FULL-DAY TOURS

 

TOUR 1: JÄRVSELJA

We will visit the Järvselja Training and Experimental Forest Center which is an essential area for conducting scientific research. Bus transportation, meals and a tour on-site are included. It just celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2021 together with 100 years of higher forestry education in Estonian in 2020. Nowadays it encompasses 10,553 ha of land, with 6,626 ha of forests and 3,147 of marshland. The Institute of Forestry and Engineering of the Estonian University of Life Sciences has an annual tradition of planting trees in spring and hunting in autumn in that district. The main activity of the Centre is the preservation of the forest area and the biological diversity of forests, the sustainable management of forests with planning for uniform, continuous and long-term use. It is the base forest for the organisation of forestry research and experimental activities and the establishment of experimental areas, including biomass research. 2,723 ha of forests are under protection (41% of the total forest land), including nearly 2,000 ha (30% of the forest land) under strict protection. Järvselja Primeval Forest is the first and therefore the oldest forest protection area in Estonia (it was placed under protection in 1924). Järvselja Primeval Forest nature study trail introduces the forest surrounding the centre of forestry and research. The trail is diverse and passes through a number of different types of forests. Please bring suitable footwear and clothing.

 

TOUR 2: TOFTAN-2

We will visit the TOFTAN-2 company to showcase the cutting edge technology for mechanical processing of wood. We will visit a sawmill that can cut trees with 6 cm in diameter. Throughout the years the sawmill, initially producing 35,000 cbm in 1995, has developed to the one of the biggest sawmills in Estonia and the Baltics. In 2023, a total of 243,000 m3 of sawn timber was produced, of which 141,000 m3 was produced by Toftan 1, the classic sawmill, and 102,000 m3 by Toftan 2, a small dimensional logs sawmill (sawing of logs suitable for pulpwood). They value sustainable forestry and have FSC® (FSC-C019663), PEFC and HT certificates. They have their own forest property which is one of the biggest South-Estonian private forest owners. 

 

TOUR 3: FIBENOL

We will visit the Fibenol company to showcase the chemical treatment of wood. Fibenol is a company that produces wood-based raw materials and is dedicated to redefining the forest industry through sustainable production and new-age technology. At their flagship plant, they use a unique fractionation technology that easily converts woody residues into a processable liquid in just 20 seconds. Fibenol’s products include a hardwood extrusion-based lignin, an organic polymer that the firm has branded as Lignova, and that can be processed into biochemicals, coatings, adhesives, resins, and other materials. The company also offers lignocellulosic sugars, offered as C5 and C6 sugars, that can be used for fermentation into biofuels, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, as a sustainable alternative for substituting agricultural sugars. Fibenol also makes special microcrystalline cellulose, a nano-material that can be used for barrier films and adhesives.

 

TOUR 4: ESTPLY

We will visit the ESTPLY company that makes plywood. It has one of the newest plywood factories in the Baltics and Scandinavia. Estonian Plywood AS is part of the Lemeks Group, which is one of the largest industrial groups in Estonia. Among other things, the Lemeks Group is also one of the largest forestry companies, which enables the ESTPLY plywood factory to procure a sufficient amount of domestic raw materials all year round. Lemeks Group is a wholly Estonian company whose mission is to maximise the value of domestic timber right here in Estonia.They mainly sell birch plywood produced in the ESTPLY factory to Europe's largest industrial customers and distributors. ESTPLY plywood is used to make light trailers, trailers for heavy trucks, formwork for concrete work, furniture, packaging, etc. ESTPLY contributes to a greener future and to achieve this they:
√ valorise local wood as a renewable raw material
√ help reduce the need for fossil materials
√ use production residues for heat production and rainwater in the plywood production process
√ sort waste by type
√ base their activities on four core values: efficiency, flexibility, care and security of supply

 

TOUR 5: CHAGA

We will visit a chaga forest and see non-wood forest products. Growing chaga is increasingly popular in Estonia. Mushroom cultivation helps to value the Estonian forest without cutting it down. Since chaga grows on birch trees, a minimum of 2 hectares of forest is first needed to establish chaga cultivation. Chaga can be grown on birch trees at least 10 years old with a minimum diameter of 4 inches. Chaga is “planted” on a tree using wooden dowels carrying chaga mycelium. Participants will have an opportunity to visit a chaga forest in Võru County in South Estonia.

 

TOUR 6: PELLET FACTORY

Visiting a pellet factory and the Kakerdaja bog. We will first visit the Graanul Invest pellet factory in Imavere. As a solid biofuel, heating pellets are among the most flexible and efficient renewable energy sources. Pellets are a high-energy heating material that can replace gas, oil, or oil shale. Graanul Invest is one of the world’s leading and most reliable wood pellet producers with more than 20 years of experience developing bioenergy. We will then stop at the Kakerdaja bog where the trail is 4 kilometers on a boardwalk. Please bring suitable footwear and clothing.

 

TOUR 7: MEENIKUNNO BOG

A bog hike in the Meenikunno bog and visiting the World’s tallest Scots pine tree (Ootsipalu giant - 46.6 m and over 200 years old). The hiking trail is 5.8 km in a circle, consisting of 2.4 kilometers of boardwalk and 3.4 of a forest trail. It also has a watch tower. Please bring suitable footwear and clothing.

 

TOUR 8: TARMEKO

We will visit the TARMEKO factory near Tartu. Tarmeko produces high quality garden houses and furniture. Tarmeko companies have been processing wood and producing high-quality furniture since 1947. Modern and innovative production technology and over 75 years of experience give Tarmeko a competitive advantage. The companies in the Tarmeko Group invest a lot into environmental protection and over the years many protective measures have been implemented. While choosing raw materials and surface treatment options the companies are always following the environmental sustainability principles. Tarmeko gets all the raw materials from responsible and environmentally friendly sources. In order to minimise pollution, Tarmeko is continuously developing the existing technology.