Forest Products Industry

The Seppi H3 flail mulcher has been a reliable partner for excavators weighing between 2 and 5 tons for years. The new H3 direct version offers even more efficiency with lower hydraulic power requirements, along with increased operational safety and flexibility for your excavator. Source: Timberbiz The H3 direct has been specifically developed for excavators with a hydraulic flow of 25-60 l/min. The main difference from the standard H3 mulching head lies in the direct drive: the gear motor of the H3 direct is directly coupled to the rotor, ensuring higher operational safety and less maintenance. No breakdowns due to wear-related belt failure! Additionally, the H3 direct features the drainless system, meaning no oil return line is needed. This makes machine conversions easy and simplifies usage on various mini excavators in the fleet. Robust construction: The housing of the H3 direct is made of wear-resistant AR400 steel, ensuring durability and resilience. The reduced weight and robust design relieve the excavator’s hydraulic system, concentrating hydraulic power on the mulching tool for better work results. Versatility and flexibility: The H3 direct is ideal for occasional mulching or use on multiple excavators without the need for complex modifications. The DRAINLESS system ensures no oil return line is required, making it perfect for businesses using multiple mini excavators. Clean cut: The SMW flail ensures a very clean cut and mulches grass and shrubs with a diameter of up to 3 cm effortlessly. Comfortable operation: The direct drive of the H3 direct ensures particularly high operational safety. The motor is directly coupled to the rotor, eliminating breakdowns caused by wear-related belt failure – ideal for more intensive applications in remote locations. Compact and lightweight: The H3 direct mulching head is lightweight, reducing the load on the excavator. This allows efficient work without overloading the hydraulic system and stability of the excavator. Easy handling: The floating mounting system and the reinforced, adjustable support roller ensure precise ground guidance, allowing for accurate mulching work in various operational areas. Working width: 60-85 cm [25”-33”] – ideal for mini excavators and tight work areas Hydraulic requirements: The H3 direct model requires a hydraulic flow of 25-60 l/min and is powered by a gear motor.

Germany’s tissue industry is at a crossroads. While technological advancements have driven capacity growth at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11% since 2007, the sector is grappling with a volatile economic and energy landscape. Unlike other German manufacturing sectors that dominate headlines such as the auto industry tissue production faces its own unique challenges. Source: ResourceWise With higher energy costs, inflation-driven labour demands, and the costly transition to green energy, German tissue manufacturers are redefining their approach to production, trade, and market positioning. But where does the industry stand today? And what does the future hold? The German tissue market is shaped by an evolving consumer base. While there is a growing preference for high-quality, soft, and hygienic tissue products, economic uncertainty has led many consumers to shift towards private labels and value-driven purchasing. This results in a contradictory demand for both high-end and budget-friendly products, complicating demand forecasting. At the same time, Germany’s population growth is slowing, with a projected decline of 0.12% in 2024, raising long-term concerns about sustained domestic consumption. However, GDP per capita is on the rise, signalling increased spending power at least for some segments of the market. Despite the challenges, Germany’s tissue trade has remained stable over the past 17 years. Poland has emerged as the largest source of tissue imports, with key suppliers located near Germany’s borders, including Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden. On the export side, many of these same countries are also key destinations for German tissue products. Germany’s tissue industry maintains a near-balanced import-to-export ratio, with trade volumes making up about 40% of the sector’s total capacity. Yet, with rising operational costs, this balance could shift in the coming years as neighbouring producers gain competitive advantages. Unlike some of its European counterparts, Germany has taken a cautious approach to tissue production expansion. Instead of rapid capacity increases, the industry has focused on incremental machine upgrades and optimization of existing mills. By 2027, only two net new machines are expected to be added, with no new mills on the horizon. While Germany benefits from a high proportion of fibre integration, its energy-intensive production model and carbon emission challenges put it at a competitive disadvantage. Sweden, for example, enjoys lower production costs due to its reliance on biomass energy, while Germany continues to face high electricity costs and emissions penalties. In a competitive European landscape, German manufacturers must balance cost pressures with sustainability goals. The industry is already exploring alternative energy sources such as hydrogen, but without improvements in electric grid costs and carbon efficiency, Germany risks losing ground to lower-cost producers. For a deeper dive into Germany’s evolving tissue market, its competitive positioning, and what’s next for the industry, download our report, “Understanding Trends and Challenges in German Tissue Production.”

US Forest Service Chief Randy Moore will retire effective 3 March, according to an email sent to agency staff Wednesday and viewed by POLITICO. Source: Politico Mr Moore wrote in his staff email that the past several weeks have been “incredibly difficult” due to the Trump administration’s mass layoffs, which have led to 3,400 Forest Service employees or 10% of agency staff being fired. “As you have likely read in the news or are personally experiencing, the federal government is undergoing a significant transformation,” Mr Moore said. “As part of a broader effort to reduce the size of the federal government, we parted ways with colleagues we worked alongside, who successfully contributed to our mission, and who were valued members of our Forest Service team.” Mr Moore, who has led the agency that manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands since 2021 and became the first African American to serve as chief, is capping off a 45-year career with the Forest Service. He took over the agency from Vicki Christiansen, the Forest Service chief during President Donald Trump’s first term. Lawmakers and officials from Western states have warned that President Donald Trump’s cuts to agencies like the Forest Service and funding freezes will threaten critical prevention and mitigation work, leaving the region woefully unprepared for the coming wildfire season. Mr Moore told staff Wednesday that their work protecting communities, enhancing small businesses, providing drinking water and issuing energy permits is “vital to the American way of life.” “I have been silent these last few weeks because these decisions are being made at a level above our organization, and I was and am learning about the changes the same time as many of you,” Mr Moore wrote. “Our focus now is on how we respond and adapt to new priorities and continue delivering on our mission with the workforce we have.” Before serving as chief, Mr Moore served as regional forester in the Pacific Southwest region in California, where he oversaw 18 national forests. He also served as regional forester for the Eastern region headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His career started in conservation in 1978 with the Agriculture Department’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota. President Trump has nominated Michael Boren, an Idaho investment consultant and GOP donor, to serve as USDA’s undersecretary for natural resources and environment a position that requires Senate confirmation and oversees the Forest Service.  

The largest wooden beam by volume in Australia arrived in Adelaide at the new aquatic centre worksite. Source: Timberbiz, photo Dept of Transport and Infrastructure Twenty glulam beams and 32 glulam columns manufactured by Hess Timber, weighing more than 143 tonnes combined, arrived in Adelaide this week. Police escorted the beams, for the new $135m Adelaide Aquatic Centre, through Adelaide’s streets late at night to avoid causing traffic disruptions. The State Government said the materials were so large they had to be specially milled in Austria because the Australian timber industry was unable to manufacture such massive beams. They were transported to Belgium and shipped to Melbourne, before being transported by trucks to Adelaide under police escort in early February. The Advertiser reported that biggest beam was 22.85 cubic metres and weighed 10,282kg – the largest by volume in Australia. Several of the beams are 37m long. The longest glulam beams ever brought into Australia, again produced by Hess, at 42m were brought into Australia in 2021 for the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre in Mount Gambier. Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis told The Advertiser the government had been at pains to build the centre with locally sourced, low-carbon emission materials, but there was not local capacity to produce such large beams. Construction at the North Adelaide centre will increase next week while the timber is installed along with more than 200 roofing panels. The centre will be powered by 100% renewable energy. It will include water slides, a gym and fitness centre, and a sauna and steam room.