Stemming from the genus Santalum class, slow-growing sandalwood trees are a class of wood well-known for a multitude of health and cosmetic benefits. Uses of sandalwood trace back thousands of years where even Cleopatra was thought to have used it in her cosmetics. The sacred tree remains one of the most highly sought after for its notable versatile fragrance, in addition to its organic medicinal properties and cultural and religious significance.

Renowned for its sweet and woody captivating scent properties, oil, soap and perfume are ideal sandalwood applications. What’s more, its anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties make sandalwood ideal for use as mosquito repellent and other medicinal purposes. The valuable hardwood timber can also be carved for furniture production and sandalwood chips/logs can be used for incense, recognised for the aromatic properties, sandalwood is used in a number of aromatherapy and cosmetic products.

Due to the high value and precious properties of sandalwood, the previously un-regulated resource has been a victim of severe over-harvesting in the recent past and this continues to be an issue, leaving severely depleted natural sandalwood reserves in Australia and beyond. Over-harvesting has not only had a detrimental effect on the environment but it has also created a situation where demand is massively exceeding supply of a scarcely available product. Global demand of approximately 7,000 tonnes annually has already exceeded any sustainable harvesting from natural environments. The pie chart below shows that Australia dominates the Sandalwood export market with over a third of global production.

In 2021, the global sandalwood market value was estimated at $265.8 million and it is predicted to grow by 150% within the next decade. Similarly, the global sandalwood extract market was valued at $118.3 million in 2022 and is also projected to grow rapidly. In order to meet demand, the sustainability aspect of growing and harvesting sandalwood must be addressed by plantation owners in Australia and beyond.

The first Australian exports of sandalwood were recorded in 1844 and since then, there has been a steep increase in demand and naturally, an increase in Australian sandalwood exports. Illegal and unsustainable harvesting methods have had a negative effect on the industry and availability of the resource, leading to some regions in Australia to now consider the native sandalwood variant a ‘vulnerable threatened species’. Recent ‘Biodiversity Conservation Acts’ have been implemented to protect Australia’s biodiversity, including all native flora and fauna species. Aboriginal engagement is also in place.

Another strategy to further stabilise the sandalwood industry has been the introduction of sustainably-managed sandalwood plantations. There are now a number of plantations across Australia used to satisfy demand. Plantation owners are able to strategically manage the harvesting and exportation of sandalwood by offering a more measured and controlled plantation supply from environmentally-sustainable resource supply.

The owner of a leading Australian sandalwood plantation recently approached Stronga, looking to enhance their harvesting process by conditioning sandalwood chip from 15,000 hectares of Santalum spicatum, through low temperature drying.

Sandalwood is hemi-parasitic which complicates plantation growth. It is therefore even more necessary to dry and stabilise the more ‘eco-friendly’, plantation-grown sandalwood, after harvest. Our client recognised the importance of carefully drying the hardwood in order to preserve the intricate qualities of the valuable resource. Through collaboration with Stronga and the application of a small-scale FlowDrya, our client is now able to condition, monitor, dry, enhance and preserve the structure of the sandalwood, supplied in various forms and shipped to manufacturers and distillation customers all over the world.

Drying sandalwood chip before storage and shipping is critical; not only does reducing moisture content preserve the chip’s structure; it also prevents spoilage and limits costly losses. Drying down to approximately 10% also reduces the chip weight per m₃ and minimises potential mould and mildew spore presence on wet chip; this eases packaging processing and transportation. Drying can also enhance the aromatic fragrance notes of sandalwood, making the process essential in competitive, scent-based preservation and distribution.

By using the modular FlowDrya drying system, this particular plantation is able to offer suitably-dried, export-ready sandalwood chip, all year around, even during Australia’s wetter months where high precipitation rates lead sandalwood stores to become waterlogged. All in all, the investment in FlowDrya increases growers’ resilience in the market.

Working together with the client, our team were able to design and deliver a compact ISO modular FlowDrya unit with remote access, optimised for requirements according to the client’s site specifications, local climate and input chip profile while enabling the dryer to accept ambient dry air available in the warm Western Australian climate.

FlowDrya offers an inaudible, highly efficient and simple sandalwood drying system. Minimal bearings and no belts mean the dryer maintenance costs are extremely low over many years of relentless operation. Equipped with an inclined fines auger, high-capacity intake hopper and stop-start operation, FlowDrya provides the low-labour requirements of this particular plantation.

With remote access and temperature and humidity sensors all linked directly to DryStation™ HMI touchscreen, sandalwood drying curves can be easily monitored by operators. One of the key features that drew this client to FlowDrya was the PulseWave™ material agitation system which reliably delivers uniform drying of the hard sandalwood chip. Discover below a 3D visualisation of the client’s “FD12” sandalwood dryer, delivered on time and within budget.

Sustainable plantations are making progressive steps to futureproof the sandalwood sector in Australia and beyond. Incorporating an energy-efficient, project scaled, compact dryer into an efficient harvesting process allows the value of sandalwood to be substantially enhanced while significantly improving storage and export processes. Stronga welcome others to collaborate with us in similarly progressive projects.

Get in touch with our team to find out if FlowDrya drying systems can add value to your project – info@stronga.co.uk