Analysing the emergence of a biomaterials industry from within the New Zealand forestry industry

Abstract

There is growing international interest in the development of carbon dioxide mitigation technologies in response to the effects of anthropogenically driven climate change. These concerns have resulted in the identification of the potential of a forestry derived biomaterials industry, to provide alternatives to petroleum-based products. The forestry industry has historically been depicted as an industry that is slow to change (Chamberlin & Doutriaux, 2010) and there has been limited exploration of the factors that may influence a shift to a biomaterials focus. Drawing on the literatures of industrial evolution, emergence and innovation, the purpose of this thesis is to consider the potential for the development of a biomaterials industry from within the New Zealand forestry industry. Data was derived from structured interviews, collated economic and legislative data. Analysis on this data looked at the characteristics of uncertainty or risk, investment structure, technological linkages, collaboration, market/firm size, stakeholder relationships, and innovation. The purpose of this analysis was to further understanding of how the biomaterials industry is developing within New Zealand. From the analysis of the characteristics listed within literatures around the theory of industrial emergence, it was found that a lack of collaboration existed within the New Zealand forestry industry. Along with this lack of collaboration was a misalignment of funding for research and development both within the government and business sectors. Examples from Canada and Scandinavia offer evidence of alternative strategies for bringing about the emergence of the biomaterials industry. Given the size of the New Zealand economy and other characteristics, a policy-based strategy aimed at promoting collaboration like that created in Scandinavia, is suggested.