The VAIA storm of October 2018 devastated vast forested areas of the Eastern Italian Alps, wiping out 42,800 hectares of forest and leaving behind a massive challenge for managing the damaged wood, especially due to the bark beetle epidemic triggered by the fallen timber. However, this crisis also presented a unique opportunity to rethink the use of forest resources from a perspective of circular economy and sustainability. A concrete example of this transformation is Legno Valsugana S.r.l., a Trentino-based company that has successfully turned bark beetle-infested wood into a valuable resource for the territory, both economically and environmentally.

Legno Valsugana S.r.l. was established in 2020 by three companies in the sector – Cippolegno srl, Forest Peg srl, and Società Agricola Bernardi S.r.l. – which decided to join forces and make significant investments. This collaboration led to the creation of an integrated and cutting-edge facility capable of making the most efficient and circular use of every part of the wood collected from the damaged forests.

The facility, which covers approximately 2.5 hectares, includes a sawmill, a biomass thermal power plant, and a modern pellet factory. This integrated production system represents a virtuous model of circular economy: Legno Valsugana’s sawmill processes the bark beetle-infested wood, transforming it into lumber for the packaging industry. The processing waste, such as wood chips and sawdust, is not treated as waste but is instead used as raw material to produce ENplus® certified pellets.

The biomass resulting from the forestry operations of the three partner companies, which would typically be considered waste, serves as an excellent fuel source for Legno Valsugana’s thermal power plant. This plant generates the heat necessary to power the drying line of the pellet factory. Additionally, in line with its commitment to environmental sustainability and the use of renewable energy, the company utilizes energy generated by photovoltaic panels installed on the roofs of the production area.

This closed and circular process not only reduces environmental impact by clearing damaged material from the forests but also ensures a secure and sustainable energy supply for the territory. The approach adopted by Legno Valsugana S.r.l. demonstrates how even a disaster like the VAIA storm and the subsequent bark beetle epidemic can be turned into an opportunity by adopting the principles of cascading use and the efficient and circular reuse of production waste.

The use of local biomass, in addition to reducing the need to import wood and fuels, helps strengthen the energy independence of the territory and promote local economic development. Legno Valsugana S.r.l. represents a successful case of circular economy applied to the wood-energy sector, a tangible example of how sustainability, innovation, and efficiency can go hand in hand to create a more resilient and environmentally respectful future, proving that wood, even when damaged, can have a second useful and valuable life for the community.