Defining Carpenters´ Data Needs for Circularity of Wood
Koponen, Tuomo (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052817184
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052817184
Tiivistelmä
Wood is a common material for building, interior and furniture. Many used parts, products, and materials can be used in different ways in new products. The circular supply chain provides business opportunities and enables an extended lifespan of wood materials.
The aim of this thesis was to identify what information do the carpenters need about used wood to be able to utilise it in their production. Repurposing, reuse, and recycling of wood can reduce the negative environmental impacts through waste reduction and conserving virgin materials. Circular economy is trending in business as well as in governmental regulation. Data ecosystems have a central role in circular economy solutions. Product and material data can work as links between organisations. These links are still often missing, and therefore the product and material data enable the creation of new circular loops.
In this constructive case study data was collected with a survey. The results were analysed with descriptive statistical analysis and qualitative content analysis to mainly understand carpenters´ data needs regarding repurposing of wood but also the views and readiness to repurposing of wood. This thesis included also the development part with steps for the commissioner to utilise the results of this study by supporting its customers towards repurposing of wood.
According to this study, there are some small ecosystems created for repurposing wood. However, industry scale solutions are missing, some organisations do not know if suitable used wood material is available, or it is believed that suitable material for repurposing does not exist. Therefore, most of the informants of this study do not utilise used wood in their production.
The thesis collected 34 data attributes about used wood. This study provides the set of data attributes that organisations can use when defining the specifications for the wood material that they do not need anymore, and the wood materials that they would need. The data would help carpenters replace virgin wood material with repurposed wood.
The data attributes form foundation for defining the specifications for used wood. The commissioner of this thesis can use the developed specifications in searching the demand for the used wood materials. Also, the results of this thesis can be used for building data collection mechanisms not only to serve carpenters and their customers but also in other applications to promote sustainable practices that aim to extend product life cycle with sharing data.
The project was funded by Metsämiesten säätiö. Donations and foundation mergers are an important part of the effectiveness of the foundation’s nonprofit activities. More information is available at www.mmsaatio.fi.
The aim of this thesis was to identify what information do the carpenters need about used wood to be able to utilise it in their production. Repurposing, reuse, and recycling of wood can reduce the negative environmental impacts through waste reduction and conserving virgin materials. Circular economy is trending in business as well as in governmental regulation. Data ecosystems have a central role in circular economy solutions. Product and material data can work as links between organisations. These links are still often missing, and therefore the product and material data enable the creation of new circular loops.
In this constructive case study data was collected with a survey. The results were analysed with descriptive statistical analysis and qualitative content analysis to mainly understand carpenters´ data needs regarding repurposing of wood but also the views and readiness to repurposing of wood. This thesis included also the development part with steps for the commissioner to utilise the results of this study by supporting its customers towards repurposing of wood.
According to this study, there are some small ecosystems created for repurposing wood. However, industry scale solutions are missing, some organisations do not know if suitable used wood material is available, or it is believed that suitable material for repurposing does not exist. Therefore, most of the informants of this study do not utilise used wood in their production.
The thesis collected 34 data attributes about used wood. This study provides the set of data attributes that organisations can use when defining the specifications for the wood material that they do not need anymore, and the wood materials that they would need. The data would help carpenters replace virgin wood material with repurposed wood.
The data attributes form foundation for defining the specifications for used wood. The commissioner of this thesis can use the developed specifications in searching the demand for the used wood materials. Also, the results of this thesis can be used for building data collection mechanisms not only to serve carpenters and their customers but also in other applications to promote sustainable practices that aim to extend product life cycle with sharing data.
The project was funded by Metsämiesten säätiö. Donations and foundation mergers are an important part of the effectiveness of the foundation’s nonprofit activities. More information is available at www.mmsaatio.fi.