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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.

Teleo, a company building autonomous technology for heavy construction equipment is expanding its strategic focus to deploy autonomous heavy machinery such as wheel loaders, terminal tractors, excavators, and more into new industries beyond construction. Sources: Timberbiz, PR Newswire The company has secured orders for 34 machines and has secured nine new customer deals in the pulp and paper; logging; port logistics; munition clearing; and agriculture industries. Teleo is also targeting expansion into other industries such as airports; waste and recycling; logistics; warehousing; and more. Additional orders have been placed that expand Teleo’s presence in the snow removal and construction industries, including the company’s entry into the Australian market. Teleo converts any make, model, and vintage of heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, wheel loaders, articulated dump trucks and more, into autonomous robots. Teleo’s Supervised Autonomy keeps human operators involved, enabling one human to oversee multiple autonomous machines at once. The human operator acts as a supervisor with the ability to step in remotely to control the machine if needed. Teleo is moving the operator out of the cab of the machine and away from the harsh job site environment, and into a remote central command centre, making the operator’s role safer, comfortable, and more accessible. Teleo’s technology helps address the growing labour shortage that is currently plaguing many industries. “From day one, we have been obsessed with building a platform both hardware and software that is universally applicable to any make and model of heavy machinery and use case, opening doors to new industries,” said Vinay Shet, Co-founder and CEO, Teleo. “While construction remains a core industry for us, it’s evident that our technology offers significant value across a broader range of sectors. Our machine-agnostic and industry-agnostic approach ensures quick and easy deployment, allowing us to launch at diverse job sites, from remote and bustling to large and small, and from indoor to outdoor environments.” US based RYAM is a global leader in paper milling. The company has placed orders to outfit three Caterpillar wheel loaders of diverse vintage, a 988K, a 980M, and a 988H, with Teleo Supervised Autonomy. RYAM will deploy the Teleo-equipped machines to haul bark and wood chips 24/7 at its pulp and paper mill in Florida. An operator remotely operates one wheel loader to load bark and then it is autonomously hauled by the machine to an incinerator that burns it to produce energy that powers the facility. A second wheel loader is operated remotely to load wood chips that are then autonomously hauled to a bin for processing for paper manufacturing. The third Teleo-equipped wheel loader will be rotated in as needed to ensure continuity of 24/7. Two of the three machines are deployed and beginning in late fall a single operator will oversee the machines from one of two command centres. “Teleo’s incremental approach to autonomy enables us to integrate technology that improves our productivity and run our around-the-clock operations more efficiently,” said Daniel Porter, Senior Manager of Process Automation, RYAM. “The central command centre also provides a more accessible and safer environment for our operators, who can oversee multiple machines from the comfort of an office.” Teleo global partner network dealer Dobbs Positioning Solutions was responsible for introducing the technology to RYAM and facilitating the deal between the companies. Finland-based Fin-Terpuu Oy, one of Europe’s largest logging companies, has deployed Teleo’s Supervised Autonomy on a Volvo L350F wheel loader for operations. This is the world’s first logging yard with autonomous operations. The company is conducting autonomous tramming, or hauling of materials from one point to another, of logs from their arrival point to a processing yard. Pick-up and drop-off activities are remote operated. Fin-Terpuu’s active logging sites are complex and harsh environments, with around-the-clock operations happening in snow and cold weather, and often complete darkness as the Finland site experiences three months with no sunlight. The company chose Teleo’s solution as a way to overcome an ongoing labour shortage and to improve overall operational safety. Teleo global dealer network partner Sumirai, formerly called SR-O Technology, facilitated the collaboration with Fin-Terpuu Oy.

The state of British Columbia’s forest sector and the global forest products industry and market overall will be the topic of the first Global Wood Summit in Vancouver later this month. Source: BIV News BC forestry consultant Russ Taylor and ERA Forest Products Research have teamed up to organize the two-day summit which takes place 29-30 October at the Sutton Place Hotel. Industry experts on markets in the US, Sweden, Russia, China and Japan will discuss global forest products and pulp and paper markets and trade, and emerging sectors such as engineered wood manufacturing. “It’s about the whole supply chain, from the forests all the way through to the markets and looking at global supply and global markets,” Mr Taylor told BIV News. The summit will include a panel on the Chinese and North American lumber markets, and sessions on pulp and paper, Panel experts will include John Brink, the BC wood manufacturing veteran who recently announced plans to acquire shuttered Canfor mills and associated tenures in Vanderhoof, Fort St John, Houston and Bear Lake. Experts in mass timber from Europe and Eastern Canada will be among the speakers. “If you hear what’s going on in Europe (with mass timber), they’re 15 years ahead of us, so they have a lot more insights,” Mr Taylor said. The summit will also feature a session on timberlands and fibre supply in BC and a session on transportation and logistics. Mr Taylor said the summit will also hear some predictions for what lies ahead for the forest sector in 2025. As he notes, 2023 and 2024 has been rough for the forest sector, particularly in B.C., which has sustained major blows from the shuttering of several major sawmills and pulp mills. “Companies are bleeding ink right now,” Mr Taylor said. “The third quarter results have come out – they’re going to be horrible. But prices are now picking up, so we’re trying to figure out what’s next.”  

Forestry Corporation has announced the start of the plantation fire threat period on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. Source: Timberbiz The Bathurst Management Area has introduced a solid fuel fire ban from October 2024, until March 2025, unless otherwise advised. Forestry Corporation Community Programs Coordinator Nikki Bennetts said the move aims to safeguard the region from the threat of bushfire. “As one of four fire authorities in NSW, Forestry Corporation apply this ban during periods of high fire danger in State forests of NSW,” Ms Bennetts said. “Campfires and barbecues using wood, charcoal or other solid fuels are banned until further notice. “Gas barbecues or similar gas appliances are allowed unless a Total Fire Ban (TOBAN) is declared. “Please help us keep our local communities, forest visitors, plantations and native forests safe this fire season. “Report any fires to 000 immediately. Download the Hazards Near Me App to stay aware of any incidents and visit Forestry Corporation – Home for any forest closures and notices,” she said. Failure to comply with the Solid Fuel Fire Ban carries an immediate penalty of $550 and a maximum penalty of $2,200. For more information about Forestry Corporation of NSW, visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au

Aratu Forests Ltd in New Zealand has announced plans for the first of three Swiss-designed high strength steel debris nets which aim to reduce the amount of woody debris flowing into catchments following storm events. Source: Timberbiz Aratu plans debris nets at private properties bordering Te Marunga, Waimanu and Wakaroa forests. These will be subject to a resource consent process. The first is planned to span a waterway near Wakaroa Forest on a site straddling two properties. These will complement a range of other measures within the forest that have already been implemented or are planned. “We’re committed to being a responsible custodian of the environments we operate in, so we’re pleased to be advancing our plans with today’s announcement,” said Neil Woods, Aratu Chief Executive. “Debris nets are one part of a toolbox of measures we are using and plan to use to minimise woody debris accumulating in plantations and migrating down waterways after storms. “The nets are an extra layer of protection that have been successfully used overseas and in New Zealand. They’ve proven to be very effective at saving lives, buildings and land from the impacts of woody debris and rock falls. “We’re proud to be partnering with Swiss-based Geobrugg, the pioneer of debris net technology. In the last 10 years Geobrugg has installed over 250 debris flow barriers of the kind proposed by Aratu in more than 25 countries including New Zealand. “The planned net will be the first of its kind in Tairāwhiti. One installed in 2021 in northern Hawke’s Bay has worked well to date to trap debris after storms. “The region paid a high price for the devastation caused by cyclones Hale and Gabrielle. Like all forestry companies in Tairāwhiti, we work in a very challenging environment with many trees planted on highly erodible soils on steep hill slopes. “We have learnt much from the cyclones and are determined to keep lifting our game to limit the impacts from our operations.” Since taking over the forests in 2019, Aratu has introduced a range of measures to improve the management of woody debris. “We look forward to progressing the resource consent process with the Gisborne District Council so we can get on with doing our bit to better manage woody debris in Tairāwhiti,” said Mr Woods.

The rumour mill is rife, after reports emerged that the Maryvale mill was running at a financial loss of $4.5 million per month and faced potential cessation of operations. Opal has since admitted that it has faced financial issues since VicForests stop supplying wood to the mill. Source: Latrobe Valley Express “The Maryvale Mill’s operations were severely impacted when the Victorian government-owned VicForests stopped supplying wood to Opal. With no viable alternative wood supply, Opal was forced to close its white pulp and paper production,” an Opal spokesperson said. “As a result, the Maryvale mill lost almost half of its production volume and hundreds of Opal team members lost their jobs. “The commercial damage to Opal has been profound and the Maryvale Mill is in an extremely challenging financial position.” Due to its financial position, Japanese paper manufacturing company, Nippon Paper Industries, has significantly been investing in Opal. “Despite the challenges, Opal remains focussed on securing the long-term future of the mill,” the Opal spokesperson added. “The site continues to transform to solely produce brown packaging paper, with the goal of achieving sustainable operations. “The Maryvale Mill is an important asset for Opal, in pursuing market growth in Australia and New Zealand.”

Private Forests Tasmania (PFT) is celebrating a year of renewal and progress, with a series of leadership changes, new initiatives, and key achievements in its mission to support sustainable forest management across the state. Source: Timberbiz With the appointment of new CEO Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski, along with Operations Manager Jarrod Burn and Director Bob Rutherford, PFT has reinforced its leadership team. Jim Wilson was appointed Chair of the Board, following the retirement of Evan Rolley, contributing to the organisation’s refreshed focus on delivering its strategic goals. Over the past year, PFT has continued to support private forest owners and stakeholders while implementing key projects that address critical issues, including wood supply strategies, legislative reforms, and the enhancement of communication tools. PFT launched two innovative tools: the Tree Alliance Knowledge Hub, an interactive platform designed to help Tasmanian landowners understand the benefits of integrating commercial trees into their properties, and the Farm and Forest Mapper, which simplifies the farm-planning process for landowners, consultants, and planners. PFT has actively participated in shaping policies related to forest practices, threatened species, fire management and carbon emissions reduction. Key contributions include involvement in the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement, regional forestry hubs and local government planning reforms. PFT secured $600,000 in grant funding from the Department of Renewables, Climate, and Future Industries Tasmania to plant 288 hectares of commercial trees in winter 2025. The project will emphasise carbon outcomes, with results to be communicated upon completion. Several research projects that are aimed at improving private forestry practices were also supported. These projects address priorities such as increasing agroforestry uptake, optimising plantation productivity, and adapting management practices to climate change. As of December 31, 2023, Tasmania’s private forest estate covers 1.09 million hectares, accounting for 33% of the state’s total forest area. Private plantations remain dominant, supplying 96% of the total private forest harvest. Despite a slight overall decrease in harvest volumes, the private native forest harvest increased by 27,000 tonnes, highlighting the ongoing importance of sustainable private forestry in Tasmania’s forest products sector. PFT remains committed to supporting landowners and delivering programs that strengthen the private forest sector, focusing on sustainability and long-term economic benefits. Read the Annual Report 2023-24 below and previous annual reports at https://pft.tas.gov.au/annual-reports

CMTP, a leading provider of pallet manufacturing and supply chain solutions in Australia, is has announced its acquisition of Palletmasters in Queensland, a well-respected name in the pallet manufacturing industry. Source: Timberbiz This strategic acquisition strengthens CMTP’s position as a market leader and enhances its capacity to deliver high-quality, reliable, and sustainable pallet solutions to its growing customer base across the country. Founded in 1976, CMTP is Australia’s leading manufacturer of pallets, crates, and timber packaging solutions. Known for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation, CMTP serves a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics. The integration of Palletmasters into the CMTP family marks a significant milestone in CMTP’s growth journey. Both companies share a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, making this partnership a natural fit. With more than 85 years of combined industry experience, the acquisition is set to expand CMTP’s footprint, boost production capabilities, and diversify its product offerings to better serve the evolving needs of its clients. “We are thrilled to welcome Palletmasters into the CMTP group,” said Travis Meade, Managing Director of CMTP. “This acquisition aligns perfectly with our long-term strategy of growth and innovation. Palletmasters has built a strong reputation for quality and service, and we look forward to combining our strengths to offer even greater value to our customers.” This move will also create new opportunities for employees, customers, and suppliers, fostering further development within the pallet manufacturing and logistics sectors. As a unified entity, CMTP remains committed to upholding its core values of delivering reliable, responsive packaging solutions to businesses across Australia. Customers of both CMTP and Palletmasters can expect seamless service throughout the transition, as well as enhanced capabilities in custom pallets, crates, and related logistics services. The acquisition will be effective from the 1 November 2024, subject to conditions being met.

Architects Bates Smart, one of Australia’s oldest architectural firms, has won the overall Australian Timber Design Award for their outstanding Embassy of Australia in Washington DC. Source: Timberbiz, photos Joe Fletcher The awards, now in their 25th year, were announced on Wednesday night in Sydney with the Professor of Architecture at the University of Tasmania’s School of Architecture and Design and Director of the University’s Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood Greg Nolan acting as MC. The design of the new Embassy of Australia in Washington DC was complex, necessitating a delicate balance between cultural representation, iconic civic presence and practical security considerations. The inspiration came from Australia’s iconic landscape and embodies the essence of the vast continent. The building’s transparency was intended to capture the inherent Australian values of welcomeness and trust, while the interior’s expansive atmosphere embodies the vastness of the Australian landscape. At the heart of the 20,000 square metre building, a large atrium serves as an orienting space displaying a powerful connection between the ground plane and the sky. This central atrium establishes a north south axial arrangement of representational spaces where every visitor is granted an equally immersive experience on entry. The main representational spaces are defined by strong materiality with Australian timber wall panels, that provide both air reticulation and sound absorption, organised around a series of textured horizontal bands that transition from rough to smooth. This mirrors the protective qualities of the bark during the eucalypt forest’s cycle of growth, burn and regrowth. Intricate metallic filigree screens have been sensitively deployed to mediate the interplay of light and shadow in social breakout and office spaces. Award winners: Overall Winner – Embassy of Australia, Washington D.C. by Bates Smart Merits: People’s Choice – Michael Kirby Building – Macquarie University Law School by Hassell Studio and FDC Construction (NSW) Sustainability – Berninneit Cultural and Community Centre by Jackson Clements Burrows International Projects – Embassy of Australia, Washington D.C. by Bates Smart Rising Star – Sarah Shearman from Brother Nature Design for River House Excellence in Timber Applications: Residential Class 1 – New Building – Taroona House by Archier Residential Class 1 – Alterations & Additions – Verandah Terraces by Phorm architecture + design Fit Out – Residential – Northcote House by LLDS and Power to Make Standalone Structure – Fernery at Ballarat Botanic Gardens by BALANCE Architecture & Interior Design Commercial Building – T3 Collingwood by Hines, AECOM, JCB and Icon Public Building – Michael Kirby Building – Macquarie University Law School by Hassell Studio and FDC Construction (NSW) Fit Out – Commercial and Public – Embassy of Australia, Washington D.C. by Bates Smart Furniture & Joinery – Holocene House by CplusC Architects + Builders Excellence in Timber Products: Australian Certified Timber – Irrawaddy by Incidental Architecture Recycled Timber – First Steps Count Child and Community Centre by Austin McFarland Architects

Rare it is to have a definitive historical date and place for the discovery of a natural renewable resource that is the foundation of an industry which prospers to the present day. Source: Dr Gary Bacon AM. Australian Rural & Regional News Tuesday 21 September 1824 is that note-worthy date, and we have a precise record of that discovery on the banks of the Brisbane River. The King’s Botanist, Allan Cunningham, accompanied by the Surveyor General of the NSW Colony, John Oxley, had left their stranded boat on the drought affected river and took off on foot aiming at a mountain vista clothed with stately trees. They had to fiord the river three times to reach their destination. Both men of reserved character could barely contain their enthusiasm for the splendid sylvan view at hand. Here are the botanist’s words from his journal (held at NSW State Archives): ‘Hitherto in our examination of this River, we have been only gratified with a distant view of the Pine; immediately we approached one of magnificent stature, the Monarch of these woods. It was a healthy well-grown tree, exceeding 120 feet in height with a trunk 3’6” diam. It was totally impossible not to halt a few moments to admire this noble tree. Here are the surveyor’s words from his diary (held at John Oxley, Qld State Library): ‘We penetrated through a very thick brush abounding with stately and magnificent pines, which towered far above the other timber of the hill.  Mr C(unningham) procured a couple of young cones, which satisfactorily demonstrated that the tree which had excited so much admiration was an entirely new species of the genus Auricaris (Araucaria !) being the first discovered in New South Wales, and decidedly the growth of the interior and not a coast tree. We measured one, the first we came to, the circumference of which was 10 feet. Many others were of greater magnitude, which was carried up perfectly straight without a branch to a height of from 50 to 100 feet, the whole height in the full-grown trees being at least 150 feet. To this stately tree Mr C gave the name of the Brisbane pine.’ Their effusive discovery words travel the timeline and elate us today. Foliage and cone samples were collected in situ and eventually reached Kew Gardens in London where the taxonomists named the Moreton Bay Pine, now known as Hoop Pine, Araucaria cunninghamii, after the botanist who determined this was a new tree to science. The Brisbane River exploration was part of the investigations undertaken in association with the establishment of the first penal settlement at Red Cliff Point in September 1824. When the brig Amity left for the return trip it had on deck hoop pine logs for assessment in Port Jackson. From then onwards Hoop Pine became a most desirable and valuable construction, furniture and naval timber. Indeed, the relocation of the fledging settlement to the present-day Brisbane location in May 1825 was aligned to ‘facilitate the loading of timber that may be procured in the Brisbane River’. By 1830 there were 26 sawyers cutting in the district. By 1835 there were ‘no ship spars within 20 miles of the anchorage’. Hoop Pine became the foundation of the Queensland Forest Products Industry for the next 100+ years and also after the establishment of the Queensland Forest Service the foundation of the Queensland Forestry Plantation enterprise. Today there are 47 000 ha of planted hoop pine on State Forests of Queensland. Postscript. Using the recorded traverses of the two principal explorers Gary has designated the location of discovery and sampling on private property near Pine Mountain and selected a veteran specimen hoop pine for entry into the Queensland Herbarium records. Dr Gary Bacon AM is a retired forest scientist, CEO Queensland Forestry, JAS_ANZ auditor and Adjunct Professor in Environmental Futures at Griffith University. He has a particular interest in the King’s Botanist, Allan Cunningham who was sent to Australia in 1816 by Sir Joseph Banks to collect plants for the King’s botanic gardens at Kew.