Forest Products Industry

Up to 600 km on one single charge. That’s how far Volvo’s next-generation heavy-duty electric truck will be able to drive. The longer range represents a break-through for long-distance transport with zero tailpipe emissions. Source: Timberbiz The electrification of heavy trucks is continuing across the world and longer distances are now becoming a possibility. Next year Volvo will launch a new long-range version of its FH Electric that will be able to reach up to 600 km on one charge. This will allow transport companies to operate electric trucks on interregional and long-distance routes and to drive a full working day without having to recharge. The new Volvo FH Electric will be released for sale during the second half of 2025. “Our new electric flagship will be a great complement to our wide range of electric trucks and enable zero-exhaust emission transport also for the longer distances. It will be a great solution for transport companies with a high annual mileage on their trucks and with a strong commitment to reduce CO2,” says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks. The enabler for the 600 km range is Volvo’s new driveline technology, the so-called e-axle, which creates space for significantly more battery capacity onboard. More efficient batteries, a further improved battery management system and overall efficiency of the powertrain also contribute to the extended range. Volvo Trucks is a global leader in medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks with eight battery-electric models in their portfolio. The wide product range makes it possible to electrify city and regional distribution, construction, waste management and, soon, long distance transport. Volvo has so far delivered more than 3,800 electric trucks to customers in 46 countries around the world. “The transport sector represents seven percent of global carbon emissions. Battery-electric trucks are important tools to reduce the climate footprint. Besides the important environmental gains that electric trucks bring, they offer truck drivers a much better working environment, with much lower levels of noise and vibrations,” says Roger Alm. Volvo Trucks drives the transition towards fossil-free transport to reach its net-zero emissions target by 2040 using a three-path technology strategy. The three-path technology approach is built on battery electric, fuel cell electric and combustion engines that run on renewable fuels like green hydrogen, biogas or HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil).

UPM Fibres is centralising its production operations in Finland under one top level organisation. The change will simplify the Fibres Business Area structure. Source: Timberbiz As of 1 October 2024, UPM Fibres will consist of two production organizations: the existing Fibres Uruguay Operations and a new Fibres Finland Operations. The Fibres Finland Operations will include the UPM Pulp operations in Finland as well as UPM Forest and UPM Timber. As part of this organizational change, Petri Hakanen has been appointed Senior Vice President, Fibres Finland Operations, UPM Fibres as of 1 October 2024. Mr Hakanen will be a member of the UPM Fibres Management team and he will report to Aki Temmes, Executive Vice President, UPM Fibres. Mr Hakanen led the Uruguay Development Project from 2018 to 2023, culminating in the start-up of UPM Paso de los Toros pulp mill in April 2023. He currently holds the role of Senior Vice President, Technology (CTO), for UPM and leads UPM’s research and development activities and investment management. He will continue in this role until the end of 2024, in addition to his new role in UPM Fibres.  

The Resilientwood Project partners have put forward a series of recommendations to build a strong European woodworking industry. Source: Timberbiz More than 50 participants travelled to Brussels to attend the final conference and learn more about innovation, inclusion, mobility for apprentices and attracting young people to the wood industry. The attendants also had the opportunity to discover the results of the project’s final study, as well as the partners’ policy recommendations. The CEI-Bois-led project, together with the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW), Woodwize and FCBA aims to offer recommendations to tackle specific challenges in the woodworking industries through strengthened social dialogue. CEI-Bois and EFBWW are the official recognised European Social partners for the woodworking sector and as such participate jointly in the dedicated European woodworking sector social dialogue committee meetings. The project builds on a strong transnational dimension. To implement it, the partners conducted research and collected data from 5 countries (Belgium, France, Croatia, Italy, Sweden) and the European sawmill sector, identified key findings, shared best practices and proposed strategies on how to tackle the above-mentioned social challenges of the woodworking industries in Europe. The project is further supported and implemented by EOS, the Croatian Wood Cluster, FILCA-CISL and GS, the Swedish Union of Forestry, wood and graphical workers. Innovation, inclusiveness, sound working conditions and mobility are interlinked factors that contribute to reshaping the woodworking industry. Innovation is driving technological and sustainable advancements, inclusiveness is creating a more diverse and equitable workforce, while mobility is providing career flexibility and growth opportunities. By focusing on these areas, the woodworking industry is not only staying competitive and innovative but also becoming a more dynamic and attractive field for current and future generations. During the course of the RESILIENTWOOD project, social partners and training providers had the opportunity to meet at various occasions, to organise thematic workshops, to carry out company visits and to engage in numerous exchanges with experts. For this final event, they wanted to look back at the various themes addressed during the project through the testimonies of: Anna Barbieri (European Commission Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion), who presented the EU Alliance for Apprenticeships as well as the mobility possibilities for apprentices offered by the Erasmus+ programme, as apprenticeships can bring a response to labour and skills shortages. Melanie Kaindl & Gennaro Azzollini (Microtec), who gave a sneak peek at sawmill of the future. A good example of how companies that are often perceived as old fashioned are actually (very) modern and resolutely future oriented. Simona Corrado (Filca-Cisl), who explained how to build a more inclusive workplace and gave examples of policies already in place in Europe and Italy. Maarten Leyts (Trendwolves), who looked at what influences the young generation and the role the social media can play in delivering the messages of the wood industries to the future workers generations. Final study The woodworking industry is continuously embracing new technologies such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, robotics, AI, etc. enhancing precision, efficiency, and the ability to create complex designs while innovation is driving the development of eco-friendly products and processes. The adoption of digital tools for design is revolutionising how wood products are conceptualised and manufactured. Jean-Denis Lanvin (FCBA) presented the final study of the project and provided an overview of the latest developments in the woodworking industries in Europe. The study is a useful tool to stimulate social partners’ discussions on the challenges of adapting the industry after the Covid-19 pandemic. It contains a series of chapters focussing on the adaptation and prospects in times of crisis, the women representation in the industry, the expected technological changes and adaptation needs as well as the role of VET and student mobility in Belgium, Italy, Sweden, France and Croatia. A separate chapter also deals with those topics for the European sawmill sector at large. Recommendations and guidelines A series of recommendations and guidelines designed to anticipate changes, increase attractiveness, build skills and inclusiveness in the European woodworking industries forms the final element of this two-year project. The woodworking industry is increasingly recognising the importance of a diverse workforce. While there is room to further increase the share of underrepresented groups among the woodworking industries workforce, efforts to include more women and individuals from various backgrounds are helping to address labour shortages and bring new perspectives to the industry. Inclusiveness in the industry is supported by initiatives to provide permanent training and education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities in woodworking, from entry-level positions to leadership roles. During the concluding panel discussion, the partners also stressed the importance of life-long learning, social dialogue and social partners’ involvement, as well as the need to attract and retain a skilled workforce. Above all, the partners recognise that if the woodworking industries are to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient economy, a reliable and affordable sustainable raw material availability is a sine qua non. The study and the recommendations can be downloaded from the project website: www.cei-bois.org/resilientwood.

New Zealand forest owners say reforms of resource management instruments announced last week will deliver clearer, more consistent environmental standards for production forests nationwide. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced his plan to revise settings within the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF) at the New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF). The reform will look to change the clause giving effect to regional freshwater management rules and remove the afforestation clause which allows councils to impose different planting rules on production forests from those stated in the NES-CF. New Zealand Forest Owners Association chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says the reform will reduce the regulatory complexities faced by growers and streamline forestry’s environmental controls. “The departure from the National Standard and introduction of various councils’ environmental rules has created conflicting standards and confusion among growers as to which takes precedence,” Elizabeth says. “These rule variations have placed significant pressures on growers, many of whom have had to apply for resource consents for new planting in low or no-risk areas, without any demonstrable need for these new rules. “Today’s announcement is a promising step towards addressing the issue and creating more consistent and outcome-based environmental regulations for forestry across the regions.” The NES-CF provides a nationally consistent set of legal obligations that aim to maintain or improve environmental outcomes related to commercial forestry activities. Not only will growers have greater certainty that the environmental rules set out under the NES-CF are appropriate for use across the country, the reform will also address the issue of rules being introduced without justifiable evidence that more stringency is needed. “In the instance of Canterbury’s Plan Change 7 (PC7), there was a lack of evidence to justify the introduction of a more stringent local sediment discharge rule in place of what was already set out by the NES-CF,” Elizabeth says. “The reform will ensure forest owners are operating to the same environmental rules across New Zealand irrespective of which jurisdiction they fall under. “Councils will be bound to deal with stringency through the NES-CF first and foremost.” While these changes will go some way to restoring the sector’s confidence in the regulatory framework, Elizabeth says ensuring policy remains evidence-based will be critical when it comes to implementing risk management tools. “Forest owners take their duty to be responsible landowners very seriously and go to great lengths to ensure good environmental outcomes for all concerned,” Elizabeth says. “The sector is supportive of improvement to risk management tools, particularly where there is a need, however, it is important that these tools are supported by science. “Forest owners want to see the foundations of the NES-CF remain evidence-based. Any proposed amendments, such as McClay’s intention to improve slash management standards, must have strong scientific grounds to justify change. “Forest owners look forward to working closely with the Minister, councils and the community to ensure the new NES-CF settings are fit for purpose.” Reform of forestry’s resource management system will undergo consultation before any formal changes are made.

The Australian Forest Products Association has welcomed the Sector Pathways Review released by the Climate Change Authority (CCA). Source: Timberbiz The Review which considers decarbonisation pathways for a range of sectors, suggests forestry as a key means to increase removal of carbon, AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said. The Review states with regards to carbon:  Increased land based removals, including through reforestation, will be needed if emissions do not reduce significantly in energy intensive sectors elsewhere in the economy. There is an opportunity to increase these removals by:  Establishing new forests for timber, carbon sequestration, agroforestry … and,  Protecting existing forests and other native vegetation from deforestation and degradation. “This is excellent recognition from the CCA about what forest industries have known for a long time – that growing and managing sustainable production trees is a major solution to tackling carbon, fighting climate change and helping Australia meets its emissions reduction targets,” Ms Hallam said. “We create these benefits while producing essential products.” The Review however highlights the barriers to new tree plantings. Establishment of new tree plantings can have high upfront costs and opportunity costs associated with shifting from agricultural production to timber, carbon or environmental plantings (CSIRO, 2022a). High land prices in productive agricultural areas and relatively low carbon prices are a barrier to landholders from establishing forest projects (CSIRO, 2022a), due to the potential opportunity cost of switching from one type of production to another. “These are real challenges in realising the potential of forest industries and AFPA will continue working with the Albanese Government and Opposition on how best we can make our contribution to the climate, economy and communities,” Ms Hallam said.