Australian timber industry news

An upgrade of £14.5 million will be made to Forestry England’s tree nursery to grow climate-resilient trees at its tree nursery in Cheshire, including building a new seed extractory. This will produce seeds for millions of high-quality, UK grown, resilient trees in the decades ahead. Source: Timberbiz The new facility, which is due to open in the northern spring of 2025, will be the largest in the UK, testing and processing up to four tonnes of tree seeds each year. It will replace Forestry England’s current seed extractory at Alice Holt Forest in Surrey which was built in 1964. Most of the funding for the upgrades is being made available from the Defra Nature for Climate Fund with Forestry England also contributing. The project will boost Forestry England’s resilience in supplying suitable genetic material for woodland creation and regeneration for the rest of this century. In particular, the development will allow Forestry England to process more seed, and from a greater variety of tree species located in 13 specially planted orchards and 39 seed stands spread across the nation’s forests. Douglas fir, western red cedar and Norway spruce will be amongst the focus species because they are expected to grow well and become more prominent as sources of high-quality timber in England’s future climate conditions. As well as processing seeds and growing trees for the nation’s forests, Forestry England also supplies other forestry organisations. In 2025, depending on the seed crops, they expect to supply around 450 kg of conifer seeds to the private sector as well as around 7.5 million trees for planting in the nation’s forests. Building a secure supply of high-quality tree seed from diverse species over the years ahead will significantly improve availability for UK nurseries and reduce the amount of seed imported from overseas. This will benefit the UK forestry sector as a whole and plays a major part in boosting diversity in timber producing tree species. The new seed extractory building will be equipped with the best available processing machinery alongside expanded areas for cold and dry seed storage that will enable several tonnes of seeds to be stored in the best conditions before germination and planting. As well as building the new seed extractory, Forestry England is creating a new miniplug growing facility at the nursery, which will more than double the capacity of the ‘standing out area’. This is the protected area where tree seedlings continue to grow after they leave the glasshouse and become acclimatised to outdoor conditions. This will complement the glasshouse which Forestry England opened in 2018 as its first major project to build resilience against changing weather patterns. This computer-controlled environment uses a combination of fans, shade screens and roof ventilation to regulate the temperature, humidity and light levels for the growing trees. Cell-grown trees can be planted all year round and so help in extending the planting season in the nation’s forests. Together, these tree nursery investments support Forestry England’s work growing, planting and caring for sustainable, wildlife-rich, productive forests across the country.  

Kesla launched a new generation box-framed KESLA 165 forest trailer at the Agricultural Machinery Trade Fair in Helsinki this month. Source: Timberbiz KESLA 165 marks the beginning of a new era in tractor-drawn forestry trailers with its robot-welded box-frame-type structure and technical features earlier known from forwarders. The trailer has a standard load space area of 4 m² which can be easily expanded to an impressive 5 m² by simply turning the posts. Together with freely adjustable bunks, hydraulically movable front screen and extendable rear frame, the load space flexibly adapts to varying characteristics of different kinds of round wood. Load space length is 4,8 m which allows 6 m logs, or even longer ones, to be transported safely and efficiently. The new trailer is specifically designed for professional tractor contractors providing increased productivity in logistics and more earnings. KESLA 165 is the only 167/2013 type-approved forest trailer with 16 tn payload Together with a tow bar mounted KESLA 326T timber loader the gross weight of KESLA 165 trailer is totally 22 000 kg consisting of 6000 kg deadweight and 16 000 kg payload. Due to an articulated tow bar and ISOBUS connected traction system the trailer follows the tractor perfectly especially in steep hills and tight turnings. Special attention is put on the bogies which are designed to climb over the obstacles. Excellent gross weight-payload ratio provides the best fuel economy on the market per transported round wood m3. A powerful nave drive provides an extra 3,9 tons draw power (250 bar and at 2 km/h speed) when required. ISOBUS connected traction system benefits the tractor as the load is well synchronized and therefore causes less stress to the tractor. Trailer comes already from the factory with an EU wide 167/2013 type approval and can be therefore driven legally on the public roads. Prior to its launch, the KESLA 165 trailer received an honourable mention in the New Product Competition organized by the Agricultural Machinery Trade Fair. All KESLA trailers are manufactured in Finland at Kesla Kesälahti plant which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. International sales of KESLA 165 starts in December 2024.

For many, the aroma of forests evokes memories of tranquil walks in nature. Port Blakely Essential Oils is harnessing these sensations with their Douglas-fir essential oil, setting a new standard in the fragrance industry by offering an FSC certified alternative to synthetic perfumes. Source: Timberbiz Located in the heart of New Zealand’s pristine wilderness, Port Blakely has created a product that encapsulates the bright, woodsy notes of Douglas-fir, making it ideal for cosmetics, aromatherapy, and personal fragrances. Unlike many companies that rely on harmful fossil fuels, Port Blakely has embraced the natural power of trees, creating a fully sustainable, circular energy system. Their state-of-the-art biomass boiler transforms wood byproducts into clean, renewable steam energy, allowing them to power operations while dramatically reducing their carbon footprint. This commitment comes at a pivotal time when consumers increasingly prioritise eco-friendly options in their purchasing decisions. The company’s forests, including the pristine Shag River Forest, located just 2.5 hours from Queenstown, provides clean air and pure water, ensuring the highest quality essential oils. “With over 20 years of Forest Management FSC certification under our belt, it was only natural for Port Blakely NZ Essential Oils [a subsidiary of Port Blakely] to become one of the first tree oil producers globally to gain FSC chain of custody accreditation for our Douglas-fir essential oil. We consider this the global gold standard in sustainable forest management and are proud to have achieved it within just three years of operation,” said Mitch Cooke, Business Manager for Port Blakely NZ Essential Oils. FSC certification ensures that Port Blakely’s operations adhere to rigorous environmental and social standards, safeguarding biodiversity, protecting workers’ rights, and supporting local communities. This is particularly significant as more consumers seek to align their purchasing decisions with sustainability principles. According to Mr Cooke, the company’s essential oils enable customers to “make better informed purchases,” whether they are selecting products for aromatherapy, fragrances, or cosmetics. The fragrance industry’s transition toward natural, responsibly sourced products reflects broader changes in global consumer preferences. In 2022, the natural personal care market experienced an 8% growth, driven by a rising interest in eco-friendly options. Industry analysts from market research firms like Grand View Research and Mordor Intelligence have noted that, despite the fragrance sector’s slow move away from petrochemicals, primarily due to the lower cost of synthetic ingredients, there is a growing demand for natural alter-natives. As consumers become more educated about the environmental impacts of fossil fuel-based products, the market for sustainably sourced fragrances continues to expand.

The annual Major Shut Down (MSD) at the Visy Pulp and Paper Tumut mill is in full swing, starting on Monday last week. All major equipment has been shut down and is being cleaned and inspected to ensure it operates safely and reliably for the next 12 months. Source: Tumut & Adelong Times “We have the MSD every year to ensure safe operations at the Tumut mill,” said Johan Stoltz, GM Visy Pulp and Paper Tumut Mill. During the MSD, inspections of the boilers and pressure vessels are undertaken. This is a mandatory requirement which must be done by a licensed boiler inspector every 12 months. “Other than the usual cleaning and statutory inspections of the boilers and pressure vessels, several projects are taking place this year,” said Troy Watling, Mechanical Repairs and Maintenance Manager. These include a bark hog bypass screen project in the wood yard, an unbleached Kraft pulp fibre development project, tank repairs for recycled pulp storage, and a press de-watering upgrade on both paper machines. This year more than 20 technical specialists from overseas are in Tumut for the MSD. The total number of people onsite peaked at 1,348 people through the gates over 24 hours last Wednesday. The MSD this year has utilised 15 mobile cranes (four from Superior Cranes, three from Riverina Crane Services, seven from National Cranes and Engineering and a crane from Coen Cranes). A total of 509 pre-shut scaffolds were constructed, with a further 110 scaffolds during the shutdown. The site should be fully operational again by the weekend.  

New Zealand’s Government has today started consultation on a 50% reduction to the annual charge for forest owners participating in the Forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Registry, Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. Source: Timberbiz “Following an independent review released last week we are proposing to lower the per-hectare annual charge to NZ$14.90. “This is a 50% reduction from Labour’s excessive charge announced just before the election of NZ$30.25 per hectare per year. “It’s now clear that the previous Labour government made a number of decisions that drove up the cost of this Registry and they expected the forestry sector to pay for their mistakes. Cabinet has agreed that the sector should not bear the brunt of Labour’s previous decisions,” Mr McClay said. “The Ministry for Primary Industries has worked hard to find efficiencies and drive down costs over the last 10 months.  We’ve also been focused on improving service delivery to ensure the Registry meets the expectations of forestry users. As a result, the annual charge has reduced significantly. “Last week, we announced the formation of a Forestry Sector Reference Group to further improve outcomes for the ETS Registry and find greater cost savings over the next year. This is an opportunity for the forestry sector and government to partner to drive better outcomes for forestry.” The new annual charge would begin in the 2024/25 financial year and stay in place until a full review is conducted after the current emissions reporting period. “This proposal is part of the Government’s promise to rebuild confidence in the forestry sector and support its role in achieving New Zealand’s exporting and emissions targets.” Consultation on the new annual charge starts today (23 October 2024) and runs for three weeks. It covers the reduced annual charge and adjustments to the Climate Change (Forestry) Regulations 2022 for participants using the field measurement approach during the 2023–25 period. Following consultation, Cabinet will move quickly to finalise the regulations, giving participants clarity and certainty on charges.

Eight CFA crews were called to a fire at a local Yarram sawmill on Yarram-Morwell Road in Victoria at around 6.30pm on Monday 14 October. Source: Timberbiz On arrival crews were confronted with a difficult fire within the elevated hopper (sloped) structure, which quickly spread to adjoining bins containing several tonnes of woodchips. Quick and effective action from the on-site staff and the CFA crews limited the spread as they undertook a controlled release of the bins supported by onsite heavy machinery, while crews protected the adjoining facilities and significant timber stock. Incident Commander Ian Bounds said the fire was brought under control within two hours with minimal dollar loss or damage to the infrastructure and time down for the sawmill. “Another half hour of fire development and the job would have escalated to a significant incident requiring fire crews through the night and potentially specialist aerial units to combat the fire,” Mr Bounds said. “The fire was attended by four tankers and three operational support units from Yarram, Alberton, Jack River, Won Wron, Devon North and Port Albert.” AKD Yarram Site Manager Glen Davis expressed his appreciation to CFA crews who battled the fire. “AKD would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the CFA for their quick response and exceptional professionalism in swiftly bringing the situation under control,” Mr Davis said. “The CFA’s efforts were crucial, and we deeply appreciate the support provided to our Yarram facility.”  

The Hyne Group has welcomed news of His Majesty King Charles III, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns’ visit to the Homes NSW Cowper Street development to talk about sustainable housing. Source: Timberbiz The Hyne Group proudly supplied the Cross Laminated Timber manufactured at its XLam plant in Wodonga, Victoria, and the Glue Laminated Timber, manufactured at its Maryborough plant in Queensland for this social housing development in Glebe, Sydney. The Homes NSW Cowper Street, Sydney development is in collaboration with the King’s Trust Australia and once completed, will deliver 75 much needed, sustainable social housing apartments and terrace houses. Specifically, 2,590m3 of engineered timber has been delivered to the site, which sequesters approximately 1,860 tonnes of carbon. This is the equivalent of 934 fewer cars on the road in a year. “We are very proud to have supplied our mass timber solutions to Homes NSW in collaboration with the Kings Trust Australia,” Chair of Hyne Group, Tom Bruce-Jones, said. “As a Group, we actively promote the environmental advantages of structural timber as a renewable, low carbon resource material and we are very grateful that our products were chosen by the NSW Government and Homes NSW to construct this building comprising of 75 units in Sydney. “We are absolutely delighted to learn of his Majesty King Charles III, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns’ visit to this development as part of the King’s Australian schedule.” The timber is entirely locally grown in local pine plantation estates, much of which is owned by the NSW Government and Responsible Wood certified. The pine trees are approximately 30 years old at the time of harvest before being replanted. Based on this age class and the Australian pine plantation estate, the timber volume supplied for the Cowper Street Development will be regrown in approximately seven hours. For the Cross Laminated Timber, the logs are processed at Hyne Timber’s Tumbarumba sawmill before being transported to the XLam plant in Wodonga for secondary manufacturing into CLT panels. For the Glue Laminated Timber, the logs are processed at Hyne’s Tuan Mill near Maryborough before being processed into GLT at the Maryborough Glulam plant. These manufacturing plants support local, regional jobs and ensure that low carbon, sustainable building products are manufactured in Australia, for Australia. The Hyne Group is the Australian subsidiary of James Jones and Sons in the UK. His Majesty King Charles III visited James Jones & Sons’ Aboyne sawmill just 12 months ago, in October 2023. Details of the visit can be viewed at https://twitter.com/i/status/1848536865860948319

His Majesty King Charles III visited CSIRO’s National Bushfire Behaviour Research Laboratory in Canberra, “fuelled” by his passion for the environment and interest in climate change impacts. Source: Timberbiz As the increasing impact of wildfires are being felt around the globe, The King gained insight into how Australian scientists work collaboratively to understand and predict bushfire behaviour, as well as help protect communities and fire crews during outbreaks. The visit to Australia’s national science agency was part of The King’s sustainability-themed visit to Australia and his second visit to a CSIRO Canberra site. In February 1966, a young Prince Charles visited the CSIRO Division of Wildlife Research Division at Gungahlin. CSIRO chief executive, Doug Hilton, said he was proud to show how CSIRO’s bushfire research was not just helping Australians solve a significant national challenge but aiding an international community who are sharing learnings and building resilience to these extreme events. “The rising threat of extraordinary landscape fires has shown that uncontrollable and devastating wildfires are becoming an expected part of our seasonal calendars. Not just in Australia, but across the globe,” Dr Hilton said. Under climate change, countries are likely to see a greater frequency of conditions conducive to the outbreak of wildfires, even in places that haven’t historically experienced the impacts of these un-planned large fire events. This has been exemplified by events such as the Wennington wildfire that took place in east London, on 19 July 2022, during the 2022 United Kingdom heatwave. This luckily did not cause loss of life but still destroyed close to 20 houses. During his visit to the CSIRO bushfire lab, The King witnessed two bushfire demonstrations. The first involved him igniting an experimental fire in the ‘Pyrotron’ – a 29-metre-long combustion wind tunnel that enables the study of fires in a safe and controlled environment. He then met with CSIRO researchers, ACT Rural Fire Service Chief, Rohan Scott, and members of the Tidbinbilla volunteer brigade, to witness a ‘burnover‘ drill using an ACT Rural Fire Service heavy tanker. CSIRO Senior Research Scientist, Dr Matt Plucinski, who conducted the Pyrotron demonstration, said the apparatus was used to better understand bushfire behaviour and the factors that influence bushfires, such as wind and fuel types. It is also used to improve understanding of suppression effective-ness and bushfire emissions. “Understanding changing weather patterns due to climate change and the likelihood and behaviour of bushfire outbreaks helps to increase resilience in Australia and overseas, especially in regions that previously haven’t been that prone to bushfires,” Dr Plucinski said. “This research and the predictive models of bushfire spread we develop are used by fire agencies for planning suppression strategies and warning communities in the likely path of the fire.” CSIRO’s research into understanding bushfire behaviour and the weather that impacts the fires – as demonstrated by the Pyrotron, in turn helps scientists and fire agencies work out what protection fire-fighters may need in the field. CSIRO helped develop the world-leading burnover protection systems for crew-cabins in fire trucks with fire agencies including the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS). In the ’burnover’ drill, The King was shown how these systems feature spray nozzles over the cabin, heat shields for windows and fire-resistant covers for electrical components, pumps and air hoses. The effectiveness of these crew protection systems was first put to the test in a major way during the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria. Eight fire trucks were impacted by fire and all their crews emerged safely with no loss of life. These protection systems continued to provide crews with increased safety in subsequent fires including the more recent Black Summer 2019–2020 bushfires. CSIRO Bushfire Adaptation Research Leader, Justin Leonard, said the burnover protection system has now been rolled out in nearly every state and territory in Australia and his team is now sharing their knowledge with fire agencies in France and America. “We are sharing the research, both in terms of the designs for trucks and the way we validate and test the systems through the use of a purpose-built bushfire burnover simulator situated in Mogo NSW,” Mr Leonard said. “The opportunity to present this collaborative work to The King helps us amplify the important message of how we tackle bushfire in Australia and the impact of what we do. “Protecting lives and the environment as we deal with more severe and frequent bushfires is an important process for us to get right under climate change.”

The ABARES National Wood Processing Survey 2021–22 shows that in 2021-22 there were a total of 252 mills operating. This is a fall of 47 mills since 2016-17, continuing a downward trend in the number of sawmills operating over the past 30 years. Source: Timberbiz ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said ABARES estimated that of the 252 mills operating in 2021-22, 146 were hardwood sawmills, 48 softwood sawmills, 13 cypress sawmills, 20 post and pole mills, and 25 wood-based panel mills. “The falling mill numbers have predominately been driven by consolidation, with a number of the remaining mills increasing their input capacity,” Dr Greenville said. “Compared to 2016-17, sawnwood production fell by 8% to 4.3 million cubic metres, with softwood production down by 5%, hardwood production down by 21% and cypress pine down by 30%. “Sawnwood revenue for the sector was estimated to be $3 billion in 2021-22, up 8% in real terms from 2016-17. “Higher product prices have been outweighing falls in sawnwood timber production, contributing to the real increase in production value for the sector. “Survey results also show that sawmills and post and pole mills remain a strong employer in the forestry industry, with more than 7,500 employees.” In 2021-22, compared with 2016-17 Total input fell by 7% to 9.9 million cubic meters of sawlogs (including post and pole logs) being processed in Australian sawmills. This comprised of 1.6 million cubic metres of hardwood (down 16%), 8.2 million cubic metres of softwood (down 5%) and 139,000 cubic metres of cypress (down 5%). Sawnwood production fell by 8% to 4.3 million cubic metres, comprised of 561,000 cubic metres of hardwood (down 24%), 3.7 million cubic metres of softwood (down 5%), and 40,000 cubic metres of cypress pine (down 30%). An additional 317,000 of hard and softwood posts and poles were also produced. 4.4 million cubic metres of residues were also produced, comprising of 616,000 cubic metres of hardwood residues and 3.9 million cubic metres of softwood residues. This resulted in recovery rates of 39% for hardwood sawmills, 47% for softwood mills and 79% for post and pole mills. Revenue from sawnwood sales increased by 20% to $3.0 billion. This comprised of over $700 million in revenue from hardwood sales (down 24%) and $2.3 billion from softwood and cypress sawnwood sales (up 47%). The number of workers employed by sawmills and post and pole mills fell by 7% to 7,506, 85% of whom are classified as full-time workers. In addition, in 2021-22 it was noted that, the largest cost for sawmills was revealed to be logs, followed by wages. Respondents lacked a common view on the demand outlook for the next 12 months with 88% of hardwood mill respondents raised log supply as an issue, while softwood sawmills raised additional issues including product demand and access to skilled labour. Read the full report here.

The Prinoth Raptor 300 with the associated Grizzly M650m mulcher has been optimized with a number of improvements to better meet the requirements of the modern working world. Source: Timberbiz New features include: 0 Cab: Inspired by the successful design of the Raptor 500, the new cab offers a spacious and comfortable interior with maximum visibility and safety. Improved driver’s seat: The new Recaro seat offers maximum comfort, even during long working days. New joysticks: The controls have been completely redesigned for ergonomic and intuitive operation. Reinforced forestry protection frame: Reinforced components at both the front and rear provide additional safety. Automatic flap control: The control of the flap is now connected to the push bar to increase comfort and efficiency when working. Improved air filter: A new air filter has been specially developed for tough working conditions to ensure optimum performance. A new push bar has been developed for even more effective mulching performance. Reinforced side walls significantly improve the overall stability of the mulcher. The new flap with counter blades enables more efficient shredding of the material. The revised design simplifies operation and maintenance of the mulcher. The Raptor 300 and its mulcher are now dressed in black.

Kazakhstan and Finland have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in forestry, emphasizing innovative approaches to forest management. Source: Azernews This agreement was established during a meeting between Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Azamat Abdraimov and Finland’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Sari Essaya. Ambassador Abdraimov provided a detailed overview of ongoing initiatives in Kazakhstan aimed at advancing its forestry sector. He highlighted projects focused on sustainable forest management and discussed investment opportunities in environmentally significant forestry initiatives and the expansion of forested areas. The ambassador also addressed key topics for future collaboration, including forest regeneration, the creation of new green spaces, legislative enhancements, and strategies to preserve and expand Kazakhstan’s forested regions. Both parties acknowledged that enhancing bilateral cooperation paves the way for new partnerships in forestry, water resource management, and food security. By the end of last year, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Finland reached approximately US$210 million.

On the 17-18 October 2024 the 72nd edition of the International Softwood Conference was held at the UNAHOTELS Capo Taormina, Italy. The conference was hosted by the Federlegno Arredo, which co-organized the event with the two usual partners: the European Organization of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) and the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF). Source: Timberbiz The event drew around 230 people coming from more than 20 countries all over the world and it was opened by a macroeconomic overview provided by Marco Fortis, which showed that many factors, including geopolitical tensions and a slowdown of globalization, are having a negative impact on the global and European economy. Italy is a partial exception to this having done comparatively better than its European neighbours over the last couple of years. During the first day of the conference, information-packed sessions about the market trends were followed with attention by the audience. This year’s conference was marked by its truly global flair with presenters focusing not just on European markets, but on North America, China, Japan, MENA, India, Australia and New Zealand. While there were regional differences, in some cases significant, it is apparent that 2024 has been overall a challenging year for the softwood industry across the world but probably slightly better than expected at the end of 2023. The big question mark for operators in the sector is whether the market has bottomed out and 2025 can really be the year of recovery. After peaking in 2021, softwood production has significantly fallen over the last few years to adjust to the demand decline. If forecasts for 2024 are confirmed, at the end of the year production will be 12%lower than in 2021. Next year production is expected to grow by 2-3%. Morten Bergsten, Vice-President and Softwood Chairman of ETTF, and Herbert Jobst, President of EOS, delivered similar messages in their presentations from their respective vantage points of user and producer. Production in the sector has been curtailed to accommodate weak demand. Sawn softwood prices have sharply declined from the peaks observed during 2021 and 2022. This is mainly due to the downfall of the construction sector. However, there might be light at the end of the tunnel. As it was reported by numerous speakers at the conference interest rates have started falling across the world, which might trigger an upturn in the construction sector, which would be vital for sawmillers and traders alike. If the market does have already bottomed out, the recovery is expected to be sluggish at least in the short-term.

Sustainable Timber Tasmania is pleased to see the return of the migratory swift parrot to Tasmania. Every year, swift parrots travel from mainland Australia in search of forest areas with the richest food sources for foraging and breeding. Source: Timberbiz Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s proactive monitoring has confirmed that swift parrots are actively searching for potential nest sites in Tasmanian forests, with recent observations indicating the presence of some birds in the Eastern Tiers. To enhance monitoring efforts, Sustainable Timber Tasmania has deployed acoustic recorders throughout this area. These devices will assist in detecting different kinds of bird activity and enable us to adapt management activities where needed. In the coming week, monitoring will also take place in the southern forests. Sustainable Timber Tasmania remains committed to implementing effective conservation outcomes for the swift parrot in Tasmania’s public production forests and looks forward to providing further updates as monitoring efforts progress throughout the season.

A demonstration plant for biographite will be up and running in Finland in a couple of years. New-Zealand-based CarbonScape will start the sample production of biographite at Sunila in Kotka, Southern Finland. Source: Forest.fi Biographite is a more eco-friendly material used in the batteries of electric vehicles. Biographite is made of wood chips, available as a sidestream of forest industry. It can be used in lithium-ion batteries to replace mined or fossil-based synthetic graphite, the market of which is dominated by China. The lithium-ion battery in an electric vehicle weighs several hundred kilograms, and graphite makes up almost half of its volume (42%). According to CarbonScape, the performance of biographite is equal to the best-performing synthetic graphite and exceeds that of natural graphite. CarbonScape plans to start constructing the plant next year, and the sample production will begin in 2026. The partner in this project is the Finnish-Swedish forest industry company Stora Enso, an important producer of renewable materials. The production of carbon-based graphite in China is unethical and burdening on the environment, said Katariina Torvinen, Research Manager at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, in an interview with the Forest Finland project in 2022. “In the current global situation, issues related to batteries are important. It is of great significance if the graphite produced unethically in China can be replaced with material from a sidestream of the Finnish forest industry,” said Ms Torvinen in an article on an advertisement page in the daily Ilta-Sanomat in 2022. The European Union has defined graphite as a critical raw material, and according to CarbonScape, the envisaged production complies with the EU’s sustainability goals. According to CarbonScape, the product is carbon negative. Compared to synthetic and mined graphite. It saves up to 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per tonne of material. The temperature required by the process is only half that required for synthetic graphite, and the production takes hours instead of weeks. The investment is estimated to cost about EUR 40–50 million. CarbonScape expects to reach a market share close to 20% in Europe and the US by 2035.

Australia’s supplies of folding box board and other coated cartonboard grades are all imported, with a few major countries dominating. Based on trade declarations, Australia’s imports of raw cartonboard fell 6.9% in 2023-24, to a little less than 123,000 tonnes. Source: IndustryEdge When matched with small volumes of exports, that led the apparent consumption of cartonboard down to a record low 119,000 tonnes. Yeah. Nah. There is no chance consumption of cartonboard is that low, and in such structural decline. So, if that’s right, where’s the Cartonboard? Here’s what we think is happening. Until 2014, Australia manufactured coated cartonboard. Manufacturing occurred in Queensland, at Amcor’s Petrie Mill, which closed in 2014. Prior to the end of domestic manufacturing, the apparent consumption of Coated Cartonboard fluctuated around, but generally just below the 190,000 tonnes per annum level. In 2013-14, the apparent consumption function declined to around 131,000 tonnes, but that was due to an estimated 50,000 tonnes of inventory being supplied into what appeared to be a stable market. Imports – which after 2013-14 accounted for 100% of supply, are broken into four main grades (actually there are eleven, but IndustryEdge wraps them up to support sensible analysis). The aggregated import volumes can be seen below. It is the ‘General Bleached Cartonboard’ and potentially ‘Coated Kraft Back’ imports, where there has been largely continuous under-reporting of imports. General Bleached Cartonboard is used in a wide variety of applications, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical and healthcare, cosmetics, technology and fast-moving consumer goods packaging. Think about the boxes on supermarket shelves as well as the box your perfume or mobile phone came in. Coated Kraft Back is used mainly in wet and humid environments like refrigerators, where it is used to hold beverages and similar products. This grade might contain some semi-chemical pulp. In 2023-24, the main importers of Coated Cartonboard – all grades – were China (25%), New Zealand (21%), Chile (22%), Korea (15%) and the USA (12%).  IndustryEdge’s analysis suggests the volumes from Korea and the USA are an under-representation of their actual contribution to the Australian market. The annual delivery of almost the same volume of imports for much of the last decade and now an apparently declining volume belies the growth in the market for Coated Cartonboard. The market for Coated Cartonboard remains larger than the apparent consumption function suggests. The involvement in the domestic market of the integrated US producers, Graphic Packaging International (GPI) and of West Rock, appeared to contribute marginally to more accurate recording of Coated Cartonboard imports for a time, but ultimately, reported consumption slipped back to the same lower than expected levels. Largely due to improved reporting by the reinvigorated Whakatane Mills Limited in New Zealand, imports and therefore apparent consumption, of Cartonboard were reported more appropriately in 2021-22. However, the steep decline in 2022-23 (-22.8%) and the subsequent 6.9% retreat in 2023-24 to the point where apparent consumption is at decadal lows, is not consistent with industry experience. Supported by end-users and forensic analysis of trade flows, IndustryEdge’s analysis is that Coated Cartonboard imports may be under-reported by as much as 40,000 tonnes per annum, but by at least 30,000 tonnes per annum. Where is the cartonboard? It is important to state, in this modern era, there is no ‘conspiracy’ here, just simply the impact of importing remarkably similar paper and paperboard under many different import codes, where the difference is not the material, but rather, the end-use application. In that context, some Coated Cartonboard imports are be mis-classified, most likely recorded as Medium Weight Coated (MWC) mechanical grades of printing and communication papers. There are also some imports of Coated Woodfree (CWF) Reels >150 gsm that are expected to be Coated Cartonboard grades. The particular and main ‘culprit’ is the MWC grade manufactured from >55% mechanical pulp. Heavier grades of this printing paper – above around 180 gsm according to industry converters – are able to be used as lightweight cartonboard. MWC imports above 220 gsm are more likely to be cartonboard than they are printing paper. One importer has advised IndustryEdge they receive the product as MWC grades, but routinely supply it to a major cartonboard customer. The main countries impacted, as we outlined earlier, are the US and Korea. We base this assertion on analysis of specific trade transactions, including volumes and prices and flows into each state that are unlikely to be for printers and more likely to be for cartonboard converters. As the table below shows, since exactly the period (2013-14) that local production of Cartonboard ended, Australia saw a sustained explosion in imports of MWC Reels (not Sheets) containing >55% Mechanical Pulp. Of roughly 33,500 tonnes of imports in 2023-24, the USA and Korea supplied a little more than 31,900 tonnes. If there is a concern in this recalculation of import volumes as we seek to assess the real size of the Cartonboard market, it is ultimately that nearly all the imports of MWC Reels >55% Mechanical Pulp are actually a packaging product. If that is the case, we can wipe more than 30,000 tonnes more printing papers from what is already a massively contracted market. More information at www.industryedge.com.au

FSC Australia and New Zealand (FSC ANZ) sponsored the 25th Anniversary Katoomba Summit, themed ‘Real Value for Nature’, held in early October. This milestone event took place in Sydney ahead of the Global Nature Positive Summit. Source: Timberbiz Both events served as key platforms for advancing discussions on reversing biodiversity loss and scaling sustainable solutions. FSC ANZ’s CEO, Melanie Robertson, was actively engaged in the summit, representing FSC’s commitment to responsible forestry as part of a broader nature-positive vision. Founded in the late 1990s, the Katoomba Group has long been at the forefront of innovative environmental solutions. Comprising a global network of individuals and organisations from diverse sectors – government, finance, environmental groups, and academia – the Katoomba Group focuses on creating ecosystem service markets and driving sustainable investments. Over the last 25 years, the group has been instrumental in promoting ways to value natural capital, mobilise financing for conservation, and empower local communities and First Nations Peoples to steward their lands. This milestone summit, ‘Real Value for Nature’, celebrated their legacy and featured in-depth discussions on several critical issues: Pathways to Value: Highlighting the development of markets for ecosystem services and solutions that encourage sustainable investment. Risk to Value: Exploring strategies to manage climate and environmental risks while enhancing the resilience of ecosystems. Partnerships to Value: Promoting cross-sector collaborations to scale natural asset solutions and drive impactful change across industries. FSC’s sponsorship of the summit underscores its commitment to advancing sustainable forestry practices, aligning with the summit’s focus on innovative solutions for protecting ecosystems and supporting communities. In line with the discussions at the Katoomba Summit and Global Nature Positive Summit, FSC is pushing the boundaries of how forest impacts are monitored through its Verified Impact initiative. Verified Impact (formerly Ecosystem Services Claims) is FSC’s advanced system for capturing high-quality climate and nature data from FSC-certified forests. This system matches businesses, financial institutions, and governments to ecosystem-services projects that not only maintain but also enhance forest health. Through Verified Impact, project sponsors gain access to credible, verified data on the environmental and social impact of their activities, which can then be communicated to their stakeholders. This upgraded system is designed to help organisations disclose high-integrity forest data and demonstrate their true impact on climate, biodiversity, and local communities. The Global Nature Positive Summit convened global leaders on Gadigal Land (Sydney) to address the urgent need for a nature-positive future. With a strong emphasis on First Nations leadership, the summit sought to align efforts to reverse biodiversity loss and secure a healthy, sustainable future for all. FSC ANZ CEO Melanie Robertson attended the summit and highlighted the critical role of FSC in this global movement: “Sustainably managed forests, certified to FSC’s rigorous standards, play a crucial role in contributing to a nature-positive future. By safeguarding biodiversity, enhancing community livelihoods, and empowering Indigenous Peoples, FSC-certified forestry offers a pathway to addressing climate challenges while fostering resilience for generations to come,” she said. As the summit drew to a close, the call for action was clear: protecting nature requires cross-sectoral collaboration, strong leadership, and practical solutions like those provided by FSC’s verified sustainable forestry practices.  

Leading indicators of home building activity continue to show that market confidence in new home building is returning, as new home sales stabilise, and house approvals rise. Source: Timberbiz The HIA New Home Sales report is a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states and is a leading indicator of future detached home construction. “New home sales in September were unchanged compared to August, which leaves sales over the past twelve months higher by 8.6% compared to the previous year,” HIA Economist Maurice Tapang said. “The increase in sales in South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria offset the monthly decline in sales in NSW and Queensland in September. “Consumer confidence is slowly trickling back into the Australian economy, with the most recent Westpac-Melbourne Institute measure showing the best result in over two years,” he said. “This improvement in consumer confidence will take time to trickle through new home building, as consumers get greater certainty with interest rates and economic conditions. “Consumers tend to bide their time when it comes to big-ticket purchases, such as buying a new home, especially in a downward cycle. “Leading indicators of home building activity continue to suggest that the market has already reached its trough sometime in mid-2024, even as NCC changes distort and obscure the data. “New home sales in South Australia increased by 32.4% compared to August. NCC changes took effect from 1 October 2024 and pulled forward sales into September. “As was consistent in NSW in September 2023 and Queensland and Victoria in April 2024, this will likely leave a shadow of demand in sales in the months that followed. “While it remains to be seen, strong demand for housing will likely keep this pull-forward relatively modest, as economic and household conditions improve. “Strong population growth, low unemployment, real wages growth and the prospect of no further increases to interest rates will drive new home building activity out of the downward cycle,” Mr Tapang said. New home sales in the September quarter 2024 were 3.9% lower compared to the same time in the previous year, which is distorted by the strong pull forward in sales in NSW in September 2023. Sales in Queensland in the September quarter 2024 rose by 50.2% compared to the same time in the previous year, the strongest annual increase. This was followed by South Australia (+18.5%). The other states recorded declines in sales, led by NSW (-25.5%), followed by Western Australia (-18.4%) and Victoria (-11.7%).

Victoria’s government is seeking feedback on draft updates to the Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on Public Land. Source: Timberbiz A consultation is live on Engage Victoria for the community to have its say on draft updates to the code. The Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on Public Land 2012 (amended 2022) is a legislative instrument made under the Conservation Forests and Lands Act 1987 (CFL Act). It supports DEECA to meet its legislative responsibilities for fire prevention and suppression in State forests, national parks and on protected public land. The current code is 10 years old and is due to expire in December. Updates to the code will ensure bushfire management on public land in Victoria meets modern needs and expectations and will align the code with current bushfire management policy and practice, including Victoria’s Bushfire Management Strategy. The Bushfire Code only applies to national park, State forest and protected public land. It does not impose responsibilities on individuals Updates to the Bushfire Code will help to: Outline how we work with other agencies to collectively manage bushfires. Reflect the different ways we manage different landscapes (e.g. through Fire and Fuel Management Zones). Expand the scope of the Bushfire Code to reflect the range of bushfire management tools. Embed Victoria’s commitment to Aboriginal self-determination in bushfire management. Track and report on our progress against Victoria’s monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework. Align the Bushfire Code with key strategic and operational documents. This includes Victoria’s Bushfire Management Strategy and the State Emergency Management Plan The Bushfire Code only applies to national park, State forest and protected public land. It does not impose responsibilities on individuals. The current Bushfire Code expires in December 2024. The consultation will close at 11:59pm on 3 November 2024. https://engage.vic.gov.au/Code-of-Practice-for-Bushfire-Management-on-Public-Land  

The threat to Tasmania’s renewable regrowing forestry sector is at risk once again with Labor and the Greens set to jump back into bed with each other. Source: Timberbiz Reports that a secret deal has been made with the Greens in a bid to keep Labor in power will decimate the jobs of thousands of Tasmanian workers and their communities. Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the threat must be actively opposed by all State and Federal Tasmanian Labor politicians. “We know South American hardwood is already being imported to Australia to replace Australian native timber now locked up by Labor,” Minister Abetz said. “And the carbon miles of these imported products just adds to the environmental vandalism of such a move. The virtue signalling Bob Brown Foundation, which relies on donations from mainland activists, must know their policy is destructive of everything other than their bank account. “This a real and present threat which must be opposed by all Australians who believe in genuine wellbeing of our environment and jobs. “State Labor cannot remain silent on this as they have on too many other matters. “This is about putting Tasmanian jobs first.” “If State Labor refuse to condemn this deal, we know their jobs mantra is nothing but a joke.”  

Stora Enso’s carton board solutions are transforming the packaging landscape and helping customers reduce plastics in their products. Hinojosa Packaging Galería Gráfica sought carton board that would mirror their customer’s sophisticated perfume with extraordinary packaging. Source: Timberbiz By choosing Performa Brilliance as the packaging material, Hinojosa Packaging Galería Gráfica was able to create an elegant packaging solution perfectly fit for the product. As a testament to this successful collaboration, Stora Enso and Hinojosa Packaging Galería Gráfica were awarded Carton of the Year at the 2024 European Carton Excellence Awards. The European Carton Excellence Awards winner, the Origen Flor Natural cardboard case exemplifies sophisticated design by seamlessly blending elegant die-cutting with unmatched functionality combining some of the innovative aspects that Stora Enso boards can offer. “The outstanding 3D effect and structural excellence of the packaging highlight why the customer chose Performa Brilliance for their packaging as the material has high standards for visual impression, printability and runnability,” Merche Casado Sales Manager, Stora Enso said. “Our innovative materials empower converters and designers to push the boundaries of packaging design, seamlessly blending creativity with sustainable packaging materials. This allows us to create packaging solutions that not only meet consumer expectations but also significantly reduce environmental impact.” In the same awards Stora Enso materials received also other notable achievements. The company contributed to Platinum award-winning Rafeira – Cerveja Artesanal by Alzamora Group with CKB Carrier, and the Promis Care Bundle Holder Brush with Performa White. Additionally, its luxury packaging material, Ensocoat was part of the Gold award-winning Duvel x Magritte – Limited Edition by Van Genechten Packaging.