A strong franc and a weak market are chipping away at the Swiss timber industry. Sawmill owners say they fear a looming wood shortage and possible layoffs.
The South African paper, pulp and board industry has consistently increased exports of paper and board and maintained imports at similar levels for the past three years, despite facing a number of challenges, says Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) executive director
Demand and production declining in the woodworking industry reached the lowest point. However, with this stage passed, manufacturers and authorities are to invest more in modernization, construction and infrastructure in order to return back to the pre-crisis indicators.
Canada: Forestry industry must diversify, capitalize on demand for green energy
MONTREAL - The federal government can help rescue Canada's battered forestry industry and thousands of jobs by providing $1.5 billion in funds to encourage diversification to new eco-friendly uses such as biochemicals and bio energy, says a new study released Monday.
CJSC North-West Group of Companies finished works on construction of pellet mill worth 300 mln RUR (€ 7.14 mln) in Podporozhye (Leningrad region) with Anritz (Denmark), BRUKS (Germany) and Komforts (Latvia) machinery installed.
According to the Ministry of Economic Development, fiberboard production output decreased by 26.1%, of chipboards – by 20.7%, plywood – by 18.7%, sawn timber 12.2%, door and window units – by 33.4 and 46.1% respectively.
Between 2000 and 2005, Chinese timber imports tripled from 10 million to 30 million cubic metres. The import of sawn solid wood products also experienced a similar trend. During the second quarter of 2009, China was the world’s second-biggest importer of sawn softwood products.
Finland to invest about 20 mln EUR in projects realized in the neighboring Russian areas
Finland is to invest about 20 mln EUR in projects realized in the neighboring Russian areas, in particular, St. Petersburg, Leningrad, Murmansk, Arkhangelsk regions, and Karelia.