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Trump’s threats to Canada — imposing crushing tariffs on Canadian goods or making Canada the 51st state — may be repulsive, but they are unfortunately very real. While a full takeover of Canada is likely just sabre rattling, the imposition of tariffs is a genuine concern. Source:  Financial Post (www.financialpost.com) This is a time for aggressive leadership. Policymakers focused on “win-wins” or reactive strategies must rethink their approach if they are to effectively represent Canada. Trade negotiators must stay focused on one key fact: Canada produces many products and services upon which the United States depends. Canadian goods generate enormous “consumer surplus” for Americans, all of which could be lost if the price of these goods rises. The 25% tariff threats are troubling for Canadians, but they are equally alarming for those in the US who rely on Canadian products. Canada supplies a quarter of US lumber needs, giving it strong leverage. Lumber is a primary input in US home construction, which is a core component of the economy. The housing market is often cited as a leading indicator of the overall strength or weakness of the American economy. Economists understand that a significant rise in lumber prices will increase the cost of building and renovating homes. It’s no surprise that the US National Association of Home Builders protests every time our two countries negotiate the Softwood Lumber Agreement and there is talk of new tariffs on Canadian lumber. A sharp increase in lumber prices would fuel inflation and shrink disposable income, straining the consumer-driven economy. The timing for tariffs on lumber couldn’t be worse for the US, with the spring building season soon approaching. On the supply side, US lumber mills are already operating near capacity, and importing softwood lumber from other regions is expensive. In short, even if Canadian lumber prices doubled (or even quadrupled, as they have in the past), US consumers would still bear the higher costs — though begrudgingly.

John Deere now offers extended transmission coverage at no additional cost through its skidder transmission assurance program. Source: Timberbiz This new program provides coverage up to six years or 12,000 hours on all eligible skidder models and helps to maximize the machine lifespan with warrantable transmission repairs and replacements. The assurance program applies to all qualified skidders built on or after 1 January 2020 and is transferrable to subsequent purchasers. “We’re giving our customers added peace-of-mind knowing that their new machines are backed by a robust transmission assurance program,” said Mike Fulton, service marketing manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “This is another way we’re helping our customers excel in the woods and in their businesses, no matter the challenge at hand.” Eligible machines include qualified skidder models (640L-II, 648L-II, 748L-II, 768L-II, 848L-II, or 948L-II) built on or after 1 January 2020 and purchased prior to 31 December 2026.

Adsorbi has raised €1M in funding from Metsä Spring, Chalmers Ventures, Jovitech Invest, and a grant from Sweden’s Innovation Agency for its cellulose-based air purification material. Source: Timberbiz The capital will be used to construct and operate a pilot plant in Gothenburg, develop new products, and grow its customer base. Despite being only three years old Adsorbi already has a growing customer base and industry collaborations. Adsorbi’s high-performing material, derived from Nordic tree cellulose, is designed for targeted pollutant capture, including key nitrogen oxides like nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – major contributors to air pollution – as well as acids and aldehydes. Aldehydes are commonly found in cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning products, odourant dispensers, and grooming aids. This means Adsorbi’s patented material can be used wherever gaseous air pollutants are a problem – in air filters, products that remove odours, and in museums to protect artefacts and works of art. Unlike the current market standard, which is activated carbon, Adsorbi’s material lasts longer, doesn’t release any hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) back into the air, is water and fire-resistant, and changes colour to indicate when it needs to be replaced. Adsorbi is also a more energy-efficient alternative, generating around 50% lower CO2 emissions – 3.5 kg CO2 per kilogram of material compared with activated carbon, which has an emission factor of 7.5 kg CO2 per kilogram of material. “We’re grateful to our investors for their continued support. With the funding we will establish pilot production, a crucial step for scaling Adsorbi. Air pollutant control is needed in many markets, and we’re ready to offer a commercial solution that ensures the air we breathe is clean without extensive use of fossil-based materials,” says Hanna Johansson, CEO of Adsorbi. “We joined Adsorbi’s journey 1.5 years ago. The company has achieved all the goals agreed upon at the time and even surprised us investors positively in a few areas. The plan for the company’s next phase was very logical, and we are excited to support its implementation. “Their development of a pulp-based new product makes them particularly relevant to Metsä Group’s mission. With Adsorbi in our portfolio, we move closer to replacing fossil-based materials in eve-ryday applications,” says Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of Metsä Spring. In October 2024, the European Union (EU) approved the new Ambient Air Quality Directive. The directive prioritises public health by introducing stricter air quality standards for key pollutants, including particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide – all known to cause respiratory issues. The new limits, to be achieved by 2030, bring EU standards closer to the WHO air quality guidelines, pushing businesses into a race to find new air filtering solutions. According to the World Health Organization, indoor air pollution killed more than three million people in 2020. Many ailments, such as asthma, heart disease, and lung cancers, can be caused by bad air quality. As people in industrialised nations spend up to 80–90% of their time indoors, maintaining air quality is crucial to keeping people’s health intact.

Forestry Corporation is delighted to have one of its foresters selected in an international exchange program. Source: Timberbiz Silviculture Supervisor Prue Crundall, who is based at Tumut, will undertake a three-month paid international work placement hosted by the Duchy of Cornwall in the United Kingdom. “I am really looking forward to working in completely different forest types to expand my knowledge and expertise in forestry,” Ms Crundall said. “Here in Tumut, I have worked in pine forests for two years now and learnt a lot in that time while over in the UK I believe I will be working predominantly in oak forests. “I’ll be particularly interested to find out about England’s approach to pest and weed management given I have been involved in the ground and aerial spraying programs in the state forest pine plantations.” The exchange program is a joint collaboration between Forestry Australia, the Institute of Chartered Foresters in United Kingdom, the New Zealand Institute of Forestry and the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada. “The pilot exchange program offers a unique opportunity for emerging leaders in forestry and forest management to participate in a three-month paid international work placement,” Forestry Australia CEO Jacquie Martin. “It allows participants to build global networks, exchange knowledge and gain hands on experience.” While Ms Crundall is working in the UK, Forestry Corporation will host English forester Alex Donaldson, who works as a Regeneration Program Manager with Zulu Ecosystems. Mr Donaldson said joining Australia’s international forestry sector is an unmissable opportunity. “I’m eager to exchange insights from the UK and immerse myself in Australia’s unique industry,” Mr Donaldson said.

Master Builders Australia has welcomed the release of the long-awaited Review into the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System. Source: Timberbiz The review recognises the challenges faced by employers to attract and retain apprentices, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The building and construction industry is made up of over 445,000 businesses, 98% of which as small in size.  SMEs make up 95% of all businesses who hire an apprentice but only take on 60% of first year apprentices. Recommendations relevant to industry employers: Align incentives to the Government’s economic priorities and social equity objectives. Direct payments to SMEs. Reward employers that are doing the right thing and address the behaviour of those who are not providing an appropriate working environment for their apprentices. Support the use of Group Training Organisations to assist SMEs in taking on new apprentices. Utilise the Australian Government’s procurement policies to increase engagement of first and second year apprentices and reduce ‘apprentice poaching’ from SMEs. Review the apprentice data systems to make them easier for apprentices, employers and other users to use and navigate. “Labour shortages are currently the biggest handbrake on fixing the housing crisis,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said. “Master Builders has worked closely with Dr Iain Ross AO and Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM who led the review, and we sincerely thank them for listening to the concerns of employers and the broader building and construction industry. “Employing an apprentice comes at a cost. Not just their wage, but the hours spent teaching them, covering their training costs, and managing the associated administration, and helping them navigate the workforce which all adds up. “A robust incentive system must provide assurance and minimise risk. It should mean that the employer does not shoulder the entire cost burden for the 50 per cent of ap-prentices who do not complete their studies. “A better incentive system should free an employer to focus on training and teaching: this is especially important in the first and second years. “Master Builders will work through the recommendations in the review and urges the Federal Government to prioritise the consultation and implementation of non-contentious recommendations as we do not have time to waste.”

The Victorian State Government has hurt local businesses, offering significantly reduced work for those who manage the bushfire threat in state forests, according to the Member for Gippsland Tim Bull. Source: Timberbiz He claims the Forest Fire Management panel of workers have had, without notice, a massive reduction in their contract work. Mr Bull said it was disgraceful that the State Government had starved work from these family-run businesses, after being promised similar volumes of employment as previous years. Mr Bull said that Forest Fire Management (FFM) engaged a panel of external local contractors who undertake important bush maintenance, including maintaining forest fire access roads and other important fire preparation work. “Panel members, who invest in gear and equipment, have reported FFM has failed to is-sue any job orders so far, this financial year. The loss of work has led to business distress and job losses,” he said. “These contractors are small business operators who have to maintain very expensive equipment and be on stand-by for when they are called to help out in the event of a bushfire. Having the tap turned off on all work without notice hits them hard. “I wrote to the Minister for Environment asking why these contractors have not been engaged, as the region simply can’t sustain any further loss of this skilled workforce – especially in the wake of the native timber industry shut-down. “In a response he conceded, ‘this reduction in the volume of civil forest works is a temporary variation’, and while he has committed to work returning at a later date, the failure to inform these businesses of the cutbacks is extremely damaging,” Mr Bull said. “In addition to this, with the state of fuel loads in our bush, we should not be reducing any fire mitigation services. “My office has been contacted by many of these businesses asking why they have not received one single contract. The Minister should have directed his department to communicate openly so these local businesses would be aware. “At a time when Labor is boasting about employment figures, it continues to put region-al jobs on the chopping block,” Mr Bull said.  

Timber companies have snapped up a number of farms along a 15km stretch of road in Victoria’s Western District in a series of deals worth about $16.5 million combined. Source: Timberbiz The Weekly Times reports that in the past year farms on Lavers Hill-Cobden Rd, between the towns of Simpson and Kennedys Creek, have become a hotspot for sales with more than 790ha traded as timber companies snapped up various holdings. Property records show in October last year a 158ha dairy on Lavers Hill-Cobden Rd was sold for $3.41 million, or about $21,500 a hectare, to a subsidiary of Hancock Victorian Plantations Holdings Pty Ltd. Hancock Victorian Plantations Holdings is one of the largest private plantation companies in Australia with 239,974ha across Gippsland, northern and western Victoria, of which 172,965ha are considered plantation. In their western Victorian region, which stretches from west of Heywood to the Colac-Otways region, Hancock Victorian Plantations owns 47,224ha with 39,488ha as plantation. The Weekly Times says that in November last year, a 168ha dairy also on Lavers Hill-Cobden Rd, was sold for about $3.3 million, or the equivalent of $19,722 a hectare. Otway Silva Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of German insurance giant Munich Re, secured the property adding it to its growing portfolio of Victorian farmland. Property records show two years earlier the same property was traded between two local dairy farming families for about $4.76 million, or more than more than $28,000 a hectare. The Weekly Times says that in recent years Munich Re, via forestry asset manager MEAG, has added more than 2000 hectares to its southwest Victorian holdings, after it bought 17,000ha of existing plantations in 2022 for $154 million from Midway. The deal also involved $200 million for new plantations to be developed under Midway management. In a 2023 report Munich RE’s said it was committed to investing in 10,000ha of new blue gum plantations, equivalent to an average price of $20,000 a hectare.

The Forest Stewardship Council ANZ Board has appointed Judy Alexander to the Standards Development Group responsible for revising the Forest Stewardship Standard (FSS) for Australia. Source: Timberbiz Ms Alexander replaces Tim McBride, who had to resign from the SDG following his departure from the organisation that nominated him. Ms Alexander, a member of FSC ANZ through her consulting firm, Foresa Consulting, brings a well-rounded skill set to the Standards Development Group from her close to 30 years in the industry. This includes experience developing, implementing, and auditing forestry standards in native and plantation forestry.

The American-owned Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill increased its production of tissue products by an unspecified amount in the last calendar year. Kimberly-Clark’s Millicent Mill is in South Australia and produces the Kleenex brand of tissues. Sources: The SE Voice The Kimberly-Clark Corporation released its annual results to the New York Stock Exchange at 10pm last night (Tuesday) This was the only reference to Australia in the document. KCC chief executive and chairman Mike Hsu announced the fourth quarter and full year 2024 results, and his remarks had an upbeat tone. He said the results illustrated the strength of its innovation-led growth model, driving volume gains, improving product mix, and generating significant efficiencies enabling reinvestment in its brands, new capabilities, and generating attractive returns to its shareholders. “2024 was a breakthrough year for Kimberly-Clark with the launch of our transformative, multi-year Powering Care strategy and successfully rewiring our organization into three powerhouse segments with world-class functional support,” Mr Hsu said. “Our full-year results exceeded our new long-term growth algorithm – supported by consistent execution across the organisation and we established a strong foundation to accelerate our strategy in 2025 and beyond. “We delivered organic top-line growth with an upward inflection in volume-plus-mix. “This, coupled with improved productivity, has driven strong adjusted profit growth and fuelled investments to advance our competitive advantage. “We’re excited about this new chapter of Kimberly-Clark, and we look forward to build-ing on our momentum and enhancing value for all stakeholders.” As per company policy, the financial results of KCA and other individual countries were not stated. Major Kimberly-Clark Corporation operational decisions are often announced at this time. Mr Hsu is due to attend a press conference scheduled for this morning (South Australian time). Last week, the Millicent Mill was inspected by Supply chain manager Ganesh Krishnamurthy who is based at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. Australian companies erected the plant now known as the KCA Millicent Mill on a greenfield site in 1958 with production commencing two years later. The Kimberly-Clark Corporation took a 50% stake in 1963 and then assumed full ownership in 2001. At its height in the 1980s, the Millicent Mill had a workforce of 1000. Nowadays, there are around 350 company employees and 50 contractors. KCA has closed its five other manufacturing plants across Australia over the past 25 years. The Millicent Mill has solely processed imported pulp since 2011.

Up to 300 Maryvale Mill production team members and the CFMEU remain locked out of the mill as negotiations on a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement are at a stalemate, with fears growing about the economic impact on the local community. Source: By Katrina Brandon – Latrobe Valley Express, Timberbiz Opal company negotiators are overseas, while workers remain keen to return to work, although some who were on leave or sick have retained their work privileges. The dispute began on Thursday, January 16 when Opal, according to the union, gave an hour’s notice to workers that they wouldn’t be returning to work until a new EBA was agreed upon. “They are all shattered that this has happened. We have always worked with the company,” CFMEU Maryvale Sub-Branch Secretary, Anthony Pavey, told the Express. “We had seven operators take a six-hour stoppage, and the company decided to give us one hour’s notice and locked us out. This is the first work stoppage by our members for over two decades. They want to talk about clauses that strip away all our rights and allow them to dictate terms at the drop of the hat,” he said. Since January 21, one hundred of the locked-out workers, who would have previously been working, camped out at the mill during work hours (8am to 3pm) to establish a presence and show that they want to return to work. Opal said given the protected action and planned lockdowns by the CFMEU, it could not operate its paper production plant and had been forced under the Fair Work Act to undertake a legal lockout. “Maryvale Mill’s operations have been severely impacted by the loss of wood supply from VicForests and the subsequent end to white paper manufacturing,” the company said. Opal said the terms and conditions from the previous enterprise agreements were no longer relevant in a more competitive market. “Clearly, Nippon Paper’s Opal has no regard for either their employees or other businesses and their employees,” Denise Campbell-Burns, the Pulp and Paper Worker District Secretary, said. “Like our members – who were given 60 minutes notice of the lockout – we understand these other companies were given no warning and were caught unprepared, leaving them and their employees blindsided by Opal’s directive.” Last week, the locked-out workers received support from the broader trade union movement, with the ACTU weighing in and the AMWU, Mining and Energy Union, and Victorian Trades Hall Council pledging support. At a mass meeting on January 20, the locked-out Opal workers vowed to stand firm and seek a fair deal that does not undermine their existing terms and conditions. Mr Pavey said all staff on approved sick or annual leave were revoked initially due to the lockout, but on January 23, the company was made to honour those on leave. Australian Forest Contractors Association general manager Tim Lester said timber deliveries to the mill had stopped, and the forest services businesses involved had received confirmation of Force Majeure. “Our estimates, and advice is that more than 120 people from contracting businesses will be directly affected, with flow on impacts for a large number of families and businesses in Gippsland,” he said. “It is unclear how long the situation will last although the current expectation is about four weeks. However, there are likely to be further delays in timber deliveries recommencing as the stockpile of timber already in the wood yard clears.