Speaker
Description
In Finland, the forest industry has taken several steps toward more sustainable wood procurement. For example, biogas-powered timber trucks have been introduced, and large companies now require that biodegradable chain oil is used in harvester heads. Biodegradable hydraulic oils entered Finland’s market in the late 1980s and were adopted in forest machinery largely due to industry demand. However, serious malfunctions and mechanical failures were reported, and the requirement to use them was gradually withdrawn in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In Sweden, by contrast, biodegradable hydraulic oils are compulsory in forest machines, guided by a national standard (Svensk Standard SS 155434).
This study examined perceptions, experiences, and future prospects of biodegradable hydraulic oils in Finnish forest machinery. The research combined a nationwide survey of logging contractors with semi-structured interviews of forest machine manufacturers and an importer of biodegradable hydraulic oils. The aim was to assess whether biodegradable hydraulic oils are perceived as a threat or an opportunity in Finland and how historical experiences influence current attitudes.
An electronic survey was distributed in February–March 2025 to more than 900 forest machine members of the Trade Association of Finnish Forestry and Earth Moving Contractors (Koneyrittäjät ry), yielding 121 responses. In addition, interviews were conducted with representatives of Ponsse Plc, John Deere Forestry Oy, Komatsu Forest Oy, and Ajotek Oy.
The results indicate a lack of trust among logging contractors. Of the respondents, 61% considered biodegradable hydraulic oils more as a threat than an opportunity, while 27% viewed them positively. Forty percent had personal experience using such oils, and 83% reported observing or hearing about technical problems. The most frequently mentioned issues were failures of hydraulic pumps and motors, hose breakages, accelerated component wear, and poor cold-weather performance. Only 5% reported clear advantages, such as longer oil change intervals and broader operating temperature ranges.
Cost and reliability were key concerns. Biodegradable hydraulic oils were perceived as substantially more expensive than mineral oils, and their performance was often considered inferior. Nearly half of the respondents stated they could not imagine using them in the future unless reliability improved, prices became competitive, and performance matched that of mineral oils.
Manufacturers and the importer emphasized both risks and opportunities. Biodegradable oils can reduce the environmental impacts of hydraulic leaks and improve the sector’s public image, but successful adoption requires careful product selection, adherence to recommendations, and investments in maintenance infrastructure. Negative experiences with early vegetable-based oils in the 1990s continue to shape attitudes and contribute to persistent distrust.
The findings suggest that biodegradable hydraulic oils represent both a threat and an opportunity, depending on stakeholder perspective. Wider adoption in Finland will require independent research, testing under local climatic conditions, harmonized standards, and clear economic incentives. Rebuilding trust is essential for enabling environmentally sustainable technological transitions in forest operations.
| Keywords | Contractor; Harvesting; Sustainability; MineralOil |
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