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Komatsu’s digital solution Precision opens up new opportunities to work in a smarter and more efficient way thanks to technological developments, it is now possible to show the machine’s position to within just a few centimetres, providing the foundation for many functions that facilitates the forest machine operator’s working day. Source: Timberbiz Precision is now expanding with more useful benefits, such as line following with guidance support. Precision includes many features that help increase productivity while providing the operator with important information and support to make wise decisions. With geofencing, it is possible to draw in digital fences when planning the object, around the work area or to mark a protected area. Selectable alarms then alert the operator if the machine is too close to the border, providing extra peace of mind. The high precision also provides advantages such as being able to mark boundaries and areas digitally, based on map data from, for example, drones or LiDAR scanning. An accurate visualisation of the machine on the map as well as higher resolution map layers are other practical features. Another area of use is stem code visualisation, which means that individual stems can be visualised with stem codes based on, for example, biodiversity considerations. Stem coding supports the operator in their work, enabling them to make better decisions more easily. It will also be easier to comply with directives, such as distances between future trees. Precision can also show the exact position of the felled logs, not just where the tree was cut. This feature allows the operator to know exactly where the timber is, even when it is dark or has snowed. This will also make it easier to see the assortment found in each log pile or at the roadside. Precision is constantly evolving, and new features are being added. New a guidance support for line following, which helps the operator stick to a particular path. The person planning the route also sets limits for deviations and if the machine starts to deviate from the planned course, a guide will support the operator in how to navigate back to the line. This function is very useful when planning, for example, strip roads. It is also important that the user experience is as smooth and intuitive as possible. A new feature is the ability to set zoom levels for different working modes. The zoom is automatically adjusted during work based on the operator’s presets, ensuring a more seamless experience throughout the working day. The functionality of the map layers has also been improved. For example, it is possible to import data layers, activate boundaries such as area boundaries, and add detailed information about a data layers. A new feature also allows the operator to select how felled stems should be visualized on the screen. Either as individual logs for full control of production or grouped together to give a good overview.  

Södra has decided to invest in a battery-electric long-haul truck in its daily logistics chain for transporting woodchips. Using self-produced, fossil-free electricity to charge the woodchip truck, the environmental footprint from these transport operations will be dramatically reduced. Source: Timberbiz The electric woodchip truck is supplied by Scania and represents a milestone in Södra’s long-term goal of transitioning to fossil-free transportation. Today, road transport plays a key role in the Swedish forest industry, and as one of the largest buyers of transport services, Södra has long strived to make its logistics more efficient and environmentally friendly. Truck transport accounts for about 5% of Södra’s fossil CO₂ emissions when indirect emissions are also included. By introducing this long-haul truck to transport woodchips in Blekinge and eastern Småland, Sweden, Södra is taking an important step towards a fossil-free future. Delivery of the battery-electric woodchip truck is expected towards the end of 2024 and the truck will be tested in real-life conditions during the 2025–2027 period. The aim is that the truck will travel about 100,000 kilometres per year, corresponding to 400 kilometres every day. Meanwhile, to facilitate charging during normal operations, the plan is to extensively expand the charging infrastructure at the mills in Mörrum, Mönsterås, Orrefors and Långasjö, Sweden, over the coming year. On completion of the test program, the pilot project will be evaluated to formulate a clear plan for the large-scale electrification of Södra’s entire vehicle fleet. “This battery-electric woodchip truck is an exciting milestone in our efforts to electrify the truck fleet, not least because it is being deployed directly in our operations as part of our day-to-day transport operations. The project will teach us a great deal while contributing to Södra’s overall goal of net zero emissions by 2040. I am convinced that the test will also generate valuable insights that the entire industry can benefit from in the future,” said Henrik Brodin, Project Manager for A Fossil-Free Södra. The pilot project is part of the TREE project, an initiative coordinated by the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden (Skogforsk). The overarching objective of the project is to contribute to ensuring that battery-electric vehicles accounts for 50% of new truck sales in the forestry industry by 2030. In addition to Södra, a further 20 partners are participating in this ambitious initiative, including other forest companies, logistics companies, haulage companies, charging infrastructure companies, technology companies and universities. The project will answer important questions regarding route optimisation and charging infrastructure, knowledge that can help Södra and its contract hauliers to reduce their costs and environmental footprint across the value chain. The electric woodchip truck is a Scania 45R with a load capacity of up to 64 tonnes. With an estimated range of 250 to 300 kilometres when deployed in Södra’s operations, it is ideal for regional transport operations in eastern Småland. The truck has three integrated electric motors providing a continuous power output level equivalent to 610 hp and comes equipped with 624 kWh of batteries installed. The truck has a charging capability of 375 kW, which means that charging time is minimised and is usually around one hour under normal operations. The electric woodchip truck will be introduced into regular route planning and will operate just like the rest of Södra’s truck fleet. “It’s clear that a major shift to fossil-free electrified road transport is under way. It will be interesting to see how the electric woodchip truck performs once it is integrated into Södra’s daily production operations,” said Patrik Svanberg at Scania Sverige AB.

The European timber industry is calling for a delay to the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as systems and companies are not ready. Source: Timberbiz In an open statement, signed by The European Confederation of Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois), European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC), European Organisation of the Sawmill industry (EOS), European Panel Federation (EPF), European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) and European Federation of the Parquet industry (EFP), the organisations said: “The European Woodworking Industries are greatly concerned regarding information disclosed about the EU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR) in a recent article in the Financial Times. According to the article, the EU intends to delay the application of the much-needed risk-based approach – practically implemented via a risk benchmarking of producing countries (low, standard, and high risk) – which is essential for enabling compliance with the EUDR by market actors (operators, traders, importers, exporters, and their authorised representatives) and the competent authorities of the EU Member States (CAs), as well as for incentivising good practices in producing countries (EU Member States or third countries). “Instead, all countries will now apparently be designated as ‘standard risk’ in order to ‘give them more time to adapt’ to the new Regulation. It is crucial to understand that the benchmarking of countries is a central part of the EUDR and its implementation, and any delays related to this classification will only result in additional costs and administrative burden for market actors, without any real advantages either for the producing countries or for the CAs. “Indeed, per the EUDR, whether market actors source their commodities from standard risk countries or from high-risk countries, they are facing the same due diligence obligations. Simply put, the benefit implied by the seemingly planned delay of the country risk benchmarking does not exist because no simplified procedure for export or imports is actually foreseen for standard risk countries, compared to high-risk countries. “The only difference between the two tiers of risk is the implication that it has on the control and verification obligations of CAs: CAs must control 9% of all the operators placing or making available on the market or exporting relevant commodities and products originating from high risk countries, compared to 3% in the case of relevant commodities and products originating from standard risks countries (as per Article 16, paragraphs 8 and 9 of the EUDR). “However, it is essential to identify low-risk countries as the implications are significant to all the actors: when sourcing from low-risk countries, market actors do actually benefit from the possibility of simplified due diligence, while CAs can reduce the number of controls to 1%, as foreseen by Article 16 paragraph 10. “The difficulties associated with the implementation of the EUDR are also reflected by the challenges faced by the EU when seeking to deliver on its own commitments under the Regulation. One such example is the task of benchmarking the risk level of countries, particularly the identification of the low risk-countries, which, to underline again, needs to take place urgently. “An aggravating factor is that the EU’s Information System, intended to be the main tool supporting the EUDR implementation by all the actors, is still at an early stage of development and needs significant improvement, in particular when it comes to the automatic, reliable and safe collection, registration, and protection of commercially sensitive information. Moreover, in the case of timber, aspects related to the transition period from the currently applicable EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) to the EUDR still need to be clarified. The goal is to ensure that wood which has been legally sourced until 30 December 2024 in full compliance with the EUTR can be sold on the EU market. It is crucial that the EU Information System takes this into account and does not require retrospective submission of Annex2 data of downstream producers when they place goods (e.g., sawn wood) on the markets which originates of raw material harvested before 30 December 2024. “The European Woodworking Industries fully support the scope and the objectives of the EUDR and strongly oppose all forms of deforestation and forest degradation. At the same time, the European Woodworking Industries regret that the EUDR has become a huge administrative and regulatory monster. “In the light of all the above, the European Woodworking Industries urge the EU institutions to delay the entry into application of the EUDR for the operators and traders, to amend the EUDR in order to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and to provide actors with sufficient time to adapt for full and adequate compliance. Moreover, it is imperative that the EU Commission swiftly proceed with the classification of the low-risk countries, with this action being its main priority.”

Attention all architects, builders, and designers the Australian Timber Design Awards is back for 2024 and entries are now open for the 2024 awards. Source: Timberbiz The categories are: Excellence in Timber Design Australian Designed International. Projects based overseas and completed within the last 3 years. Furniture and Joinery. The use of timber in furniture and/or joinery (e.g. in stairs, wardrobes, etc). Interior Fitout – Commercial. A fit-out of a new or existing building (including renovations). The building must not be residential, and must be commercial in nature and not publically owned (offices, shops, building foyers, private schools, etc.) Interior Fitout – Residential. A fitout of a new or existing single-family dwelling (including renovations). Landscaped outdoor areas that feature timber. Multi Residential. Where a building contains separate accommodation for unrelated occupants (example: apartment building, hotel, motel, aged care, student accommodation). A building that has a function other than residential i.e. office, retail, industrial, entertainment, restaurant, private schools, etc that is commercially owned. A building that has a function other than residential i.e. library, institutional, education, school, government office, hospital, public schools etc that are publically owned. Residential Class 1 – Alteration or Addition. A single-family dwelling or a single townhouse/villa that has been altered or added to. If the addition is a completely separate building to the existing structure, it is considered to be Residential Class 1 – New Building. Residential Class 1 – New Buildings. A new detached single-family dwelling. Standalone Structure. These projects must be unattached stand-alone structures. They include sculpture, artwork, features within building foyers, bus shelters, picnic shelters, shelters, playground equipment, wharves, bridges, boardwalks, observation structure, etc. Merit The entry that makes best use of sustainable design principles that includes timber. This includes all items of the sustainable design, not just that timber has been included. Judging for this category is conducted separately by Planet Ark’s Make it Wood campaign. They are particularly interested in how timber use has added to sustainable design. Rising Star. The best entry from an entrant who was (1) aged 35 or under on the date of project’s completion or (2) enrolled in fulltime study on the completion date. The designer must be responsible for a substantial portion of the design and not just be a team member. Small Budget. The best entry based on a project costing less than $200,000. Excellence in Engineering. This category recognises excellence in timber engineering in Australian architecture. The award celebrates either individual engineers who have designed a superior commercial or residential space using timber. Excellence in use of Timber Products Australian Certified Timber. This Award recognises excellence in the use of Australian Certified Timber and/or timber products which are sourced from Australian forests. “Certified timber” means timber sourced from a forest certified under a credible forest management certification scheme such as AFS (Australian Forestry Standard) which is endorsed by PEFC (Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification) and/or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). The project will require a substantial amount (greater than 50%) of Australian Certified timber to be considered. Where imported timber products have been used nominate what timber certification scheme (if any) they comply too. Engineered Timber Products. The best use of products such as Glulam, LVL, CLT, LSL and I-beams. Recycled Timber. The best use of timber that meets this definition: Recycled timber is timber that has been previously used and has served its initial purpose. Recycled timber may be re-used either in its original cross-sectional size or following re-manufacture into smaller dimensions. Timber Cladding. The best use of timber coverings to the outside of a building. Timber coverings can be solid or panels. Timber Flooring. The best use of solid or engineered timber flooring. Timber Panels. The best use of products such as plywood, MDF, hardboard and/or particleboard. Timber Veneers. The best aesthetic use of timber veneers in, for example, furniture, joinery or linings/coverings of any kind. Timber Windows and Doors. This Award is for the best design and functional use of timber windows and doors. People’s Choice Award All entrants automatically participate in the People’s Choice Awards. For more information visit: https://timberdesignawards.awardsplatform.com