The Signumat system is not only practical and well thought-out. Our identification technology also represents a great potential for still untapped fields of operation. And exactly for this reason, we also attempt to incorporate our know-how project by project into other areas, in which identification with tough tags would be of essential importance.

Identification of Origin Tropical Wood

Latschbacher with Signumat has an intelligent system of labelling ready for reducing the illegal felling of forests and unlawful trading of tropical wood. Identification of individual trunks and seamless tracing ensure controlled lasting use of resources.

Veneer Mills

Only the finest wood is used for manufacturing veneer. Seamless tracing of ownership claims and origin is especially important in economic terms. In addition, matching the trunk to wooden components should be determinable as long as possible even after the boiling process. Exactly for that reason we use heat resistant tags, specifically designed for this purpose – available, of course, in different sizes and designs.

Transparency and Monitoring – these two keywords describe the reason for the start of the project with the Ukrainian state forest. On the one hand, transparency was needed in this area for tracing the extensive processes of the Ukrainian forest companies. On the other hand, forest owners expressed their wish to monitor, if their decisions are implemented.

Thanks to Latschbacher, it is possible to trace timber from its origin throughout the process of felling, transport and purchase. Nowadays, 85% of the Ukrainian state forests work on behalf of the Latschbacher-system. The project, which aims at a transparent data stream, started in 2012 and had been initiated by the Ukrainian government.

After harvesting a tree, a Latschbacher tag with a unique number is placed on its timber. The barcode on the tag is scanned with a rugged mobile device. On this device, it is possible to add information such as the length, the type and the class to the assigned tag number. Subsequently the total captured data is sent to a central server. There, data is ready for being analysed for further logistical processes.

For the Ukrainian state forests, another advantage derived from the usage of the Latschbacher tags: The registered sale of timber is guaranteed by scanning the tags. In other words, after scanning the barcode of the tags, a digital invoice for the purchased timber is created, with 2D-code on it, such as a QR-Code. This invoice can be printed directly on the logging roads. With the 2D-code, officials can derive the necessary information when checking, such as the origin and the destination of the logs. This means, that the police is able to check the origin of the timber and the desired selling point.

Moreover, the Ukrainian customs make use of the Latschbacher-system, especially for the export of wood and finished products out of it. The system automatically calculates how much timber is needed for any kind of product. Additionally, the system searches for related invoices, which prove that the purchased timber originates from state forests. If the invoice and the manufactured volume match, it is proven that the timber used for the product was purchased from an official forestry company. Thus, the products can be provided with a certificate of origin, which serves as the required confirmation for exporting.

More and more Ukrainian state forests are now being monitored with transparent logistics chains. The project is in constant motion and has received positive feedback thanks to its successful implementation.

Traceable, precious wood – Bulgaria’s forest area of approximately 4 million hectares is rich in valuable hard- and softwood. Together with the company B and B partners, we are setting a sign against illegal timber harvesting by ensuring that the valuable tree species are professionally harvested, processed, and exported.

Especially in the southwest and southeast regions of Blagoevgrad and Sliven, our Signumat tags for identification are used. They enable a nationally traceable timber harvest. On each cubic metre of timber, a Signumat tag is placed, which serves as an electronic ticket for transport. Since the year 2015, we have been guaranteeing wood-purchasers that timber, which is labelled with our tag, is harvested and transported under legal conditions. Thus, a smooth and secure process can be assured.

Projects

Identification of Origin Tropical Wood

Veneer Mills

Latschbacher GmbH