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The US Department of Commerce says it has made a final decision to more than double countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports, a move business groups in British Columbia say will harm communities on both sides of the border. Source: The Global News A statement from the American department says the duty for most Canadian companies is being increased to 14.63%, up from 6.74%, after it determined softwood lumber from Canada was being unfairly subsidized. The increase is on top of a recent jump in anti-dumping duties to 20.56%, bring the total duty level for Canadian softwood to 35.19%. The department says it will now instruct US Customs and Border Protection to begin collecting the money. Kurt Niquidet, president of the BC Lumber Trade Council, said in a statement that the decision places unnecessary strain on forestry-dependent regions in Canada while driving up construction costs for American builders. The council says both the Canadian and US governments need to make resolving the long-standing softwood lumber dispute a top economic priority. “In the absence of a negotiated settlement, BCLTC will continue working closely with the Government of Canada and industry partners to defend Canadian interests through all available legal channels, including proceedings under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement,” the statement says. The BC Council of Forest Industries says the provincial government needs to take action including streamlining permitting processes, activating provincial timber sales and removing cross-ministry bottlenecks. “With the right policy tools, British Columbia (BC) can send a strong message that it is committed to creating a climate where primary and secondary forest manufacturers want to invest, ensuring a steady supply of wood products for BC, Canada, and beyond,” President Kim Haakstad said in a statement. Prime Minister Mark Carney was in BC promising Can $700 million in loan guarantees for the industry and Can$500 million for long-term supports to help companies diversify export markets and develop their products.

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A German company is building sturdy, low-carbon buildings using substandard wood, by making wooden bricks. This innovative construction method has already been used in many buildings including a major supermarket in Germany. Source: Timberbiz TriqBriq is the start-up that is making the bricks that fit together using wooden dowels rather than motar or glue. So far, the company has built 15 building including the supermarket and it is working to move to full automation. For the first time, a supermarket was built entirely with TriqBriq’s timber construction system. The 1,100 square metre store sets new standards in resource-saving construction. The load-bearing wall construction consists of around 11,000 micro-modular wooden building blocks – known as BRIQs – which are made from industrial and calamity wood as well as reclaimed wood. This innovation allows wood to be used that would otherwise have been quickly burnt – this conserves resources and is good for the environment. The BRIQs are stacked dry on the building site and connected with beech wood dowels – completely without adhesives or other artificial fasteners. This means that the building can be completely dismantled and offers maximum flexibility for future conversions. Thanks to the innovative structural concept, it was also possible to realise smaller foundations and significantly reduce CO₂-intensive concrete. As a result, the new building saves around 50% of emissions compared to conventional construction methods. This store shows how modern retail architecture and genuine sustainability can go together. Circular construction means that what is a market today can be something completely new tomorrow – without any demolition or waste.

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The European Federation of Wooden Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) has advised that the forthcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will not have significant implications for customers using wood pallets and packaging for transport. Source: Timberbiz The organisation, which represents the European pallet and packaging sector, issued a customer information statement to customers on the forthcoming regulation, which requires businesses to prove products on the EU market have not been sourced from recently deforested land or contributed to its degradation. In a newsletter to FEFPEB’s membership, the organisation’s secretariat said packaging would only become subject to the new EUDR rules when placed on the market for the first time as a standalone product, with its status changing as immediately when it is used. “As soon as the pallet or packaging is used to support, protect or carry another product, it is no longer covered by the EUDR, even if it is listed separately on the invoice of a product or when it is returned by a retailer to its supplier,” it said. “Once the concerned packaging becomes a packaging material used exclusively as packaging material to support, protect or carry a product, it is then not covered by the scope 27 of the Regulation.” It added that selling or renting used packaging material to other companies, as happens in pallet pooling systems, for example, is not subject to EUDR. “Similarly, empty packaging material already used for the first time to support, protect or carry another product, for instance when traded within a closed loop exchange system (i.e., pallets transferred from one company to another to be reused for transport) is not covered by the Regulation,” said FEFPEB’s advice. FEFPEB Secretary General Fons Ceelaert said: “FEFPEB’s membership and association pooling businesses are fully supportive of EUDR’s aims to protect forests around the world. We have produced this guidance to share with customers and the supply chain to give clarity on the implications of these regulations.”  

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Interpine’s internship will be based with its GIS and Remote Sensing team. The main focus will be working with ultra-dense LiDAR data to extract and measure 3D tree profiles, using techniques including deep learning and virtual reality. Source: Timberbiz This is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience working with skilled forestry, remote sensing and GIS professionals, and to get an insight on how an effective team operates in an environment that interests you. Experienced gained in this position could be the starting point of an exciting professional career in the forestry industry. What you’ll bring: A high level of attention to detail An excellent analytical ability Problem solving skills Excellent computer skills Candidates should be studying towards a degree in Computer Science, GIS or Forestry. Experience using GIS software (eg ArcGIS), and programming knowledge (Python or R) and an understanding of AI concepts such as computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), and deep learning would be very beneficial. What Interpine offers: Experience working with cutting edge LiDAR and Virtual Reality technology in an industry leading company. Variety of work, from GIS to LiDAR analysis and computer engineering / programming. Great office environment and location, based in Rotorua and within walking distance to Rotorua’s famous Redwoods walking and mountain biking tracks. The position will in New Zealand at Rotorua lakes with surrounding bush and mountains. Boating, mountain biking, tramping, hunting and fishing are all on the doorsteps of a beautiful city with affordable housing. Rotorua’s central location means most of the North Island is within easy driving reach. Your application should include a CV stating any work experience, a copy of your academic record, and a cover letter which includes your reasons for applying for a summer student internship position with Interpine. Applications should be emailed to: admin@interpine.nz The internship will run from mid-November 2025 until early February 2026 including a 2-week (unpaid) shutdown over Christmas and New Year.  The successful applicant will be required to undergo pre-employment screening. Applications close Sunday, 14 September 2025

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