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The Norwegian Wood Industry Federation (Treindustrien), in collaboration with the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) and the European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) is holding the International Softwood Conference 2025 in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. Source: Timberbiz The conference will explain the latest updates on the international market, including trends, facts, and analysis. The agenda covers various aspects related to the competitiveness of wood, the availability of raw materials, and market opportunities. The conference provides an opportunity to thoroughly examine trends in the timber market, focusing on facts and figures for softwood production and consumption in the most relevant countries worldwide – not just in Europe. It will be a diverse and rich program featuring hands-on speakers with outstanding knowledge of the industry and the market. In times of uncertainty and rapid, significant changes, the conference offers a unique opportunity to come together, expand your network, and get new insights. The event starts on the morning of 22 October when you can choose between five different study tours: A customer-driven production line at Bergene Holm Haslestad, with exact cutting of wood based on specific customer orders. A modern glulam production at Moelven Limtre, including a guided tour of the Mjøstårnet high-rise building. Prefabricated element production at Ringsaker Veggog Takelementer (RVT), with a tour of the Mjøstårnet high-rise building included. Industrial-made wood building modules at Moelven Byggmodul, with a tour of the Mjøstårnet high-rise building included. Wood paint factory at G3 Gausdal Treindustrier, with a tour of the Mjøstårnet high-rise building included. In the evening, there is a cocktail reception at the Høymagasinet venue, located on the medieval grounds of the Akershus fortress in Oslo. On 23 October, the International Softwood Conference will be held at the Clarion Hotel Oslo, in the heart of the city centre. Lunch will be at the nearby Opera House, an architectural marvel and signature landmark rising from the fjord. More details on booking will be available soon.

The World Expo serves as a global platform that unites people and innovations from around the world to tackle challenges facing humanity on an international scale. This year Stora Enso is proud to be a part of the event that welcomes tens of millions of visitors in Osaka, Japan as a partner of the Czech National Pavilion. Source: Timberbiz More than 800 m³ of Sylva CLT elements are being used for the ground-breaking PEFC-certified wood structure of the pavilion with a glazed façade aimed to inspire the world with its innovative use of materials. “Our partnership with the Czech National Pavilion gives us a unique opportunity to present one of the tallest cross laminated timber (CLT) buildings in Japan on the largest stage of global innovation, here at the World Expo at Osaka,” said Lars Völkel, Executive Vice President, Stora Enso Wood Products division. “Stora Enso already has a long history of supplying high quality posts and beams and sawn wood to Japan. Thanks to CLT´s leading sustainable performance, its well-being benefits for the tenants and last but not least, its improving financial competitiveness we see an increasing demand for wooden commercial and multi-storey residential buildings in the region. “I am sure the pavilion will serve as a stunning example of the unique structures that can be built using Sylva by Stora Enso kit of prefabricated wood-based products for low-carbon buildings,” Japan’s deep-rooted tradition of wooden architecture exemplified by the Horyu-ji Temple from 607 AD, the world’s oldest surviving wooden building continues to evolve today. “The Japanese government actively pro-motes timber use in construction, including non-residential buildings, to cut carbon emissions and support a circular economy. This aligns with Stora Enso’s mission to do good for people and the planet by replacing non-renewable materials with renewable products,” said Satoshi Yamada, Sales Director Japan, Wood Products, Stora Enso. The eye-catching Czech National Pavilion occupies a prominent ocean-front location, offering visitors a truly immersive experience. Its standout position next to the water makes it one of the most visually striking structures at the Expo. A 260-meter-long educational trail winds through the site, providing stunning views of Osaka Bay. At its heart is a multifunctional auditorium that will host a rich and engaging program throughout the exhibition, making it a hub for learning and cultural exchange. Inside, the pavilion features a dynamic 402 m² exhibition space, with widths ranging from 1.8 to 7 meters and soaring up to 12 meters in height. The design highlights both architectural innovation and sustainable construction, brought to life through Stora Enso’s Sylva CLT elements made in Czechia with wood from sustainable managed local forests. Construction began in mid-September 2024, and by mid-December, the main structure was completed. This was followed by the installation of the pavilion’s signature glazed spiral, adding a modern and elegant finishing touch. The World Expo in Osaka will be open from 13 April to 13 October 2025. The Czech National Pavilion is a must-visit for anyone passionate about architecture, engineered wood, and environmental stewardship.

In the mountains of Mexico, trees are harvested differently than in Alberta Canada’s comparatively flat forests. The forestry field tour to Mexico took undergraduate students from the depths of forests to university labs and even industry. Sources: Timberbiz, University of Alberta, Bev Betkowski, photo Brad Pinno. The logs are cut down and then hoisted up the steep slopes on a powered cable, something ALES fourth-year forestry student Krystina Smid had never seen before. Part of a visit to a family-run logging operation, the experience was one of her “favourite days” during a forestry field tour to Mexico, organized by the Department of Renewable Resources. “They have different machinery than we do, and it was such a good experience to see how other places use different techniques, but have the same outcome as we do,” says Smid, one of 11 undergraduate forestry students who took the trip. “It was an amazing opportunity to see something new.” Home to 138 million hectares of trees and a growing number of timber production industries, Mexico offered students a look at different types of forests and forest management, says associate forestry professor Brad Pinno, who co-led the trip with ALES instructor Brian Roth. “The country has a huge variety of forest ecosystems; we saw five different forest zones going up one mountain. That’s not a level of diversity we can show students in Alberta.” The trip also included visits to the headquarters of Mexico’s National Forestry Commission, a family-run sawmill operation, a research station, a national park and university forestry labs. “By seeing different ways of practising forestry, students are able to think through and improve on the ways we are doing things,” Mr Pinno said. “It makes you a better forester where you are.” The various excursions touched on the country’s silvicultural and harvesting methods, which caught Ms Smid’s interest. She noticed, for example, that the logging operation they visited was only harvesting trees already damaged by pests or disease. Known as salvage logging, the practice differs from the clearcutting approach used in Canadian forestry and allows the forest area to retain more of its ecological integrity. “Seeing a different management technique reminds you that there are other possibilities; we shouldn’t be complacent about doing things in just one way.” Ms Smid and her fellow students also visited a lab at the University of Guadalajara where bioplastics were being processed from the underused parts of trees – a “different side of forestry you don’t always think about,” she said. “It’s a reminder that forestry can be a lot broader than just one product.” Offered to students through Ren R 401, the trip helped support the course’s goals of exploring forestry production, conservation, sustainable management and community engagement, Mr Pinno said. “There’s a growing desire for more variety of forestry practices, so we can learn from what others are doing.” In particular, Mexico is a world leader in community-based forestry, he notes. “A lot of decisions happen right in individual communities; each managed a bit differently with differing objectives.” That model of decision-making could inform new ways of practising forestry in Canada, where involving Indigenous communities is becoming more important, he added. “Mexico provides a great example of how we can learn to manage forests from a community place.” As a future forester, Ms Smid plans to apply what she learned on the trip, by staying open to new ways of approaching her work as it evolves. “I was always thinking, would it be applicable? Could I ever implement that kind of management here? We are now managing for many different groups – forestry companies, the public, Indigenous values,” she said. “There’s so much balancing that needs to be done. It’s important to be open to new ideas.” As part of their course work, Ms Smid and her classmates will shared their experiences during a group presentation to the Alberta School of Forest Science & Management and are penning essays reflecting on what they learned from the trip. “It’s important for them to think about how it links to their other courses or future career goals,” Mr Pinno said. “We want our students to critically evaluate what we are doing as foresters and improve it. Experiences like this field tour make it possible.” The trip was supported through the Scotiabank Mexico Corporate Social Responsibility Fund in support of the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.

There were 168,050 new homes that commenced construction in 2024, which remains at its lowest levels in over a decade according to HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon. Source: Timberbiz The ABS today released its building activity data for the December quarter 2024. This data provides estimates of the value of building work and number of dwellings commenced, completed and under construction across Australia and its states and territories. “Home building is currently at the bottom of a cycle and is losing skilled workers to other industry sectors, which impedes future building capacity,” Mr Reardon said. “Australia has consistently built more than 200,000 homes each year and will need to exceed 250,000 annually to meet the Australian Government’s 1.2 million homes target. “Despite the low volume of new homes commencing construction, demand for skilled tradespeople remains high, just not in the new home building sector. The exceptionally low rate of unemployment, and their rare skills, see them in high demand from other industry sectors. “The more workers that are lost from the home building sector in this cycle, the harder and more expensive it will be to increase that capacity, as interest rates fall and activity picks up. “The exceptionally low level of unemployment in Australia is a double-edged sword for the industry as it creates demand for new homes and at the same time, leads to higher labour costs to build a new home. “This week the major parties have announced measures aimed at building more new homes. “In the short term, the only measure that an incoming Australian Government can do to increase the supply of new homes is to offset the cost of taxes fees and charges, by providing financial support for those that build a new home. “Whether this is done through removing the imposts, such as Lenders Mortgage Insurance or removing first home buyers from the established market and incentivising them to build a new home, can increase the supply of new homes. “These are the ‘easy-good’ solutions to the housing shortage. “This doesn’t negate the need for the ‘hard-smart’ policies tackling land supply, infrastructure costs, planning regimes and delays to home building and reform of taxes on new homes. “An investment in infrastructure, or tax reform or reducing delays, wont im-pact on the price or supply of housing within an election cycle, but if they are sustained over a decade, they will begin to ease the cost of a new home. “This should not be an excuse for politicians to renege on their responsibility to address housing affordability by arresting the high cost of delivering new land and rising taxes on housing. “HIA forecasts that only 983,530 new homes will commence construction over that five-year period, unless meaningful changes to remove the barriers to supply are made.”  

New Zealand needs to take a long, hard look at its approach to forestry and ask whether the country is establishing the forests wanted in the long run, according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment in his new report, ‘Alt-F Reset: Examining the drivers of forestry in New Zealand’. Source: Timberbiz In the report, the Commissioner, Simon Upton, points out that the future shape of New Zealand’s forests will reflect today’s policies, just as past policies created the forests in New Zealand today. “We may live to regret our current approach as it is driving a wave of land use change with significant environmental, economic and social risks,” he said. The Commissioner clarifies that his concern is not with forests planted for timber production. “In places where they can be safely harvested, production forests are the backbone of an important industry. Because the people who plant them intend to harvest them, they have every incentive to look after them,” Mr Upton said. “But new permanent forests being planted as carbon offsets through the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) carry long-term risks for future generations.” These carbon forests, mostly made up of radiata pine, are effectively locking up huge areas of New Zealand’s landscapes forever. Yet the Crown could face implicit carbon liabilities if those forests are damaged by pests, disease, fire or extreme weather events in the future. “As an alternative to pine, many New Zealanders are calling for larger scale native afforestation. That is easier said than done. Successfully establishing native forests is much more expensive and takes a great deal more effort.” Any hopes that the current approach, including the NZ ETS, could incentivise establishing other types of forests – including native forests at scale – are misplaced, the Commissioner says. “The reality is that under current regulatory and economic settings, almost nothing can compete with radiata pine for short-term returns,” he said. Deficiencies in our knowledge are also holding back alternatives, including natives. “We know much less about all aspects of alternative forestry, from seed germination and establishment techniques to the economics of alternative management regimes and the properties of alternative timbers. This lack of information makes anything other than pine a potentially high-risk and expensive undertaking.” The Commissioner emphasised that despite the risks, improving opportunities for alternative species and management regimes is worth exploring. “As well as building resilience into the forestry estate, some alternative species have beneficial traits that make them better suited for specific areas, such as landscapes with erodible soils. These species could also offer new economic opportunities, such as access to high value timber markets. “Different management approaches can also allow for low-intensity timber production while providing long-term environmental values, like biodiversity, carbon and erosion control,” Mr Upton said. Alt-F Reset sets out 15 recommendations to address the risks that New Zealand’s current approach to forestry runs. These include phasing out forestry from the NZ ETS and improving the knowledge base that is needed to underpin greater use of native and alternative exotic species, as well as different management approaches. The Commissioner is specifically advising that any reform of the NZ ETS must involve Māori, as any proposed changes have the potential to unduly affect Māori landowners. “The forestry system we have today was started through government intervention and investment, and if we want something different then similar intervention will be needed,” Mr Upton said. The report can be downloaded here.    

With a career spanning over 30 years in executive roles within the forest and wood products industry in both Australia and abroad, FWPA’s new Head of Research, Development & Extension, Ian Blanden, offers in-depth commercial expertise across the supply chain from R&D and operations to sales, logistics, stakeholder engagement, downstream processing and value adding. Source: Timberbiz His leadership in plantation forestry, and natural forest management, has been shaped by a deep desire to connect technical knowledge with commercial business outcomes. He sees FWPA as a great fit, expressing his excitement to join an experienced team with a true care for the future of Australia’s forest & wood products industry. “Ensuring our natural resources contribute to the global bioeconomy is complex, and it’s this complexity that excites me. In fact, supplying society’s needs through the sustainable commercial management of our forests is what originally drew me to work in this industry,” he said. “I am keen to use the knowledge I have gained leading large commercial forestry businesses to help FWPA achieve its goal of significantly increasing the importance of the sector in Australia, and to give back to the industry which has served me so well over the last 35 years.” Mr Bladen is driven by his passion for continuous improvement and fostering a systematic approach to work and he aims to bring this perspective to his role at FWPA. “In the short term I hope to build upon FWPA’s work to date with additional tools to embed a culture of continuous improvement within the function, and to demonstrate how RD&E supports FWPA in achieving its strategic goals and delivering value to its members,” he said. “What drives me on a daily basis is witnessing individuals, teams and organisations motivated by ongoing learning and growth. “A culture of innovation and continuous improvement can only truly exist in an organisation in which staff feel safe to voice their opinions, and where their contribution towards its success is applauded. The whole process can be both fun and highly rewarding. “Everyone likes to be part of a winning team, especially when the improvements are acknowledged by the wider industry.” Mr Blanden has a clear vision for sharing the outcomes of FWPA-supported research to enhance member knowledge, understanding and adoption. “I am a firm believer that transparency is a powerful tool. As a species we humans have a relatively short-term collective memory. We need a way of communicating research outcomes and demonstrating that RD&E outcomes have in fact translated into real-world applications,” he said. “Seeing is believing and showing tangible examples of RD&E in action is a great motivator for everyone involved.” Mr Blanden and wife Gianella, who is also a professional forester, have travelled extensively and lived in mainland China for 11 years while Ian worked for the Nordic Renewable Materials Company, Stora Enso. Outside his professional life, he has two sons, enjoys bushwalking and photography, and is writing a book on the history of the fourth-tier city in which they lived in Guangxi, China. Mr Blanden’s first weeks in the role allow him to coincide with outgoing Head of RD&E, Chris Lafferty, and conduct a thorough handover to benefit from Chris’s extensive knowledge and experience in the organisation. Mr Lafferty will formally retire from this role at the end of June 2025 but will remain as FWPA’s company secretary.

The Ultimate Renewable campaign has entered a new era. Starting with a three-month pilot in August 2024, The FWPA has transitioned to an always-on campaign aimed at improving consumer perceptions and strengthening long-term demand for wood and wood products all year round. Source: Timberbiz By focusing on digital, print and audio channels, this new strategy stretches the campaign’s reach and impact further, keeping messages in front of key audiences consistently and cost-effectively. The campaign is fronted once again by trusted ambassador Adam Dovile and features the powerful messaging: Wood. Grow, Harvest, Repeat. Since launching in August 2024, the campaign has run across a variety of platforms, targeting both metropolitan and regional audiences. Highlights include: SEN and AFL Nation radio (938,000 combined weekly listeners) A full-page feature in the AFL Grand Final Record, with over 1.3 million estimated readership Ongoing SEN digital advertising to reinforce messaging across sports media channels. Digital channels remain central to the campaign’s success. Facebook and Instagram ads have been running since November, tailored primarily to younger metro-based women—a cohort identified through FWPA research as especially receptive to sustainability messaging. These are complemented by Google Display ads reaching broader segments with aligned interests and values. In February this year, FWPA ramped up activity through additional high-impact placements including: YouTube pre-roll ads and expanded Google Display presence A strategic content partnership with Channel 9, including ad placements during Married at First Sight (with an estimated 2.4 million viewers) on 9NOW (catch-up TV) Digital and print placements in SMH, The Age, and AFR Life & Lifestyle Street furniture advertising rolled out across NSW, ACT and VIC, with WA, QLD, SA and TAS scheduled for April–May Sponsorship of Bendigo Spirit and Mavericks women’s sports teams, with ac-companying visibility across SEN digital, social, and the AFL Record starting in April – May. The campaign also took advantage of a high-traffic moment during Parliament sittings in March, running digital ads inside the ACT airport’s Qantas Lounge. These placements will return in June, with an average dwell time of 44 minutes providing extended exposure. From April through June, FWPA is building further momentum by: Securing a second major content partnership with Channel 7 Exploring new audio placements including radio, podcasts and Spotify ads. This next phase aims to deepen engagement, grow audience familiarity, and reinforce the campaign’s core sustainability message. The campaign is grounded in extensive consumer research, social license insights, and previous years’ campaign evaluations. Every element is designed to improve perceptions of wood as a renewable, environmentally responsible material of choice and ultimately drive consumer demand. For FWPA members, this strategy means better year-round visibility, more cost-effective media buying, and clearer returns on investment. Most importantly, it ensures wood and wood products stay front of mind in a competitive materials market. Watch more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDqnRyxy0j0  

The Murray Region Forestry Hub (MRFH), in partnership with the North East Catchment Management Authority, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, and Wangaratta Rural City Council will hold a landholder forum aimed at providing practical and research-backed insights into the benefits of integrating forestry into farming systems. Source: Timberbiz This free event will take place on 27 June 2025 in Wangaratta, featuring a range of topics presented by leading specialists. “The forum is aimed to ensure landholders get access to well researched information to make informed decisions about their own properties. “More trees on land can have benefits for the landholder and broader community through flow on economic stimulus. We are very excited to provide the opportunity for the questions to be answered and to ensure landholders are connecting with the right people to aid the decision-making process,” said Ms Carlie Porteous (MRFH). The forum, Boost Your Farm’s Future: Unlock the Power of Trees for Productivity and Biodiversity, will provide farmers and landowners with information regarding the opportunities for trees on privately owned land, based on federally funded research outcomes from Hubs, Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA), Australian Forest & Wood Innovations (AFWI), and other key industry bodies. Forum Agenda: Setting the scene, why trees belong on land. Growing Together: Navigating the investment and challenges of farm forestry in partnership with landowners. Forestry / Biodiversity Plantings: Exploring the future of forestry and biodiversity plantings from an economic, social, and environmental perspective. Case Study 1: Drawing perspective from a family farm experience Case Study 2: Presenting a case study on the role of forestry and biodiversity plantings in farming systems and emissions balance. Economic Aspects: Discussing the economics of establishing a forestry development. Socio and regional contribution and market opportunity. Turning Trees into Income: A simple guide to earning carbon credits on your land. Risk Management: Managing risk in carbon projects: identifying key risks and pitfalls in plantation forestry carbon project structures. Responsible forestry, biodiversity and the role of certification. This forum presents an opportunity for landowners to explore practical strategies for integrating trees into their farming practices, boosting both productivity and environmental sustainability. The event will be held at the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre on 27 June 2025 from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. A networking session will follow with drinks & canapes from 3.30pm to 5pm To book go to: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1377917

The Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA) has welcomed further commitments to Australia’s diverse and sustainable forest industry by the Liberal National Coalition ahead of the 2025 federal election. Source: Timberbiz Following on from their commitments to protect existing forestry quotas, to defund the environmental lawfare organisation the Environmental Defenders Office, and to back the future of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) to the tune of $65 million, Shadow Forestry Minister and Tasmanian Senator Jonno Duniam committed last week to maintaining the existing Regional Forestry Agreements. Speaking with TFPA Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel, Senator Duniam outlined the Liberals “ironclad commitment” to stick the RFAs if elected in the May election. “Supporting RFAs means supporting our environment, the jobs and communities that rely on this industry,” Senator Duniam said. The commitment was welcomed by Mr Steel, who said, the existing RFA model holds the state’s forestry businesses to the highest level of scrutiny and ensures the industry is a leader the world on environmental and sustainability standards. “It’s a tough system, but our industry knows it’s the best way to manage our forests, as well as to ensure certainty for our businesses. That’s why we’ve welcomed Senator Duniam’s announcement,” Mr Steel said. “We’re now calling on Labor to show the same commitment to the thousands of Tasmanians across our state who are employed by our forestry businesses and back our existing Tasmanian RFA. “It’s the best way to protect their jobs and strengthen the scores of local communities across the state who rely on Tasmanian forestry to thrive.”

The timber workers’ union has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of a $24 million investment to secure the future of the Boyer Paper Mill in Tasmania. Source: Timberbiz The funding is a vote of confidence in the workers at Boyer and workers in the Tasmanian forestry and timber sector including over 100 harvest and haulage workers in the mill’s supply chain. Boyer, North-West of Hobart is the site of the last Australian producer of newsprint and communication paper – a vital capability that ensures Australia is not fully dependent on imports. “This is a win for Tasmanian timber and manufacturing workers,” said National Secretary of the soon to be Timber Furnishing Textiles Union (TFTU). “It shows this Labor Government gets it – they understand that backing local jobs matters. “Boyer is part of the beating heart of Tasmania’s forest products and timber industry. This investment means real jobs, in real communities, with a real future.” Mr O’Connor also thanked Labor’s candidate for Lyons, Rebecca White. “Rebecca White has always backed forestry, timber and manufacturing jobs – her strong advocacy has helped make this possible, and that’s a good sign for Tasmanians if she’s elected,” he said. Electrifying the site will cut emissions and future-proof the mill’s operations, ensuring it keeps delivering the forest products Australians rely on. “Only Labor has a plan to back timber and forest products manufacturing and secure a future made in Australia.” “This announcement shows what’s possible when government backs local industry – a strong forestry sector and a strong future for pulp, paper and bioproducts manufacturing right here in Tasmania” concluded Mr O’Connor said.