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Scotland’s First Minister opened a new £26 million facility to help grow more trees for Scotland’s forests and woodlands. Source: Timberbiz Newton Tree Nursery, near Elgin, will support Forestry and Land Scotland to almost treble their tree production – from seven million to nearly 20 million trees per year by 2029. It will help support the sustainable management of Scotland’s national forests and land and help tackle the climate emergency, while also supporting the rural economy. Seedling operations at the redeveloped tree nursery began in March 2025 and 12 million trees have already been established within the glasshouse. The new nursery is the UK’s largest and most advanced tree-growing glasshouse and sets a new standard for bio secure, sustainable, and high-volume forest nursery production. The facility ensures that an adequate supply of high-quality trees is available to supply the publicly managed forests of Scotland with those forests supporting rural economies, providing flood mitigation, improving biodiversity and sequestering carbon. “Scotland’s world-renowned forests and woodlands are a natural powerhouse, and one of the most important resources we have to tackle the climate emergency,” First Minister John Swinney said. “Our investment in this state-of-the-art glasshouse will not only contribute to environmental sustainability and help to restore habitats, but it will also support rural jobs and the sustainable use of timber in the construction industry. The Newton Tree Nursery project is a national asset, powering Scotland’s green recovery, forestry resilience, and environmental goals for decades to come. “Tackling the climate emergency and growing Scotland’s economy are two of my government’s top priorities and together they go hand in hand. We cannot do one without the other and innovative, industry leading facilities like the Newton Tree Nursery will play a vital role in achieving these goals.” Forestry and Land Scotland CEO Kevin Quinlan said that the Newton Nursery represents a major investment by the Scottish Government in the future of forestry in Scotland. “It strengthens Forestry and Land Scotland’s ability to supply young trees at the scale and standard needed to support a resilient, productive and sustainable forest resource. “This is especially important for the timber industry – which continues to grow as Scotland looks to reduce reliance on imports and embrace timber as a low-carbon material of the future. By increasing capacity at Newton, we’re investing at the very start of that supply chain – ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality planting stock for years to come.”

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Arauco Sucuriú, the world’s largest single-phase pulp mill project, is under construction in Brazil. A project of this scale is a true marathon in which meticulous planning, good equipment, and excellent cooperation are key to successful execution. Source: Timberbiz The Sucuriú project in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, has strategic importance for Arauco as they diversify their pulp production’s locations. “Arauco has been looking into expanding pulp production in Brazil for years. Our target was to enhance our competitive position, and Brazil has the required conditions, including logistics infrastructure, skilled people, and the right environment for trees to grow. We selected Mato Grosso do Sul state and the city of Inocencia as the location for our project,” explains Iván Chamorro, Senior Vice-President Forestry & Woodpulp Business for the Arauco Group. “Valmet is a key player in this project, delivering all the key process areas in an EPC model. We’re very happy so far with our relationship and Valmet’s commitment. We’re very confident that together we’ll be able to deliver the best mill. We know we’re going to face challenges, but with strong communication between the technical teams and at the management level, we can face these challenges and be successful together,” Mr Chamorro said. The new Arauco Sucuriú pulp mill will include the world’s largest recovery boiler. “Sucuriú will be a state-of-the-art mill with low water consumption and low emissions. We’re basically targeting a zero-waste mill that doesn’t send any residues to landfill. Additionally, we’re going to use gasified biomass instead of fossil fuel for the lime kiln. The mill will produce more than 400 megawatts of renewable energy, of which about 50 percent will be sold to the national Brazilian grid,” Carlos Altimiras, CEO of Arauco Brazil said. The mill automation system will be Valmet’s latest distributed control system, Valmet DNAe, supported with remote connectivity and Industrial Internet solutions. “With Valmet’s automation systems, mill-wide optimization and advanced process controls, we’re building a base for autonomous operations,” Mr Altimiras said. Hector Araneda, Operations Manager, Pulp and Energy Business at Arauco said that to be competitive now and in the future, they need to make the process more efficient and more stable, and mill automation will help achieve this. “We already have experience from our MAPA project, with several technology suppliers, but Valmet mill-wide optimization will look at optimal production for the mill as a whole.” In addition to environmental performance, Arauco is focusing specially on social and economic sustainability for both the project phase and as a long-term commitment to the community. “The Sucuriú project will bring dynamism to the local economy,” Mr Chamorro said. “We’re going to have more than 15,000 people working on site during construction, and during the operation phase we’ll have about 6,000 people working in the forestry, logistics, mill, and support services. These are stable long-term quality jobs.” The project is also strategic for Valmet – it is Valmet’s largest project, involving hundreds of throughout the world. Harri Pakkanen, Valmet’s Nordic Project Director, said that the project has been proceeding at full speed since November last year. “We’re now moving to the detailed engineering phase. We’ve already procured all the long lead items and critical equipment. Some of the equipment will be produced in Valmet’s own workshops, and some will be manufactured by our trusted partners,” he said. “The first parts are already ready, and the first shipments – pulp drying equipment and pressure parts for the world’s largest recovery boiler – will begin their journey to Brazil from China in July.”

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REI Habitat officially launched ‘Wood Up’, a pioneering 50m high wooden tower in Paris’s 13th arrondissement. With 132 residential units, the building stands as one of Europe’s tallest timber buildings, a landmark in sustainable architecture and a showcase for bio-based materials. Sources: Timberbiz, photo credit PEFC France Designed by LAN Architecture and constructed using beechwood from French forests, Wood Up is a flagship project demonstrating REI Habitat’s mission to transform real estate through ecological innovation. As the first PEFC-certified developer in France, REI Habitat sources wood from sustainably managed forests. The event was attended by key figures including Jacques Baudrier, Deputy Mayor of Paris for Housing and Ecological Transition, Jérôme Coumet, Mayor of the 13th arrondissement, Paul Jarquin, founder of REI Habitat and Christine de Neuville, President of PEFC France. “The use of wood, a renewable material and natural carbon sink, is emerging as a solution for the future, but also raises questions about the ability to meet demand while preserving our forests,” said Christine de Neuville. “PEFC certification is essential to attest to sustainable forest management and harvesting that meets today’s challenges. It is through certification that we can take concrete action to meet climate challenges.” Wood Up reflects REI Habitat’s 15-year commitment to low-carbon construction. Using 387m³ of French Beech – an underused species in large-scale building – the project reduces carbon emissions by 60% compared to traditional concrete construction. Beech from Normandy was transported by river to minimise its environmental footprint. The project also reused wood offcuts to create modular furniture, crafted by REI Habitat’s reuse subsidiary, Remake. Paul Jarquin, founder and president of REI Habitat said: “The use of beech, a hardwood species still rarely used for buildings of this size, shipped by river, is a world first. In collaboration with engineering firms and the Efectis Laboratory, we have helped to advance scientific knowledge on the fire resistance of this species in construction.” The tower, owned by Gecina and located in the Paris Rive Gauche development zone, spans 8,935m² and includes a commercial ground floor, 132 apartments, and extensive communal amenities such as outdoor walkways, bicycle and vehicle parking, and shared terraces. Its design promotes community living, with standout features like a 300m² 8th-floor terrace for gatherings and a 700m² rooftop garden on the 16th floor, offering panoramic views of Paris. Technically and architecturally innovative, Wood Up is a winner of the Wooden Living Building initiative by ADIVbois and SEMAPA. It meets top-tier sustainability certifications, including NF Habitat HQE Excellent, BBCA, BiodiverCity, and Effinergie+. The project also contributed to R&D on fire resistance in hardwood construction, keeping wood visibly integrated within the structure despite regulatory challenges. The project aligns with Paris’s goal to lower emissions, boost affordable housing, and green the city. Wood Up also launches the ‘Un Immeuble, Une Forêt’ (One Building, One Forest) initiative, linking real estate projects to afforestation and reforestation programs as part of a voluntary carbon offset strategy, reflecting REI Habitat’s broader vision of ecological and socially responsible urbanism.

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An AI tool using satellite imagery has been developed in the wake of the Nelson Tasman floods to deliver near real-time insights into forest damage. Source: Timberbiz The collaborative tool is helping the forestry sector and other land users assess impacts more quickly and plan recovery efforts with greater confidence. The Scion Group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI) worked with Indufor on the tool’s development, to support recovery efforts. Using satellite data, the tool detects and maps storm-related damage to planted forests and the wider environment. Using freely available Sentinel satellite imagery and radar, the team was able to detect windthrow and storm-related damage. The result: near real-time intelligence that helped forestry stakeholders understand the extent and location of the impacts. Michael Watt, the Scion Group’s New Value Digital Forests and Wood Sector portfolio lead, says the lightweight app transforms complex remote sensing data into accessible insights, such as the estimated area and severity of affected forest blocks. “The tool equips the forestry industry with timely insights, making tasks such as damage assessment, operational planning and processing logistics significantly easier,” he said. “Councils, forestry companies and landowners can use the data we generate to quickly pinpoint impacted areas across the region. This supports rapid response and recovery across forests, croplands, orchards, farms and other land uses, as well as critical infrastructure.” This technology was first operationalised following Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, when the Scion Group used it to assess storm damage across severely impacted areas within Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. Indufor subsequently used similar methods to map windthrow throughout the entire Gisborne region within plantation boundaries identified using ForestInsights. “Cyclone Gabrielle was the first real-world opportunity to deploy this system at scale following a natural disaster,” Mr Watt said. “Since then, the methods we use have been refined. The increasing frequency of events such as the Nelson Tasman storms shows how essential this rapid response capability is becoming. “We now have validated models that can be deployed to rapidly detect and map regional windthrow from satellites, even under cloudy conditions.”

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Fire and Emergency New Zealand is welcoming 50 firefighters home this week from Canada, where they’ve been combating severe wildfires in Cross Lake, Manitoba. Source: Timberbiz Deputy National Commander Steph Rotarangi says the crews have spent the past five weeks working in tough and challenging conditions alongside firefighters from Canada and several other countries. “This has been an arduous deployment for our people, where they have often been living and working in remote areas and contending with the local wildlife as well as the normal hazards of a fireground,” she says. “Our Kiwi firefighters are known for their ability to get the tough jobs done and we welcome them home with great pride in the work they have done, and the way they have represented Fire and Emergency and Aotearoa.” A seven-person specialist team arrived back in New Zealand today (13 August) and will be followed later in the week by the 43-person taskforce of firefighters. Two further deployments have been confirmed in response to additional requests from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. A team of four specialists departed for Alberta, Canada last week as part of New Zealand’s ongoing support to Canada and another team of four will leave for Manitoba today (13 August). Those going to Manitoba are part of an eight-person Incident Management Team comprising experienced personnel from New Zealand and Australia. “These deployments strengthen our international partnerships and provide our people with valuable experience fighting forest wildfires, which will benefit their work during the upcoming New Zealand wildfire season,” Steph Rotarangi says. Fire and Emergency has agreements with both Canada and the United States to provide mutual assistance.

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Two experienced firefighters from Forestry Corporation have deployed to assist with the escalating wildfire emergency in Alberta, Canada. Australian assistance to Canada forms part of an international support effort to help authorities manage severe fire conditions that have threatened communities across the province. Source: Timberbiz A deployment of 54 NSW firefighting specialists departed Sydney to support Canadian authorities battling more than 200 wildfires across the country, which have already burned over 2.3 million hectares. Forestry Corporation’s Matt Model of Bonny Hills will take up the position of Divisional Supervisor and Joel Dawson from Eden the position of Safety Officer taking their expertise in bushfire suppression and incident management to the frontlines. Mr Dawson is undertaking his first firefighting deployment to Canada. “I am honoured to have the opportunity to head over and assist the Canadian wild firefighters,” Mr Dawson said. “I look forward to working with other forestry and fire agencies in Alberta and seeing a different forest to what I work in every day.” Mr Model returns to Canada having completed a 42-day firefighting deployment there two years ago. “I’m pretty lucky to be given a second call up to represent Forestry Corporation of NSW and Australia on another firefighting deployment to assist our friends in Canada in what’s shaping up to be another big fire season across the provinces,” he said. “Being deployed in 2023 as an arduous firefighter was a great experience and now being deployed as a Divisional Commander is a big step up into a new experience, but I am excited for the opportunity and experience. “Thank you to all of my friends and family for the support especially Teneale, my partner.” The deployment follows a formal request for assistance through international firefighting agreements and highlights the strong collaboration between Australia and Canada in emergency response. The firefighters will be based in Alberta for four weeks, working in challenging conditions alongside local and international crews. Forestry Corporation continues to support bushfire preparedness and response efforts both at home and abroad, ensuring its fire specialists are ready to assist wherever they are needed most.

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A Parliamentary Intern Report into the state of biodiversity in Victoria’s National Parks has found that urgent reform is needed. Source: Timberbiz The research topic was commissioned by Nationals’ MP and Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath through the Victorian Parliamentary Internship Program, and was completed by University of Melbourne student Anastasia Scarpaci. Following the report’s release, Ms Bath called for urgent reform to address the declining biodiversity in Victoria’s national parks. “This compelling report lays bare the reality that our national parks are struggling to protect the very biodiversity they were created to conserve,” said Ms Bath. “Underfunding, a stretched frontline workforce, and the retention of volunteers have left our parks vulnerable. “The report identified invasive pests and weeds, inappropriate fire regimes, and habitat fragmentation as major threats to native species, warning that without proper fire management and ecological monitoring, our wildlife will face even greater risk. “Monitoring must be more than a tick-box exercise, we need active frameworks that trigger real action. “Our frontline ranger workforce is stretched too thin after successive cuts to Parks Victoria. “Expanding Victoria’s ranger force and ensuring their permanent presence in our parks is an essential mechanism to protect biodiversity. “Community and volunteer groups do incredible work, but they need more support.” Ms Bath congratulated Anastasia Scarpaci on her report “Biodiversity in the National Parks Estate: The Effectiveness of Current Systems in Protecting Victoria’s Biodiversity” which saw her awarded with first class honours. “This report is well-researched, drawing from academic, government, and community sources – its rigorous methodology brings credibility to its findings. “The practical, evidence-based recommendations must be taken seriously by the Allan Labor Government.” A copy of the report can be downloaded at https://www.melinabath.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Final-Report-Biodiversity-in-the-National-Parks-Estate-The-Effectiveness-of-Current-Systems-in-Protecting-Victorias-Biodiversity.pdf

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The Australian Forest Products Association’s National Forestry Day is now just one week away. National Forestry Day on Tuesday the 19 August is a day worth celebrating according to AFPA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Richard Hyett. Source: Timberbiz “It’s a day to recognise our forestry and forest products sector that contributes so much in terms of jobs, essential products, economic activity, enhancing our environment and fighting climate change,” Mr Hyett said. The National Forestry Day concept was developed by AFPA in 2022 to celebrate all that’s great about Australia’s forest industries and to help raise the profile of the sector among Australia’s governments, elected representatives, consumers and the broader community. “Think about all of the forestry products you love and need to use. The timber house-frame inside the walls of your home, the cardboard boxes your latest delivery arrived in, the hardwood dining table in your living area and of course the toilet paper in your bathroom! Without Australia’s sustainable and renewable forest products sector, we wouldn’t have these locally made products,” Mr Hyett said. “Furthermore, Australia’s forest products sector supports approximately 180,000 direct and indirect jobs. Our people are highly experienced professionals who understand the science behind growing productive and healthy forest ecosystems with multi-value benefits. “Our sector contributes $24 billion to the national economy annually. Many of our sector’s operations are naturally located in regional Australia, underpinning hundreds of communities, many for generations on end. We are also critical for the environment and fighting climate change. “As production trees grow they absorb carbon, which then continues to be stored in timber and wood-fibre products and the built environment, long after the trees are sustainably harvested. We are a big part of the answer to Australia reaching its net zero goals. “We encourage all Australians to stop and reflect on the importance of our forestry and forest products sector and what it provides for the country this coming National Forestry Day next Tuesday the 19th of August.”

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A new firefighting unit designed and built by Bombala-based Rodwell Logging will be put through its paces in the Green Triangle next week. Source: Timberbiz The unit, which has been designed around a Komatsu 895 Forwarder, will go on display at Rennick, east of Mount Gambier on the Victorian border on 21 August. Following the 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires Peter Rodwell, MD of Rodwell Logging, saw a need to mobilise existing forestry equipment to aid in firefighting with the obvious resource being a forestry forwarder. They had recently purchased a Komatsu 895 Forwarder for timber salvage operations after the fires, and this new purchase prompted Mr Rodwell to proceed with his concept of a fire tanker. “The 2020 fires were that serious we had to change the way we were going about things. The best thing for us was to use the existing industry,” Mr Rodwell said. Rodwell Logging applied for a grant under the Protecting Our Communities (Disaster Resilience) Program, securing $1.25 million in funding. Combined with the company investment, this enabled the design and construction of four specialised firefighting tanker units, specifically engineered to be mounted on Komatsu 895 Forwarders. These powerful forwarders can access fires and hotspots in rugged terrain inaccessible by conventional firefighting equipment. Mr Rodwell’s design features a custom 20,000-litre water tank fitted within the forwarder’s log bunk, equipped with a high-pressure pump to supply dual water cannons fitted on either side of the headgate. The cannons are capable of delivering up to 450 litres per minute, with up to 40-metre range. For emergency situations, an additional 3000-litre reserve tank can be operated by the driver to aim the canons on the engine compartment and cabin. “This means if the operator gets in a tricky spot, he has the ability to protect himself and reach a safe distance.” Mr Rodwell said. Peter and Mark Rodwell as well as the tank manufacturer Garry Kennedy will attend the demonstration at Rennick which will start at 10:30am EST. To RSVP go to http://forms.office.com/e/Nb5k2SF5KJ

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After 17 years of dedicated service to the construction industry and Snowy Monaro community, the team at High Country Truss and Frames has made the difficult decision to close its doors. Source: Monaro Post The move comes as the economic downturn gripping the building and construction sector worsens, along with the increased use of steel in the ACT building sector. The decision to close the factory marks the end of an era for a company highly regarded for its craftsmanship, local employment and community support. High Country Truss and Frames was started nearly two decades ago. It quickly became a cornerstone of the local building and supply landscape. The factory specialised in the design and manufacturing of timber roof trusses, wall frames and floor systems. This provided support for residential and commercial construction projects throughout the Snowy Monaro, South Coast and ACT. Over the years, the company run by David, Elizabeth and Jannene Van der Plaat developed a reputation for its reliability, technical expertise and strong commitment to customer satisfaction. For many local builders and tradespeople, High Country Truss and Frames has been more than a supplier, it was a partner, and the builders would head into the office and work through the job together. The company will still offer frames, trusses and floor systems to local builders through Cooma H Hardware, using a third party the owners have a strong relationship with. The decision to close the factory did not come lightly, the owners said. The construction industry has faced significant headwinds in recent years, with the rising cost of materials, labour shortages and building times blowing out. The ripple effects of increased interest rates, and uncertain times have added to the difficulties faced by many companies. High Country Truss and Frames has weathered previous uncertain times, adapting its business model and finding innovative ways to serve its customers. The prolonged downturn has proven insurmountable. The management of High Country Truss and Frames has expressed gratitude to the current staff, acknowledging their dedication and hard work. High Country Truss and Frames has been more than just a company. It has been an important part of the community. The company has provided stable employment for dozens of locals, offered work to day release prisoners and fostered the next generation of skilled tradespeople. The company has long sponsored community events, groups and sporting organisations, including the Cooma and Adaminaby Races, and Cooma Stallions. The loss will be felt beyond the factory gates.

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