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RENEWABLE RESOURCES FOR INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS Biological Productivity of Renewable Resources Used as Industrial Materials A Panel Report for the Committee on Renewable Resources for Industrial Materials -Board on Agriculture and Renewable Resources Commission on Natural Resources National Research Council National Academy of Sciences Washington, D.C. 1976 NAS-NAE JUN 21 1976 LIBRARY
NOTICE The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the Councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the Committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard to appropriate balance. This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by a Report Review Committee con- sisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. This report has been prepared by an ad hoc advisory panel of the Committee on Renewable Resources for Industrial Materials, Board on Agriculture and Renewable Resources, Commission on Natural Resources, National Research Council. This study was supported by the National Science Foundation.
BOARD ON AGRICULTURE AND RENEWABLE RESOURCES Sylvan H. Wittwer, Chairman Michigan State University Marion Clawson Resources for the Future, Inc. James H. Copp Texas A & M University William P. Flatt University of Georgia Robert P. Hanson University of Wisconsin Clifford M. Hardin Ralston Purina Company Clarence P. Idyll National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Frank H. Kaufert University of Minnesota Carl H. Krieger Campbell Institute for Food Research A. Carl Leopold University of Nebraska Roy L. Loworn Cooperative State Research Service, USDA Thomas C. Nelson Forest Service, USDA Charles E. Palm Cornell University John A. Pino The Rockefeller Foundation Glenn W. Salisbury University of Illinois Gustav A. Swanson Colorado State University D. Wynne Thorne Logan, Utah Staff Philip Ross, Executive Secretary Selma P. Baron, Staff Assistant Joyce A. Dawson, Secretary - iii -
COMMITTEE ON RENEWABLE RESOURCES FOR INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS James S. Bethel, Chairman University of Washington Raymond F. Boyer Dow Chemical Company Marion Clawson Resources for the Future, Inc. Morris Cohen Massachusetts Institute of Technology Paul R. Eberts Cornell University Eric L. Ellwood North Carolina State University Wolfgang G. Glasser Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Kenneth C. Hoffman Brookhaven National Laboratory Clarence P. Idyll National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Edwin C. Jahn SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Thomas C. Nelson Forest Service, USDA Stephen B. Preston University of Michigan Stephen H. Spurr University of Texas at Austin George R. Staebler Weyerhaeuser Company Gary C. Taylor Economic Research Service, USDA D. Wynne Thorne Logan, Utah Cecil H. Wadleigh Agricultural Research Service, USDA Sylvan H. Wittwer Michigan State University PANEL ON BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTIVITY OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES USED AS INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS Stephen H. Spurr, Chairman University of Texas at Austin Thomas C. Nelson Forest Service, USDA George R. Staebler Weyerhaeuser Company D. Wynne Thorne Logan, Utah Cecil H. Wadleigh Agricultural Research Service, USDA Sylvan H. Wittwer Michigan State University - iv -
FOREWORD Potential problems from changes in patterns of materials supply or use are causing concern: the current emphasis is on mineral or nonrenewable resources. The Science and Technology Policy Office (STPO), in support of Dr. H. Guyford Stever, the Science Advisor to the President, requested the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to reexamine the role of renewable resources, as the other major component of natural resources, in helping to better meet needs for materials in the future. Important factors to be taken into account in assessing the desirable balance between these different classes of resources for materials are 1) the increasing variety of technological options available for choice of material for a required performance in a given application, and 2) the increasing concern to minimize both consumption of energy and environmental impact. In addition, the usual economic factors apply in the use of materials. While the concept of renewable resources is useful, it lacks the coherence of statistical information on resources and use, and the scientific perspective that has developed for "materials from minerals" (including metals, ceramics, electronic solids, and synthetic organic polymers derived from fossil fuels). Strong specialization exists in forest sciences and wood products on the one hand, and agricultural sciences and associated natural materials (such as fibers and leathers) on the other. We require both a broader view of the science and technology of natural products and, correspondingly, more integrated statistical information on resources, and on materials flows and use (including aspects associated with energy and the environment). The above considerations led to this analysis of renewable materials in the United States economy as a basis for identifying both the optimum use of such resources and the role of science and technology in helping overcome barriers to their use. The following are the principal items addressed in the study at the request of STPO: 1. Quantitative analysis of current materials flows for renewable resources as the basis for assessing the impact of potential future changes (compared with nonrenewable flows). Definition of the - v -
limitations (cost and technical) of renewable resources for meeting expanded demands for materials based on them. Delineation of the energy, environmental, and social consequences of such increases. International aspects. 2. Interchangeability of renewable and nonrenewable resources as the basis for materials. 3. Assessment (stocktaking) of quantity and quality of R&D currently supported in the area of renewable resources by (a) the Federal Government and (b) industry. Evaluation of the relationship of these activities to the size of the industry and its role in the economy. Assessment of changes in scale and emphasis needed to meet future changes. 4. An evaluation of relevant federal, state, and local legislation and regulations that influence the effectiveness of the development and use of renew- able resources. 5. Improvement in materials properties and perform- ance. 6. Improvement in the yield of raw materials and in the efficiency of processing. 7. The potential of renewable resources as "feedstock" for synthetic materials, (a) cellulose based and (b) converted to products (such as ethylene), that can be used to supplement or replace the petro- chemical supply used currently for synthetic polymer production. 8. Consideration of the energy requirements and envir- onmental impacts associated with the implementation of the recommendations. A Committee on Renewable Resources for Industrial Materials (CORRIM) was established by the Board on Agriculture and Renewable Resources (BARR), under the Commission on Natural Resources of the National Research Council, to undertake an analysis of renewable resources in the United States, identify the optimum production and use of such resources, and look at the role of science and technology in increasing their production and use. The - vi -
training of manpower in renewable resource fields was not addressed in this study, since other specific studies in education had been proposed by the BARR. This report on Biological Productivity of Renewable Resources Used as Industrial Materials was prepared by an ad hoc advisory panel of the Committee on Renewable Resources for Industrial Materials, as background material for the preparation of the main report. - vii -
Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 1 PART I - WOOD PRODUCTION FOR INDUSTRIAL MATERIAL 6 CHAPTER 2 - UNITED STATES TIMBER SUPPLY 9 INTRODUCTION 9 CONSUMPTION OF TIMBER IN 1970 10 PROJECTED SUPPLY IN 1985 AND 2000 14 PROBLEMS OF ESTIMATING CURRENT AND FUTURE RAW MATERIAL SUPPLY CHAPTER 3 - UNITED STATES TIMBER INVENTORY 19 INVENTORY MEASURES 19 Board Foot Measure,19 Log Rules,20 Volume Tables,22 INVENTORY OF PRESENT STANDS 23 ESTIMATING GROWTH 23 POTENTIAL PRODUCTIVITY 24 A CONTINUOUS FOREST INVENTORY 25 CHAPTER 4 - UNITED STATES TIMBER POTENTIAL 27 TIMBER PRODUCTION UNDER INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT 27 Site Improvement,29 Conversion of Forest Type,32 Improving Stocking Through Reforestation,34 Genetic Improvement,36 Weeding,38 Thinnings,38 Protection,41 Increasing Allowable Cut,42 INCREASED USE OF THE FOREST BIOMASS 44 Closer Use of the Bole,44 Complete Tree Use,46 Total Ecosystem Biomass,47 Intensive Biomass Management,47 AREA OF COMMERCIAL FOREST LAND IN THE UNITED STATES 50 OVERALL POTENTIAL OF UNITED STATES FORESTS 53 Continuation of 1970 Levels of Management,53 A Revised Estimate of Production Potential,57 . Projected Forest Areas,57 Projected Volumes,59 Thinning and Genetic Improvement,60 - viii -
Table of Contents (continued) CHAPTER 5 - SUMMARY OF PART I 63 PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF UNITED STATES FORESTS 63 RESEARCH NEEDS 64 REFERENCES - PART I 66 PART II - AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION OF INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS 71 CHAPTER 6 - INTRODUCTION 73 CHAPTER 7- AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS GROWN FOR INDUSTRIAL USE 75 COTTON 75 FLAX 75 MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIAL CROPS 81 AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS WITH IMPORTANT SECONDARY INDUSTRIAL USES 85 Wool,85 Animal By-Product,87 Oilseed Crops,88 Residues From Agricultural Food Crops, 91 CHAPTER 8 - UNITED STATES CROPLAND: SIZE AND POTENTIAL 93 CROPLAND ACREAGE IN THE UNITED STATES 93 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY 94 PROJECTED UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION 96 CHAPTER 9 - SUMMARY OF PART II 101 CURRENT PRODUCTIVITY 101 POTENTIAL PRODUCTIVITY 101 REFERENCES - PART II 103 - ix -
