The article in the url below reports on an encouraging application of science by a U.S.-based nonprofit (World Forest ID) to solve a specific supply chain challenge:
"Scientists are embarking on an effort to keep sanctioned Russian timber out of Europe by mapping the unique chemical fingerprints of trees, a process that could be used to vet corporate supply chains for other banned commodities."
In this case, the technology was used to enforce economic sanctions, but it is a small step to imagine how it could be used to verify the source of other rare and/or protected raw materials:
"The project aims to bring science to bear in a fight by companies and governments to stop illegal wood from seeping into timber supply chains—complex, difficult-to-police networks of logging companies, sawmills, wood manufacturers and traders."
It is encouraging to see that some companies see the potential application:
"Although work on the database is ongoing, furniture giant IKEA has already used it to vet suppliers for sanctioned timber after the war forced it to revamp its supply chain. Belgian authorities have also employed it to seize more than 260 tons of illegally shipped Russian timber."
And, the potential seems clear:
"If scaled up, the project could have broad implications for how companies source a range of other agricultural commodities, such as cotton and cacao, which have been linked to environmental and human rights abuses."
The science, with the aid of artificial intelligence, is logical in its approach:
"World Forest ID currently uses two tests to identify the chemical composition of wood samples. One measures the ratios of stable isotopes, which vary based on factors such as rainfall or temperature. The other test measures trace elements such as magnesium and copper, which vary based on the soils in which trees grow."
The results are encouraging:
"World Forest ID's model identified false origin claims in 40% to 60% of cases. … [Victor Deklerck, World Forest ID's head of science] said the test was designed to be conservative to minimize the chance of incorrectly identifying shipments as illegal."
Take care
David
David Chandler
© Sage Publications, 2023
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Science Used to Police Banned Russia Timber
By Dylan Tokar
June 11, 2024
The Wall Street Journal
Late Edition – Final
B1, B4
