Seasoning is essential to promote and preserve wood – Naval Kedia

What is seasoning?

Seasoning is the only method to bring the additional moisture of wood in to a healthy working condition. After seasoning, the tendency of wood for shrinking and expansion naturally ceases. Additionally, the micro germs residing within the wood also dies during seasoning; otherwise, there is a probability of their regeneration over time.

What is the situation of seasoning in India?

Today, normal practice is to supply raw wood directly to customers after sawing. Customers also use it directly after purchasing without knowing that the excess moisture content is the reason for various defects which is bound to arise in future. This leads to a bad name in wood’s reputation and ultimately diversion from wood. Despite this, seasoning is not receiving the proper attention it otherwise should. When wood is utilized directly for door frame or furniture without seasoning defects arises later on. If high-quality and precision is desired in wood product seasoning becomes necessary. Products of Wood consumes effort, time, and money. If the wood itself is of poor quality, the product’s worth diminishes. Who would trust and rely on wood? This is a significant question.

Is this affecting the solid wood market?

Wood is a natural product, but we do not know how to use it properly and effectively. We have sufficient wood in agro forestry. Gradually, the use of steel WPC etc is increasing over wood. People fear that, nobody will take responsibility if wood deteriorates. This has two negative consequences. Firstly, it is impacting the wood market negatively. Secondly, steel has adverse effects on the environment indirectly. If wood is used, more trees will be grown, betterment for environment. To restore confidence in wood, seasoning is essential. After seasoning, if the treatment process (for pesticide) is also made mandatory, it could lead to a successful outcome, eliminating the problem of borers.

Do seasoning will solve the problem?

There is only one solution to this problem, and that is to make seasoning mandatory. Everyone wants to use wood in their dwellings because, apart from architecture, awareness for environment is increasing among people. But if consumers don’t get best result from wood, they are forced to turn to steel.

The moisture content of wood for export is reduced to less than 15%, essentially. There is also a specific criterion for the use of wood in industries. In the same way, if a similar standard is set for real estate, the problem will be largely solved.

Why seasoning is being avoided?

Lack of awareness is a major factor. Now either the consumers should demand it or the system should make it mandatory. Moreover, there should be seasoning plants in the locality. If we are aiming to increase exports, then attention must be given to wood seasoning. Because this eliminates the moisture content of the wood, ensuring that the qualities of the wood products remain consistent under normal conditions. This enhances its appeal to consumers.

Why is imported furniture becoming popular in Delhi and Mumbai markets? The reason is the quality of the wood. However, lower quality wood is used in imported furniture. But due to seasoning, the furniture becomes durable and of high quality. If we want to produce international-level wood furniture in India, raising awareness about seasoning is crucial. In comparison to China and other countries, our exports are only ten percent. I strongly demand that wood seasoning should be made mandatory.

What is the conditions of sawmills?

Since the inception of the saw milling in India, there have been no major changes in its machinery. However, there has been a significant change in the availability of wood. Previously, thick (higher girth) logs were cut from forests; now thin (lower girth) logs from agro forestry are used.

Even the sawmill owners are not willing to change themselves according to the times. Fundamental changes in sawmill operations are not being made. Whether they are in small towns or big cities, sawmills are being operated using traditional methods. There is a lack of initiative among entrepreneurs to modernize them.

Therefore, modernization of sawmills is essential. Sawmill owners will have to adopt new techniques and invest necessary capital. Otherwise, how can we produce international-level wood and its products? Government should assist and subsidize for the modernization of saw mills.

This can also impact agro forestry

Today, when wood availability in India is nil from forests, we have to either depend on imports which involves huge foreign currency or agro forestry. Agro forestry-based wood is obtained from young trees. By seasoning it, we can strengthen it. However, if we want agro forestry to succeed. The forest department have to pay attention to it. There should be standardization for seasoning.

The forest department or the government should come forward to provide facilities for seasoning. Such facilities are also available in Saharanpur and Jodhpur by the initiative of govt. But, such facilities should be available in each and every city of the country.

I urge that sawmill operators should get financial assistance for seasoning plants from govt. It can be at the state or national level.

Wood is losing its credibility among consumers. Therefore, to preserve wood and agro forestry seasoning should be made legally mandatory.

How can the general public be aware?

The government has many means of promotion. But before that, the authorities and policy makers need to understand its necessity and awareness. Knowledge should be spread among public regarding pro and cons of seasoning. How strong seasoned wood is and what deficiencies exist in wood that is not seasoned. This will make everyone realize the potential losses. People will understand once this difference is explained. Moreover, sawmill owners should also need to be motivated and educated about the matter.

Conclusively, I want to remind that a huge quantity of Klin dried timber is imported which is a misuse of foreign currency. Moreover, we can establish hundreds of seasoning chambers in country, with the difference amount we are paying for such imported timber.