Australian timber industry news

Certified materials are shaping the direction of contemporary fashion and influencing consumer decisions. A collaboration with emerging Hong Kong designer vicKie AU introduced the first FSC-certified capsule collection, placing sustainability at the core of design. Source: Timberbiz The collection was recently awarded Gold in Women’s Prêt-à-Porter at the International Design Awards (IDA) in Oslo. “Tranquility: Nature in Modernity is more than a collection. Using FSC-certified sustainable fabrics, it demonstrates how thoughtful design choices can drive real change. True elegance starts with responsibility, and every material decision connects us back to the forest,” Ms Au said. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is collaborating with Ms Au of V Visionary Design Studio (FSC-N004591), unveiling the first-ever FSC-certified capsule collection made entirely from sustainably sourced materials from responsibly managed forests. This groundbreaking initiative addresses a critical issue in the fashion industry, where nearly 50% of all forest-based fibres – like rayon, viscose, modal and lyocell – come from uncertified and irresponsibly managed sources, which contributes to deforestation, illegal logging, and biodiversity loss. The FSC x V.VISSI Collection showcases a revolutionary approach to fashion, proving that style and sustainability can coexist harmoniously. Designed under the theme “From Deforestation to Coexistence with Forests,” each garment in this capsule collection is crafted using FSC-certified materials throughout the entire production process. From fibres to final production, the collection represents a complete supply chain of responsible sourcing from an elite collective of FSC-certified Chain of Custody (CoC ) companies, including yarn from Eastman Chemical Company (FSC-C140711) and Grasim Industries Limited, Unit-Indian Rayon (FSC-C151684), fabrics from Shinjintex Co. Ltd. (FSC-C194015) and BRUNELLO S.p.A. (FSC-C136496) , and production by High Fashion (China) Co. Ltd. (FSC-C165230). “Through this collection, I aim to inspire stakeholders and consumers to recognize that choosing garments produced in line with FSC standards isn’t just a fashion statement—it’s a commitment to a healthier planet. By infusing sustainability into our wardrobe choices, we’re not only adding fresh value to fashion but also cultivating a deeper awareness of our environmental impact,” Ms Au said. This collaboration is part of FSC’s broader “Fashion Forever Green Pact,” an initiative aimed at offering alternatives to fast fashion and promoting the transition to sustainable practices. To date, approximately 50 brands and supply chains have joined the pact, including all companies involved in this latest collection. Cindy Cheng, Regional Director of FSC APAC, emphasized the significance of this project: “We’re grateful to all the stakeholders who helped bring this capsule collection to life. This isn’t just about crafting beautiful garments; it’s about revolutionizing the fashion industry through responsible sourcing. The momentum we’ve created here will expand our mission beyond APAC, inspiring global change in how we approach fashion and sustainability.” The FSC x V.VISSI Collection represents a significant step towards a more sustainable fashion industry, demonstrating that responsible sourcing can be both stylish and impactful. By choosing FSC-certified clothing, consumers can actively contribute to forest conservation and support a future where fashion and nature thrive in harmony.    

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Hubtex has launched two new electric multidirectional sideloaders: the MSL 50 and the MAXX 50. For timber merchants, sawmills or prefabricated house builders, Hubtex offers tailor-made solutions for the specific requirements of the industry. Source: Timberbiz With the new MSL 50, the Hubtex product line has received a robust outdoor upgrade. The new electric multidirectional sideloader, with a load capacity of 11,000 lbs, is equipped with a specially developed SL cabin (sideloader cabin) and is optimized for longer transport distances outdoors. The ergonomic seating position in the direction of travel reduces strain on the driver, ensuring maximum comfort – particularly over longer distances. Thanks to the low-set front window, the route remains in view at all times, while the generous side window provides an optimal view of the load being transported. The new MSL 50 is particularly suitable for companies with large outdoor areas, such as lumber merchants or sawmills. Hubtex has also expanded its portfolio with the addition of a powerful 5-tonne model, the MAXX 50. Like all models in the MAXX series, it is designed for combined indoor and outdoor use, making it ideal for use in narrow warehouse aisles as well as for loading and unloading trucks outdoors. “The MAXX 50 is ideally suited to the needs of wood processing companies and lumber dealers,” said Hans-Joachim Finger, General Manager of Hubtex. “It offers increased residual load capacity, which is particularly essential for transporting heavy or damp timber.” The new MAXX 50 includes an ergonomic cabin, a lift mast precisely tailored to the load capacity, and the optionally available 360° HX steering. With a ground clearance of 7.3 inches and a load arm height of 21.1 inches, it offers the optimum trade-off between maximum utilisation of storage space and high flexibility outdoors. A powerful 5-kW electric motor ensures good performance – even on inclines. Hubtex has also expanded its portfolio with the addition of a powerful 5-tonne model, the MAXX 50. Like all models in the MAXX series, it is designed for combined indoor and outdoor use, making it ideal for use in narrow warehouse aisles as well as for loading and unloading trucks outdoors. “The MAXX 50 is ideally suited to the needs of wood processing companies and lumber dealers,” MR Finger said. “It offers increased residual load capacity, which is particularly essential for transporting heavy or damp timber.” The new MAXX 50 includes an ergonomic cabin, a lift mast precisely tailored to the load capacity, and the optionally available 360° HX steering. With a ground clearance of 7.3 inches and a load arm height of 21.1 inches, it offers the optimum trade-off between maximum utilisation of storage space and high flexibility outdoors. A powerful 5-kW electric motor ensures good performance – even on inclines.  

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After a sharp decrease in 2023, felling in Swedish forests continued to decrease in 2024, according to preliminary statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency. Not since 2013 has annual felling been lower. Source: Timberbiz The trend of higher harvesting levels was broken in 2023, and preliminary statistics now show that the decrease continued in 2024. The decrease has meant that the Swedish forest industry’s imports of roundwood have increased, according to Jonas Paulsson, statistician at the Swedish Forest Agency. Record fellings were recorded in 2021 and 2022, excluding 2005 and 2007 when fellings were very high due to storms Gudrun and Per. The trend of high felling levels was broken in 2023 with reduced felling. The reduction continued in 2024. According to the Swedish Forest Agency’s preliminary statistics, gross felling in 2024 amounted to 87.1 million cubic meters of forest. This is a decrease of 2% compared with 2023, when felling amounted to 88.9 million cubic meters of forest. Net felling, which constitutes the harvested volume of all tree trunks that are fully or partially recovered, amounted to 70.3 million cubic meters in 2024. Just under half of the net felling consisted of softwood sawn timber, 43% of pulpwood and 8% of firewood. Compared with 2023, the harvesting of softwood sawlogs is estimated to have been relatively unchanged, while the harvesting of pulpwood has decreased by 4%. The harvesting of firewood was 3% lower compared with 2023. In Svealand, felling decreased by 6% in 2024 and in Götaland by 3%. In Northern Norrland, felling was unchanged while it increased by 4% in Southern Norrland. Västra Götaland was the county with the most felling in 2024, with 8.1 million cubic meters of forest. This corresponded to 9% of the total felling in the country. Felling was also high in Värmland County, where 7.8 million cubic meters of forest were felled. Just over 1% of Swedish logging was exported in 2024. Exports decreased in 2024, from 1.3 million cubic meters in 2023 to a preliminary 0.9 million cubic meters in 2024. In 2024, imports of roundwood were provisionally 9.2 million cubic meters, which is around 1.9 million cubic meters more than the previous year. Imports increased from the Baltic countries, Norway and Poland, while they decreased from Finland.  

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A comprehensive new review published in the Journal of Stored Products Research warns that although phosphine (PH₃) continues to be registered as a generic phytosanitary treatment for timber, including by major importers such as China and India, global research data overwhelmingly concludes that it is not effective and should not be used for wood products. This is alarming as, despite the clear evidence that phosphine is not appropriate for use as a broad-spectrum treatment for wood, it has been successfully approved as a treatment for exported logs as recently as 2018. Source: Timberbiz In the first fully comprehensive study on phosphine’s efficacy, the review analysed a total of 41 studies from the late 1980s through to 2023. Among other aspects, the paper summarises the history of phosphine use, describes its mode of action, application conditions and treatment limitations, and provides an exhaustive biography of all relevant scientific literature on the subject. One of the authors of the study, Dr Matthew Hall, is an academic at Charles Darwin University in Australia and also Head of Phytosanitary and Market Access Affairs for the International Treatment Solutions (INTRESO) Group. “Despite phosphine’s successful track record as a grain fumigant, there is a conclusive absence of data to support a sufficient degree of its effectiveness against a full range of pests including insects, nematodes, and fungi, when it comes to wood products,” he said. “While the urgent need to phase out methyl bromide from use on wood products has meant regulators are looking for ready alternatives, there is a clear scientific consensus that phosphine is not an appropriate option. “This study not only shows that there is ample evidence available that phosphine does not work on wood, but that even limited use creates real-world risks to biosecurity and has already led to irreversible invasive species migration. With alternative solutions backed up by comprehensive efficacy data, regulators must reject complacency in assessing legacy products and instead follow the evidence.” The study conducts an in-depth analysis of research and evidence of phosphine’s efficacy as a phytosanitary treatment for wood products. Its conclusions are unequivocal, and the implications are deeply troubling given that phosphine is still registered as a fumigant for wood products in several countries and is accepted by a number of countries as a phytosanitary measure, potentially threatening their own biodiversity and ecosystems. Historically, phosphine has been seen interchangeably with methyl bromide, a fumigant widely used in the agricultural industry. It is particularly effective in treating grains, where it remains the primary fumigant. Following the international ban on most uses of the ozone-depleting methyl bromide two decades ago, including for treatment of wood, phosphine emerged as one of the chemical alternatives helped by its ready approvals for generic fumigation. As part of this legacy, many countries readily accept phosphine-treated wood products, including major markets such as China, Malaysia, Mongolia, Paraguay and India. Tellingly, although they are happy to treat their wood exports with phosphine, none of the USA, Australia, Canada, nor New Zealand accept any wood products treated with phosphine themselves, calling into question their own trust in phosphine as an effective treatment option. The authors suggest that despite regulatory permissiveness, the professional industry remains doubtful and that, in most cases, phosphine is not used as an industry default for large-scale wood product treatment. Nevertheless, even this limited use has already had disastrous consequences. The study highlights a well-documented case where the ineffective phosphine treatment has resulted in the permanent establishment of the Golden-Haired Bark Beetle, a critical forestry pest that has been transmitted from infested New Zealand wood to China. After reviewing the existing research, it became clear that there is an absence of scientific data to prove phosphine has a high degree of effectiveness against a full range of pests, including insects, nematodes, and fungi. Despite this absence of evidence, phosphine has been successfully approved for logs exported from Uruguay to China as recently as 2018. The research additionally notes there is no accepted phosphine treatment standard under ISPM 28, the international standard for controlling pests in international trade. The paper details an attempt to register phosphine as a treatment for wood under this internationally agreed standard that failed due to a lack of evidence showing its effectiveness against a broader range of pests.

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Australia and New Zealand’s changing climate patterns are leading to more volatile fire behaviour, spurring continued focus on bushfire preparedness to combat hotter, drier conditions. Source: Timberbiz In late 2024, the Australian Government committed $35 million over two years to the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) to respond to a wider range of emergencies, enhance the National Emergency Management Stockpile, and deliver a national preparedness program to reduce potential harm to the community.(1) Government support continued with the Australian Government committing $28.8 million to disaster preparedness in the 2025-2026 Federal Budget, including $17.7 million for the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Program.(2) In New Zealand, the government has committed $70 million over seven years (2024–2031) to the Natural Hazards and Resilience Platform, an initiative designed to strengthen national resilience to natural disasters by supporting science across the four Rs: reduction, readiness, response, and recovery.(3) The platform underpins New Zealand’s Disaster Resilience Strategy and focuses on building a more resilient future through collaborative research and innovation. Australia and New Zealand’s bushfire detection has historically relied heavily on human observation, aerial surveillance, and satellite imagery. These traditional methods depend on visible smoke or flame and are no longer sufficient to meet the growing threat. Delays in identification are common, particularly in remote or heavily forested areas. Both countries face similar challenges, with increasing fire risk and difficult terrain adding complexity to early detection and intervention. Bushfires have become more intense and unpredictable, making early detection and rapid response critical to protecting communities, ecosystems, and critical infrastructure. A national push towards artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions is now underway to deliver faster, more accurate detection and outpace catastrophic fires, according to Dryad Networks. “AI is reshaping Australia and New Zealand’s bushfire response by interpreting chemical markers, minor heat shifts, and environmental anomalies that would otherwise evade traditional monitoring,” Sohan Domingo, VP of Sales, Technology, and Operations, Dryad Networks, said “AI systems process data from a wide range of sources, including sensors, satellites, and atmospheric trackers to detect ignition risks before visible fires develop, helping emergency services deploy earlier and more precisely.” This AI-led evolution represents a fundamental shift from reactive firefighting to proactive risk identification. AI-powered sensor networks installed across bushlands and national parks can detect smoke and heat signatures at the smouldering stage, well before flames are visible. Their alerts are linked to predictive modelling tools that map potential fire spread, giving authorities critical lead time to coordinate ground response, aerial support, and evacuation measures. The ability to intervene at the first indication of ignition is essential to achieve the speed and precision needed to protect lives and assets as bushfire seasons lengthen and intensify. “AI technologies identify ignition points and simulate the likely movement of fires using advanced forecasting models,” Mr Domingo said. “This considers terrain, fuel loads, live weather conditions, and historical fire behaviour patterns for faster decision-making about asset protection, community warnings, and firefighting strategies.” Autonomous drones equipped with AI technology further strengthen Australia and New Zealand’s bushfire response. Drones can be dispatched instantly to verify alerts, map fire perimeters, and assess real-time conditions from above without placing human crews in danger. The integration of machine learning (ML) lets drones interpret their findings autonomously, minimising critical delays. Drones in future deployments could also be equipped with suppression tools such as foam dispensers or acoustic fire suppression technology, extending their role from surveillance to direct fire mitigation. “The environmental dividends of AI-powered early detection are clear. Stopping fires before they escalate lets ecosystems recover faster, minimises biodiversity loss, and avoids major carbon release events, supporting Australia and New Zealand’s emissions reduction and adaptation goals,” Mr Domingo said. “AI platforms feed sensor alerts, satellite data, and drone observations into shared dashboards for real-time situational awareness in emergency coordination centres. This connected approach supports faster multi-agency mobilisation and resource prioritisation during critical incidents.” Adapting AI for bushfire prevention requires local expertise and community involvement. Tailoring AI models to reflect Australia and New Zealand’s diverse terrains and leveraging Indigenous knowledge of traditional land and fire management practices can make detection technologies even more effective. Local participation creates AI deployments that are technologically advanced, culturally sensitive, and environmentally appropriate. Embedding AI into every stage of bushfire prevention redefines the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of Australasia’s emergency management capabilities from ignition detection to response coordination. “Continued investment in AI-powered detection, autonomous response, and post-fire ecosystem monitoring is critical to strengthening Australia and New Zealand’s disaster resilience. Expanding collaboration between government, research bodies, and traditional land managers will further enhance the relevance and effectiveness of these emerging technologies,” Mr Domingo said. References: (1) https://www.nema.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/media-release-summer-bushfire-outlook-reminder-plan-all-hazards (2) https://budget.gov.au/ (3) https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/science-and-innovation/funding-information-and-opportunities/investment-funds/strategic-science-investment-fund/ssif-funded-programmes/natural-hazards-and-resilience-platform  

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New Zealand exporters sending wood or beef and leather products to the European Union (EU) will soon have to comply with new rules that aim to reduce deforestation in the supply chain. Source: RNZ New Zealand government officials and industry opposed the approach to anti-deforestation taken by the incoming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), due to increased compliance costs exporters will face in proving their products have not contributed to the loss of trees. However, the European Commission was standing firm that imports of certain commodities had their part to play in addressing challenges related to deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss. A European Commission spokesperson said the EUDR covered seven key commodities, namely cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya and wood. “These commodities have been chosen on the basis of a thorough impact assessment identifying them as the main driver of deforestation due to agricultural expansion,” they said. Deforestation was defined as converting forests to land for agricultural use. For New Zealand, this will affect the $213 million export trade of beef and leather exports into the EU, with new rules coming into force this December. Exporters of wood products – a trade to Europe valued at around $100m – would be required to provide traceability processes to show that their products did not contribute to deforestation too. Products that do not meet the new import requirements will be rejected at the border. In recent months, the European Commission released further clarifications about the rules for operators and traders. A spokesperson said it found New Zealand to be a country with “low risk of deforestation”. “Sourcing from low-risk countries entails simplified due diligence obligations for operators and traders,” the spokesperson said. “Concretely, this means that they need to collect information but not assess and mitigate risks.” It also announced a 12-month phase-in for the new regime in December 2024, a year’s delay after the original enforcement date to give operators time to prepare, they said. “Given the EUDR’s novel character, the swift calendar, and the variety of international stakeholders involved, a 12-month additional time to phase in the system is a balanced solution to support operators around the world in securing a smooth implementation from the start,” they said. “This is essential to guarantee certainty about the way forward and to ensure the success of the EUDR.” The Wood Processors and Manufacturers’ Association chief executive Mark Ross said a working group with forest growers, wood processors and the government had been set up to work through some issues relating to the new requirement, like geolocation requirements. He said, overall, companies were “reasonably confident” they would be in a good position to meet the requirements. “At first glance the EUDR appears complex, but the best way to overcome any risks associated with the legislation and to ensure that our wood product exporters remain compliant, is for the forestry and wood processing industries to continue to work closely together on fulfilling the EUDR requirements,” said Ross. “By taking the necessary steps to comply with EUDR, the New Zealand wood products industry can gain a market advantage in Europe and globally, which will further enhance our positive sustainable forestry and wood products reputation.” However, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Trade and Investment Todd McClay wrote to the European Commission early last year, urging it to exclude New Zealand and the pastoral farming system from the regulation, among other bilateral efforts. “Without changes, this regulation risks making it too costly for many of our exporters to continue supplying the EU market, affecting over $200 million in Kiwi exports at a time when we should be growing this trade through the benefits of the NZ-EU Trade Agreement, not facing additional barriers,” said McClay in October. “New Zealand does not have a deforestation issue, and while we share the EU’s goals of promoting deforestation-free products, we already have stringent domestic protections in place. Imposing these compliance costs on our exporters is not justified.” Industry group Beef and Lamb New Zealand helped successfully lobby for the exclusion of sheepmeat with its British counterparts, the UK National Sheep Association, but senior trade policy advisor Nicholas Jolly said in May last year, it should also extent to beef. He said diverting products from the EU to other markets would significantly “devalue New Zealand’s trade”. “The loss in beef exports would begin at approximately $98 million annually, while the impact on leather exports would also be substantial, considering 45 percent of New Zealand’s leather exports by value go directly to the EU and it would be extremely difficult to find alternative markets.” Beef and Lamb New Zealand declined to comment further at the time of publish. Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of the Meat Industry Association (MIA), said the deforestation regulation was “unlikely” to tackle global deforestation, as it was “poorly designed and poorly drafted”. She said New Zealand already had strict environmental regulations with enforceable penalties for negatively impacting native vegetation. “New Zealand beef exports are backed by world-leading sustainability credentials and should be treated differently to products from countries where deforestation is a genuine concern,” she said. Karapeeva said it was working closely with officials to advocate for a “more pragmatic and sensible solution” that recognised New Zealand’s trend of afforestation. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the costs imposed on exporters were disproportionate to the risk that the product was actually linked to deforestation. “New Zealand shares the European Union’s objective of addressing global deforestation but has consistently raised concerns with the approach taken in the EU Deforestation Regulation.” It also encouraged the Commission to address these concerns through the relevant committees of the New Zealand/EU Free Trade Agreement. Large exporters had to comply with the new rules by 30 December, 2025 and June 2026 for smaller-sized exporters. Ministry for Primary Industries’ Bilateral Relations & Trade divisional manager Steve Ainsworth said it was continuing to liaise with beef and forestry sectors about the requirements. “MPI and MFAT have maintained an open […]

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New Forests has announced its Tropical Asia Forest Fund 2 (TAFF2) has made its first investment in timber processing infrastructure in Vietnam by investing in the Tavico Group (Tavico), one of the country’s leading suppliers of solid wood lumber and logs. Source: Timberbiz Tavico was founded in 2005 as a log trader and sawn timber mill with annual production capacity of 12,000m3 of lumber per annum, which is equivalent to approximately 800 medium sized houses. Since then, Tavico has increased its annual production capacity to approximately 250,000m3, equivalent to supplying wood for 16,500 medium sized houses. Tavico has also expanded its operations to include a distribution centre, home furniture wholesale market, warehousing and modular wooden home construction. TAFF2’s investment in Tavico will seek to establish a platform for an integrated timber processing and plantation business across Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, using Vietnam as a focal point. Tavico will look to expand into higher-value segments including finger-joint panels, flooring, furniture, glue laminated timber, and FSC-certified wood pellets. Tavico has established a 3,200-hectare FSC certified community forestry program with small holder farmers which provides employment and revenue sharing opportunities for local communities. The investment from TAFF2 will look to expand this program for smallholder farmers in Vietnam. Tavico’s ambitions for supporting and growing the availability and supply of high-quality, certified wood resources from community-based farms at scale aligns with New Forests’ and TAFF2’s vision to deliver sustainable, long-term livelihood impact through scaled, commercial activities. “We are excited to be announcing our first investment in Vietnam, partnering with Tavico, a company with significant scale and network for timber processing across the country. This collaboration reflects a shared vision for creating long-term value through innovation, sustainability, and positive impact on local communities,” Geoffrey Seeto, Senior Managing Director, Emerging Markets, New Forests said, “Vietnam remains a key player in the global wood industry, recording close to USD 4 billion in wood product exports in the first quarter of 2025 with key exports including wooden furniture, pellets, woodchips, plywood, and engineered wood products.” Vo Quang Ha, CEO, Tavico Group said that the partnership with New Forests marked an exciting new chapter in Tavico’s journey. “With their support and global expertise in sustainable forestry, we’re well-positioned to expand our impact, strengthen our value-added capabilities, and continue leading the way in responsible wood sourcing in Vietnam. Together, we aim to help elevate the entire Vietnamese wood industry by promoting higher sustainability standards, encouraging the use of certified wood, and supporting the development of a traceable, high-value supply chain that benefits both local communities and the environment.” The investment marks the fourth acquisition for New Forests’ TAFF2 strategy, which is continuing to deploy capital after announcing in April that it has acquired a majority stake in Burapha Agro-Forestry, a Laos-based timber plantation forestry company.

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South Australia’s Treasurer Stephen Mullighan delivered a State Budget this week that could best be described as “back-to-basics” that responds to the challenges of today while setting the State on a path to a more prosperous future, according to South Australian Forest Products Association CEO Nathan Paine. Source: Timberbiz “From law and order, cost-of-living support, health, road infrastructure, to targeted drought support for primary industries and the Whyalla Steelworks rescue package, the Treasurer has delivered a modest yet focused Budget that recognises the pressures faced by South Australian families, businesses and industries,” Mr Paine said. “For our state’s forest industries, SAFPA looks forward to working with the Government and Minister Clare Scriven to finalise delivery of the previously announced $20 million in forestry projects, including the Forestry Centre of Excellence – a state-of-the-art facility being developed in partnership with UniSA that will enhance forest research, education and new product development.” Mr Paine said that over the past 18 months, the Malinauskas Government had announced major investments in the forestry industry from the completed $2.34 million rollout of Australia’s largest AI-powered fire detection camera and upgraded fire tower network that has protected our estate and the community during the most recent bushfire season, to the jointly funded, purpose-built Tree Breeding Australia Research and Development facility. “We have also seen the release of the Wood Fibre and Timber Industries Master Plan and secured nearly $30 million in combined Telstra, Federal, State, Local Government and industry funding to make the Limestone Coast the most connected regional area in the nation,” Mr Paine said. “As our industry celebrates 150 years of growing the foundational fibre that underpins our communities and economy, SAFPA will continue working alongside the State Government and community leaders to deliver critical initiatives that ensure we meet the growing demand for sustainable wood and fibre products. From framing timber for homes and pallets for supply chains, to pulp, paper, and the emerging opportunities in biofuels, biochemicals and biochar – forest industries are central to South Australia’s future prosperity.”

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Forestry Australia, in partnership with ForestWorks, has launched a mentoring program for women in the industry. CEO Jacquie Martin said the program is a transformative nine-month pilot initiative designed to empower women in the forest and forest products sectors. Source: Timberbiz “We are now calling for expressions of interest from both mentors and mentees to join this groundbreaking program, funded by ForestWorks through the Australian Government’s Forestry Workforce Training Program (FWTP),” Ms Martin said. “Mentoring fosters’ personal and professional growth by building trust-based relationships that support goal setting, confidence, and leadership readiness,” Ms Martin said. “For women in male-dominated industries like forestry, mentoring provides critical support to overcome systemic barriers, access career opportunities, and build a strong, inclusive community that champions growth and connection.” The program will connect 25 mentor–mentee pairs, carefully matched based on shared interests, goals, and communication styles. Participants will engage in monthly one-on-one sessions (virtual or in-person), quarterly webinars, and peer support groups, exploring key themes such as: Defining your career path Establishing goals Time management for life Confidence, self-advocacy, and self-belief Work-life integration and wellbeing Building networks and connections Strategic influence and leadership Mentors will receive training on effective, inclusive mentoring practices, while mentees are encouraged to invest approximately one hour per month for meetings, plus six hours for preparation, goal setting, and development activities. The program is designed to boost confidence, foster professional growth, and support women in navigating both career and personal commitments. “This initiative is about creating lasting change,” Ms Martin said. “Participants will connect with role models, strengthen their leadership and career pathways, and build peer networks that endure beyond the program. “We’re committed to fostering a supportive community that empowers women to thrive in the forest and forest products industries.” Following the pilot, Forestry Australia will provide ForestWorks with the program’s framework, resources, learnings, and webinars, ensuring long-term accessibility and impact for the broader industry. The program is open to women working in the forest and forest product industries who are seeking support to grow their careers, develop leadership skills, and build strong professional networks. Expressions of interest from women, men and non-binary individuals who are committed allies of women in the industry are welcomed. Mentors will be selected based on their experience, values, and willingness to support and uplift the next generation of women leaders in forestry. To apply visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TPSFDGM or contact PD@forestry.org.au before Friday 4 July.

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Federal environmental approval granted for expansion of the South 32 Worsley bauxite mine has given the green light to clearing of a further 3855 hectares of native forest around Boddington south-east of Perth. Mine clearing will predominantly impact public forest in a landscape where native vegetation is already heavily fragmented due to past agricultural clearing and mining. Source: Australian Rural & Regional News These forests are known to provide important habitat for eight threatened fauna species including woylie, numbat, chuditch, western ringtail possum and quokka, along with three species of forest-dwelling cockatoos. Other conservation dependent fauna and threatened plants occur within the area to be affected by mining. Cumulative impacts from the Worsley mine expansion are in direct conflict with the vision and goals for management of public forest land articulated in the Forest Management Plan 2024-2033. This plan is intended to prioritise forest health and biodiversity of public forests and to manage forests to maintain or enhance carbon storage and improve climate resilience. In September 2021 the Western Australian Labour government announced the end of commercial timber harvesting in native forest and has since spent $80 million of public funds on transition measures to support affected workers and communities. Mine expansion takes place against a background where the Western Australian Environment Protection Authority acknowledged that clearing of vegetation within the northern jarrah forest will accelerate over the next 20 years. Experience shows the rate of clearing for mining has increased at a rate greater than that of subsequent post-mining rehabilitation. In assessing the Worsley mine expansion, the Environment Protection Authority recommended a series of conditions be imposed including protection of private land as conservation offsets, limits to the number of cockatoo nesting trees cleared for mining, and measures to limit and offset emission of greenhouse gases from clearing, mining and ore processing. Following an appeals process the Western Australian Minister for Environment chose to relax a number of conditions placed on South 32 allowing increased clearing of public native forest and removing any conditions on greenhouse gas emissions. Federal approval under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is subject to conditions substantively consistent with State requirements. Given this background the commitment of the Western Australian government to managing native forests to conserve biodiversity and improve climate resilience must be questioned. Bauxite mining requires complete clearing of all vegetation and the removal of a substantial part of the deeply weathered soil profile. Important habitat elements such as large decayed ground logs and old trees containing hollows suitable for cockatoo nesting are lost completely from mined landscapes and will take much longer than a century to re-establish. These impacts far exceed any temporary loss of habitat resulting from timber harvesting. Bauxite mining is an important industry for the Western Australian economy and provides a metal increasingly in demand for the transition to renewable energy. However, the community should question how much bauxite mining is enough, and whether closure of the native forest timber industry is simply a convenient smokescreen for increased mining in the jarrah forest. Dr Lachlan McCaw AFSM is a forest scientist with more than four decades experience studying and working in the forests of south-west Western Australia.

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On Wednesday, 28 May, a ceremony was held in Mönsterås, Sweden to mark the start of construction of Södra’s new kraft lignin plant. The facility is an important step in Södra’s strategy to make more from every tree and develop its business by adding new bio-based products. Source: Timberbiz Lignin is a natural substance found in trees and acts as a binding agent between the fibres. Lignin is released during pulp production and is currently used mainly for energy generation. With this new plant, Södra will be able to separate and dry kraft lignin, making it possible to replace fossil materials in, for example, adhesives, batteries, rubber and composites. The kraft lignin can also be used as the building block for new biofuels and biostimulants. The new plant will cover an area of 1,400 m² and be built on a prepared site at Södra’s existing combined facility in Mönsterås. The facility is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will then be the first commercial plant of its kind in Sweden and the world’s largest producer of kraft lignin. Magnus Hall, Chair of Södra, Lotta Lyrå, CEO of Södra, Allan Widman, County Governor in Kalmar Municipality, Clara Helstad from the Swedish Energy Agency, Karin Dernegård, Mill Manager of Södra Cell Mönsterås and Johannes Bogren, Business Area President of Södra Bioproducts took part in the ceremony to mark the start of construction. “The construction start symbolises a huge step forward, driven by innovation and long-term investments. With this new plant, we are creating a completely new business operation at Södra that will support the green transition, increase profitability and strengthen the value of forest estates,” said Johannes Bogren, Business Area President of Södra Bioproducts. Investment in both the environment and the local community For Mönsterås, the establishment will not only add new jobs but also greater industrial expertise, as well as enhancing its attractiveness as a sustainable industrial site. “We estimate that the new plant could create 25 new jobs. Being home to a world-leading kraft lignin plant puts Mönsterås on the map both nationally and internationally,” said Karin Dernegård, Mill Manager for Södra Cell Mönsterås. The plant is being constructed with support from the Swedish Energy Agency’s Industrial Leap (Sw. Industriklivet), a government programme that supports technology investments aimed at reducing the climate impact of industry. The Industrial Leap is part of the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which is the centrepiece of the NextGenerationEU package.  

The new Komatsu 895.3 comes fitted with the new powerful 205F crane, new large G88H grapple and rotator with a redesigned frame, upgraded load space and bunks with optional telescopic functions. Source: Timberbiz The 205F is a new Komatsu crane with 205KNm lifting torque and 51.9kNm slewing torque. It has been developed with a focus on increased productivity in final felling especially in forest plantations. The crane has a robust welded crane pillar together with the inner and outer booms provide good lift capacity and lifting geometry. It has optional reach of 7.5m/8.5m with single telescopic or 10m with double telescopic booms. The machine’s reinforced frame system, including articulating frame and bearings have been designed to handle the increased crane capacity and new load space. The more robust frame provides improved durability in tough environments. An updated hydraulic system is equipped with a new larger hydraulic pump adapted for the new crane. It is electrically controlled for improved response and control resulting in smoother pressure levels and improved efficiency. A larger hydraulic tank developed for a single filter instead of double filter, simplifies maintenance. The new Komatsu 895.3 with HD Transmission, redesigned frame, large load capacity, new 205F crane and G88H rotator take the machine to another production level.

Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry from Pacific Island countries endorsed the Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy for Agriculture and Forestry at the 4th Meeting of the Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Source: Timberbiz The 4th Ministerial Meeting concluded the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF), hosted by the Kingdom of Tonga and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Pacific Community (SPC). The Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy is anchored in five interwoven strategic pathways — healthy, regenerative, secure, integrated, and enabled — which collectively guide transformative action across the agriculture and forestry sectors. These pathways underpin eight catalytic initiatives (2025–2030), which include promoting One Health and regenerative practices; advancing afforestation and climate-resilient systems; strengthening biosecurity and agrobiodiversity; supporting agribusiness and exports; and enhancing data, knowledge, and education systems to build future talent. This endorsement marks a major milestone in the region’s collective commitment to building resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agrifood systems for the future. The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry of Tonga, Honourable Dr Siosiua Moala Halavatau set the tone for the ministerial meeting in his opening remarks by urging continued collaboration among Pacific Islands to tackle shared challenges such as out-migration, an aging farmer population, and climate change. “Agriculture and forestry are vital for the Pacific, as they are the backbones of our economies and the foundation of our food security. But they face significant challenges,” said Dr Halavatau. “Partnership brings us together today in a genuine effort to work together towards a vibrant, sustainable, and resilient future for Pacific peoples and countries.” FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Guangzhou Qu, who reaffirmed FAO’s support for the region, emphasized that traditional practices and knowledge in the Pacific provide scalable solutions for climate resilience and sustainable production. “Guided by examples from across our Pacific nations, we envision a future where healthy soils thrive, farmer organizations lead, transparent data informs our decisions, and biodiversity flourishes,” said Qu. “By empowering our youth and integrating indigenous knowledge, we can drive innovation that transforms Pacific agrifood systems, leaving no one behind.” SPC’s Deputy Director-General (Science and Capability), Dr Paula Vivili, reiterated the cultural significance of food in the Pacific. “Let us also not forget that food is identity in the Pacific. Our region has immense food heritage and genetic wealth. We must protect it, celebrate it, and build systems that ensure its benefits for Pacific people,” he said. “Today, through discussions on invasive species, climate-informed food systems planning, and domestic production, we are collectively shaping strategies that are tailored, timely, and rooted in national priorities.” The transformation of agriculture and forestry for more regeneration, productivity, and resilience was the central theme of the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry. This biannual week-long event was officially opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Sinaitakala Tukuaho of the Kingdom of Tonga. PWAF brought together governments, NGOs, community-based organizations, and the private sector to chart a transformative path for agriculture and forestry in the region. Hosted by the Government of Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests, PWAF served as an essential platform for sharing knowledge, aligning strategies, and driving collective action toward resilient and sustainable food systems across the Pacific. The fifth PWAF will be hosted by the Solomon Islands in 2027, as agreed by Pacific countries and territories. FAO and SPC, as key technical and resource partners in the region, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Pacific Island Countries in tackling climate change, food insecurity, and environmental degradation, working collaboratively in building a more resilient and sustainable future for all.  

World leading chainsaw brand, Stihl, has launched the second year of its Chainsaw Safety Week in Australia. From Monday, June 2 to June 8, Stihl is determined to continue building awareness of the necessary safety precautions for operating a chainsaw this winter and beyond. Source: Timberbiz Chainsaws are powerful tools-indispensable for professionals and weekend warriors alike. But with power comes risk, and every year, improper use leads to thousands of injuries, many of them easily preventable with training. With over 600 Stihl dealerships around the country and the largest market share of chainsaw sales in Australia, Stihl is committed to the safe and proper use of chainsaws. “At Stihl, we’re committed to making sure that Australians are putting their safety first,” Stihl Australia managing director Leeson Brook said. “As Australia’s most trusted brand for chainsaws and outdoor power equipment, we recognise we have a role to play to support the safe use of these essential tools.” Stihl launched the campaign with a donation to Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), supplying them with $10,000 worth of equipment to support their vital work in keeping Australian communities safe in the aftermath of destructive weather events, such as the recent Cyclone Alfred and Victorian fires. As the control agency of flood and storm, DRA unites the skills and experience of veterans and other dedicated volunteers, harnessing their extensive training and substantial experience of Chainsaw Operations, to safely support communities and remove trees down over roads and properties and help to repair building damage. “Proper preparation beforehand can be the main difference for your property surviving a disaster,” a DRA representative said. “Identifying any hazardous trees or branches that need to be dealt with before the season starts. Whether you’re using a chainsaw, pole saw, brush cutter or even just a blower to undertake any of these tasks yourself, it is crucial that you understand the risks involved and know how to operate the equipment safely.” Chainsaw Safety: Not Just for the Pros Stihl’s campaign isn’t just aimed at seasoned arborists or forestry workers. The other target is the occasional user, the DIY enthusiast who fires up a chainsaw for a backyard project, often without giving safety more than a passing thought. For these users, a moment’s inattention or a missing piece of protective gear can have life-altering consequences. The Five-Minute Rule The message is simple but vital: take five minutes before you start. Five minutes to check your gear, inspect your chainsaw, and clear your work area. It’s a small investment of time that can prevent catastrophic injuries. Stihl’s safety checklist is straightforward: Wear snug-fitting, cut-resistant clothing, steel-toed boots, gloves, and full head, face, and hearing protection. Inspect your chainsaw for sharpness, proper tension, and intact safety devices- never use a damaged or improperly maintained tool. Clear your work area of tripping hazards, bystanders, and overhead dangers, and always be mindful of weather conditions that could add risk. Stihl has engineered their chainsaws with numerous safety features, from reduced-kickback chains to chain brakes and ergonomic designs. But as the company itself points out, “user safety really does begin with you”. No amount of technology can substitute for personal vigilance and proper preparation; this is where the messaging of safety through the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) is vital. Chainsaw Safety Week isn’t just about checklists, it’s about changing attitudes towards chainsaws. Safety needs to be second nature, not an afterthought. STIHL’s outreach, from online tips and quizzes to in-store advice, is designed to make safety part of the chainsaw experience, not an optional extra. Stihl Chainsaw Safety Week is a timely reminder that taking a few minutes to prepare, suit up, and check your equipment is not just good practice – it’s a responsibility to yourself, your family, and your community. Let’s make chainsaw safety more than a weeklong campaign. Let’s make it a habit, every time we pick up the saw.

Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association (FTMA) state seminars have solidified their place as an integral event in the fabricator calendar, bringing together fabricators, expert speakers, and valued partners. Source: Timberbiz So far FTMA has run state seminars in SA, NSW & QLD in collaboration with three principal partners, Mitek, Multinail and Pryda, who have all run morning sessions. The morning nail plate sessions were an invaluable opportunity for fabricators to engage directly with their nail plate companies, Multinail, MiTek, and Pryda, and fellow fabricators. These events showcase the latest developments in software, services, and machinery, providing crucial insights to enhance fabricators’ operations. With dedicated time to explore innovative advancements, attendees gain knowledge essential to staying competitive and efficient. After lunch, the FTMA seminars kicked off and for three hours, delegates not only had the opportunity of listening to the following speakers but also participated in workshops to provide crucial feedback on key industry initiatives. Tim Woods and Jim Houghton recently completed a major study for the Australian industry, funded, supported and launched by Forest & Wood Products Australia. The More Houses Sooner – Finding the Australian Dream report provides clear clues and scenarios that show a pathway for fabricators and the timber supply chain and explains why that is vital to Australia’s future prosperity. Members were left shocked when they realised that it has been 40 years since we have been able to build enough homes for Australians. We used to build roughly 60 homes for every 100 Australians; this has now dropped to only 23 homes for every 100 persons. For more information visit https://ftmanews.com

Veteran developer Barrie Harrop has revived plans for a $250m timber hotel in the heart of the Adelaide CBD, with construction set to kick off before the end of the year. Source: Timberbiz The 31-level tower will be built behind and above an existing office tower, the heritage-listed former MLC building at 187 Victoria Square. The project was first announced in 2022. Green Street News reports that the carbon-neutral development building, designed by Cox Architecture and to be built out of cross-laminated timber and green steel, will offer 324 hotel suites, 20 residential apartments and four sub-penthouses. Tier-one builder Multiplex is set to build the upmarket lifestyle hotel, which will be operated by a “globally recognised international hotelier”. Green Street News reports that the property could welcome guests by late 2026 or early 2027. “The development is being undertaken by Thrive Construct, which Harrop runs with fellow Adelaide developer Peter Villis. The firm focuses on carbon-neutral projects using modular or prefabricated construction techniques.

This year marks a decade since Scion adopted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a research tool forging a path towards more effective forest management. Source: Timberbiz A pioneer in the field of UAV research, the Crown Research Institute bought its first drone in February 2015. Since then, UAVs have become a key tool for aerial data capture, for use in high-definition mapping and monitoring of forests. Scion also uses them for 3D modelling, sample collection, sub-canopy data captures and various types of imaging across multiple programs. It is the only Crown Research Institute with Civil Aviation Authority Part 102 higher tier certification, which enables it to undertake UAV activity outside what standard operational licences allow. Scion scientist Robin Hartley says UAVs add a lot of value to the organisation’s research. “We regularly capture high-definition LIDAR for measuring trees. We can get ultra high-resolution maps of stands and trials, we are capturing spectral and thermal data to understand more about tree physiology remotely, and we’re working with companies to develop UAV spray systems specific to forestry needs. We’re also exploring niche areas such as sub-canopy flying for characterising stem and branch structure and collecting upper canopy samples.” The autonomous systems team has worked with other teams across Scion and industry over the past 10 years to enable them to adopt UAV technologies. “There is plenty of potential for UAVs to be used for other purposes within research and commercial forest management, too, such as forest inventory, phenotyping and manual applications such as spraying and planting,” Mr Hartley said. It all started in 2012, when research group leader David Pont was a scientist monitoring the development of UAVs and miniaturised laser scanning technologies. By 2015 a commercially available scanner had been matched to a drone from Aeronavics, a NZ-based UAV company working with the Hollywood film industry. At the time, a geomatics team was being formed at Scion that comprised scientists with expertise in airborne LiDAR. A state-of-the-art LidarPod weighing 3kg was bought from Scotland, and the Scion team ordered the largest UAV they could find to carry it. This UAV gave Scion a modern way to laser scan forest stands. Scion staff Toby Stovold, Kane Fleet and Marie Heaphie (who has since left the organisation), learned to fly a small UAV, which meant when the larger craft arrived, they were ready to deploy it for forestry research. The wider industry took notice as the technology continued to develop. Several forestry companies have since invested in trials and built their own in-house UAV capacity. The strong industry adoption was highlighted in a 2020 study that showed 83% of forestry companies in NZ use UAVs to capture aerial imagery, compared with none in an earlier 2013 survey. Scion also helped set up the Tools for Foresters (TFF) industry initiative, which connects researchers and foresters using UAVs in forests to share research, knowledge and resources. This helps enhance UAV technology development and encourage adoption of these tools. Timberlands inventory manager Michael Wilson says Scion’s work with UAVs over the past decade has helped shape how his company uses the technology in forest management operations. “Scion’s work helped us see what was possible with drone technology – from precision aerial mapping to advanced canopy analysis – and gave us the confidence to invest in UAVs ourselves. It’s hard to imagine modern forest management without them now.” Mr Hartley says Scion continues to work with forest managers to develop systems that are relevant and cost-effective. “A recent survey showed a 20% increase across some key UAV uses that have been developed and promoted through TFF.” Scion’s autonomous systems team is focused on advancing techniques for the capture and use of LiDAR, photogrammetry and thermal and multi-spectral imagery.

A new AI system that can automatically identify contaminated construction and demolition wood waste has been developed by researchers from Monash University and Charles Darwin University (CDU). Source: Timberbiz Published in Resources, Conservation & Recycling, the study presents the first real-world image dataset of contaminated wood waste, a major step toward smarter recycling and sustainable construction. The research team, led by Madini De Alwis with Dr Milad Bazli (CDU), under the supervision of Associate Professor Mehrdad Arashpour, Head of Construction Engineering at Monash, trained and tested cutting-edge deep learning models to detect contamination types in wood waste using images. Contaminated wood from construction and demolition sites often ends up in landfill due to the difficulty of sorting it manually. But by applying AI models the team found strong precision and recall across six types of wood contamination. “We curated the first real-world image dataset of contaminated construction and demolition wood waste,” said Mr De Alwis, a PhD candidate at Monash’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “This new system could be deployed via camera-enabled sorting lines, drones or handheld tools to support on-site decision-making.” While computer vision has been explored in general waste streams, its application to contaminated wood waste has remained limited, until now. “By fine-tuning state-of-the-art deep learning models, including CNNs and Transformers, we showed that these tools can automatically recognise contamination types in wood using everyday RGB images,” Dr Bazli said. Wood waste is one of the largest components of construction waste globally. Most of it can be recycled, but contamination from paint, chemicals, metals and other construction residues makes sorting difficult and costly. “This opens the door to scalable, AI-driven solutions that support wood waste reuse, recycling and reclamation,” Dr Bazli said. By integrating AI with waste management practices, the study supports Australia’s circular economy goals and the global push for greener construction. “This is a practical, scalable solution for a global waste problem. By enabling automated sorting, we’re giving recyclers and contractors a powerful tool to recover valuable resources and reduce landfill dependency,” Mr De Alwis said.

Millions of eucalypt and pine seedlings are being dispatched across NSW ahead of the annual State Forest planting season. Grown from seed at Forestry Corporation’s Grafton and Tumut nurseries these seedlings will provide NSW with sustainable timber resources for the future. Source: Timberbiz In coming months, the seedlings will be mostly planted by hand in recently harvested compartments, regrowing these forests with trees for the future. Forestry Corporation’s seedling stock will be supplemented with stock purchased from HQP in Queensland to produce the high-quality timber that is important to the plywood industry and used for furniture, veneer, joinery, panelling, particle board, flooring and boats. Forestry Corporation every year plants the equivalent of 14,000 football fields in plantations. Forestry Corporation’s nursery staff play a huge hand in increasing the state’s timber resources. “Our nurseries combined raise around 11 million new trees every year for the replanting of state forests across NSW. Most are grown from seed, while others are sourced externally to ensure a diverse and resilient plantation stock,” Grafton Nursery Manager Karen Morrow said. “Here in Grafton, we are currently dispatching 300,000 hardwood seedlings, 380,000 softwood seedlings and a heap of specialty seedling orders. “We have raised and dispatched 29,000 koala feed trees that will be hugely important in creating koala habitat through community and private property planting projects. “An additional 15,000 Christmas tree seedlings have just been dispatched, along with 6,000 eucalyptus seedings for a private customer and another 23,000 eucalyptus seedlings will be dispatched for planting in June,” she said. Mechanical planting of hoop pine is also set to start at Pikapene near Grafton. A large replanting program will see around 700,000 radiata seedlings planted in New England pine forests in the Walcha district. Half of those seedlings were transferred to Inverell for hardening in April, where they will stay until the plantings commence in July. Dispatch will also take place from the Tumut nursery, which focuses on radiata pine in areas like Tumut, Bombala and Bathurst. Every year NSW’s softwood plantations grow enough timber to build more than 40,000 homes a year. Hardwood forests continue to produce incredible engineered products, such as the timber interior of the Sydney Opera House, but it’s the everyday uses where the timber is most needed producing power poles, marine wharf piers, timber pallets, timber flooring, decking and furniture. Combined, the NSW forestry industry generates an estimated $2.4 billion for the economy employing 22,000 people in NSW. For more information on replanting programs and forest management visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au

Sterling Structural, a pioneer in domestically sourced and manufactured mass timber solutions in the United States, has officially joined the CLT Toolbox platform, a global design software platform that empowers structural engineers to specify timber faster, more accurately, and in line with real supplier data. Source: Timberbiz Designed to advance the adoption of sustainable timber construction across Australia, CLT Toolbox offers engineers, students, and timber enthusiasts’ access to cutting-edge tools and educational resources, empowering a new generation to contribute to a sustainable future. The platform enables education alongside design enabling engineers to use mass timber. Its mission is to make CLT design easy, accessible, and aligned with supply chain realities – broadening engineering capacity across the region. CLT Toolbox is gearing up for a major launch later this year with added modules for fire design, diaphragm design, shear walls, connection details, and much more. Sterling is the first US Cross Laminated Timber supplier to partner with CLT Toolbox, enabling engineers to design with Sterling’s panels directly within the platform. Through the beta program, users can now create designs using wall and floor calculators tailored to Sterling’s products. Sterling Structural is a division within Sterling Solutions, one of America’s leading manufacturers of sustainably sourced, domestically produced, high-quality and cost-effective Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats, panels and systems. “The addition of Sterling Structural’s CLT panels and systems to the Toolbox will help advance the adoption of CLT and mass timber projects across the US,” said Adam Jones, CEO of CLT Toolbox. “Sterling is a leading CLT manufacturer, and their inclusion in the Toolbox offers an immediate opportunity for engineers to incorporate CLT into their projects.” With Sterling now fully integrated, engineers can design with Sterling’s CLT and glulam products, and get: Full design integration of Sterling CLT panels Instant capacity checks and reports aligned with U.S. codes Specification-ready outputs that streamline documentation “We’re on a mission to bring mass timber to the masses, and the CLT Toolbox is an integral part of achieving that mission,” said Michaela Harms, Vice President of Mass Timber at Sterling Structural. “When we make it easy to design for CLT and mass timber, we make it easy to incorporate mass timber. We’re looking forward to seeing how this new resource boosts interest and use of CLT in projects of all shapes and sizes.” This partnership comes at a critical time in US construction as developers demand lower carbon, faster, and more beautiful buildings. Sterling’s presence on CLT Toolbox brings scalable, modern tools into the hands of structural engineers unlocking the full potential of mass timber design.