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A new study, led by researchers at the University of Missouri, has uncovered how poplar trees can naturally adjust a key part of their wood chemistry based on changes in their environment. Source: Timberbiz This discovery, the result of a collaboration with scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Georgia, could help create better biofuels and other sustainable products. Lignin is an abundant natural substance found in almost every plant containing stems, roots and leaves. It helps plants stay upright, move water and protect themselves from temperature changes and other environmental factors. “Lignin acts as both a glue and an armor it holds everything together while also protecting the plant from outside stressors,” Jaime Barros-Rios, an assistant professor of plant molecular biology, said. “Understanding how plants make lignin could help us improve its conversion into high-value biomaterials and improve the competitiveness of U.S. biorefineries.” Poplars are already being used in the paper and pulp industry. Now, they’re being explored as a source of bioenergy; fuels, plastics and other bioproducts made from plants instead of oil. Poplar trees are also useful for scientific research because their genome has been fully mapped. This additional knowledge allowed Barros-Rios, his team at Mizzou’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and external collaborators to discover that the chemical makeup of lignin changes based on a tree’s latitude, or how far north or south it’s located from the equator. The researchers examined 430 wood samples from Populus trichocarpa, a poplar tree species that grows primarily in western North America from northern California to British Columbia in Canada. The trees growing in warmer climates produced lignin with a higher ratio of syringyl-to-guaiacyl (S/G) two key chemical building blocks called monomers, compared with those from colder climates. “This S/G ratio represents the proportion between the two most abundant monomers in lignin,” Weiwei Zhu, a postdoctoral researcher in the Barros-Rios lab and lead author of the study, said. “These monomers have slightly different chemical structures, impacting the properties of the wood and directly influencing how easily lignin can be broken down and processed making it easier to create biofuels and a wide variety of everyday products.” In addition to the genetic study, the research team used 3D computer modelling to better understand their findings. “We identified a mutation in an important cell wall enzyme in poplar trees called laccase, which was found to control the S/G ratio in this natural population,” Rachel Weber, a senior biochemistry student at Mizzou who built the model, said. “So, I was able to utilize a protein structural modelling software called ColabFold to pinpoint the exact location of this mutation within the laccase protein.” To the team’s surprise, the mutation didn’t show up within the active centre of the protein suggesting that the deposition of lignin in natural settings may be regulated by still uncharacterized signaling pathways, Ms Weber said. “This points to a more complex regulation than we initially thought and gives us new clues about how trees adapt and protect themselves,” she said. “This knowledge will help us develop additional hypotheses about how this protein functions and interacts with the plant’s surrounding environment.” In another unexpected discovery, the team found trace levels of a rare form of lignin — called C-lignin in poplar trees. Previously, C-lignin was only known to be present in the seeds of a few plants, such as vanilla and cacti. Because C-lignin is simpler and more uniform than regular lignin, it’s easier to break down and process into usable plant material for bioplastics, biofuels and other renewable products. “This type of lignin could help us turn plant biomass into valuable commodity chemicals more efficiently,” Barros-Rios said. Looking ahead, Mizzou’s team is now working to genetically engineer poplar trees and soybeans so that they can contain more C-lignin making the biomass of these plants easier to process into next-generation biorefineries. The study, “Factors underlying a latitudinal gradient in S/G lignin monomer radio in natural poplar variants,” was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Co-authors are Yen On Chan and Ganesh Panzade at the MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics; Trupti Joshi at the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center and Mizzou’s Department of Biomedical Informatics, Biostatistics and Medical Epidemiology; Jin Zhang, Mengjun Shu, Connor Cooper, Russell Davidson, Jerry Parks, Gerald Tuskan and Wellington Muchero at Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Richard Dixon at the University of North Texas and Pradeep Kumar Prabhakar and Beeanna Urbanowicz at the University of Georgia.

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Biofuel technology that promises to help reduce the marine shipping industry’s carbon footprint is a step closer, with the launch of a company set up to lead its commercialisation. Source: Timberbiz Start-up venture Biowave, launched in Wellington in August, will focus on attracting private investors to help commercialise the technology, which converts wood into biofuel that can be used as a drop-in replacement for fossil-based marine heavy fuel oil. Developed by the Bioeconomy Science Institute, this innovation produces a biofuel that blends with existing marine fuel oil, aimed to use existing portside and on-board infrastructure and to meet the existing marine fuel specifications. Biowave is a spin-out company from the Bioeconomy Science Institute, with two staff – Integrated Bioenergy portfolio leader Dr Paul Bennett and innovation manager Amanda Davies as its co-founders. Dr Bennett says the biofuel technology is a promising solution to reducing the shipping industry’s carbon footprint. “With the global shipping sector responsible for around three percent of annual CO2 emissions, the need for sustainable alternatives has never been more urgent,” he said. “We are committed to driving down biofuel costs and accelerating clean energy innovations for the maritime sector. Major exporters are increasingly concerned about the carbon emissions linked to their products, with market access becoming a real risk. The technology has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the maritime industry’s decarbonisation goals.” Shipping is an essential component of global trade, moving 80% of the world’s goods. For New Zealand, 99% of international trade depends on maritime routes, with shipping enabling nearly 45% of the country’s gross domestic profit. “As demand for shipping increases, the sector’s carbon footprint is on track to rise, potentially accounting for up to 13% of global emissions in the coming decades if no action is taken,” Dr Bennett said. Fuel testing of a 20% Biowave blend has excited industry partners and could represent a product suitable for entry in the marine fuel market. Scale-up production and engine testing will be required to confirm market acceptance. “The maritime industry is actively seeking solutions, and we’ve seen significant interest in Biowave from key stakeholders across the supply chain, including shipping companies, energy providers, ports and product exporters,” Ms Davies said. “This technology offers a cost-competitive, sustainable solution for New Zealand’s economy and could be scaled globally. With strong market validation and a clear path to market, Biowave is set to make a lasting impact on New Zealand’s economy and the maritime industry to meet 2050 climate commitments.” The Scion Group’s leadership in this space is reinforced by its participation in the KiwiNet Commercialisation Partner Network, which aims to drive the commercial success of research innovations in New Zealand.  

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As the emphasis and debate on prefabrication of buildings and building components rages – especially for dwellings – the data demonstrates imports are unlikely to be a significant element of prefabricated building supply, over the longer term. That is good news for those focussed on improving Australia’s capacity to prefabricate buildings, especially dwellings. At least one variable – import competition – is likely to remain relatively small, albeit imports continue to grow. Source: IndustryEdge However, the reality remains, many of the key components of prefabrication and other aspects of the much-needed revolution in modern methods of construction (MMC), are more likely to be imported than supplied locally. This is especially the case for the main engineered wood products (EWPs), imports of which continue to grow, against a backdrop of local manufacturing failing to keep case with demand. Developing reliability and confidence in MMC – including prefabrication of dwellings and dwelling elements – is critical to achieving investment, at scale. Though it is not the only ingredient, one requirement is deepening material input supply chains, including for critical EWPs. The aim needs to be co-location and integration of key manufacturing activities, alongside fabrication activities. Australia’s imports of prefabricated buildings increased 5.8% in 2024-25, rising to a record AUD278.5 million. While import growth has been solid in recent years, imports are negligible compared to the annual value of building in Australia. Prefabricated timber building imports have grown faster since 2019 (averaging growth of 34.2% per annum) than the growth in total prefabricated building imports (averaging growth of 13.5% per annum). Despite the stronger growth, prefabricated timber building imports accounted for just 8.8% of total imports of prefabricated buildings, measured by value. Unsurprisingly, China accounted for 43.0% of total timber prefabricated building imports in 2024-25, however, its share of total prefabricated building imports for the year was 67.8%. In FY25, imports of timber-based prefabricated buildings were valued at AUDCif24.4 million. That was a record. But was only marginally higher than the value recorded in FY23. Since FY19, timber prefabricated building imports have increased an average 34.2% per annum, coming from a very low base. Imports of Prefabricated Buildings by Main Type: FY19 – FY25 (AUDCifM & %) The total value of imported prefabricated buildings was AUDCif278.5 million in FY25, meaning timber imports were just 8.8% of the total.Total prefabricated building imports have continued to rise, increasing an average 12.4% per annum since FY19. That is solid, but compared to the domestic construction sector, is quite minor. In FY25, Australia received prefabricated timber building imports from 17 countries, but just a few dominated the trade. China dominates supply, accounting for 43% of the value of imports in FY25. Of interest is that European producers hold down the next three places. The data provides no details, but IndustryEdge suspects there will be real differences in the types of buildings being imported from China and from Europe. Imports of Prefabricated Timber Buildings by Country: FY19 – FY25 (AUDCifM) The steady growth in prefabricated building imports tells a small story for Australia, but there is a larger element to this data. One observation the data invites is that there are significant logistical challenges to importing buildings, even when they are ‘flat-packed’. For an island nation, sea-bound imports of buildings remains more challenging than in other countries, where land import options exist. For more information visit: www.industryedge.com.au

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The Murray Region Forestry Hub has received funding from Forest and Wood Products Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for a critical research project aimed at tackling one of Australia’s most costly and invasive weeds. Source: Timberbiz The project, “Novel and Targeted Biological Control of Blackberry Invasions in Forest and Tree Plantations” will be led by Dr Rae Kwong in collaboration with the University of Melbourne and the University of the Sunshine Coast. The research will focus on blackberry genomic mapping, a vital step toward the development of an effective and targeted biological control. Blackberry is a Weed of National Significance, causing millions of dollars in lost productivity and management costs annually. The MRFH has been instrumental in preparing the advice to government which led to multi-organisation collaboration supporting research to deliver long-term, landscape-scale solutions for forestry, plantations, and the wider community. This announcement follows the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins’ recent statement highlighting the government’s commitment to innovation in forestry, including $8.6 million over three years to expand and strengthen the work of Australia’s Regional Forestry Hubs under A Better Plan for Forestry and Forest Products. “This funding represents a significant step forward in our fight against Blackberry,” Dean Anderson, Chair of the Murray Region Forestry Hub, said. “The genomic mapping research led by Dr Kwong will provide the foundations for developing a targeted biological control that can be deployed across landscapes for long-term impact. “It’s a prime example of how the Hubs can connect industry needs with innovative science,” he said. Carlie Porteous, Hub Manager of the Murray Region Forestry Hub, said the approval of this funding highlighted the power of collaboration between research institutions, government, industry, and the Hubs to tackle persistent challenges. “We’re proud to have played a key role in bringing together the right people and expertise to make this project a reality,” she said.

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SFM has appointed Scarlet Roxby as its new Carbon Project Coordinator, further strengthening the company’s commitment to delivering high-integrity nature-based climate solutions across Tasmania and beyond. Source: Timberbiz Ms Roxby, from Western Australia, joins SFM’s brings a strong technical background in carbon project management, spatial analysis, and financial modelling, developed through her work leading a portfolio of ACCU Scheme projects for the Carbon Farming Foundation. Her experience spans regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of GIS and FullCAM modelling to drive both environmental and economic outcomes. “I’m excited to join a business that’s at the forefront of sustainable forestry and land management,” Ms Roxby said. “SFM’s work across plantation forestry, environmental restoration and carbon abatement is deeply aligned with my values. I’m passionate about applying data-driven strategies to deliver positive impacts for landowners, communities and the climate.” Currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Forestry as a recipient of the Forestry Australia Scholarship, Ms Roxby is also an active contributor to Australia’s regenerative agriculture and carbon farming networks. SFM Managing Director, Andrew Morgan, welcomed the appointment. “Scarlet brings a unique blend of technical skill, strategic thinking and a deep personal commitment to sustainability. She will play a critical role in helping us grow our carbon project pipeline while ensuring best-practice outcomes for our clients and the environment,” Mr Morgan said. Ms Roxby’s role will support carbon project development across SFM and its projects, including ActivAcre, with a focus on feasibility analysis, methodology selection, and ensuring compliance under the evolving national policy framework.

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OneFortyOne has wrapped up its annual planting season, establishing another generation of forests throughout the Green Triangle. Source: Timberbiz Despite a dry few months, millions of healthy seedlings were dispatched from the OneFortyOne Glencoe Nursery to forest growers across the region, including OneFortyOne’s own estate and a range of other forestry operations. Nursery manager Craig Torney said thanks to a new shed and infrastructure improvements, most operations are now undercover, reducing the impact of weather and creating a more comfortable working environment for the nursery team. “The nursery was buzzing during what was another busy season,” Mr Torney said. “It was great to see our upgraded facility in full operation.” The nursery supplies seedlings not only for OneFortyOne’s forests but also for a range of forest growers across the Green Triangle. The OneFortyOne estate team works together closely to coordinate the complex delivery program, ensuring each planting crew receives the right trees at the right time. “We know what trees need to go where and to which planting crew at what time,” Mr Torney said. “This good management means the program is spread out over eight or nine weeks, rather than being compressed into a shorter, more intense period.” “Combined with our upgraded systems, it made the season far less hectic, and we’ve definitely seen and heard that feedback from our nursery team.” OneFortyOne Estate Manager Marcel Griffiths said the planting program covered 1,826 hectares, supported by three dedicated planting crews working tirelessly over 51 workdays. “The Nursery and silviculture teams delivered an outstanding performance this season,” Mr Griffiths said. “Their coordination and professionalism ensured the program ran smoothly and efficiently.” With planting complete, focus now shifts to ensuring these seedlings establish well and grow into healthy, productive forests.

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It has been widely reported that Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) may shut its Eves Valley sawmill near Nelson, New Zealand with that closure 142 jobs may be lost. This would be devastating for the town and other towns nearby. This plan is not confirmed, and sources have said that it would be under review until early September. Source: Timberbiz If it goes ahead CHH resources would be consolidated at its Kawerau plant in the Bay of Plenty, in the North Island. It was reported that rumours have been circulating around the future shutdown of the Eves Valley mill, but locals were hopeful that it would not eventuate. Winding down the plant would take around two months and finish before Christmas. More than just the mill workers would be affected by the closure as there are always associated businesses involved such as transport. South Island Minister James Meager told RNZ he hoped other companies might be interested in processing trees that toppled in the region’s flood emergencies. “It’s come at a really bad time for Nelson-Tasman because there’s a lot of windfall timber there that needs to be processed. I understand probably around about 3500 hectares, possibly 6000 hectares of timber, that needs to be processed and pulled off the land,” Mr Meager told RNZ. Nelson Mayor Nick Smith and Tasman Mayor Tim King were told of the proposal this week shortly after staff at the mill were told. The Eves Valley mill was the largest in the South Island and produced timber framing for the building industry. CHH was approached by numerous publications but there has been no response so far.

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It’s that time of year when the lambs start appearing, the days start stretching out and you get a sense of hope that summer is around the corner and things will begin to dry out. Depending on which part of the country you’re in you’ll have a different view of how kind winter has been, but the general consensus is wet, really wet, and, if you’re in Nelson, windy as well. We have been reasonably fortunate over the winter in terms of log prices with spot numbers above historical levels for this time of year. Export prices are still well under where we’d like them to be, but they haven’t been as bad as previous years. This is primarily due to lower NZ supply volumes into China and more stability in shipping and foreign exchange rates. August at wharf gate (AWG) prices have been released at around the $122/JAS level (A grade 3.9m) for Southern North Island ports which is the highest August spot price since 2018. Log uplift from Chinese ports has increased from 50,000m3 per day in early July to a shade under 60,000m3 per day currently. Inventory levels dropped around 190,000m3 in July and total softwood inventory now sits below the magic 3 million m3 mark and is expected to continue to recede as the Chinese construction seasons kicks off and NZ supply remains static. The widely reported windthrow in the Nelson Tasman region is very unlikely to result in any notable export supply increase as both infrastructure and port berthage provide a Hulk Hogan level of choke hold on throughput. General expectation is that in-market sales prices will continue to rise against lower inventory levels and traders will look to lock down vessels to take advantage of the historical price increase in Q4. The effect of the log futures market is yet to be fully understood as it is only in its infancy. Approximately 115,000m3 was delivered against futures contracts in July, which was the first month of delivery, and buyer participation in this sale method is expected to increase over time. The domestic market isn’t looking so rosy with poor demand and increasing inventories of framing timber around the country. NZ building consents dropped by 6.4% month-on-month in June indicating a significant shift in sentiment which will have a flow-on to actual construction numbers later in 2025. All eyes will be on the OCR announcement on the 20th with commentators expecting a reduction of around 25 basis points and many expecting it to finally land at 2.5%. While a further cut is likely to inject some confidence into the sector, it may be a reasonable timeframe before it converts into hammers and toolbelts. The resulting softness has seen two sawmills in the SNI reduce log prices for both framing and pruned grades, which is the first price drop in a number of years. Energy has reared its head again recently with Ballance Agri the latest company to feel the effects of gas shortages, threatening to shut it’s Kapuni plant due to rising gas prices. Previously contracted prices of sub $10/gigajoule are now in the realm of $50/gigajoule as large users such as Ballance compete with gentailers for a dwindling resource. The likelihood of securing longer term future gas supply are very unlikely, especially with the Greens and their economic masterminds stating again in parliament that they would reinstate the ban on oil and gas exploration if they were to regain the reins. Not a great way to attract foreign exploration investment. To put some perspective around the gas issue, NZ uses around 150 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year (150 million gigajoules). Of this, around 35% is used for industrial process heat in plants such as Ballance, 29% in electricity generation, 26% in factories as feedstock and 10% by households, schools, hospitals etc. It is estimated that NZ has around 948PJ left in existing gas reserves which, at the current run rate, is around 6 years supply. One would think ‘what to do’? Replace it with coal? Nooo, those aforementioned economic masterminds wouldn’t like that. What about Imported Liquified Natural Gas? Nope – that’s just retarded as we’re just transferring the perceived environmental issues offshore and, we would need 8% of the world tanker fleet to keep up. Solar? It doesn’t work at night. Wind? Only if it’s windy. Hydro? Only if it rains. What about wood? Great idea. NZ currently harvests around 30 million tonnes per year. Of this, around 25% is in the lower grade export logs (KI and KIS grades), pulp and waste wood. The calorific value of radiata is around 9 gigajoules per tonne in wet form (straight off the stump) which gives 67.5PJ of potentially available nationwide supply. Using those numbers, cigarette packet calculations would suggest we could replace around 50% of NZ’s current gas demand with a domestic wood-based solution at less than $20/gigajoule. Obviously is not just as simple as shovelling woodchips into an existing gas boiler and there will need to be significant capital investment to make it work, but it is a solution that we have growing all around us, from one end of the country to the other. It doesn’t require wind or sun to operate, nothing has to be imported, and we’re not beholden or exposed to foreign countries and policy (it’s not like the world is becoming more stable). There’s also the added benefit that we are utilizing more of our fibre onshore and we can give our export customers a better grade of log that is more suited to their requirements. So, now that we’ve solved that problem, let’s look forward to spring with upward pressure on export prices and lashings of mint sauce on our lamb racks. Marcus Musson, Forest360 Director.

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