Pine Resin Contributes to the Economy

Pine Resin Contributes to Economy Despite being known for its industrial character, Kocaeli is also a city rich in forest resources and ranks among the leading cities in domestic resin production. Resin production from maritime pine began in the city in 2015 with 500 trees, and has increased every year. Last year, 110 tons of resin were produced from 55,186 trees under Kefken Forest Management Directorate and Kerpe Research Forest, while this year approximately 134 tons of resin are expected to be obtained from 66,907 trees. Pine resin is produced by applying acid paste to a wound opened in the trunk of living trees. Initially, the area of the tree trunk where resin will be extracted is stripped and smoothed. Then, a heat-resistant transparent bag is stapled below a small incision made 20 centimeters above ground level on the trunk. Acid paste is applied to the wound, exposing the openings of resin channels. Thus, resin flowing from the wound accumulates in the bag for 15-20 days. After resin-filled bags are collected by personnel, they are stored in airtight containers. Natural resin, a renewable product in demand by the chemical industry, serves as an effective tool for protecting pine forests in the region, while also promoting active forestry that contributes to fire prevention. Sakarya Forest Regional Director Ziya Polat stated that 43 percent of Kocaeli is covered with forests, of which 90 percent are productive forests. Polat said they are working to benefit both people and industry from the city's forest wealth, and noted that resin production began under an action plan launched by the General Directorate of Forests in 2015 to reduce import dependence on resin and resin-derived materials. Polat said that resin production, which initially started in Kocaeli, later expanded to regions such as İzmir, Antalya, Balıkesir and Muğla, and that over 500,000 tons of resin have been produced in Turkey in the last 3 years. Regarding the matter, Polat stated: "Resins produced through certain processes on the trunk without harming the tree are made available for use in many areas of industry. Red pine yields 1 kilogram per tree, while maritime pine yields 2-2.5 kilograms of resin, varying depending on diameter. This year in Kandıra, we expect to obtain approximately 134 tons of resin from 67,000 trees." Source