Australian timber industry news

AirForestry, the world’s first company to develop aerial tree harvesting technology, has closed a €10.3M seed funding round led by Northzone, with participation from strategic, evergreen, and greentech investors Sveaskog, Kiko VC, CapitalT, Walerud Ventures, SEB Greentech VC, and Cloudbreak VC. AirForestry will use the funds to further develop their innovative technology that will bring forestry into a green, fossil free, more productive future. Source: Timberbiz This funding includes €1.7M in grant financing from the Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten), positioning AirForestry to further develop its breakthrough technology: harvesting trees from above with drones. By eliminating the need for heavy ground-based machinery, AirForestry minimizes terrain disruption and protects biodiversity while promoting healthier, more resilient forests through targeted thinning of weak or sick trees. Making the process fully electrical further brings the company closer to its vision of becoming the green global solution for forestry. “We’re thrilled about our new investors who believe in the same goal as we do – making forest products more cost-effective and even more sustainable by unlocking all values of the forest. We now have a strong position to bring this solution to foresters, so that they can manage their forests effectively and increase productivity, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration,” CEO and Founder at AirForestry, Olle Gelin, said. Traditional forestry consumes more than 3.5 billion litres of diesel annually. AirForestry’s fully electric technology offers a transformative alternative, with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 10 megatons annually. Early testing shows that by thinning forests without logging trails and improving growth conditions, their solution can save approximately 0.8 tonnes of CO2 per hectare each year – equating to over 500 megatons globally. “We have a fantastic configuration of investors to build the next chapters towards our vision. We’re excited to welcome Northzone’s General Partner Pär-Jörgen Pärson and Kiko VC’s Ben Murphy to the Board of Directors,” Caroline Walerud, Founder and Executive Chair said. “Looking ahead, we hope to tackle larger portions of forestry, with an environmental upside that will result in many gigatons of saved CO2.” The round is led by Northzone, a renowned global US$4 billion multi-stage venture capital fund, famous for investing in several ground-breaking companies, such as Spotify, Trustpilot, and iZettle. “AirForestry represents a pivotal leap forward in sustainable and more cost-effective forest management with a solution that drives both environmental impact and technological progress. It is hard to imagine a team better equipped to disrupt this particular industry. Olle Gelin is one of the most knowledgeable and connected forest experts in the world and Mauritz Andersson leads a team of world class experts in autonomous systems and drone technology,” Partner at Northzone, Pär-Jörgen Pärson said. Additional investors include Kiko VC, an evergreen deeptech climate fund, alongside SEB Greentech VC, an evergreen climate investor, Cloudbreak VC, a European family office founded on electric drive units, and founding investors Walerud Ventures, a family office building deeptech for the living planet – not to mention Sveaskog, one of the world’s largest forest owners and the largest forest owner in Europe. “With our investment in AirForestry, we want to contribute to the future of forestry.  Together with AirForestry, we can develop products and solutions for advance technology and machinery to meet the complex challenges facing the forestry sector.  Creating conditions for eventually being able thinning forests with drones is revolutionary for how we manage forests, while also reducing the risk of impact in the forest terrain from heavy machines,” Per Callenberg, Head of Sustainable Business Development at Sveaskog said. Among the investors we also find CapitalT, the Dutch venture capitalist company focused on climate and future of work, with serial entrepreneur and founding partner Janneke Niessen at the helm. “We believe in backing technologies that not only solve pressing environmental challenges but also create real, scalable impact. AirForestry’s electric drone solution is doing just that by reinventing forest management in a way that promotes forest health, reduces carbon emissions, and boosts productivity. Their team, with extensive experience in both the forestry and technological sectors, plays a key role in driving this innovation forward. We are thrilled to support their mission and see them play a crucial role in the future of sustainable forestry,” Janneke Niessen, founding partner at CapitalT said.

The NSW RFS has taken the Volvo FM Electric for an extended test drive in an effort to understand how low emissions vehicles can be integrated into emergency services fleets in the future. Source: Timberbiz With an RFS water tanker in tow, the electric prime mover tackled the 550 kilometre route from the services’ Glendenning NSW logistics headquarters to the border city of Albury, arriving to be displayed at the NSW RFS Championships in the suburb of Thurgoona. The driving team, consisting of Inspector Brendan Doyle, RFS Logistics Manager and RFS Logistics & Transport Supervisor shared driving duties over the route to assess the performance and driveability of the vehicles as well as the heavy vehicle charging experience. “This drive presented a great opportunity for us to touch, feel and experience an electric prime mover on public roads,” Mr Doyle said. “It also allows us to consider where a vehicle like this could fill roles within our logistics fleet in the future.” Over the course of the trip, the truck averaged 88.7 km/h with an energy consumption of 1.24kWh/km. Required charging time was 120 minutes to complete the 6.2-hour trip with stops made at Goulburn and Tarcutta. “The driving experience was sensational,” added Peter Duff, “One of the key takeaways for me was that you could take anyone familiar with an existing Volvo truck and they’d be able to drive this without additional training at all.” Volvo Group Australia Vice President, Governmental Sales, Cameron Bettany says that there has been a lot of interest in battery electric trucks from fire and emergency services around the country. “Fire and emergency services are on the front line when it comes the impact of climate change on our local environment,” Mr Bettany said. “Many in these services are acutely aware of the need to reduce emissions, not only from a climate perspective, but also from a health and safety perspective for those first responders. “Emergency services operate in a complex environment and with that a mix of technology types will be required to enable sustainable operational capability” Battery electric trucks are a key part of this mix.” “It’s fantastic to see RFS getting out there and investigating how these vehicles perform in a real-world setting.”

Master Builders Australia says new Australian Bureau of Statistics data for the month of August revealing a 6.1% decline in the total number of new home building approvals is cause for alarm. Source: Timberbiz Despite a 0.6% rise in detached house building approvals, taking the number to a two-year high, the small gain was overshadowed by a sharp reduction in approvals for higher density homes. “There was a decline of 17.5% in higher density home building approvals during August meaning the volume of approvals is now even lower than it was a year ago,” said Master Builders Chief Economist Shane Garrett. “Over the past year, a total of 166,230 new homes have been approved across Australia. If we remain stuck at this rate of new home building over the lifetime of the National Housing Accord, only about 832,000 new homes will get delivered. “This would represent a shortfall of over 365,000 homes relative to the 1.2 million new home target set by all levels of government for the Accord.” Denita Wawn, MBA Chief Executive, warned that high density housing is crucial to ending the housing crisis and easing economic pressures for all Australians. “If we are to bring about a quick end to the housing crisis, we need a strong and consistent supply of high-density housing to the market,” she said. “It’s disappointing to see such a decline in high density approval numbers taking our housing supply in the wrong direction,” she said. “With higher density building approvals lower now than a year ago, today’s data reinforces the need for serious action on inflation to encourage new homeownership and more private investors into the market to generate urgently needed new homes. “Delivering greater volumes of new housing at lower cost and at a faster pace will help bring inflation under control sooner and help to ease economic strains for Australians.”

OneFortyOne and forest contractors are urging the public to adhere to safety signage and stay safe in the forest. Source: Timberbiz OneFortyOne Health, Safety, and Risk Manager Chandru Samy emphasized the importance of following signage, particularly at harvest sites. “Harvesting sites are hazardous due to the presence of harvesting machines, trucks, falling trees, and other heavy machinery,” Mr Samy said. “Ignoring signage and entering an active harvest site is dangerous, not only to yourself but also to those working in the forest.” Mr Samy explained that constant communication during operations ensures everyone and all equipment are accounted for at all times. “Visibility from the harvesters for example is relatively limited outside of the tree they’re cutting down, so good communication means operators can do their jobs safely and with the peace of mind that everyone on site is safe too,” he added. He also noted that anyone unexpectedly or unauthorized on site is at risk and can endanger crews. “No one wants to be part of an accident,” Mr Samy said. Forest area closures in place during harvest operations and are usually reopened within weeks. “To ensure the safety of everyone in the forest, we urge all visitors to follow any signage. If you’re unsure, find another location to explore,” he said. “We all share the responsibility of maintaining a safe environment.” “Local forests are beautiful places to enjoy, and with over 300,000 hectares of forest in the region, there’s always somewhere to explore safely. “We have also published a video explaining some hazards in the forest.” You can view the video here: https://youtu.be/wPHUGlguOKQ

WorkSafe New Zealand says it will deliver enforcement, engagement, and permitting activities across priority areas to maximise its influence and achieve better, more equitable outcomes. Source: Timberbiz The plans cover the sectors with highest work-related harm – construction, manufacturing, forestry, and agriculture. There is also a permitting plan covering specific high-risk work such as mining, adventure activities, and some work involving hazardous substances. WorkSafe says its main role is to influence businesses and workers to meet their health and safety responsibilities and to hold them to account if they don’t. The new strategy aims to simplify how WorkSafe will deliver on this. The strategy acknowledges WorkSafe cannot be everywhere and emphasises the importance of collaboration. WorkSafe says it will continue to work with partners, including industry bodies, government agencies, iwi, and unions, to understand risk and harm, measure the impact, and refine plans over time. Priority plans Guided by evidence about acute, chronic, and catastrophic harm, WorkSafe will prioritise high-risk sectors and high-risk activities. Across these priority areas, the agency says it will deliver enforcement, engagement and permitting activities to maximise its influence and achieve better, more equitable outcomes. Sector plans include: Agriculture – Accounts for around 25% of acute work-related fatalities and serious injuries, while only 6% of employment is in this sector. Most serious harm occurs in dairy, sheep, and beef farming. WorkSafe’s plan sets out how it will target the biggest risks and work with others to influence improved health and safety culture in agriculture. Construction – Has among the highest rates of acute and chronic harm. It accounts for around 15% of work-related fatalities and serious injuries, and it has the largest number of workers with exposure to toxic dusts and fumes. To prevent harm on construction sites, WorkSafe says businesses must keep up with constantly changing risks, especially where multiple businesses work together. The agency’s plan sets out how it will target the biggest risks to achieve safe construction sites and influence large businesses to lead the way. Forestry – Has a very high rate of acute harm, mostly from felling trees. The fatality rate in forestry is about 20 times higher than the average for all sectors. Workers that are harmed are more likely to be young, Māori, and from rural communities. To reduce this harm, WorkSafe says the whole sector needs to plan for and practise safe tree felling. The forestry plan sets out how WorkSafe will work with forest owners, managers, contractors, kaimahi and communities to achieve this. Manufacturing – This is a large sector with high numbers of Māori and Pacific workers. It has the largest total number of injuries of any sector, and some workers have high exposure to toxic dusts and fumes. Health and safety performance has been poor compared to other sectors over the past decade. WorkSafe says improving performance starts with getting the basics right, like safe machinery and good worker training. The agency’s plan sets out how it will influence better risk management and worker engagement in the manufacturing subsectors where most harm occurs. The government has also set rules and regulations for specific high-risk work. This includes mining, adventure activities, asbestos removal, some work involving hazardous substances, and operating equipment such as cranes and scaffolding. If these activities are not well managed, they can result in serious or catastrophic harm. WorkSafe is responsible for overseeing the rules and regulations and checking that businesses and individuals permitted to undertake this high-risk work meet the safety requirements. Its permit plan sets out how it will: improve the efficiency, transparency, and quality of the permitting process clarify expectations for regulated parties monitor whether this high-risk work is being carried out according to the rules. Read the full permit plan here: https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/dmsdocument/68640-permit-priority-plan-2024-2026/latest

Access to tree seedlings for commercial plantations and biodiversity plantings has just become easier with the next generation at Hills Transplants growing the business. Source: Timberbiz From what started 60 years ago as a humble backyard market garden at the family home in Don, Stephen Hill has morphed what his father John started into a multi-layered commercial enterprise. Not only do the Hills grow seedlings for the forestry industry and agriculture producers, and raspberry cane propagation, but they supply the nation’s biggest grocery chains with herbs and other leafy greens year-round using the latest techniques and technology. And now Stephen’s sons Josh and Sam are looking to diversify Hills Transplants even further and make it easier for Tasmanian landowners to access tree seedlings for commercial timber and biodiversity or riparian area purposes, trading as S & J Seedlings. “We believe there is a market out there for us to grow to order certain species for landowners and farmers to plant trees on their land,” Josh said. “The approach is customer-focused, catering to specific orders and delivering seedlings when required. “If a farmer comes to us with a particular order for a specific species, we have quality seed for, we’re more than happy to pack the right amount and get them out the door exactly when they want them. “Two or three years ago, we just started selling a few extra pines and eucalypts that we had surplus of at the time after we finished our pack out for the year… it was like we’d put in a hook we caught shark it was that successful. “We’re fairly new at it and we will be kind of relying on someone to come to us with different lines that we could potentially use so, therefore, we can trial it and get the seed and then grow it.” Josh said species they planned on producing seedlings for at varying levels and by demand and advance order included: Pinus radiata (Radiata pine) Eucalyptus globulus (Blue gum) Eucalyptus nitens (Shining gum) Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood) Potential wood value species for a niche market, if managed correctly. Acacia dealbata (Silver wattle) Allocasuarina littoralis (Drooping sheoak) Allocasuarina littoralis (Black sheoak) Banksia marginata (Silver banksia) Primarily biodiversity planting species Melaleuca armillaris (Bracelet honey myrtle) Eucalyptus pauciflora (Little snowman) Corymbia ficifolia (Red flowering gum) Callitris rhomboidea (Oyster Bay pine) Melaleuca ericifolia (Swamp paperbark) Eucalyptus viminalis (White gum) Josh said finding seeds for certain provenances requirements was difficult, with standard seedlings their leading market driver at this stage. He said 12 months’ notice from the landowner would be ideal when placing an order to enable them to plan, order the seed and grow the seedlings. Private Forests Tasmania forester Rob Smith said landowner interest is growing in niche species that have both biodiversity and a wood value outside of the traditional commercial plantation varieties. “PFT is doing a lot of work in this space as demand for speciality timbers grows,” Josh said. “In fact, one of our successful Stems for CO2 Program grant recipients will be planting Castanea sativa (Spanish chestnut) and Quercus rubra (Red oak) next year, which will provide us some great insights and a real example of what can be achieved. “Many species have the potential to grow in Tasmania, but species selection depends on site requirements and other factors such as the site’s characteristics (climate, soil and other ecological factors), deciding which species and provenances are likely to thrive in the conditions and deciding which of one or more species, at the same time, satisfy the objectives of the planting scheme. “There are more options for private landowners to consider now in planting for both biodiversity and potential timber harvest with alternative eucalyptus, cypress, hardwood species gaining traction as well as Tasmanian natives.” For further detailed information on the species in Table refer to the Species Guides https://pft.tas.gov.au/species-guides Before undertaking any significant forestry project, it is recommended that you seek personal professional advice directly from a forestry professional on the particular matter. Visit Private Forests Tasmania’s online interactive Tree Alliance Knowledge Hub at www.treealliance.com.au for more information on site preparation, species selection, planting and managing plantations or the free Helpline on 1300 661 009. To discuss further with S & J Seedlings or to place an order, contact Sam on 0407834659 or sam@htpau.com

A VR immersive training tool developed by the University of South Australia with the support of the Green Triangle Forest Industry Hub is expected to save the industry millions of dollars in the long term. Source: Timberbiz Virtual reality is set to revolutionise Australia’s $24 billion forestry industry by training workers risk-free, remotely, and much faster. Lead researcher and immersive technology expert Dr Andrew Cunningham with developer Jack Fraser have spent the past year working on the VR tool to support training in South Australia’s forestry mills and hope to roll it out nationally. The ‘Mills Skills VR’ tool uses virtual reality across a range of scenarios, immersing users in a 3D environment that simulates all aspects of forestry practices, training them in a risk-free setting. “For the untrained, the forest industry is inherently risky, especially in the mills because it involves large, heavy machinery,” Dr Cunningham said. “It is also a fast moving and busy environment, so if we can train workers to recognise the hazards and equip them with the skills before they step into the mill, it’s better for everyone.” A significant benefit is that the trainees can use the VR tool anywhere in Australia, with a virtual reality headset, saving time and costs in flying them halfway across the country. Workforce Development Manager at the Green Triangle Forest Industry Hub, Josh Praolini, says the VR training model could reshape how training is delivered to forest industry workers in Australia. “At the moment, we rely on access to trainers and machinery that is an essential part of the mill operations. By training new recruits on these machines, you slow or halt production, and expose them to potential risks,” Mr Praolini said. “This virtual reality tool allows us to safely introduce recruits to multiple scenarios they could encounter in the mill, as well as offering updated training to existing workers without impacting day-to-day operations of the mill.” Beyond the VR training, UniSA researchers are using immersive analytics tools to gather data on plantations and view the trees virtually in a 3D environment, checking for defects, wood quality and growing conditions. “The ability to track, monitor and interact in virtual environments opens the door to an exciting future for Australia’s forest industry,” Mr Praolini said. Dr Cunningham is confident the industry’s willingness to embrace new technology will also make it an appealing career choice for high school and university students. “The forest industry currently supports around 80,000 direct jobs in Australia, but we still need a lot more workers. Virtual reality can take people into a mill and a plantation, showcasing what is involved and the opportunities that lie ahead for a progressive and satisfying career,” Dr Cunningham said. The next step is to adapt the training tool to other industries where safety is important, including building and manufacturing. A video explaining the VR training tool is available at: https://youtu.be/fVDVOG_1H8w

After what has seemed like an eternity of headwinds, it looks as though we finally have some positive signs from China with October A grade wharf gate prices boosting through the NZ$120/m3 glass ceiling for the first time in seven months. Offers depend on which port you are supplying but range from the mid to high NZ$120s in Tauranga and Marsden, early to mid-NZ$120s in the Southern North Island and Upper South and early NZ$110s for those further south. This is the result of a number of factors, primarily lower shipping rates and slightly higher in-market sales prices. Most exporters posted their prices with a Forex rate of $NZ:US0.635, however in the last few days this has dropped by two cents which would theoretically put another NZ$6/m3 on the table. On-port China inventory has reportedly dropped by 700,000m3 in the past four weeks and now sits at around 2.7 million m3. A real inventory drop of this magnitude seems too high and is more than likely due to vessel delays with poor weather in September slowing vessel loading. This could potentially correct itself in October. Offtake has lifted to 70,000m3/day, however, with the Golden week holiday just wrapping up, this number is expected to drop temporarily. On top of this, there’s some interesting times in China with the release of the most aggressive government stimulus package since covid, aiming to halt the continued decline in house prices and stabilize the real estate market. This has obviously been welcomed by the Chinese economy with the biggest single day gain in the Shanghai Composite in 16 years. According to Deutsche Bank, the current package is worth around US$1.07 trillion or 6% of GDP and could be the largest in history in nominal terms. The package includes cuts to mortgage to debt ratios, additional funding facilities, bond issuances and additional capital for banks. This all sounds fine and dandy, but don’t go out and plan that trip to the Bahamas yet. To put some perspective around the state of the China real estate market, this is a US$60 trillion asset class which has been receding in value at around 7% per year and holds around 85% of household wealth. There are currently around 60 million empty apartments, the population is declining, and the government has made it clear they don’t want foreign investment in property. Goldman Sachs estimate that the CCP need to inject around US$2.1 trillion into the sector just to stop the bottom falling out – twice the size of the current package. So, while it’s good news that our export returns are improving, many of our costs are outstripping inflation, resulting in diminishing real returns. A number of port companies have recently released their annual earnings and are high fiving each other over their profitability. Great news if you’re a port company shareholder but not so flash if you’re on the commodity hamster wheel. Port costs for log storage, handling and fumigation have increased approximately 70% since 2018 against a CPI of 25% for the same period. Costs attributed solely to port operations (not including scaling, marshalling and fumigation) have increased 55%. Conversely, the three-year average export price was $122/m3 in 2018 compared with NZ$119/m3 presently – no high-fives for forest owners. Port companies will have to be very careful how they treat their log version of the golden goose because the goose is starting to run short on feed. Domestic sawmills continue to provide stability to forest owner returns although trading is tough, especially for those supplying the NZ construction market. Issued residential building consents for the year ended August 2024 are down 20% on the same period last year with commercial consents down 8%. Consents don’t necessarily convert into buildings, as many are sitting on their hands waiting for the OCR to drop and hoping for a reduction in building costs. Pruned mills are starting to feel the squeeze from the US with demand reducing and inventories increasing as the US economy wades through its various issues. Carbon prices have increased slightly over the past month and currently sit at $63.50/NZU which, like the export prices, is a 7-month high. Nothing to get excited about but the trajectory is up, and all eyes will be on the December auction for some direction as to what 2025 will look like. So, all in all the rest of 2024 is looking reasonably solid. If we can keep the lid on total supply then the price will likely improve, however, we’re not that good at constraining supply, especially in summer with reasonable prices. The China stimulus package is more than likely just a giant can kicking exercise but it will provide a boost to sentiment and the China market is very sentiment driven. If you’re sitting on the fence regarding harvesting your forest, now is probably the time to hop off and get your ducks in a row as this sugar rush may not last that long. It may be prudent to monetize your forest and buy some port shares…  

A new study by the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) shows forest residue material in Canada can be pelletized in line with regulatory standards. Source: Timberbiz WPAC, in partnership with BioPower Sustainable Energy Corporation, has conducted a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility and economic implications of using an in-woods grinder to process forest biomass for wood pellets. BioPower, a Canadian manufacturer of commercial and residential grade wood pellets, carried out all field tests at its operations in Northern Ontario near Atikokan, including the collection and analysis of feedstock samples, pelletization, and data collection. WPAC says the Ontario wood pellet industry is moving away from an exclusive dependency on sawmill residues to forest biomass as a primary raw material. This pivotal transition is driven by a growing global demand for renewable energy sources, such as pellets, and increased use of forest residues, once left behind or burned on site after harvesting. Though promising, forest biomass presents challenges such as contamination, variability in ash and moisture content, and higher processing costs, which need to be carefully managed to ensure the economic viability of wood pellet production. The study’s thorough testing and analysis of forest residue material for pelletization in Ontario shows however, it can be used to produce high-quality pellets that comply with International Organization for Standardization standards. The study found forest residue biomass exhibited higher levels of moisture and ash content compared with sawmill residues. However, with appropriate drying and processing techniques (such as mixing different feedstocks), these levels were brought within the acceptable range for pellet production, minimizing the risk of operational issues like slagging and fouling in boilers. The finished pellets were tested against ISO 17225-2 standards, confirming that the pellets made with the proposed blends met either 11 or 12 industrial pellet ISO specifications for durability, energy content, and ash content. The addition of forest biomass as a primary feedstock for Ontario’s wood pellet industry presents both challenges and opportunities. While forest biomass is more complex to process than sawmill residues, it offers a sustainable and abundant source of raw material for pellet production. There are added environmental benefits in reducing fuel loads in the forest that can contribute to wildfires and improving air quality by not burning slash.

To meet the demanding sustainability requirements within the construction industry, Lett-Tak has invested in a new production line manufacturing its new roof element – Lett-Tak Wood. Source: Timberbiz The company already offers roof elements made of steel, but this is Lett-Tak’s first roof elements made entirely of wood, utilizing Metsä Wood’s Kerto LVL. This roof element focuses on minimizing CO₂ emissions throughout its lifecycle. With the new production line, Lett-Tak can offer the market a product with a low environmental footprint, which is crucial for meeting the increasingly demanding sustainability requirements in the construction industry. “The new roof element, which uses Metsä Wood’s Kerto LVL, has a CO2 footprint of around 24 kilograms of CO2 equivalents per square meter,” Johan Aas, CEO of Lett-Tak said. The collaboration between Lett-Tak and Metsä Wood began in 2019, and together they saw an opportunity to create a roof element entirely of wood using Kerto LVL. The result was their new roof element, Lett-Tak Wood, which is now available on the market and for which a new production line has been built. There is already increased interest from customers in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland, and they expect this increased interest to impact Lett-Tak’s revenue positively. “We are currently in discussions with our customers about Lett-Tak Wood, aiming to contribute to the green transition in the industry. Those looking to be part of this shift will find Lett-Tak Wood appealing because we provide wooden roof elements with a low CO2 footprint,” Tommy Nilsen, Sales and Marketing Manager at Lett-Tak said. The production is also designed to be as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible, with automated processes that reduce both work noise and physical strain for the employees. At the same time, Lett-Tak has set ambitious sustainability goals, including the development of an environmental calculator, which will be able to measure the climate footprint of the products – from production to recycling. Features of Lett-Tak Wood Low CO2 footprint Reusable Recyclable Energy-efficient with low U-value Long spans up to 16 meters provide architectural freedom and rapid assembly Long lifespan Hard surface provides good fastening opportunities Stable, results in low deflection.

Over the past few weeks Combilift has been receiving award after award, the display shelves in the company’s building must be groaning under the strain but it proves that this is an outstanding company. September 2024 has been an extraordinary month for Combilift, with a winning streak of seven awards. Source: Timberbiz Combilift, the Irish manufacturing giant, celebrated a landmark achievement at the prestigious Irish Exporter of the Year Awards 2024, becoming the first Irish firm in history to win the coveted Exporter of the Year title three times. The IEA (Irish Exporters Association) event hosted at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, saw Combilift not only secure the title of Manufacturing Exporter of the Year, sponsored by Ace Express Freight, but also claimed the ultimate honour of being named Overall Irish Exporter of the Year 2024, sponsored by KPMG. In 1998, Robert Moffett and Martin McVicar co-founded the business with a unique forklift concept designing a truck that could move forwards and backwards like any regular forklift but, at the flick of a switch, could also travel sideways. Combilift’s first model, the multidirectional 4-tonne C-Series, is still in production 26 years later. “Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to receive various awards, but being named Irish Exporter of the Year is a significant achievement. Competing with industries across the island, including large global manufacturers in sectors like pharmaceuticals and medical devices, was no easy task,” CEO Martin McVicar said. “This award wasn’t just about submitting an application; it also involved two rigorous interviews in front of a panel of 14-15 independent judges from diverse industries. “Winning this award shows that we’ve been recognised as a fully-fledged manufacturing company that truly exports globally. “We don’t simply rebadge products, we design, fabricate, paint, and assemble our vehicles from start to finish before exporting them worldwide.” Combilift’s victory at this year’s Irish Exporter of the Year Awards is the latest in a long line of accolades. The company previously won the Irish Exporter of the Year award in 2008 and again in 2015, making this their third time receiving the prestigious title. These successes reflect Combilift’s ongoing commitment to innovation, growth, and quality in a highly competitive global market. These awards acknowledge Combilift’s significant contribution to the international marketplace, its innovative approach to engineering, and its relentless focus on fostering a culture of creativity and forward-thinking within the industry. Like any moving vehicle, forklifts need servicing to keep running efficiently. For Combilift, the route to market is through a global dealer network with skilled service engineers. “We provide comprehensive in-house training and also offer service training in local markets. Having professional local service on the customer’s doorstep is crucial, along with rapid access to parts, and today Combilift has more than 300 dealer distributors around the world,” Mr McVicar said. Combilift’s 2024 awards: UK EMA – Design Team of the Year, for the Combi-BLADE UK EMA – Industry Leader Award, recognising Martin McVicar’s exceptional leadership UKMHA Archies – Ergonomics of the Year Award, for the Combi-CB70E UKMHA Archies – Product of the Year Award, for the Combi-BLADE Deloitte Best Managed Company – Platinum Award, for the 12th consecutive year Irish Exporter of the Year – Manufacturing Exporter of the Year Irish Exporter of the Year – Overall Winner – Irish Exporter of the Year 2024

The Forestry (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2024 successfully passed both houses of the Tasmanian Parliament in September and has been gazetted, helping modernise the state’s private forestry regulations. Source: Timberbiz The Bill introduces 11 key amendments aimed at reducing red tape, ensuring fairer financial arrangements, and updating decades-old provisions. These changes come after a thorough internal review by Private Forests Tasmania’s Board of Directors and extensive consultations with private forest stakeholders. PFT Policy and Data Analyst Murray Root said the legislative reform project addressed several issues that had accumulated over the years. “Since private forestry regulations hadn’t seen substantial updates for 20 years, the need for modernisation was clear,” Mr Root said. “The new amendments tackle inefficiencies in the private timber reserve (PTR) application process, adjust the private forest service levy to make it fairer, and update outdated legislative references and provisions. “With reduced red tape, fairer levy structures, and a range of updated legislative provisions, private forest stakeholders can now operate in a more supportive and equitable environment. “The reforms underscore Tasmania’s commitment to sustainable forestry practices while supporting private landowners in their forestry endeavours.” Key amendment objectives include: Streamlining private timber reserve application process The changes reduce red tape and improve the efficiency of the PTR application process. For instance, one amendment introduces a simplified process for minor boundary extensions for existing PTR’s. This removes the requirement for public notification, as long as the expansion is minor (no more than 10% or up to 40 hectares) and does not encroach within 50 meters of neighbouring properties. This is expected to speed up application processing times and reduce administrative burdens for both landowners and PFT. Also, previously the Governor’s involvement was required to declare a PTR. However, this responsibility has now been transferred to the Forest Practices Authority Board, reducing the time it takes to finalise applications. Fairer private forest service levy A key change is the removal of the levy on first rotation plantings on previously cleared land, incentivising new plantation establishment in these circumstances, encouraging more farm foresters to plant trees. The bill also gives the PFT Board the power to waive levies under special circumstances, such as during natural disasters or personal hardships, making the system more flexible and equitable. Modernising and clarifying legislation Several amendments focus on modernising the language and functions of PFT in the Private Forests Act 1994. These updates reflect current operating realities. This includes clearer roles in supporting competitive markets, assisting with infrastructure development, and contributing to national reporting. Forestry rights recognition The bill clarifies the definition of forestry rights, ensuring that holders of rights under the Forestry Rights Registration Act 1990 are recognised similarly to those under the Forest Management Act 2013. This resolves inconsistencies in how these rights holders are recognised in the forest practices system.

A campaign promoting the benefits of wood as a sustainable material has kicked off with a three-month pilot program, trialling a new strategy to provide year-round coverage and drive an increase in consumer perceptions of forest and wood products. Source: Timberbiz Fresh off its full-page feature in the AFL Grand Final Record magazine last month with an estimated one million views, The Ultimate Renewable campaign is testing a more long-term, targeted approach to reaching consumers. Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has run The Ultimate Renewable campaign annually since 2019, communicating the environmental benefits of wood and wood products to a broad audience. The campaign directly contributes to FWPA’s strategic plan to improve consumer perceptions and position wood as a preferred material – in turn, growing customer demand for wood products and supporting members and industry across the supply chain. Traditionally run as a 1–2-month mass media advertising campaign encompassing television, radio, billboards, print and digital media, the June-July 2023 campaign gained more than 22 million impressions and increased support for our industry among consumers, as measured in post-campaign tracking. However, a more recent consumer survey conducted in June 2024 showed fewer people perceived wood as a preferred material than the previous year, with perceptions of wood as an environmentally friendly material also dropping. Sarah Downey, Head of Marketing and Communications at FWPA said the shift in public perception was potentially caused by a mix of societal factors as well as campaign strategy. “While the current economic climate and rising costs have influenced buying behaviour around the country, these survey results also suggest that a two-month, mass media campaign may not be driving the lasting impact on consumer sentiment we aim to achieve,” she said. “While this approach can be highly effective for boosting brand awareness, it does not always translate to behaviour or attitude change in a largely passive audience with little to no knowledge of the forest and wood products industry.” To drive a more long-term and impactful increase in consumer perceptions, FWPA is trialling a shift in campaign strategy to a more targeted, ‘always on’ approach to keep the campaign message front of mind year-round. With this strategy, the focus will move from the more expensive, large-scale, and hard to measure TV and billboard advertising to a more targeted digital, radio and print campaign, stretching the budget further. Ms Downey said the plan is to run the campaign throughout the year rather than a short, concentrated campaign. “Extending the campaign across the whole year will build a consistent market presence where consumers are repeatedly inspired to make choices that benefit both people and the planet,” she said. Using the strong messaging of ‘Wood. Grow. Harvest. Repeat.’ and repurposing creative from 2023, which was shown to resonate with audiences, the new ‘always on’ campaign strategy will also allow for better tracking of results and return on investment for FWPA members. In developing this new approach, FWPA undertook extensive campaign evaluation, consumer market surveys and leveraged the social license research to form a plan backed by evidence. Using this data, the campaign will target audience groups who are best placed to receive new information and be positively influenced by the messaging, including younger audiences, home renovators, builders, designers and retargeting those who have previously visited The Ultimate Renewable website or watched campaign videos. Results of the pilot campaign will be gathered in November and shared with FWPA members and industry in the coming months, along with plans for the remainder of FY2024/25.  

The Softwoods Working Group has welcomed the launch of the NSW Government Plantations Fire Protection Fund 2024-25 with applicants invited to apply for identified priority projects. Source: Timberbiz The SWG has facilitated the Plantations Fire Reference Group undertaking collaborative investigation of high impact projects with local processing plants, growers, industry representatives, councils, and fire authorities. The launch of the program follows extensive community collaboration, identifying the most effective projects to protect the Murray region’s critical plantation timber supplies in preparation for the upcoming bushfire season. Working closely with the Plantations Fire Reference Group, the Softwoods Working Group facilitated a truly collaborative approach to assess the risk to the plantation estate, surrounding communities, and vital assets. Project owners, chosen for their suitability, have now been invited to apply for funding. “The approach to identifying opportunities, collective agreement among the group members and the discretionary effort that has been applied is nothing short of astounding,” SWG Executive Carlie Porteous said. The $13 million pilot program, announced in May 2024 by the NSW Government, provides grants ranging from $50,000 to $12.9 million. It aims to achieve key fire prevention and response objectives, including: Bushfire Prevention: Constructing new and maintaining existing strategic fire trails and asset protection zones. Early Fire Detection: Enhancing rapid response capability through fire towers, remote sensing, and camera technology. Improved Response Operations: Supplying additional fire tankers, equipment, and infrastructure to strengthen tactical and operational responses. Administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, this pilot program will be closely monitored and evaluated to determine its potential for statewide expansion. “We expect to collect data on effectiveness of the assets and infrastructure and provide this back to the government for future decision making, and hopefully a new model of coordination at a regional scale,” Ms Porteous said.

The Northland Wood Council proudly hosted the Northland Forestry Awards at MacKay Stadium in late September, honouring the exceptional contributions of individuals and organizations in the forestry sector. Source: Timberbiz, Photo Jess Burges Photography The event drew an impressive crowd of 450 guests, with renowned MC Te Radar skillfully guiding the audience through an inspiring night filled with celebration and recognition. At the heart of the evening was the announcement of the Supreme Forest Industry Award for 2024, which went to Graham Waru of Rosvall Sawmill Limited. With more than two decades of experience in the forestry industry, Mr Waru has solidified himself as a cornerstone of his organization, renowned for his commitment to product quality, consistency, and precision. His relentless pursuit of excellence, coupled with his dedication to training and mentorship, has made him an invaluable asset to his team. Graham’s exceptional leadership and foresight not only elevate his craft; they significantly enhance the overall growth of his organization. His perfectionism and dedication to his work are truly commendable, establishing him as a worthy recipient of such a prestigious award. “There is a huge reservoir of knowledge and skills in this region and the industry has to celebrate its achievements and the people that are out there working every day,” Matt Pederson chair of the Northland Wood Council said. He remarked how he was encouraged by the fantastic response from the sponsors, the quantity of nominations & those guests at the awards in supporting the event especially when the environment out there was so challenging. The night also celebrated the remarkable achievements of the Ngati Hine Forestry Trust, which was honoured with the Outstanding Environmental Management award. Their transformative Indigenous Forestry Strategy exemplifies a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, integrating traditional Māori knowledge with contemporary sustainable practices. The Trust’s initiatives in native forest restoration and biodiversity enhancement resonate strongly with the community, showcasing a robust connection between their people and the land. Among other notable awards, Jess Winikerei from Mold Logging Limited was recognized as the Emerging Talent of the Year. Her commitment during her apprenticeship, high production output, and strong work ethic highlights the bright prospects of future leaders in the forestry sector. Additionally, IK & SM Newey Transport celebrated significant successes, with multiple awards recognizing team members for excellence in distribution, log truck driver and innovation. Ian Newey’s groundbreaking development of an electric winch system is a prime example of how technology can enhance safety and operational efficiency in the industry. The Northland Wood Council extend their congratulations to all winners and nominees, whose hard work continues to shape the future of forestry in Northland. The winners: Supreme Forest Industry Award (sponsored by Northland Wood Council) Graham Waru (Rosvall Sawmill LTD) Forestry Family of the Year (sponsored Rayonier – Matariki) Cale and Dane Subritzky-Clark (Subritzky-Clark Logging 2024) Outstanding Innovation of the Year (sponsored by Qube Ports) Ian Newey (IK and SM Newey Transport) Outstanding Health and Safety Management (sponsored by Summit Forest NZ Ltd) John Lumby (Northpine Limited) Outstanding Environmental Management (sponsored by Wise on Wood) Ngati Hine Forestry Trust Forestry Excellence (sponsored by Rosvall Sawmill) Stuart Warren (Stuart Warren) Roading Excellence (sponsored by Fortuna) Nik Birch (JSB Construction) & Andrew Bradley (JSB Construction) Harvesting Excellence (sponsored by AB Equipment &Tigercat) Richard Connolly (Rosewarne Logging) Distribution Excellence (sponsored by PMG – Pacific Motor Group) Russell Masters (IK & SM Newey Transport) Primary Wood Processing & Manufacturing Excellence (sponsored by Whangarei ITM/Waipapa Pine) Jonathon Lawson (Croft Poles & Timber) Secondary Wood Processing & Manufacturing Excellence (sponsored by Croft Poles & Timber) Graham Waru (Rosvall Sawmill LTD) Tree Faller Excellence (sponsored by Northland Forestry Managers) Joel Niha-Neumann (Niha Contracting Limited) & Derek Rosewarne (Rosewarne Cable Loggers) Woman in Forestry Excellence (sponsored by PF Olsen) Jenna Ringrose (Rosewarne and Ringrose) Log Truck Driver Excellence (sponsored by Patchell Group of Companies) David (Billy) Kanara (IK & SM Newey Transport) Emerging Talent of the Year (sponsored by Forestry CO) Jess Winikerei (Mold Logging Ltd) Trainee of the Year (sponsored by Competenz) Taausi (Lapi) Peletana (Croft Poles & Timber) Good Deed Award (sponsored by Safetree) Jack Ratu (Rosewarne Contractors – Crew 89).  

The newly established Forestry Centre of Excellence (FCoE) in Mount Gambier is showcasing how its world class research is already supporting positive commercial outcomes through new product development, providing a pathway to grow the sector and generate new local jobs. Source: Timberbiz South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas last week revealed new artist impressions for the research centre construction, a collaboration between government, UniSA and the forest industry. The centre consolidates the work of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub (GTFIH), Tree Breeding Australia and LITA Training with the goal of becoming an international leader in forest industries research, education, product and market development. The GTFIH used the launch to brief the State Government on its Splinters to Structures project, which has created a new engineered wood product utilising softwood pulp and hardwood log, which has traditionally had no specific domestic application. The collaborative research project, delivered in partnership with Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) with funding from the Federal Government, is favouring a Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) product made exclusively from Eucalyptus Globulus (Bluegum) grown in the Green Triangle. Hub members are now planning to conduct a feasibility study to understand how to commercialise the product. Hub board member, Australian Bluegum Plantations (ABP) CEO Russ Hughes, said the FCoE will play a pivotal role in bringing the whole supply chain together, understanding how to optimise fibre use and generate new value-add. “We applaud both the State and Federal Government for their commitment to invest in research, working in partnership with industry, to deliver transformative projects which increase the sustainability of our sector, supporting the development of new wood innovation which will deliver long-term regional economic outcomes,” he said. “The Splinters to Structures project is providing a pathway to diversify the region’s market base, providing a new domestic building product with a low carbon profile supporting the imbalance between supply and demand for such high value products. Importantly the FCoE will provide industry with the tools to deliver more market capability in the long-term, building greater regional capacity and supporting our international reputation.” GTFIH deputy chair Laurie Hein said the Hub looked forward to working with the FCoE’s new director Jeff Morrell to build a visionary research plan, concentrated on increasing expertise across the workforce. “The work delivered by the Hub through its partnership with UniSA over the past five years has been progressive, supporting this new product development, intelligence on plantation water use, the estate’s carbon capability and delivering a toolkit for farm forestry expansion and broader state and federal policy outcomes,” Mr Hein said. “The launch of the FCoE will supercharge this strategic approach, enabling broader national and international collaborations and partnerships to position the Green Triangle as a global leader in plantation research and development.” To learn more about the GTFIH research outcomes visit www.gtfih.com.au  

The state body for the forest and timber industry in Queensland has released its key policy recommendations in the lead up to the state election to support essential timber supply chains to meet the state’s growing housing and construction needs. Source: Timberbiz “Our local plantation softwood and native hardwood and cypress forest sectors already make a significant contribution to the supply of timber and engineered wood products for the state’s building needs,” Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens said. “However, Queensland’s population is bursting at the seams and will need more timber to meet future housing and construction demand including for our homes, schools, hospitals, apartments and offices. “The good news is that with the right policy settings and provision of resource security, the industry can invest in more forest resources and new plant and equipment together with skilled jobs to meet the rising demand for building materials such as timber,” he said. “In addition, the industry is renewable and can help governments and the private sector to reduce their carbon footprint in the built environment through the use of wood products which have far lower emissions than other materials such as steel and concrete. “That is why the timber industry is advocating for a five-point plan that can address the investment needs of industry and the role Government can take in unlocking the potential for industry to grow and provide essential timber building materials. “For too long the industry has simply been taken for granted and this election represents an opportunity to make a significant difference in putting the industry back in the forefront of strategic economic development,” Mr Stephens said. The five key themes of the plan include: resource security for the native hardwood sector; new investment drivers for plantations and farm forestry; wood processing innovation and supply chain efficiency; workforce development and training; and indigenous forestry opportunities. “We urge all parties to recognise the multiple benefits from a strong local timber industry which has historically been the backbone of many regional communities and the state’s housing and public infrastructure development,” Mr Stephens said. “We are passionate and committed to working with government, stakeholders and industry for sustained growth. We care about our industry, our people, our environment and our future.” The Timber Queensland election policy statement can be download here.

Australia and New Zealand have welcomed the European Commission’s decision last week to delay implementation of a law banning the import of commodities linked to deforestation by a year. Source: Timberbiz The law had been hailed as a landmark in the fight against climate change, but countries and industries from Brazil to Malaysia say it is protectionist and could end up excluding millions of poor, small-scale farmers from the EU market. There were also widespread warnings from industry that the EU deforestation regulation, or EUDR, would disrupt the European Union’s supply chains and push up prices. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said the law imposed complex due diligence requirements that would create technical barriers for a range of Australian agricultural products. She said it had the potential to affect around $234 million in Australian exports. “A delay in implementation of the Regulation will provide an opportunity to further work with the EU to ensure the measure does not impose requirements that create unnecessary barriers to Australian exports,” Ms Collins said. “We will continue advocating for our world-class agricultural products and work closely with State and Territory governments to support the sustainable management of our valuable forests.” The Australian Forestry sector welcomes the European Union Commission’s announcement of a one-year delay in the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The EUDR, designed to ensure that products sold in the EU are not linked to deforestation, was initially set to take effect on 30 December 2024. However, countries from around the world and Australian forest growers had raised concerns that neither EU countries nor international systems were prepared to meet the original deadline, putting compliant businesses at risk. Australian Forest Products Association CEO Di Hallam praised the EU Commission’s decision, highlighting the importance of this delay for Australian companies. “We welcome the one-year extension, which will give Australian forest growers the time to begin using the tracing program without the risk of penalties, while the EU addresses technical issues,” Ms Hallam said. “The Australian forestry sector supports the EUDR’s goal of addressing products linked to deforestation. However, the initial deadline was unrealistic. The systems required for compliance simply weren’t ready, and this would have unfairly impacted Australian growers who were prepared to meet the requirements.” Ms Hallam also thanked key Australian Government ministers for their advocacy, which contributed to the extension. “We’re grateful to Australian Government Ministers, including Ms Collins, Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell, and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Senator Murray Watt, for their advocacy. “Their leadership helped ensure that Australian businesses will have the time needed to meet the new requirements,” she said. Australia’s forestry sector operates under some of the strictest environmental and sustainability standards in the world, with forest management practices designed to ensure renewal and long-term sustainability. Ms Hallam emphasised the need for further work to ensure the regulation’s implementation does not create unnecessary trade barriers for responsible producers, producers from developing nations and small land holders. “It is crucial to understand that deforestation refers to the permanent removal of forest, when the forest is cleared and the land then used for another purpose,” she said. “AFPA represents the sustainable forest producers who replace the trees that are harvested to meet the demand for fibre, regardless of whether they are sourced from plantation estates or our sustainably managed native forests. “We look forward to working with both the EU and Australian governments over the next year to ensure a smooth transition and ultimately the delivery of a deforestation free EU market,” Ms Hallam said. Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of New Zealand Chief Executive Mark Ross said his organisation had been working on the assumption that EUDR would happen in December this year. “So, we are quite advanced in our solution development for our wood product exporters, but having more time to further develop our solution is beneficial,” he said. “The proposed 12-month delay is helpful in fine tuning our Due Diligence systems and ensuring that they are right. “Our approach has been guided by a specialist working group that includes WPMA members, Forest Owners’ representatives, and government.” Since June, the working group had worked through the core components of the regulations, consulted with their European customers, and advanced the necessary documents to meet the regulations as they currently read. “Without the support of the Forest Owners, we would be unable to make the progress that has been achieved,” Mr Ross said. “Take for example on the supply side where the key information required in the due diligence statements is the provision of geo-coordinates of all plots of land where the wood was harvested, and evidence that the wood is deforestation free, i.e. before and after proof. “This detail requires technical expertise and collaboration, something that has been readily forthcoming from the forest industry.” New Zealand exported $100 million of wood products to the EU last year, which makes it a smaller market in the context of $2.8 billion of total exports, but it is an important market for value-added wood products and a critical market for some companies. “From what we have seen with the EUDR over the last few months nothing is certain. We hope to see the 12-month delay passed by the EU Parliament but are conscious that the clock keeps ticking, hence our work on solution development remains a WPMA priority,” Mr Ross said. National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke said it was pleasing to see the EU had listened to governments and made a sensible decision to delay implementation. “We understand this will be subject to the EU Parliament and we urge that decision to be made swiftly,” Mr Jochinke said. Although this announcement is a step in the right direction, the EU has shown no inclination to repeal the EUDR or to redefine the troubling definitions of what it considers to be a forest. NFF also understand that a process to establish the next European Commission is currently underway and […]

Kesla HydraX turns commonly used agricultural tractors into a fleet of rapid wildland fire fighting forces off-road, in-built areas and beyond. Source: Timberbiz The unit is quick to deploy on public roads to wildland fire sites and beyond; off-road the unit uses its own hydraulic unit for assisted drive for increased mobility. HydraX can quickly fill itself from closest natural water source, or the water tank can also be fed from a pressure line. A fog cloud or a powerful water jet spray can be easily targeted using one of the three water spraying systems at a time; one mounted on the boom, another manually operated at rear and the most powerful one on top of the water tank. At best, water stream can reach horizontally over 50m and vertically almost 45 m high. Grapple on the boom can effectively open fire nests while ForExt admixture is shot on the grapple simultaneously. The HydraX uses natural water sources, and no time is wasted in water logistics. The unit can operate in water supply logistics feeding the fire brigade’s tank trucks or in a small forest fire the unit can be driven to the middle of the forest and be used as effective front-line firefighting unit carrying over 10 000l of water to a difficult off-road location. In large scale logging sites or plantations, the HydraX can operate as a first-hand fire extinguishing unit, and it allows also the daily machinery washing works on-site to minimize fire risks. Outside the forest in built surroundings the HydraX is an efficient solution for any mobile wet works such as infrastructure washing, dust control, wetting works and fire security. Applications can range from washing road signs, bridge railings, tunnels, industrial yards to washing large storage halls inside out. In forest industry the unit can be used to wet the round wood piles or woodchip stockpiles during hot summer season, or it can act as mobile fire security unit securing industrial hot works. In built surroundings the water filling can be done for example at a port, from a rain water reservoir or from a pressurized fire post. Traditionally the forest fires have been extinguished using water but due to climate change fires are getting extreme and plain water is not always enough to stop the fire. Furthermore, in wildland fires the rural conditions complicate the firefighting as the fires are typically located off-road. Creating a firestop is a new method for fighting wildland fires; the burning hot fire is not fought with water, but instead a fire-extinguishing agent is used to create a so-called firestop to a pre-designed location where fire is stopped from spreading. Finnish companies PPO-Elektroniikka and Kiilto Oy have combined their expertise and developed a forest fire-extiguishing agent ForExt for which KESLA HydraX is specially designed. Powerful jet stream can wet the ground in over 50m reach or trees even 30-40m high. In addition, a grapple can be used to open fire nests and simultaneously shoot fire-extinguishing agent to a minor fire. An environmentally friendly 1:100 water-ForExt admixture forms a kind of a film on top of the biomass which then prevents ignition and re-ignition. ForExt storage and dosing are integrated to the HydraX systems which automatically forms the correct mix-ratio.

The European Commission said it would propose delaying implementation of a law banning the import of commodities linked to deforestation by a year, following calls from industries and governments around the world. Sources: Reuters, Timberbiz The law has been hailed as a landmark in the fight against climate change, but countries and industries from Brazil to Malaysia say it is protectionist and could end up excluding millions of poor, small-scale farmers from the EU market. There were also widespread warnings from industry that the EU deforestation regulation, or EUDR, would disrupt the European Union’s supply chains and push up prices. Some 20 of the EU’s 27 member states asked Brussels in March to scale back and possibly suspend the law, saying it would harm the bloc’s own farmers, who would be banned from exporting products grown on deforested land. The proposal would need the approval of the European Parliament and member states, the Commission said. It added that it was also publishing additional guidance documents. EU leaders have watered down numerous environmental measures this year to try to quell months of farmers’ protests over issues including the bloc’s green policies and cheap imports. The EUDR would have required companies importing soy, beef, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, timber, rubber and related products to prove their supply chains did not contribute to the destruction of the world’s forests, or face hefty fines from December. Companies would have to digitally map their supply chains down to the plot where their raw materials were grown, even on small farms in remote, rural regions. Critics say this is exceedingly complex in supply chains that span the globe and involve not just millions of farms but multiple intermediaries whose data is not easily verifiable. Eurocommerce, which represents the European retail industry, said it was grateful the Commission had acknowledged its concerns regarding compliance and possibly supply chain disruptions. Brussels argues that the EUDR is necessary to end the bloc’s contribution to deforestation, the second leading cause of climate change after the burning of fossil fuels.