Forest Products Industry

Responding to the announcement that planting more trees will help New Zealand achieve its’ 2050 climate goals, land restoration company Tāmata Hauhā is urging the Government to stop solely relying on the Climate Change Commission’s advice which lacks a practical understanding of forestry and fails to consider the significant decarbonisation benefits of planting alterative varieties of trees. Source: Timberbiz Blair Jamieson, CEO of Tāmata Hauhā emphasised the need for a more diverse approach to tree planting. He pointed out that methodologies already in practice by companies like Tāmata Hauhā could save up to 70m tonnes of CO2 just through applying a different mix of species. “Simply planting more trees isn’t the answer,” said Jamieson. “The fundamental flaw with the Government’s proposed strategy is it does not fully account for the potential of alternative tree varieties, such as many hardwoods, to enhance carbon sequestration. “If we are serious about achieving our emissions reduction goals then we need to stop depending on spreadsheet models, which at best are flawed, and start replicating [at scale] evidence-based innovative solutions that look beyond the traditional combination of pine monoculture and the native-only approach. Tāmata Hauhā’s call for action comes as the Government plans to expand tree planting initiatives as part of its efforts to meet its 2050 climate goals. However, Mr Jamieson believes a broader, more practical, perspective is required to maximise these efforts. “By focusing solely on ‘desk-top’ based advice from the Climate Change Commission, we’re missing out on a massive opportunity to implement more effective and sustainable practices,” he added. The company highlights that several alternative tree varieties are already proving to offer superior decarbonisation benefits compared to conventional options. These varieties not only absorb more carbon dioxide but also contribute to soil health, biodiversity, and long-term environmental stability. According to Tāmata Hauhā, the methodologies adopted by companies like theirs could save up to 70 million tonnes of CO2 by 2050, without increasing the amount of land already projected for planting. “These figures demonstrate the profound impact that innovative tree planting strategies can have on our climate goals,” said Mr Jamieson. “We’ve known for years that we haven’t been doing enough so its more critical than ever that the strategies we adopt will generate the best outcomes for our environment and future generations.” Tāmata Hauhā is committed to working with the Government, scientists, and other stakeholders to develop and implement a more comprehensive tree planting strategy. The company’s extensive research and practical experience in land restoration provide a solid foundation for recommending approaches that can drive significant climate benefits.

Sampo Rosenlew has launched a brand new six-wheel HR56 harvester. One of the hallmarks of the company’s machines has been their suitability for thinning young forests, so the new model is a natural step in the development of its range. Source: Timberbiz The HR56 is based on the company’s best-selling HR46x four-wheel harvester with new features that improve efficiency and productivity. The familiar components used in the construction of the machine combined with the tried and tested technical solutions ensure low operating and maintenance costs. The HR56 is now equipped with a Logmer crane with 10-meters reach and also has a new front bogie, so the surface pressure exerted on the ground by the six-wheeled machine is low. The front bogie combined with a low centre of gravity make the machine stable to work with. The HR56 harvester is an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly choice for thinning and harvesting energy wood. It is a comprehensively sensible package with low operating and maintenance costs.

The introduction of the first-ever FSC-certified racing bike tyre – the P ZERO Race RS – is a milestone in the world of cycling. Source: Timberbiz Developed by leading tyre manufacturer Pirelli, the P ZERO Race RS contains sustainably sourced natural rubber, which makes up 23% of the tyre’s materials. This groundbreaking innovation in manufacturing represents a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable cycling solutions. The tyre made its debut on the road as the official tyre for Team Lidl-Trek. Natural rubber has been a cornerstone of tyre manufacturing for decades, valued for its superior elasticity, resilience, and durability. However, the environmental impact of its production has raised concerns, as traditional rubber harvesting can lead to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and significant carbon emissions. The new FSC-certified tyre addresses these issues: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification ensures that the natural rubber used in the tyre is sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. “The decision to use more and more FSC-certified natural rubber in our products is in line with Pirelli’s concern for nature and biodiversity” explained Piero Misani, Pirelli’s Chief Technical Officer. “But also with the desire to bring benefits to the people and workers from which natural rubber is derived. It’s an environmental and social commitment accompanied by the search for high performance without discounting safety to meet the demands of the most demanding professional cyclists and amateurs.” The new tyre was premiered at Eurobike 2024 the a central platform for the cycling and eco-mobility industry and will soon become available at major retailers globally. Its certification will be highlighted by the FSC logo engraved on its sidewall, making Pirelli’s commitment to sustainability and responsible resource use even more visible. “Sourcing natural rubber sustainably is crucial to protecting our world’s forests,” says Fabian Farkas, Chief Commercial Officer at FSC International. “Pirelli’s initiative to introduce FSC-certified bicycle tyres demonstrates a continued commitment to furthering a recreational activity that has long been associated with healthy and sustainable living.” The introduction of the P ZERO Race RS FSC-certified natural rubber racing bicycle tyre (FSC N003618) marks a significant step towards a greener future for the cycling industry, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable products and practices and reflecting a broader shift in consumer consciousness. It also sets a precedent for other manufacturers, demonstrating that high performance and environmental stewardship can go together.

After what is left of forests in the Amazon and the Congo, the next of the planet’s most important remaining forests is on the island of New Guinea. Source: RNZ In both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian controlled West Papua, the harvesting and exporting of logs, often done illegally, remains a threat for the environment and the indigenous peoples. In PNG there have been attempts by governments to rein in the offenders going back more than 30 years, but the usually large, well-funded foreign conglomerates undertaking the logging, still find ways to circumvent the rules. A commission of inquiry was set up in the late 1980s. PNG Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker said all but two businesses then were breaching the law. “The Commission of Inquiry recommended some very strong actions to address the issue and it resulted in a whole gamut of reforms, including a new forest policy, [resulting] in the Forestry Act in 1991.” He said this required a much more extensive process of landowner participation in an effort to ensure that decisions were not made by “a few possibly illiterate community leaders just signing a document and giving everyone’s land resource and forest resource away”. It required new forest management agreements (FMAs), to replace the local forest agreements, and these new deals had to be run on a sustainable, 30-year cycle, at the least. But Barker said even now those local forest agreements are still being rolled over. He said only a limited number of the FMAs were signed up, mostly during the 1990s when large operators from Sarawak arrived. Barker said these big players had worked out “how to take over the clan land in Borneo and use it for themselves. They use models from there and managed to get large tracts of land here, and they didn’t like all these procedures that are there in law. So, they worked out all the ways to sort of bypass them.” “They used timber authorities, which are actually only for small areas, like 50-hectare blocks, if you’re going to build a road, or if you’re going to set up a small cocoa block or something like that. They use them for multiple and large areas, including for log exporting.” Another forestry review came with the government of Sir Mekere Morauta at the beginning of this century which found many of the proposed and ongoing projects to be in breach. Barker said officials then resurrected an old scheme from the 1970s, classifying some land that had trees on it as agricultural land. The use of these Special Agricultural and Business Leases, or SABLs, quickly became notorious and another commission of inquiry was set up. “The laws from the 1970s, [were] for small 20-hectare coffee blocks in the Highlands and cocoa blocks around the country. They were not for these vast areas. And the commission of inquiry found that basically all the SABLs were acquired inappropriately. “They didn’t follow proper process of free, prior, informed consent by the landowners. So, they basically were land grabs. So, the commission inquiry found that they were all basically illegal.” But forestry officials then circumvented this by deeming that if the SABL included what was called a ‘forest conversion agreement’ this allowed the Forest Authority to be able to wash its hands of the matter and say, ‘Oh these are for conversion to agriculture or other purposes. “So, we’ll just approve if [Dept of] Agriculture says that they’re genuine agricultural projects, we’ll just say, okay, that’s fine. We’ll just give them an FCA [Forest Clearing Authority] and they can go ahead. So, what’s happened is, after the commission of inquiry found all the SABLs were basically illegal, illegally acquired, land grabbing,”” said Barker. He said the Forest Authority continued issuing FCAs if they received a letter from the Department of Agriculture, saying these were agricultural projects, so allowing the Forest Authority to wash its hands of these contracts. But they didn’t involve free, prior and informed consent. They didn’t involve any of the processes that the Forest Authority well knew it must comply with. “It was a scam to be able to go on logging in a large way without having to comply with the Forestry Act. Barker said some were turned into oil palm projects, but these did not comply with the sustainability requirements that earlier, more established oil palm operations had, He said it is well known that when they are dealing with landowners they are paying them a pittance, “and landowners in most cases are very peeved because they’ve basically been displaced from their own land, displaced from their forests and suffering from a lot of pollution”. The logging companies do ensure they are keeping some of the people on board, making sure they can act on their behalf, “but nevertheless, basically, as per the SABL Inquiry Report, these are illegal land grabs, and they remain as such,” Barker said. According to Barker, over the years many staff in the Forest Authority and Customs, Foreign Affairs, Labour Department, and others, have wanted to take action. But “invariably, they’ve seen their bosses, often their ministers, directing, even if they don’t actually have legal powers to direct, but persuading them that they shouldn’t take action.” He said, “companies have had incessant free rein to continue even though the staff have attempted to apply a notice to show cause or other grounds for revocation of their licence, or permit.” PNG does earn some money from these large multinational logging companies through log export tax. For the past 20 years until the beginning of this year, PNG also operated the independent log export monitor, checking the shipments and making sure that the logs and quantity declared are the ones harvested. “They don’t suddenly increase in quantities, change in both quantities and in grades and species’ specifications as they go down the value chain, because that’s basically what was always happening, you’d suddenly find that there are being exported and recorded as mixed […]

Increased export opportunities through the removal of tariffs for 41 wood products included within the ‘Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability’ has been welcomed by New Zealand’s wood processing and manufacturing industry. Source: Timberbiz “Under brand New Zealand we have a leading story to tell as to the value our wood products and timber used in construction play in addressing climate change and sustainability challenges,” says Mark Ross, Chief Executive of the Wood Processing and Manufacturers Association. “Not only will this new trade agreement deliver commercial benefits for New Zealand, but it will send a strong environmental message to our trading partners,” he said. “As new countries join the collective formed by New Zealand, Switzerland, Costa Rica and Iceland, the potential to grow a commercial benefit to our wood products industry over time is significant. “Wood provides multiple benefits to New Zealand, and it is positive to see the government backing our industry in removing unnecessary barriers and implementing new trade Agreements.” Mr Ross said that export growth would help fund the wood processing industry, with value added wood products encouraging greater onshore processing of logs, more employment in regional areas, and increasing global contribution to embodied carbon storage. The Agreement also provided support to the renewable energy sector by establishing rules to prevent harmful fossil fuel subsides and sets guidelines for ecolabelling. Tariffs will be eliminated on over 300 environmental goods on entry into force of the Agreement, including wind and hydraulic turbines, electric vehicles, wool fibre, recycled paper, and wood products offering a more environmental alternative to carbon-intensive construction materials, such as steel and concrete. Tariff elimination will make such products more competitive, thereby incentivising use and investment in related technologies.

New Zealand’s government is seeking feedback on a proposal to regulate carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) in the country. Investigating technologies that can capture carbon from the atmosphere to store it underground or make use of it – such as creating dry ice or making beer – is a key component of the government’s emissions reduction plan. Source: Timberbiz The government has proposed a regulatory regime for CCUS that would allow industries to access this technology “on a level playing field with other emissions reduction and removal mechanisms to better enable a least cost transition towards net zero emissions.” Consultation on the proposal closes 6 August 2024. The Science Media Centre asked experts to comment. Professor Barry Barton, Faculty of Law, University of Waikato, comments: “Carbon capture and storage (CCS) works, it can be done safely, and there may well be niche applications for it in New Zealand. But it is unlikely to make large contributions to meeting our emissions reduction targets; it is not a magic bullet. It will often be expensive, especially relative to low ETS prices. Much more significant on a national scale are policies to decarbonize transport, electricity, and heavy industry; and to improve housing and energy efficiency. “For all that, CCS should be available; we need every reduction we can get. The situation is urgent. “At present we don’t have a legal framework for it CCS, and we should have one; it should not be as difficult (bordering on impossible) as it is under existing laws such as the RMA. We need procedures for flexible long-term permitting and project management. For example, injection must be managed in light of monitoring information as it comes in, and we need clear rules for long-term liability. The legal framework must be designed to be open to a wide range of carbon dioxide removal technologies and practices, not just fossil fuel technologies. Many countries have workable legislation to deal with these matters, and we can draw on their experience. Fortunately, adjusting the Emissions Trading Scheme will not be too difficult.” Dr Rebecca Peer, Senior Lecturer in Civil Systems Engineering, University of Canterbury, comments: “The government’s release of a proposal for a regulatory regime for carbon capture and storage (CCS) is timely. They are right that CCS is present in a lot of international discussions about climate mitigation and meeting our emissions targets. Carbon removals, in the form of capture and storage, are present in every single future scenario from the IPCC that places us near our 1.5-2 ºC targets. And these removals are not small – they are on the gigatonne scale. There’s no doubt that we should be having a discussion about CCS in NZ too. “NZ is ranked as ‘highly insufficient’ in climate action by the Climate Action Tracker. The reality is that we urgently need to decarbonise. CCUS is one option to help reduce national emissions, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors in the near term. It is good to see the proposed monitoring regime and liability management, which tackle some of the risks related to the permanence of storage and responsibility. It is also positive to see the proposed recognition of emissions mitigation via direct air capture or biomass carbon capture and storage. Neither of these activities is currently recognised as beneficial in the ETS, despite their potential to contribute positively to net emissions reductions.” Tim Payn, Principal Scientist, Scion, comments: “There are a couple of opportunities from the Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) documents just released for consultation. First is the opportunity presented from the use of sustainably produced biomass for process heat in place of coal or other fossil energy sources. “CO2 is a byproduct of heat production – capture and permanent storage of the CO2 removes this from the atmosphere. Growing a subsequent biomass crop and repeating the process multiple times will continue to accumulate permanently stored CO2. “The document also notes the emerging opportunity for production of synthetic fuels and chemicals from CO2 streams and the potential for NZ to benefit from these technologies. Scion is active in this area, investigating the use of microorganisms to convert CO2 into chemicals and polymers for production of new materials, substituting for fossil carbon; and in production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel from biomass.” Associate Professor David Dempsey, Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury, comments: “The Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) policy is partly motivated by short-term natural gas supply issues, which aligns it to other measures like repealing the offshore exploration ban. Timing remains a challenge though – CCS projects can take years to deliver so this may not have a quick impact on gas supplies. “The CCS regulation as proposed generally aligns with international best practices. The government has clearly sought inspiration from regions like Australia, the US, and Europe which have established regulation and operational CCUS. The proposal addresses major issues like ETS incentives, leakage liability, and risk management – there will probably be some arguments around the margins, but this is not bad as a first cut. “Concerns about CCS are mainly related to future leakage. This can be mitigated by storing CO2 in proven traps like depleted gas fields or dissolving it in water (like geothermal fields). Leaky wells are a problem, but these can be found and plugged using standard practices. “Liability for operational risks ought to sit with storage operators, while long-term liability would transfer to government. The proposal discusses options like having operators pay bonds or contribute to government insurance funds and some other options for aligning incentives. “But the big question – why should NZ do CCS at all? The gas supply issue needs addressing, but most folk agree that gas will eventually be eliminated, it’s just a question of when. So, what’s the 50-year proposition for putting in expensive CCUS infrastructure? There are three reasons NZ needs to look at its long-term CCUS capacity. “First, we’ll always need some domestic production of steel, cement, and hydrogen (for ammonia-based fertiliser). Emissions from these are hard-to-abate because they are […]

The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) welcomes the Government’s recently released discussion document on the nation’s second emissions reduction plan. The NZIF said it was encouraged by the efforts to bring stability to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and recognise the vital role of afforestation in achieving New Zealand’s climate targets. Source: Timberbiz Afforestation of all types plays a crucial part in the country’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the institute supports initiatives aimed at increasing forest cover. However, there are concerns about the proposed restrictions on afforestation outlined in the discussion document. The details on how these restrictions will be implemented remain unclear, and the NZIF urges the Government to provide more transparency and clarity on this matter to ensure afforestation efforts are not hindered. Furthermore, the institute questions the accuracy of the forecasted planted areas for 2024 and beyond. NZIF data suggests the actual planted areas are likely to be significantly lower than the Government’s projections. Specifically, it estimates the planted areas in 2024 will be approximately half of the forecasted figures, with a greater decline expected in 2025. “The NZIF is committed to supporting New Zealand’s climate goals through sustainable forestry practices,” said James Treadwell, President of the NZIF. “We welcome the Government’s focus on emissions reduction but believe a more realistic approach to afforestation targets and clearer guidelines on proposed restrictions are essential. Accurate forecasting and transparent implementation strategies are imperative to ensure we can contribute effectively to the nation’s climate objectives.” The NZIF calls for a thorough reassessment of these projections to ensure policy decisions are based on realistic and achievable targets. It looks forward to engaging with the Government and other stakeholders in the consultation process to address these concerns and work collaboratively towards a robust and effective emissions reduction plan.

Record-low vacancy, post-pandemic economics, and demand for sustainable technological development have sent Australian warehouse real estate into a period of flux. All these factors have created the perfect environment for manufacturers to optimise their operations and set themselves for long periods of growth. Source: Timberbiz As vacancy levels around the country return from record-lows of around 1% – some of the lowest globally – there is little room for manufacturers to move. This is leading many to consider a complete demolition and rebuild of their facilities, according to JLL Australia head of supply chain, Richard Phillips. “You can’t even put some of the simplest automation into older warehouses because the infrastructure doesn’t enable their deployment,” he says. “So, you’ve got buildings that are 35-plus years coming up for refurbishment anyway, plus the appeal of automation and increased cubic capacity all driving owners and developers to look at the viability of knock down and rebuild.” This is where Combilift comes into play. On top of delivering innovative, multi-directional forklift technology, Combilift has put its decades of experience to good use, offering a free warehouse planning service to maximise floorplan efficiency. Clients of this service have been known to double their storage capacity using Combilift’s warehouse design, coupled with its forklifts for narrow and very narrow aisles. By reducing said aisle widths, warehouse owners can fit more aisles into the same space. “We have a saying we’ve been using for the last number of years – it’s more important that the customers should optimise what they’re doing before they invest in automation,” Combilift CEO, Martin McVicar said. “That’s why we have a team of engineers who offer free warehouse design, and that really has enabled a lot of our customers to maximise their cubic footprint. JLL reported that Sydney’s Outer Central West has 278,000 sqm of warehousing under construction, while Melbourne’s west has 432,000 sqm and Brisbane’s south is expecting 309,000 sqm of industrial warehousing.  

The Tasmanian Forests Products Association (TFPA) has congratulated the University of Tasmania (UTAS) for receiving international recognition for its timber-centric redesign of the Forestry Tasmania building in Hobart. Source: Timberbiz The building, the centrepiece of the university’s Southern Campus Transformation, has won the Building Technology category in the 2024 WAFX Prizes, awarded by organisers of the World Architecture Festival. TFPA Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel, said the award was recognition of a truly unique building that captures the beauty and versatility of Tasmanian timber. “The redesign of the Forestry Tasmania building shows just what can be created using our own sustainable and renewable forest products,” Mr Steel said. “Not only is Tasmanian timber a great way of supporting the local community, it’s also aesthetically pleasing… and great for the state’s environment too. “The university knew that by using timber they were creating up to 40% less greenhouse gas emissions than by using other building materials. And the use of steel or concrete would not store any carbon after the buildings’ completion – unlike timber, which locks the carbon it has sequestered away for the life of the building.” Mr Steel said new engineered wood products can be as strong and fire resistant as other building methods and should be embraced for other building projects. “With both the Federal and State governments committing to major housing projects in Tasmania over the next decade, using timber in every home would ensure we continue to lock up carbon, reduce emissions and help the Tasmanian economy thrive,” Mr Steel said. “Timber is the ultimate renewable and should be at the forefront of all new building development in Tasmania – both government and private.” In all, 33 future projects were recognised in the WAFX Prizes. An overall winner will be announced at WAF in Singapore in November. The Forestry Tasmania Building project is slated for completion towards the end of 2025.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand along with the Department of Conservation and Forest Protection Services will send seven incident management team members to assist Canada with its wildfire response in British Columbia. Source: Timberbiz The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre sent a formal request for assistance to NZ Fire and Emergency late last week. The situation in British Columbia is significant, with 157 wildfires in the province as of Friday morning 19 July. There are 685 active wildfires across Canada. The Alpha deployment will consist of one agency liaison representative, two helicopter coordinators, two division supervisors and two operations branch directors. “We’re happy to provide support to our Canadian colleagues as they experience another difficult wildfire season,” Fire and Emergency National Commander Russell Wood said. The Alpha contingent departed on Sunday 21 July, and will be Fire and Emergency’s 72nd international wildfire deployment since 2000. This number does not include non-wildfire deployments, such as for natural disasters. “In addition to helping the Canadian wildfire teams, deploying overseas is a valuable development opportunity for those involved. It gives them experience in different environments which they can bring back and apply to New Zealand wildfires,” Mr Wood said. Fire and Emergency has deployed 1509 firefighters internationally for wildfires since 2000.