The forest industry utilises the raw material it processes as efficiently as possible. Wood material that is not suitable for further processing is already used to generate about 20 percent of the energy produced in Finland. This is more than in any other European country.

A large amount of felling residue, such as branches, tree tops and small-diameter trees, is left in the forest, however. Forest residue is planned to be increased from the current level of 6 million to some 13 million cubic metres by 2020. The forest industry takes a positive view of the utilisation of renewable energy forms as long as the availability of sufficient quantities of wood is also guaranteed for processing.

The forest industry of Finland has made strong investments in bioenergy, energy-efficiency and energy savings. The production of bioenergy and, in future, also of bio-based fuels provides the industry with many new opportunities.