Cold Resistant, Fast Growing Trees

NineSigma, representing Ilim Group, the largest pulp and paper company in Russia and one of the leaders globally, is looking for technologies that allow trees to grow faster in a climate with low winter temperatures (-20°C) and high summer temperatures (+25°C). Approaches should allow trees to develop a suitable wood quality and be harvest ready within 15 (preferably) to 40 years after planting. Late stage developed technology is highly desirable but early-stage technologies will also be considered.

Ilim is harvesting softwood pine trees for the production of pulp, paper and cardboard. The cost of transportation of the trees to the mill is important and therefore the source of these raw materials should be as close as possible to the production sites. Once a plantation is cut down it takes a long time for it to be harvest ready again (up to 80 years for softwood plantations and 30 years for hardwood). If the time to harvest could be substantially reduced more trees can be cut from nearby plantations, reducing the need for external supply and minimizing transport costs; with an additional benefit being less pressure on natural forests. Therefore Ilim issues this open call to identify fast-growing tree species or methods for increasing growth rates, thus allowing for a significant reduction in time to reach harvest readiness. Methods may include acceleration of growth of the existing species, newly introduced species, genetically modified species, cloning, etc. The main interest is softwood species, but hardwood is also of interest. Trees should be able to grow in Northern continental climate zones (e.g. Arkhangelsk region).

Anticipated Project Phases or Project Plan

Phase 1 – Proof of concept

• Evaluation of the proposal and the data provided
• Assessment of any regulatory restrictions for starting a field test
• Assessment of preparation needs to prepare areas for planting

Phase 2 – Test plantation

• Ideally have the first plantation started in April 2019

The successful technology will:

• Ideally reduce the growth period to a mature tree
• From 80 year cutting cycle to 15 years (preferably) – 40 years for softwood plantations
• Have a mature wood composition
  • Cellulose 30-50%
  • Hemicellulose 30%
  • Lignin 20%
  • Fiber lengths of 2-3.5 mm
  • Have a diameter of at least 20cm (DBH)
• Able to grown in cold continental climate
  • Temperatures ranging from -20°C in winter to +25°C in summer
  • Average rainfall of  300-600 mm

• Be tolerant to ozone and other stresses like salinity
• Be resistant to pesticides, herbicides and diseases