Abstract
The wood processing industry generates substantial waste. If not managed, this kind of waste can pose environmental and safety concerns. One solution is to convert waste into an alternative industrial fuel. This article examines the challenges and opportunities wood industry companies face when repurposing waste into secondary fuels. The study compares manufacturing networks in two companies in southern Brazil: one reuses its wood waste, and the other does not. The research uses interviews with key decision-makers, analysis of internal documents (the order database), and plant visits. A proxy variable is employed to assess the complexity of manufacturing arrangements. In this context, Shannon entropy serves as a proxy for system variability, reflecting the network's intrinsic complexity. The findings highlight several factors that influence the decision to reuse wood waste. These include limited profitability, the need for chemical analysis, seasonality requiring warehousing and handling, and safety and regulatory constraints. Understanding how these factors add to system complexity helps support more informed and viable decisions about waste
