The Grésivaudan valley, located between Grenoble and Chambéry, is the birthplace of an innovative project focused on the sustainable management of local forest resources. Called SILVAÉ, this project stands out for its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. It is a promising response to the current challenges related to the management of the region's wooded resources.
SILVAÉ is organized as a Société coopérative d'intérêt collectif (SCIC), or cooperative society of collective interest, reflecting its aim to generate fair added value from the forest to the home. This cooperative structure ensures both transparency and the commitment of the various stakeholders involved, whether they are producers, processors or consumers. The main objective of the project is to develop and promote sustainable practices within the timber industry, while ensuring environmentally friendly forest management.
At the core of the project, the Bottarel sawmill, located in Goncelin, plays a central role in the implementation of SILVAÉ's activities. Specializing in the processing of small hardwoods, the sawmill makes use of species that are often neglected and plays an active role in diversifying the supply of wood on the local market. By enriching the range of products in this way, it contributes to the sustainability of local forestry, while promoting environmentally friendly practices.
The SILVAÉ project also benefits from the support of key partners. These include Sycomore, a key player in the sector, as well as France 2030 and the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME). The support of these institutions reflects the strategic importance attached to the development of wood solutions, which combine innovation and environmental preservation as part of the ecological transition in France.
The evolution of the French wood industry relies on innovation and the modernization of its practices to offer solutions that are environmentally friendly and viable in the long term. SILVAÉ fits perfectly into this approach by recognizing the need to improve and modernize all processes related to the wood sector, from forest management to housing production.
One of the key objectives of the SILVAÉ project is to promote virtuous development in the sector by favoring local approaches to the management of wood resources. By centralizing operations and optimizing processes, the project encourages the local anchoring of production. This approach not only reduces transportation costs, but also stimulates local economies and strengthens regional capacities in terms of the circular economy.
Furthermore, the project emphasizes the importance of connecting the different stages of the production chain, from the forest to the home. Whether it is a question of felling trees, transforming them into usable raw materials, or producing construction materials, SILVAÉ ensures continuity and consistency throughout the life cycle of the wood. By thus highlighting the possible synergies between the various players in the sector, the project aims to make the forest an essential and sustainable resource, which serves as the basis for a habitat that respects the environment and the future.
