Forest Products Industry

Swegon is a global company that offers solutions for ventilation, heating, cooling and climate optimisation has developed its first wooden air handling unit that could redefine the industry’s approach to reducing carbon emissions. Source: Timberbiz When the GOLD air handling unit was launched in 1994, it was an all-new concept with its pioneering design and innovative features. Now, three decades later, embodied carbon is increasingly in focus, and the first wooden concept air handling unit was designed. So far, two functioning prototypes of wooden GOLD air handling unit, size 005 have been built, where the traditional casing of conventional steel has been replaced by cross-laminated timber (CLT). By replacing the steel, Swegon managed to reduce the CO2 footprint by 40%. For a larger air handling unit, the saving would be even greater. “We have already introduced recycled steel inside our GOLD units to minimise environmental impact. With this concept wooden air handling unit, we take a significant step further, in line with our ambitions within the RE:3 concept to be in the forefront of reducing embodied carbon of products,” said Annika Sedwall, Head of Product Management, Kvänum. The unit is a concept product that is not on the market for sale, but will be evaluated and used in discussions around future alternative materials. “By rethinking material choices and challenging industry norms, we are driving the future of sustainable building solutions, and this concept is an important step in testing the limits for the industry,” said Martin Ottersten, PhD, Innovation and Knowledge Centre at Swegon.

Metsä Board, a producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards, has launched a new solution to enhance and simplify the recycling process for packaging materials customers receive as part of Metsä Board product deliveries. Source: Timberbiz Metsä Board has introduced QR codes on the pallet and reel labels of its products for all volumes delivered to its customers. The QR code directs customers to an intuitive app that provides detailed information on the various packaging materials used to protect the paperboard during the logistics chain. This information will assist customers in determining how each component of the delivery’s packaging should be recycled. By providing accessible and clear recycling information, the company aims to make it as easy as possible for customers to sort and recycle all the materials they receive with the product deliveries. In addition, customers will be able to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and ensure the materials are recycled as part of the local circular economy loop. “The implementation of the new recycling QR codes on our paperboard deliveries stems from a strong commitment to sustainability and customer convenience,” said Isto Hongisto, Product Safety Specialist at Metsä Board. “Recycling can sometimes be complex, and our goal is to make it as seamless and straightforward as possible for our customers. This initiative will not only save them time, but it will also ensure that the materials used in our deliveries are recycled in an optimal way.” The QR codes have been visible on all paperboard deliveries as of November 2024.

Canada Wood has taken a decisive step toward promoting mass timber and hybrid construction in China with the signing of three pivotal memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with key stakeholders. Source: Timberbiz These agreements with Treezo Group, East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), and the National Center for Technology Innovation – Green Building (NCTI-GB) underline its strategic pivot to advancing mass timber and hybrid construction in China. They also highlight the growing potential for Canadian wood products to play a significant role in China’s evolving construction market. Treezo Group, one of China’s leading manufacturers of OSB, plywood, cabinetry, flooring, and prefab buildings, is at the forefront of integrating mass timber into its operations. With the completion of the design for a 7-storey mass timber office building at its headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Treezo is actively exploring the establishment of its own mass timber manufacturing facility to support this project and expand its prefab business. The MOU with Treezo solidifies a partnership focused on advancing research and development, facilitating connections with Canadian academic institutions, and providing technical expertise. This collaboration aims to strengthen Treezo’s capabilities in mass timber production and its application in China’s growing prefab and mass timber markets. East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), part of Arcplus Group PLC., is one of China’s most respected architectural firms, known for iconic projects such as the CCTV Headquarters and Shanghai Pudong Airport Terminal 3. ECADI is now channelling its expertise into the development of tall wood mass timber construction. The renewed MOU with ECADI focuses on establishing a wood construction innovation centre dedicated to advancing mass timber research and development. Canada Wood is supporting ECADI’s proposal for a 10-story mass timber office building in Shanghai, providing technical guidance to facilitate the adoption of mass timber construction. The National Centre for Technology Innovation – Green Building (NCTI-GB), endorsed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), is a national platform focused on decarbonizing construction and promoting green building technologies. As a central force in driving low-carbon construction, NCTI-GB’s mandate aligns closely with Canada Wood’s objectives to promote mass timber as a sustainable alternative. Facilitated by BCFII China office, the MOU with NCTI-GB underscores a commitment to joint efforts in resource sharing, technical exchange, and the development of standards and demonstration projects. This collaboration is poised to drive advancements in mass timber construction, with a shared goal of establishing wood as a key component in China’s green building agenda.  

Irish materials handling innovator Combilift has celebrated 21 years of operation in Australia, shortly after marking the 25th anniversary of its establishment in County Monaghan. Source: Timberbiz Co-founder and managing director Martin McVicar last week joined customers, dealer partners and local staff to mark the milestone in Melbourne. Mr McVicar recalled how he was initially approached about entering the Australian market by family-owned dealer group Adaptalift. Founder Peter Whiffen discovered Combilift while searching for a solution for a client’s unique handling needs. As an engineer, he was so impressed with the innovation of the Combilift range that he flew to the company’s factory in Ireland. The visit resulted in the establishment in 2003 of Adapt-A-Lift Imports, trading as Combilift Australia, to import and distribute niche market materials handling products. Mr McVicar still vividly remembers his first business trip to Australia from Cincinnati in the United States to Brisbane via Chicago, Los Angeles and Auckland. The ravages of the trip didn’t affect the presentation and Mr McVicar left with an order of a C4000 truck, the world’s first engine-powered multidirectional forklift, from a steel tubing and pipe specialist which continues to grow its Combilift fleet today. “For us, every customer is valuable, even if they’ve only purchased one machine,” he said. Mr McVicar paid tribute to his local partners. “The team from Adaptalift have been instrumental to our growth in the area, with ongoing investment in inventory, parts and training.” For his part, Mr Whiffen values the relationship with Combilift which, he says, “has never lost its focus on the customer, even though it is now a big company”. Adaptalift has also benefited from Combilift’s unique range. “That has opened doors for us and allowed us to sell other products to the same customers,” Mr Whiffen said. “It extends our range and beautifully complements our other offerings.” According to Combilift Australia managing director Chris Littlewood, whose 10th year with the company is fast approaching, Combilift continues to grow its market share in Australia. This growth has made Australia Combilift’s fifth-largest market, with a fleet in the country exceeding 4,500 units.

The New Zealand Government says that it is delivering on its commitment to combat trade in illegally harvested timber, with consultation starting on operational details to implement New Zealand’s legal harvest assurance system, Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. Source: Timberbiz “The system will limit the risk of importing illegally harvested timber and provide the international market with confidence in New Zealand’s timber and timber products,” Mr McClay said. “As markets increasingly demand verifiable assurances, this system will help us maintain and expand access to higher-value opportunities worldwide.” The legal harvest assurance system is designed to: Reduce the risk of trading in timber sourced from illegal harvesting. Provide exporters with a streamlined pathway to meet global market requirements. Ensure timber imported into New Zealand meets legal harvest standards. Support international efforts to combat illegal logging and strengthen global supply chains. The Government is inviting input on the operational details of the system, which is set to be fully implemented by August 2027. Feedback gathered during the consultation will shape the final recommendations and ensure the system is practical and effective for all stakeholders. Consultation is open until 26 February 2025.

A recent Federal Government investigation into timber imports underlines the reality that if consumers want to be certain in buying sustainably produced wood, they should buy Australian. Source: Timberbiz Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the investigation found that one quarter of timber products imported into Australia have inaccurate species and origin claims, including multiple instances of undeclared veneers and solid timber products with potential Russian origins. “It is ironic that groups like the Bob Brown Foundation and the Wilderness Society, in their rush to promote the banning of sustainably harvested native Tasmanian timber, are effectively promoting the use of imported timber of potentially dubious origin,” said Minister Abetz. “The mind boggles that in the choice between sustainable Tasmanian timber and imported timber from who-knows-where, including unlabelled Russian timber, extremists would prefer the latter. “Tasmanians can be well pleased with our forestry industry, with both native and plantation timber harvested under our world-class forest practices system, ensuring the ongoing sustainability of our public forest estate. “In contrast to Labor Governments around the country which have betrayed timber communities, our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future supports forestry and its 5700 direct and indirect jobs, and we urge Australians to buy local. “We are opening up the Future Potential Production Forest “wood bank”, increasing high-quality sawlog supply to Tasmanian industry, supporting our iconic special species timber sector and supercharging on-island processing with an additional $5 million. “We make no apologies for backing the State’s sustainable and job-rich timber industry.”

  The City of Coffs Harbour will be represented as the NSW Government moves toward the creation of a Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast. Source: Timberbiz The NSW Government committed $80 million in funding over four years to support the development of the park as part of the 2023/24 State Budget. The consultation process – as it works toward the park’s formation – includes establishment of three advisory panels (Aboriginal groups, community and industry). City of Coffs Harbour along with other regional councils (Kempsey, Nambucca Valley, Bellingen and Clarence) has been invited to be represented on the community panel. At its meeting on 14 November, Coffs Harbour Council resolved to nominate Cr Jonathan Cassell to the Great Koala National Park Community Advisory Panel, with Cr Tony Judge as the alternate. The NSW Government notes some 176,000 hectares of State Forest will be assessed for inclusion in the Great Koala National Park, along with areas of the existing National Park estate.

Victoria’s state government has already laid the groundwork to create the Great Forest National Park, lodging a plan with the federal government in May that requires it to lock up 300,000ha of Victoria’s Central Highlands to protect Leadbeater’s possums. Source: The Weekly Times Action 2.5 of the plan, which was marked “urgent”, required the Allan government to implement “a substantial expansion of the current reserve system to encompass all areas of high likelihood of occurrence of the species (currently and in the future)”, estimated at 300,000ha. The plan’s adoption, under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act, means failing to expand the reserves within a new Great Forest National Park risks the Victorian government facing legal action from environmental groups. “Given the current state and prognosis of Leadbeater’s possum, all sites at which the species has recently been recorded are important and merit protection; as do all areas at which there is a reasonable likelihood of its occurrence as indicated by occupancy and population viability analysis (PVA) modelling,” the plan states. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said locking in the plan “makes a mockery” of the Victorian government’s public consultation on whether to lock up the Central Highlands in a new national park. “Locking up more land in national parks will guarantee more serious bushfires and less opportunity for people to enjoy our natural environment,” Mr Chester said. Victorian Opposition Environment spokesman James Newbury said the plan “added a big legal padlock to more of our public land”. “It’s further proof of a con – that the government has a secret plan to lock Victoria away,” Mr Newbury said. But Victorian Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos’ office said “the Leadbeater’s Possum Recovery Plan is a commonwealth initiative that sets a national framework to co-ordinate recovery efforts across states, it does not require Victoria to create national parks”. The federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water’s website states “the recovery plan for Leadbeater’s possum has been made jointly with the Victorian government under the EPBC Act”. One Labor Party source said it was clear the Victorian government had led the charge on adoption of the latest plan, despite ending native timber harvesting on January 1 this year, which environmentalists had long argued was a threat to the possum.

Parks Victoria manages more than four million hectares of parks and reserves which attract more than 100 million visits every year. These assets must meet the needs of Victorians for generations to come. It’s clear that Parks Victoria’s current operations need to be improved to meet community expectations according to Steve Dimopoulos Victorian Minister for Environment. Source: Timberbiz “I have therefore ordered a comprehensive review of Parks Victoria, to advise how the organisation can better serve the needs of Victorians and help them enjoy the great outdoors,” he said in a statement. The review will focus on Parks Victoria’s priorities, the delivery of its objectives under the Parks Victoria Act 2018, the organisation’s administration, finances, functions and delivery model – to identify ways the organisation can reduce red-tape, improve customer service, and deliver better outcomes for Victorians. The review will be completed by March 2025, and will be overseen by the Victorian Government with the support of Korda Mentha. As part of this process, Matthew Jackson, the CEO of Parks Victoria, has departed his position by mutual agreement. Graeme “Gus” Dear has been appointed as Interim CEO of Parks Victoria. Mr Dear brings 30 years of experience in public and private sector administration and has served on the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Board since its inception, most recently as Chair. “Gus loves the bush. Ever since he caught his first redfin at Ringwood Lake as a young boy, he’s been hooked on fishing,” Mr Dimopoulos said. “His passion for the great outdoors and experience in administration means he is the right person to help Parks Victoria change. “His leadership will ensure Parks Victoria continues to provide accessible, enjoyable outdoor experiences while protecting and enhancing the state’s natural environment.”  

I am at risk of sounding like a cracked record. I have 59 years’ experience of managing productive native forests. The Department promoting the Improved Native Forest Management Plan (INFM) proposes an end to sustainable management. I Googled INFM and found references to just about anything but the proposed INFM Plan. I suspect the Department’s proposed “management” really proposes the traditional conservation reserve management which effectively excludes any commercial production from a native forest. Let nature take its course. Then when the forest does not conserve all the species that were present on day one, having let nature take its course it won’t be the Department’s fault if an extinction occurs. In my research I did find reference to the National Parks Association’s condemnation of the Regional Forest Agreements as being a total failure. As I see it, they are right, but not in the way they want it seen. The Regional Forest Agreements saw extensive tracts of productive forests locked away in conservation reserves such as National Parks. They were the best forest habitats for the most threatened species. What has happened to the threatened species in all those protected habitats? I am just one of the foresters that have been managing our productive native forests for over 100 years. Why is it that the next area to be harvested places a threatened species at risk of extinction? This claimed threat of extinctions tells me that in only 25 years the National Parks Association and their cronies have totally failed to protect the threatened species in the native forests they were entrusted to protect. The harvesting of managed productive native forests may threaten the survival of individuals, but it is obviously providing the preferred habitat for those threatened species in the long term. Our productive native forests had their share of severe wildfires. Often because neighbours thought their place and the forest “needed a bit of a burn”. We didn’t have a lot of people working in the forests, but they were all attuned to fire suppression so, damage was minimised. I grew up in Sydney and recreated in the surrounding native forests and woodland. Over the years I observed the increasing frequency and severity of bush fires. We encourage our population to recreate in the bush and most are careful but as the numbers increase so does the number of the less than careful. The Royal National Park and the Blue Mountains rarely have a fire free summer these days. It is very easy to blame lightning from the summer storms but there was an old forestry adage that many a lightning strike came out of match boxes. So, when all our native forests are protected from production, we won’t have the timber industry to blame for adverse outcomes. No doubt the conservation movement will find another fall guy to take the blame for their failures. In my early years as a graduate forester forest plantations were being condemned as biological deserts. That was till they were overnight proclaimed as the alternative to harvesting native forests. I have long believed that as soon as the last native forest is protected from harvesting the plantations will once again be condemned as a blight on our landscape. It intrigued me recently to learn that we are now importing our native hardwoods from plantations on the other side of the world. Paul Keating once said Australia had to become “the smart country”. We still have a long way to go.   Vic Eddy joined the Forestry Commission of New South Wales as a forester in 1966 and worked across the state until 1984.He holds a Bachelor of Science (Forestry).