CNN PRIMA NEWS – The future of all of us lies in a healthy forest. How is wood harvested without destroying nature at Wood Seeds?

A clip from CNN PRIMA News here...

Sustainability is a key issue in every industry these days. How is Wood Seeds, a forestry and wood processing company, meeting this challenge?

The basic principles of forest management and timber production have not changed significantly. “We are based on history, but of course we use modern forest management technologies. These allow us to determine the quality of the forest and manage it effectively,” explains Vincent Bodrov from Wood Seeds .

Sustainability is a key topic today, not only in forestry, but also in production itself. "We strive for sustainability as much as possible, in all phases. Not only in forest care, but also in production, where we try to minimize waste and move towards a zero-waste economy. Our goal is to use every last piece of wood," he adds.

The timber industry is highly competitive, not only in Europe but also globally. "The competition is huge, but that's why we welcome it. Without it, we could rest on our laurels. Our path is modernization, investment in new technologies and process improvement. Today, there are machines that can accurately measure a tree and optimize its use," says Bodrov.

Wood Seeds focuses on its own forest portfolio. "We own over 600 hectares and are constantly buying more. In the Czech Republic, it is not easy, because more than 60% of forests belong to the state, the rest to the church and protected areas. Private owners only own about 20% of forests, so we are gradually buying up land across the country," Bodrov explains.

Buying forests is not always easy. "Owners often ask how we will treat the forest. We are not cutting down the forests at the moment, and that is attractive to them. Personal communication and trust are important," he adds.

Wood Seeds is expanding its operations outside the Czech Republic. "We recently bought the Wood Effect woodworking plant in Cheb , near the German border. However, we do not plan to export wood far abroad, most of our production remains in the Czech Republic, but the German market is important to us," he explains.

Finding a balance between management and sustainability is key. “We try to use all waste materials – sawdust, shavings – to heat wood dryers or to produce pellets. We also use solar panels and rainwater. We are thinking about the future,” says Bodrov.

Sustainability and the future of the wood industry

The European Union and the Czech state provide extensive support for sustainability. "Currently, there is a wide range of subsidies aimed at supporting sustainable management. They cover various areas, such as rainwater management, installation of solar panels, support for forest production or tree planting. However, it is not always easy - obtaining a subsidy can be administratively demanding. That is why we decided to cooperate with experts who help us identify the most suitable financing options. These specialists see connections and opportunities that we might not notice ourselves, and are able to propose optimal solutions, which is very important for us," adds Bodrov.

The program also included a question about responsible wood management and the future and long-term plans. "Currently, we work primarily with wood available on the Czech market. We have established long-term relationships with friendly companies and, thanks to our history, we know well where to buy quality raw materials. A key part of our strategy is the care of forests in accordance with applicable laws. When we purchase forest land, we often encounter cleared areas, so-called clearings. In such cases, we are committed to their restoration - we afforest them with suitable tree species and try to create mixed forests where it is natural. If, for example, beech or oak grows naturally in a given place, we prefer that this ecosystem be allowed to develop naturally," concludes Bodrov.