IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED MACHINE-TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS FOR HARVESTING AND PROCESSING SCOTS PINE NEEDLES

Abstract

The current state and problems of harvesting and processing Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needle waste have been
analyzed. It was established that traditional methods of handling pine foliage (e.g., burning or leaving it to decompose on the
logging site) are ecologically hazardous and result in the loss of valuable resources. Promising directions for using pine needles
include essential oil extraction, production of aqueous extracts, fuel materials, and textile fibers. To implement these directions,
an integrated machine-technological system is proposed, covering all stages from mechanized harvesting to deep processing.
The proposed harvesting technology, which utilizes modern equipment (feller-bunchers, forwarders, processors), ensures
minimal loss of needles and high-quality raw material. A universal processing line has been developed to obtain essential oils,
aqueous extracts, and textile fibers. Combining these production lines ensures maximum resource efficiency, as the waste from
one process serves as raw material for another. For example, solid residues after distillation or extraction can be successfully
used to isolate cellulose fibers. The universality of the proposed model allows for its adaptation to different conditions and needs
of forestry enterprises in Ukraine, promoting more rational use of forest resources and reducing environmental impact.