are there also economic reasons for this decision?
In recent years, around 1 million cubic metres of Siberian larch have been imported into the European Union. This volume now needs to be replaced. This is not possible in terms of quantity and quality from European growing areas. Canadian larch is a perfect alternative due to its almost identical properties, even if it cannot replace the total loss of Siberian larch in terms of quantity. However, FEEL WOOD’s raw material supply is very well secured thanks to its parent company SECA.
What is your customer’s experience with Canadian larch solid wood flooring?
The feedback from our customers has been very positive. Many appreciate the warm and inviting appearance of Canadian Larch, as well as its robustness and durability. It is also easy to work and install, which is appreciated by both professional installers and do-it-yourselfers. Overall, our customers are very happy with their choice of Canadian larch.
Finally, is there anything else you would like to say to our readers?
I would like to emphasise that at FEEL WOOD we always strive to provide the best materials for our customers, with sustainability and quality at the forefront. The decision to switch to Canadian larch reflects our commitment to being both environmentally responsible and economically viable. We are confident that our customers will benefit from this decision in the long term.
Thank you very much for the informative interview and good luck for the future, Mr Golob.
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