Developing an Evaluation Program for Lumber Drying Operations in Bolivia

A survey was conducted in the wood products industry in Bolivia to collect information about lumber drying capacity and technology used. Thirty one companies were surveyed with an adjusted response rate of 81%, and represented 90% of the estimated total drying capacity. Results show an estimated total drying capacity of 6.1 million board feet for 167 kilns. Drying capacity was concentrated in a small number of companies and in the eastern region of the country. Based on the survey results, a greater impact could be expected if improvement efforts were focused on the few big companies and three regions having the majority of drying capacity. Locally-made kilns made up a significant proportion in the total drying capacity, thus making necessary training in kiln design and inspection methods. Among commercial brands, Europeans ones were the most popular. The age of individual kilns show that the industry has been heavily investing in drying capacity during the last decade, with 88% of kilns being 10 years-old or less. Therefore, many kilns are reaching the age where significant maintenance will be needed. Mara Macho, Roble and Yesquero made up almost 60% of volume of lumber dried in 200405; therefore, kiln schedule development should start with these species. All the companies used moisture content-based schedules and most of these schedules were developed by the companies themselves. The preference for a control method was equally divided between electric probes and kiln samples, but electric probes prevail among commercial kilns, making necessary training in the correct use of this control technique. Most incoming lumber to the kilns is green, 88% of companies receiving material at 70% moisture content or more, consequently schedule development and educational programs should focus on drying green material rather than air-dried or pre-dried lumber.