Forest Products Industry

The Wood Protection Association (WPA) UK has published interim findings from its 10-year field trial demonstrating the substantial performance benefits of correctly treated wood in ground contact applications. The results show a marked improvement in durability and resistance to decay when compared to untreated timber products. Source: Timberbiz In an online presentation to sponsors of the field trial in June 2025, WPA Director Neil Ryan said the majority of untreated wood posts at the two test sites have now completely failed due to fungal decay, with data suggesting an average service life of less than five years. The study – the largest independent assessment of treated wood ever carried out in the UK – also notably shows that larch posts are failing faster than any other species. “These results clearly show that UK softwood species are not fit for purpose when used in ground contact applications. They also dispel the myth that larch is durable and can be used in this way without preservative treatment,” Mr Ryan said. After 10 years, the preservative-treated posts in the trial are performing well, particularly incised spruce. Some opening of incisions and elevated moisture content has been noted, but without deterioration of the wood. Across all species and treatment types in the trial, there have been only isolated failures of treated posts. “This is not entirely unexpected after 10 years,” Mr Ryan said. “These are clearly outliers on the bell curve of preservative performance, with others in the same species and preservative group rated zero – meaning they still have no visible decay present at all.” WPA Chairman Steve Young added that these results are fantastic news for the wood treatment sector as they provide clear evidence of the huge importance of using correctly treated wood. “We will be promoting these results to the market, in the press and on social media in the weeks ahead, and we advise all WPA members to ensure they are communicating them to their customers, too. WPA is happy to develop text for any member who wishes to promote the fact that correctly treated wood can be trusted to perform,” he said. The WPA set up the field trial in 2015, in partnership with BRE and a group of industry sponsors, with the goal of helping to develop industry standards – including BS 8417 and the WPA Code of Practice, to support WPA Benchmark quality approval schemes for treated wood, and to build market confidence in preservative treated British softwood species. The trial is testing hundreds of wooden posts and stakes at two field test sites: BRE Garston, Watford, England – a London clay loam; and Birnie Wood, Elgin, Scotland – sandy loam overlying gravel deposits. After the completion of the initial 10-year term, the project has been extended for a further five years.

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A company has found a new use for forestry waste that would otherwise be burned, releasing emissions into the atmosphere. Source: Castanet Silvachar Environmental is working to turn forestry waste into biochar, a soil additive that has been used for thousands of years to help retain moisture and lock nutrients into the earth. “Biochar has a high surface area, which allows it to absorb liquid, solids and gasses disproportionate to its size, just due to its surface area and the porosity of it,” said Silvachar’s Kevin Smith. Biochar’s porosity can help in a home garden or even for large agricultural applications. “You think of how much fertilizer gets put on agricultural fields each year or multiple times a year, and realistically they’re losing up to 60% of those nutrients,” Mr Smith said. “Lost through leaching out of the rooting depth of the plant, or if it runs off the surface of the soil into creeks and rivers, causing blue-green algae blooms. “So, what biochar does is actually capture and retain those nutrients but allows the water to still flow through and filter.” Biochar is made from organic material, which is part of what differentiates it from regular charcoal. It also requires more heat to create. “Charcoal is made at a lower temperature; you can make charcoal around 250 to 300 degrees Celsius, whereas biochar starts being made around 400, 450, up to 750 degrees,” he said. “And what it’s basically doing is cooking the biomass at a high temperature in a low oxygen environment.” He said this process speeds up the decomposition of the organic material and cleans out anything else from the cells of the material, “leaving behind the scaffolding of carbon.” Since the company’s process does not involve fully burning the material, it is much lower in emissions than simply burning waste material. “I like to call it cooking,” Mr Smith said. “If you limit the amount of oxygen, then what you’re getting is basically cooking of the material until those gasses reach oxygen, then they combust. “So, it’s a very clean burn because the carbon isn’t burning just the gasses.” Silvachar uses the waste from forestry and logging operations to create the company’s biochar, what Mr Smith says helps reduce the carbon footprint of one of British Columbia’s biggest industries. “After logging, all the tops, limbs and branches and cut ends from the harvesting process gets piled, and currently they get burned,” he said. Silvachar is part of Silvatech Consulting, a forestry consulting business, and this relationship with the logging industry gets the company access to all of the biological waste material it needs. The material is taken from slash piles and ground up “wood chip style,” then put into a reactor to be cooked down into biochar. And since Silvachar’s reactor is movable, it can be taken right to where the waste is being created. “It fits in a 20-foot sea can and it can be loaded on a truck and moved within the day,” Mr Smith said. “We can move our reactor closer to the feedstock, at the valley bottom, rather than trucking the feedstock hundreds of kilometres.” Over time, Mr Smith said Silvachar plans to expand its biochar operations throughout the province to help process the waste generated by logging. “Right now, by burning it, that equates to 9% of the British Columbia’s global emissions each year,” he said. “So, there’s 5 million tons of it that gets burned and we’re looking to at least reduce that as much as we can as we expand.” Mr Smith said biochar is recognized as a carbon negative product for carbon credits, and purifies water, reduces water usage, reduces the need for fertilizers, and can increase crop yield. He said the best way to use biochar for a residential lawn is to mix it with a dry fertilizer and then spread it around like a normal fertilizer. For a home garden use, the product can be mixed into a nutrient-rich topsoil. “It is simply a soil additive which will amplify and retain the nutrients that you do add,” he said. “Once you apply it, it remains in the soil for centuries. “And you can add more fertilizer, compost or manure to your soil, and the biochar will soak that up… and have a nice, slow release during the growing season.”  

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Logset has a series of new harvester heads, a new harvester crane series, and a new version of the 4F GT forwarder. Source: Timberbiz New 4.0 harvester head series: TH60, TH70, TH80, TH90 Logset is releasing four new harvester head models. TH60, TH70, TH80 and TH90 – result of years of experience across six continents. With the introduction of the TH60 up to the TH90, Logset’s head range is expanding significantly. Each model includes key updates: Bucher hydraulic valve block, offering advantages such as proportional control of the saw unit Measuring sensor repositioned above the rear feeding roller Extended frame length for increased stability Improved accessibility and optimized hose routing Reinforced tilt arch for enhanced durability Powerful top saw option (for TH80). The previous 3.0 series was first introduced in 2009 and has since undergone several updates, leading to version 3.3. New Logset H crane series After three years of dedicated development, Logset will introduce its new crane line: the Logset H series, featuring three model sizes, H245, H325 and H405. These cranes were developed based on customer feedback, focusing on power, speed and reliability. Key features of the H series include: Exceptional lifting capacity and performance across all functions Powerful hydraulic motors for smooth and powerful rotation Hydraulic cylinder-based parallel linkage offering flexible, precise movement Bold frame construction ensuring long-term durability Extended tilt angle for versatile operation. All three models are available with 10 or 11-meter reach and come equipped with the Logset Smooth crane system as standard. The H series is the perfect match for Logset harvesters and works seamlessly with the new head series, delivering the power, speed and reliability needed for successful forest operations. New 3.3 version of the 4F GT forwarder The Logset 4F GT, the last in the forwarder lineup to receive upgrades, now benefits from the 3.3 update package. In response to market demands, the bogie has been redesigned in a heavier-duty version, capable of supporting 24-inch wheels. Additional enhancements include: Over 10 cm reduction in overall machine length for improved manoeuvrability A more compact and ergonomic engine compartment. With its 140 kW (190 hp) engine, a strong Mesera crane offering 106 kNm of lifting force, and 140 kN tractive force, the 4F GT is a compact yet powerful forwarder in the 10-tonne load capacity class.

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A concert pianist, a volunteer firefighter and a female competitive motorcycle rider are just three of the 25 amazing Australian John Deere technicians who have earned their place in this year’s prestigious Technician of the Year Awards. Source: Timberbiz The fifth annual John Deere Technician of the Year Awards honour the essential work technicians do every day to support industries critical to Australia’s economy and rural and regional communities. The Australian finalists will travel to Brisbane in mid-September to undergo a final round of intense technical testing, where they will be judged individually on their ability to perform hands-on diagnostics and troubleshoot real-life scenarios and customer challenges. John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, congratulated the finalists, acknowledging the significant impact they have made not only in their dealerships, but also across their communities and the wider industries they support. “Being a technician today is all about supporting customers and the industries that keep regional Australia strong,” Mr Chandler said. “They play a crucial role that calls for digital expertise, critical thinking, and the ability to solve complex problems. All of which keeps our customers up and running, boosting their productivity, and supporting more sustainable business practices. “All the finalists should be incredibly proud. Their dedication, strong work ethics and commitment to delivering outstanding customer service has been recognised by their dealerships and acknowledged through the first round of internal judging. “We look forward to hosting all our finalists at our headquarters in South East Queensland, where they will take on a range of challenging real-world scenarios, designed to test their diagnostic and problem-solving abilities and to determine the winners in each category.” Australian finalists will have the opportunity to compete for titles in five categories in this year’s awards including Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year, Parts Technician of the Year, Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year, Service Apprentice of the Year, and Parts Apprentice of the Year. John Deere Australia and New Zealand Customer Support Business Manager, Marko Koelln said it was rewarding to see many new contenders in this year’s lineup of finalists and several technicians returning who have progressed in their careers. The Award winners will be announced at the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards gala event on Thursday, 18 September 2025. Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year finalists (will compete against each other and one New Zealand finalist for the Award) Damian Aspinall, RDO Equipment, Roma, Queensland Bradley Hallett, RDO Equipment, Eastern Creek, New South Wales Johannes Offringa, AFGRI Equipment, Albany, Western Australia Cameron Wood, RDO Equipment, Mount St John, Queensland.

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Planning is underway for the ABARES Outlook 2026 national conference, 3–4 March at Hotel Realm Canberra and online. Source: Timberbiz ABARES Outlook conferences have been informing and influencing Australian agriculture’s policy agenda for more than 50 years. Next year’s conference will feature dynamic session formats, hybrid participation and the exclusive Welcome Sundowners networking function. Partners are currently being sought to sponsor one the event. These sponsorship packages are designed to deliver an excellent return on investment, while delivering your brand and messages to key stakeholders in Australia and internationally. To discuss partnership opportunities contact abaresevents@aff.gov.au

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New Zealand’s PEFC scheme has a new chair after the New Zealand Forest Certification Association (NZFCA) endorsed Mark Ross, the CEO of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA) to replace Dr Julian Elder, CEO of Scion Research. Source: Timberbiz Mr Ross took over as chair on1 July 2025, with the appointment confirmed at a meeting of the NZFCA directors on 24 June. Mr Ross has served as CEO of the WPMA, New Zealand’s peak lobby for timber processors, since July 2023, where he replaced Dr Jon Tanner (also a former chair of the NZFCA). Before starting at WPMA, he held leadership positions at Animal and Plant Health NZ, Federated Farmers of NZ and the Ministry of Primary Industries. Simon Dorries, CEO of Responsible Wood (the Australian-endorsed PEFC scheme said the appointment coincides with a new joint Australian and New Zealand standard development process. This multi-year process will result in the joint Australian and New Zealand standard for Sustainable Forest Management (AS/NZS 4708) becoming “fit for purpose” with PEFC international benchmarks (PEFC ST 1003:2024) and the European Union Deforestation Regulations (EUDR), set to roll out later this year. “Our standards are globally recognised because they reflect science-based criteria developed through wide consultation. They ensure Australia’s forests remain among the most sustainably and responsibly managed in the world,”Mr Dorries said. As it stands, approximately 600,000 hectares of forest area in New Zealand are PEFC-certified, which, along with just under 17 million hectares of forests in Australia, comprise more than 294 million hectares of global forests now certified under the PEFC forest certification scheme.

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Maeve McKenna and David Bauche are stepping into roles to support the communications, events, and membership activities of the Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network (TFFPN). Source: Timberbiz Ms McKenna and Mr Bauche will each dedicate one day a week to the Network, in addition to their ongoing roles with Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (Ms McKenna) and the Tasmanian Forest Products Association (Mr Bauche). Together, they will help deliver consistent communications and continue to grow our engaged, informed membership community. From sharing stories across the sector to supporting events and keeping members connected, they’ll be focused on making it easy for people to stay informed. “It’s fantastic to have Maeve and David on board to support the Network’s communications, events, and membership,” TFFPN Chair, Professor Julianne O’Reilly Wapstra, said. “Both bring deep experience and strong connections across the sector, and many of our members will already know them through their work with AFWI and TFPA. “Having two familiar and trusted voices supporting TFFPN is a benefit, and I’m excited to see the positive impact they will have.” Ms McKenna is a communications specialist with more than 12 years of experience and a passion for storytelling. Originally from Ireland and now based in Tasmania, she’s worked across digital communication, social media, and newsroom teams, with a focus on connecting with audiences in meaningful ways. Creativity and collaboration are at the heart of her approach. Mr Bauche is an experienced senior communications and government relations manager.  As well as seven years in Tasmania, he has worked in NSW, Canberra and Victoria. Prior to working in communications and government relations, Mr Bauche was a senior editor at News Corp and Rural Press and has worked as an adviser to a Federal Minister.

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Victoria’s state government has ruled out the establishment of what was proposed as the Great Forest National Park, which was to reach from Kinglake to Lake Eildon, Healesville to Mt Baw Baw. Source: Timberbiz Victorian Government Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos said at an Electrical Trades Union Victorian Branch conference last week that the Great Forest National Park proposal was not part of government policy. That park would have tripled the area of the central highlands to be protected. Minister Dimopoulos stated that the only parks that the government is currently considering is three national parks at Mount Buangor, The Pyrenees and Wombat-Lederberg, which were announced in 2021. Polling conducted by RedBridge shows four in five Victorians support the creation of new national parks, with lower-income households among the most frequent park visitors due to their affordability, safety, and accessibility. The Eminent Panel for Community Engagement (EPCE) assembled a report, which is now complete, but is has not been made public. It led conversations with the Victorian community on the Immediate Protection Areas and surrounding state forests. To date a formal statement has not been made by Mr Dimopoulos or the Victorian Government regarding this decision only Field and Game Australia (FGA) and the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) has issued any statements regarding this.

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