Forest Products Industry

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than US$8 million for five new projects to reduce wildfire risk, protect water quality, and improve forest health across the nation. Source: Timberbiz The announcement builds on Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L Rollins’ commitment to wildfire preparedness. USDA and its agencies are working together to take action to protect people, communities, and the natural resources on which this country depends. The Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership Program is a collaborative effort between USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Forest Service to work across public-private boundaries and at a landscape scale. The US$8 million investment in new projects is in addition to US$32 million for 24 existing three-year-long Joint Chiefs’ projects. The five new projects are: Alabama – National Forests in Alabama “Alabama Chattahoochee Fall Line Restoring Longleaf” Colorado and Wyoming – Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest “Headwaters of the Colorado” Montana – Lolo National Forest “Blackfoot River Valley Landscape Mosaic” North Carolina – National Forests in North Carolina “Uwharries to Sandhills, Phase 2” Oregon – Mt. Hood National Forest “Hood River Wildfire and Watershed Resilience”. “Wildfires have no boundaries, and neither should our prevention work,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “We need everyone at the table to deliver the kind of active management that will return our forests to health and productivity. Joint Chiefs’ puts local leaders in the driver’s seat, enabling cross-boundary work based on shared priorities with states, partners, industry, and forest landowners. It’s a win-win.” NRCS Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt  said that with the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership, NRCS is implementing the Farmer-First mission with the nation’s foresters “Providing technical and financial assistance to private forest landowners is key to supporting locally led conservation, especially in the wildland-urban interface. This allows us to address multiple challenges in one project, such as reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire, protecting clean water, and improving wildlife habitat,” he said.  

The post Five new projects to reduce wildfires in the US appeared first on Timberbiz.

A carbon capture pilot plant came online at Metsä Group’s Rauma mill, where the company is testing the capture of pulp mill flue gases in cooperation with the technology company Andritz, the supplier of the pilot plant.  Source: Timberbiz Carbon capture is an existing technology, but it has not previously been used for pulp mill flue gases. During the autumn of 2025, various operating models will be tested concerning aspects such as energy consumption and the amount of carbon captured. The pilot period will also provide information about the need for flue gas treatment and the quality of the end product. “So far, the technology appears to be working well with the pulp mill’s flue gases,” said Kaija Pehu-Lehtonen, SVP Business Development and the Director of Metsä Group’s carbon capture project. As part of the piloting, Metsä Group will also investigate possibilities for a larger-scale demo plant for carbon capture at the Rauma mill site. The annual capacity of a demo plant would be 30,000 to 100,000 tonnes of captured carbon dioxide. No decision has been made regarding the project or the demo plant’s location. Implementing the project would require all technical and financial issues to be resolved. The larger-scale demo plant would have a capacity more than one hundred times that of the pilot plant, which can capture approximately one tonne of carbon dioxide per day. Bio-based carbon dioxide is a virtually untapped pulp mill side stream. Carbon dioxide can be used as a raw material – for example, in the chemical and fuel industries and it can serve as a replacement for fossil-based raw materials. Carbon capture does not increase wood use at the pulp mill, nor does it undermine production efficiency. “Capture-related investments are large, and the market is underdeveloped, so we’re proceeding gradually. In addition, the value chains from raw material to finished products are often new and complex, requiring close cooperation between the participants and an insight into industrial operations,” said Pehu-Lehtonen. Through its development activities, Metsä Group wants to promote the emergence of markets. However, market development also depends on regulation at the EU and national level, as well as on investment support for the green transition. State aid for the green transition will play a key role in accelerating industrial investment.

The post Carbon capture testing at Metsa pulp mill appeared first on Timberbiz.

Thanks to Indonesia, global imports of hardwood woodchips to Asia rose over the year-ended June 2025. Of the top five importers, Indonesia and Japan saw growth in hardwood chip imports, while Mainland China, Korea and Taiwan all saw reductions, according to latest analysis by the team at IndustryEdge. Source: IndustryEdge Source: Importing country statistics services and Wood Market Edge online * It is important to note that most countries in Asia report woodchip trade in GMT, while the main recipient countries – China and Japan – report in bone dried metric tonnes (BDMT). IndustryEdge has elected to report the data as presented by each country, in this analysis and in our raw data services. As a rough ‘rule of thumb’, one BDMT can be assumed to be equivalent to two GMT. Patterns of trade in the Asian hardwood woodchip market are continuing to change. In particular, China’s domestic hardwood chip supply is increasing from its very significant plantations. Just as important is the altering and tense market dynamics in the global pulp industry, which drives demand for hardwood woodchips. The role of Indonesia as a satellite producer for Chinese manufacturers, as well as its own growing demand profile and established pulp and paper industry is also altering the hardwood woodchip market, as the details demonstrate. Japan, by contrast, is more stable than China, in many respects. It is useful to consider imports of hardwood woodchips for specific countries, using data available on IndustryEdge’s Wood Market Edge online platform. Indonesia Indonesia’s hardwood woodchip imports lifted a very strong 134%, rising to 3.1 million green metric tonnes (GMT) in FY25. Although Thailand and Australia played small roles in Indonesia’s imports, Vietnam was entirely dominant, delivering more than 93% of hardwood chips for the year. Obviously, Indonesia’s import price is driven by the price of Vietnamese supply and there is little reason to show other prices. The weighted average import price for the year-ended June 2025 was USDCif102.25/GMT, up a modest 1.1% on the prior year. Japan Often the stabiliser in the market, Japan’s hardwood woodchip imports lifted 2.0% year-ended June 2025, rising to 9.2 million BDMT. With greater stability comes an emphasis on quality and pulp yields that sees shipments from Vietnam still dominate (46%) but a combination of Australia, Thailand and Chile providing 35% of total supply. Australia and Chile are producing and delivering eucalypt woodchips which deliver a higher pulp yield than supplies from Vietnam, Thailand and elsewhere in South East Asia. Nowhere is the quality of hardwood woodchips more evident than in country specific pricing. The table below shows weighted average annual import prices for each of the major supplier countries to Japan. Supply from Vietnam and Thailand is more than 20% cheaper than supply from Australia. Producers seeking higher pulp yields, brighter paper and often, lower chemical input costs maintain a steady diet of hardwood woodchips from Australia and Chile. China Although it may lack stability, China makes up for the shortcoming with massive import volumes. Year-ended June 2025, China imported 16.1 million BDMT of hardwood woodchips, down 1.6% on the previous year. Unsurprisingly, Vietnam supplied almost 72% of the total, with Australia a distant second delivering 15.3% of the total. Albeit at a different scale and with less stability than Japan, China’s hardwood woodchip imports are operating to the same dynamic when it comes to quality and yield considerations. That is, the South East Asian supply of mainly Acacia is the baseload, with quality delivered from Australian eucalypts, supplemented with small volumes from Chile. Again, the pricing for imports tells the story of quality, with supply from Vietnam averaging almost 30% cheaper than supply from Australia, on a delivered basis. Some of this difference is freight costs, but much of it is driven by the underlying quality of the plantation eucalypt resource in Australia. Some concluding thoughts In a large and slow-moving market, where harvest to pulp mill can be many months, the dynamics of hardwood woodchip markets are changing rapidly. The pressures on the Chinese economy are having an impact, as are its industrial and geo-political policies. In that context, the rise of Indonesia as a hardwood woodchip importer is all the more important to the global industry, especially the nearby producers like those in Australia’s West. Indonesia’s increasing emphasis on environmental standards, its rapid improvement in living standards and its status as the large Asian country with the youngest population, makes it a likely long term customer of the future. Japan appears to be a stable environment, which compared to the rest of the main market in Asia, is a blessing for importers and producers alike. For more information visit www.industryedge.com.au  

The post Asia’s Hardwood Chip Import Growth Led by Indonesia in FY25 appeared first on Timberbiz.

A 2,200-year-old Huon pine tree ring has returned to its symbolic home at The Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart. Source: Pulse Tasmania The ancient Pearce River Tree Ring, which dates back to before the birth of Christ, is now on public display in the IXL Atrium following negotiations with Sustainable Timber Tasmania. Originally salvaged in 1975 from the Lake Gordon area before it was flooded by the Gordon Dam, the artefact was initially gifted to the Tasmanian Government by IXL Timber. The tree ring features a detailed timeline mapping major world events across more than two millennia onto its growth rings. Ross Boobyer, General Manager of The Henry Jones Art Hotel, said the collaboration celebrates Tasmania’s unique environmental legacy. “We’re proud to partner with Sustainable Timber Tasmania in celebrating Tasmania’s heritage through the story of the Huon pine,” Boobyer said. “This collaboration not only helps preserve this incredible natural legacy but also gives our guests, and the public, a very special opportunity to connect with Tasmania’s natural resources and history, firsthand.” The ancient relic had spent a decade away from public view before the new installation. Suzette Weeding, General Manager of Conservation and Land Management at Sustainable Timber Tasmania, described the art hotel as the ideal venue for the tree ring’s return. “We’re delighted to see the Pearce River Tree Ring showcased in a space that celebrates the connection between art and nature. These special timbers are a strong reminder of Tasmania’s rich natural and cultural heritage,” Ms Weeding said. The Pearce River Tree Ring joins other Huon pine relics at the hotel, including a 750-year-old, 5.6-metre burled log nicknamed ‘Monster’ that was installed earlier this year. Two more ancient specimens, carbon-dated to approximately 14,000 and 32,000 years old, will soon complete the collection.

The post The Pearce River Tree Ring maps world events for two millennia appeared first on Timberbiz.

Victoria’s Allan Labor Government says it is helping more Victorian families open the door to greener and leafier streets across Melbourne, making their suburbs cooler and better to live in. Source: Timberbiz Minister for the Environment Steve Dimopoulos and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny visited Ardeer South Primary School announced new protections for the tree canopy and $9.5 million to plant 500,000 more trees across Melbourne. Ardeer South Primary School planted over 1,800 plants and trees as part of the More Trees for a Cooler Greener West program – improving air quality, creating more shade and cooling down the school grounds during summer. In addition to the half a million trees planted across Melbourne’s west, the new More Trees in Melbourne program will deliver half a million more trees across Local Government Areas with below-average tree canopy cover and high heat vulnerability. To help support the delivery of more trees where they are needed most, a new tree canopy mapping project will provide up-to-date, high-resolution data on urban tree canopy cover across Melbourne – enabling planning, smarter investment and more effective tracking of progress over time. There will be stronger protections for established trees across the state – a planning permit will be required to remove trees taller than five metres on vacant residential lots.  For lots with an existing house or planning approval for a house a permit will be required for the removal of trees within six metres of the front boundary and 4.5 metres from the rear boundary – all permits to be fast tracked through the 10-day VicSmart process. As part of the consultation process for the Labor Government’s Plan for Victoria, the community highlighted the importance of green spaces, and this feedback has helped shape the Plan’s target to deliver 30 percent tree canopy cover with further protections on industrial and commercial land to be introduced later this year. The More Trees in Melbourne program will be delivered in partnership with local councils and land managers, who will be invited to apply for grant funding next year.

The post More Trees in Melbourne to plant 500,000 more appeared first on Timberbiz.

The Halo project in the heart of Sydney’s CBD has been given a fresh lease on life, as super fund developer Cbus Property joins a venture to develop the 55-storey hybrid timber tower. Source: The Australian Financial Review The involvement of Cbus Property in taking a 50% stake in the site alongside the project’s originator Milligan Group, secures the future for one of the city’s most high-profile but long-challenged developments. When built, it will lay claim to being the world’s tallest such hybrid timber tower. However, the tower project, which has an estimated end value of $1.8 billion, had been struggling to come out of the ground as Milligan Group juggled a heavy debt burden after buying over 70 individual titles on the corner of Hunter and Pitt Streets. That effort created a super-site across a new metro station, giving the developer scope for such a landmark skyscraper. But with its finances stretched and office market valuations falling, Milligan also needed to win support from a capital partner before going ahead with the ambitious development. “This acquisition is a strong reflection of our strategy to secure well-located commercial assets that respond to future customer demand,” Cbus Property’s chief executive Adrian Pozzo, said in a statement on Wednesday. “It supports our portfolio reweighting to Sydney and continues our track record of delivering high-quality developments that capture market uplift through timing and delivery excellence.” The involvement of Cbus Property, the real estate arm of the $105 billion Cbus Super, comes just as the tide is turning for the national office market. Sydney’s CBD has been the first to recover, especially at the top end of the market, where rising business confidence and a return-to-office vibe have encouraged blue-chip corporates to seek new spaces with high levels of amenity. At the same time, high costs have made new projects unfeasible for most developers in the past few years, with the result that new office supply in Sydney’s CBD is forecast to fall well short of its historical average over the next three years. Those factors combined are expected to put a premium on the few new office projects that do come out of the ground. “Halo is widely recognised as an ambitious project that has the potential to redefine sustainability, design and workplace experience in Australia,” Milligan Group’s managing director, James Milligan, said. “Cbus Property’s involvement will ensure the project benefits from the company’s proven track record in delivering complex, large-scale developments in partnership with leading industry participants.” ASX-listed developer Lendlease had previously signed a non-binding agreement to acquire the project for $685 million by the end of last year, but the mooted deal did not proceed. A turning point came for the project earlier this year, when its main lender, Merricks Capital – which was owed more than $500 million – made a bold decision to boost its loan by another $30 million, despite its exposure on Halo having contributed to its first monthly negative return in almost five years. That top-up proved critical, providing further funding for demolition and early works at the site, boosting confidence it would go ahead, and giving Milligan some much-needed breathing room as it looked to bring on board a capital partner. Cbus Property and Milligan are now working with Multiplex to finalise a construction contract, with main works expected to get underway late next year and completion early in 2030. The proposed result will be 42,000 square metres of office and retail space in a tower that has direct access to the new Hunter Street Metro station and is close to Martin Place, Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour.

The post Sydney’s Halo project resurrected appeared first on Timberbiz.

The volume of new homes sold (contract-to-build) nationally decreased by 1.2% in August 2025 according to the HIA New Home Sales monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states. Source: Timberbiz HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt said that new home sales in the three months to August 2025 were 5.1% higher compared with the previous quarter. “Despite the slight monthly moderation, sales in the three months to August 2025 remain higher than any previous quarter in the last three years,” he said. “This indicates that cuts to the cash rate are leading to a return in home buying activity, albeit very slowly. “Demand for housing continues to increase due to elevated population growth and sustained low levels of unemployment,” he said. “These factors have contributed to an increase in home buying activity, leading to an increase in the price of established homes. “Ongoing competition for a limited stock of established homes available for purchase has seen buyers moving into new home building as an alternative.” Mr Devitt said that the supply side stimulus resulting from the Australian Government’s decision to remove the requirement for mandatory Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance (LMI) for first home buyers, would also boost new home sales. Around a third of all new homes are built by first home buyers and they play an important role in increasing housing supply. “Reducing the barriers to entry for first home buyers will lead to an increase in housing supply, putting downward pressure on prices beyond the short term and increasing rates of homeownership,” Mr Devitt said. This month’s decrease in new home sales nationally was driven by declines across all states except Victoria, where sales increased by 7.1%. The monthly declines were led by Western Australia, with sales decreasing by 7.7%, followed by Queensland (-6.7%), South Australia (-6.0%) and New South Wales (-1.2%).

The post New home sales remain positive appeared first on Timberbiz.

NSW Liberal Shadow Minister for the Environment, James Griffin has slammed the State Government for announcing the Great Koala National Park without any concrete details or legislation to back it up. Source: Timberbiz “After two and a half years of delay and inaction, all this Labor Government can produce is a media statement. No legislation, no details, no explanation of funding, and no certainty,” Mr Griffin said. “To make such a significant announcement whilst providing almost no detail is deeply disappointing. It is more than reasonable and fair to ask, why announce something but have no legislation to back it up?” Concerningly, the Minns Labor Government has revealed that the final creation of the proposed park is dependent on the successful registration of a carbon project under the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) Method, which is currently under review by the Federal Government. NSW Premier Chris Minns conceded that while he expects the Federal Government to ‘come through’, this is ultimately a decision outside of his control, stating that the NSW Government will have to look at ways of creating the Great Koala National Park based on the Federal Government’s decision. “There is a total absence of legislation and funding details and a government apparently hedging its bets, and the hopes of conservation groups, on approval from the Federal Government,” Mr Griffin said. “That means the very shape of the legislation, and even whether it proceeds at all, will be determined not in NSW, but in Canberra.” If the Federal Government refuses to provide carbon credits, serious questions arise about how the legislation and plans for the GKNP will change, including whether the proposed boundaries will be altered. Until the Minns Labor Government provides the necessary details and introduces clear legislation to back up this announcement, the NSW Liberals will continue to hold Premier Chris Minns to account. The Former Coalition Government had a proud and strong record on Koala conservation, which included establishing the updated NSW Koala Strategy, which delivered $190 million over five years to support the overarching goal of doubling NSW’s koala numbers by 2050. As part of this, the former NSW Coalition committed: $107.1 million to fund the protection, restoration and improved management of 47,000 hectares of koala habitat, to meet key conservation targets of 22,000 ha of koala habitat protected and 25,000 ha of koala habitat restored by 2026. $19.6 million to fund partnerships across NSW $23.2 million to remove threats, improve health and rehabilitation, and establish a translocation program $43.4 million to fill knowledge gaps and better understand NSW koala populations. Under this Labor Government, those key targets are not being met, with the 2023-24 NSW Koala Strategy Annual Report released in August last month revealing that only 8,353 hectares of koala habitat had been restored. If protecting koalas were genuinely a priority, Chris Minns would have legislated the park immediately and backed the NSW Koala Strategy with real funding. Instead, we’re left with a hollow announcement, no legislation, and a plan that depends on Canberra’s say-so,” Mr Griffin said.

The post NSW Libs slam the koala park without legislation appeared first on Timberbiz.

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has slammed the Minns Labor Government’s announcement of the 476,000-hectare Great Koala National Park, describing it as “a massive kick in the guts” for regional communities across the Richmond and Clarence valleys and the wider North Coast region. Source: Timberbiz Mr Williamson said the announcement, made on Father’s Day while families were celebrating together, shows how tone-deaf the Government is to the impact this decision will have on forestry workers, their families and local communities. “Across the North Coast around 5,500 people are employed in the forestry industry. This decision puts those livelihoods on the chopping block,” Mr Williamson said. He said that sustainable harvesting would end in the 176,000 hectare footprint and that meant “real jobs in real communities will be lost overnight”. “While Chris Minns has looked after this own job, he has sold out thousands of regional jobs to do a deal with the Greens.” Mr Williamson said the flow-on effects will cripple multiple sectors. “The failure to meet wood supply agreements will impact everyday essentials — no timber means no paper, no power poles, no transport pallets, no wooden frames and nothing to build the homes we desperately need,” Mr Williamson said. “The timber industry has been sustainably managed in NSW for over 150 years. Our State Forests are a thriving environment for koalas and native species. This decision isn’t about protecting koalas — it’s about city-centric politics. “The protection of one of our national icons is obviously paramount, but sadly this announcement is not about the long-term protection of koalas. It is about a political deal with the Greens.” Mr Williamson said the process has been disingenuous and cruel.

The post Regional communities kicked in the guts by Minns appeared first on Timberbiz.