Timber Process Innovation Center (TPIC)

Timber Process Innovation Center

Who we are…

TPIC is a strategic alliance, through joint ventures between University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Department of Forestry and Environmental Science), University of Moratuwa (Department of Integrated Design & Department of Mechanical Engineering) and COSTI for development of timber and timber based products as mentioned in the budget speech of 2018.

This will enhance the introduction of Sri Lankan timber and timber based products to high-end global export market and upon successful implementation, in future, this will performance as fully fledged self-sustainable center, which is to be established under Center for Sustainability of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to support the timber sector.

Our Key activities

Process Innovation of timber and timber based products,
Waste utilization of timber and timber based products,
Value chain enhancement of timber and timber based products and
Involve in the Cleaner Production process of timber and timber based products.

Our Intended outcomes

Enhance high-end export market for Sri Lankan Timber & Timber base products
Increase the percentage of contribution to GDP by Timber & Timber base products
Increase the Timber Product Exports for the Economic growth

Our Team

Prof. Hiran Amarasekera

Professor,

Forestry and Environmental Science

Dr. Priyan Perera

Director,

Center for Sustainability

Prof. Ajith de Alwis

Project Director,

The Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI)

Rajitha Rupasinghe

Research Officer,

TPIC

Our Studies and publications

Study 01 – Socio-technological status of Moratuwa woodworking industry (MWI)

In this study, TPICs main objectives were,

To find factors which affect the competitiveness in Moratuwa wood working industry.
To study the technological orientation of Moratuwa woodworking industry

To understand the present status of human resources and skill requirements for an innovative Moratuwa woodworking cluster.

This was conducted as a BSc. Undergraduate research and Expected Outcomes were…

Identify the structure and composition of Moratuwa woodworking industry.
To provide recommendations for upgrading the technology and skills of the workers to compete with the international

Study 02- Unraveling the Potential for Industrial Synergies in Woodworking Networks: Quantification of Wood Residues in Moratuwa Woodworking Industry Cluster of Sri Lanka

The main objectives of the study were

To identify type and characteristics of wood wastes, speciescomposition of the waste wood and different types of wood working industries,
To quantity of waste generated within different wood working industries,
To analyze average monthly wood waste generation within the industrial cluster, present average quantities with utilization possibility and developing the wood waste flow diagrams.

Study 03 – The Feasibility of Using Wood Waste in Mixed-biomass Pellets and Briquettes for Thermal Energy Production: An Industrial Symbiosis Model for “Moratuwa Wood Working Cluster” in Sri Lanka

This study was developed from finding information from study 01 and study 02 of TPIC. The main objectives of this research are

To assess the feasibility of using locally available biomass waste (saw dust/ wood dust/ water hyacinth and sewage sludge) to produce stable briquettes and pellets.
To determine and evaluate energy and mechanical properties of briquettes and pellets made from Sawdust – Water hyacinth and Sawdust – Sewage Sludge.
To evaluate the market acceptance and economic feasibility of producing Sawdust: Water Hyacinth and sawdust: Sewage Sludge briquettes and pellets.
To assess the market process of newly produced briquettes and pellets

This study will be conducted this year and the main aim is to promote a sustainable cottage industry to the people in Moratuwa Wood working Industry and facilitate them with technical and financial requirements needed in production.

Publications

24^th International Forestry Symposium –

Liyanage, H.I.D., Amarasekera, H.S., Perera, P.K.P. and Rupasinghe, R.A.D.R.L., 2019, November. Socio-Technological Status of Moratuwa Woodworking Industry. In Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium (Vol. 24).

Article on current activities of Timber Process Innovation Center (TPIC), University of Sri Jayewardenapura

International Forestry Working Group Newsletter published by Society of American Foresters and International Society of Tropical Foresters – Working Group B3 June 2020, Volume 08, Issue 02

Downloadable Link-

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zme1j5xdkHCvI-NNth-hSy-sQnWh_Y11/view?usp=sharing

(Report can be found in page 30-36)

Article on Exploring Novel Wood Waste Utilization options for the Moratuwa Wood working Clusterin Sri Lanka

International Forestry Working Group Newsletter published by Society of American Foresters and International Society of Tropical Foresters – Working Group B3 June 2020, Volume 08, Issue 04

Downloadable Link-

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wkqOB-EDrRzcjTvLukXKQPETYlF8EHRT/view?usp=sharing

(Report can be found in page 14-21)

Another study of TPIC will be published in 25^th International Forestry Symposium

Our Industrial linkages and partnerships…

TPIC has established Industry linkages and partnerships with leading government and non-government wood working industries in Sri Lanka and have provided services for the improvement of their industries and technologies.

Some of these Industries and Associations are…

Moratuwa Wood Working Association
Wood and Wood based Industries Association
Merbok M D F Lanka pvt Ltd
Damro
Korean SPA Packaging (Pvt) Ltd
Leema Creations (Pvt) Ltd
International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd
Government Organizations

Activities conducted…

1. Knowledge Sharing Workshops

Objectives of the Knowledge Sharing sessions are

To gather knowledge from the industrial professionals and Identify the most important problems from the practical experiences their problems and develop new scientific approaches to address these issues
Promote TPIC and its services
Identify the gap in knowledge and new technology

This process was conducted in two steps.

Managerial Level of medium and large scale industries

For the top management in medium and large-scale woodworking industries knowledge-sharing and discussion session was conducted in the University premises.

Prof. Richard Vlosky, a pioneer researcher and Professor of Louisiana Forest Products Development Center of Lousiana State University USA participated in this workshop.

Our resource page – https://sjp.ac.lk/timber/resources/

2. Small Scale Carpenters

For small-scale woodworkers in the Moratuwa area, small discussion sessions are conducted with the help of the Moratuwa carpenters association.

2. Developing a business platform

Development of web portal and online registering platform to promote and register the members especially considering carpentry industries in Moratuwa area so that Moratuwa woodworking industry professionals can use this as a business developing platform. Any timber product buyers can access this and get the details of the products that the MWI carpenters manufacture. Id cards will be issued for each member registered in the website.

A sample data collection for this web portal was conducted in 2020 and a sample web portal was developed. After addressing issues of the sample web portal, new data collection will be developed with the participation of the University students.

Sample Web portal – https://sjp.ac.lk/timber/

3. Testing Processes

TPIC has now started conducting testing activities and has already provided basic level testing activities where we can conduct in laboratory scale. With the participation of our University students we are conducting these testing processes.

.Some of the testing processes that we conducted are shown below.

Technical Report provided testing the species and physical quality of the furniture purchased for the Ministry of Public Administration, Disaster Management and Livestock Development
Timber species Identification Report provided to the National Building Research organization by testing roofing structures of an ancient building in Kurunagala area.

4. TPIC Testing Standards Development

When closely working with small, medium and large scale Industries. Some major Issues in the Wood Industry could be identified.

No proper functioning Standards on Raw Timber Materials in the industry
No Quality Assurance for the timber products
No Timber product testing methods available
No Import & Export timber Quality Verification process.

From the identified issues on energy gaps, TPIC is developing Timber testing standards for,

Imported/ Exported Solid Timber & Timber composites…

Construction Timber
Outdoor Timber
Timber planks
Plywood sheets

Imported/ Exported Timber products…

Chairs
Tables/ desks
Doors
Beds
Ornaments

5. Timber Testing Lab

TPIC will develop a complete Timber Testing Laboratory to conduct tests for timber and timber products. This testing Lab consists of,

unique standards & test methods
universally accepted testing machines
Preservation and quality checking practices

Thus, TPIC and its testing lab have the ability to function as 3rd party testing body to conduct testing and deliver its services to,

Solid timber/ plywood/ timber product importers and exporters
Timber products manufactures
new timber products innovators
those who seek quality assurance for the products they purchase Gov. & NGOs
Researchers in the field of timber Science

TPIC testing Scope

Testing will be conducted focusing imported solid timber, timber products, exported solid timber and timber product to assure the physical and structural quality of the products imported and exported from the country,

Test Methods

TPIC will adopt the internationally accepted timber testing methodologies in the initial stage. With the development of testing activities country specific testing methodologies and strategies will be developed from the Research and development conducted by TPIC with the university professionals.

For Import and export timber, species verification, Insects identification, strength properties checking, and quality assurance will be conducted as our main test activities. Further testing strength properties of the timber products through mechanical and physical grading will be conducted.

Timber Testing Laboratory consist of,

Unique standards & test methods

Preservation and quality checking practices
- Kiln drying process
- Quality preservatives
- Visual quality checking

Universally accepted testing machines
- Universal Testing Machine
- Calorimeters
- Moisture Meters
- Wood grain structure analyzers
- Basic timber testing equipment

Uses of TPIC Testing Lab

This Lab can provide testing facilities to Solid timber importers, Timber product importers, New timber product innovators, Timber product manufacturers, Gov. authorities and those who expected.

This lab will not function only as a timber testing Lab. As this Lab is situated in a leading higher educational institute in Sri Lanka, future this will be a good platform to the students and researchers who are doing studies and research in the field of timber testing. As the preservation activities are also included in the TPIC testing process, anyone who is interested can develop his/her knowledge by practically conducting any testing processes in this Lab.

Beyond that this lab will function as 3rd party testing body which conduct testing and deliver its services to Gov. and Non- government authorities specially timber importers, exporters and product manufacturers.