Renewable resources for industrial materials. [Report from National Research Council]

Book · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:6764244

This report analyzes the production, processing, commodity flows, and uses of the various renewable natural resources, but particular attention is given to wood since, in volume and value terms, this is the largest single renewable natural resource; attention is also given to such plant fibers as cotton and to the by-products of food-production processes. Biological, technological, and scientific aspects of the production, processing, and use aspects of renewable natural resources are emphasized. This is done within the framework of the society and economy as these are likely to exist in the U.S. during the next few decades; alternative assumptions on both social and economic relationships are presented. Accurate, detailed calculations of the economic feasibility of many of the biological potentials of the renewable natural resources are impossible; there are simply too many unknowns at this date. Wherever possible, judgments about economic feasibility are expressed. Until new processes or new uses of some materials are tried on a commercial scale, an accurate assessment of economic feasibility is impossible. The basic resource underlying the production of renewables is land. Ideally projections of renewable materials supply would be based on a detailed and accurate census of the area of land available for materials production, the current inventory of materials, and the productive capacity of the land. In making this study, the many goods and services other than wood from the forests in the U.S. were also considered. Forests are used as a place for recreation, as a home for wildlife, as wilderness areas, as a source of water and as watersheds; their management may affect the output of either water or wildlife. (MCW)

• OSTI ID: 6764244
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290400 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
299003* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320302 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Materials
510500 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BY-PRODUCTS
COTTON
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOOD
FORESTS
IMPLEMENTATION
INDUSTRY
LAND US
LAND USE
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
OWNERSHIP
PUBLIC LANDS
RAW MATERIALS
RECOMMENDATIONS
RECREATIONAL AREAS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOLID WASTES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
USA
USES
WASTES
WOOD