Wood charcoal

cpc code 34510 covers the production and trade of wood charcoal, a versatile and widely used product with a long history. Wood charcoal is an essential commodity in various industries, from household fuel to industrial applications, making it a crucial component of the broader energy and manufacturing sectors. Its production and consumption patterns reflect the global demand for sustainable and efficient energy sources.

The production of wood charcoal typically involves the controlled pyrolysis or carbonization of wood in the absence of oxygen. This process, known as charcoal burning, is carried out in specialized kilns or retorts, where the wood is heated to high temperatures, causing the release of volatile compounds and leaving behind a porous, carbon-rich material - the wood charcoal. The specific techniques and equipment used can vary depending on the scale of production and the desired characteristics of the final product.

The primary input for the production of wood charcoal is, of course, wood. Various types of wood, including hardwoods and softwoods, can be used, with the choice often depending on local availability and the desired properties of the final charcoal. In addition to the raw wood, the production process may require specialized equipment such as kilns, retorts, and other processing machinery. Energy sources, such as electricity or fuel, are also necessary to power the pyrolysis or carbonization stages.

The main output of cpc code 34510 is, naturally, wood charcoal. This versatile product finds applications in a wide range of industries, including 35110 Coke and semi-coke of coal, 35120 Coke and semi-coke of lignite or of peat, 35200 Briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal, and 35300 Peat, where it is used as a fuel or as a reducing agent. Wood charcoal is also used in the production of 34520 Wood tar and wood tar oils, as well as in various chemical and industrial applications.