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A team of researchers in Scotland is supporting a clean tech startup to transform co-products from the forestry sector into high-value, eco-friendly alternatives to chemicals used in everyday products. Source: Timberbiz Sonichem’s ambition is to reduce the reliance on petrochemical-derived ingredients in industries such as cosmetics, packaging and pharmaceuticals. Using its patented ultrasound technology to break down forestry co-products including woodchips and sawdust, the company extracts natural compounds that can be transformed into green alternatives to essential chemicals. A recent feasibility study funded by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), with support from the University of Glasgow, has helped the business to take its technology to the next stage. The UK generates approximately 4.5 million tonnes of wood co-products every year. Only 55% of logs that enter a sawmill become usable construction timber, while the remainder ends up as low-value co-products such as woodchips and sawdust. The premium target organic chemical being collected through Sonichem’s process is lignin – a polymer that acts like a natural glue, binding the cells and fibres in trees and other types of plants together. This property makes it well-suited for use in products such as resins, films, coatings and foams. While naturally occurring lignin from sawdust is not immediately transferrable to these types of products, the researchers used a series of chemical reactions to create compounds that better matched the synthetic counterparts and could be used in manufacturing. “Compounds derived from petrochemicals are the building blocks for so many of the products we use every day, but to achieve net zero that needs to change.,” Andy West, chief chemist at Sonichem, said: “Trees are a great natural resource that could become part of the supply chain and lignin, in particular, is highly versatile and can be used in almost any setting. But it is the natural glue that holds a tree together, which makes it difficult to extract. In the past, we explored various methods before developing the ultrasound technology to do so effectively. “The next step in the process is about engaging with both the chemical manufacturers, as well as the forestry sector, to ensure that the right number and type of trees are planted now to secure the availability of the product for years to come. This project has been an important stage in the commercial development of our offering and the creation of our first biorefinery plant.” Professor Dave Adams from the school of chemistry at the University of Glasgow, said that working with Sonichem, they have been able to modify the base lignin extracted from sawdust to turn it into a range of more useful chemicals. Of the five routes we tried, all five worked well, which is highly promising and gives the business the information needed to scale up this initial work to a commercial level. Dr Liz Fletcher, director of business engagement at IBioIC, added that Scotland’s forestry sector is worth over £1 billion to the economy, but there is potential to see this grow by using the biomass that sawmills generate in manufacturing. “Sonichem is a great example of a business looking at alternatives to petrochemicals from a feedstock otherwise used for low value applications. Up to 270 million tonnes of synthetic resin were used globally last year, highlighting the sheer scale of the opportunity to improve the sustainability of the chemicals sector,” she said.

Mack Trucks has launched the Mack Live Tour digital experience, offering prospective buyers a personalized, virtual truck exploration from the comfort of their home or office. Source: Timberbiz As the first OEM to offer this type of experience, Mack connects buyers directly with dedicated product specialists who provide comprehensive, one-on-one virtual tours of its truck models. “The Mack Live Tour demonstrates our commitment to meeting customers where they are, providing unprecedented access to our product line while respecting their time and convenience,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “This approach allows us to showcase our trucks’ features and capabilities in a manner that is most convenient for the potential customer—all in an interactive way.” During each 30-minute session, segment-specific product specialists guide customers through detailed tours tailored to their interests. The platform features a one-way video format, allowing customers to view the specialist’s perspective while maintaining the customer’s privacy. Participants can communicate through either audio or chat options. Product specialists provide insights into the selected truck model’s exterior and interior features, with customers directing attention to the details that matter most to their operations. This approach focuses on information and answers, ensuring a pressure-free environment for customer decision-making. The program is currently available to qualified buyers in the United States and Canada. Interested parties can learn more and schedule their personalized virtual tour by visiting https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/  

This year marks 40 years since the introduction of the first Komatsu 901, one of the world’s first single-grip harvesters designed from the ground up with a specific harvester chassis. Source: Timberbiz With the 901 came the Komatsu Stability Concept, which still helps machine operators work safely and productively today. Today’s forestry machines are high-tech tools that combine strength and smart technology with innovations that are specially adapted for forestry. Mechanised forestry took off around the 1980s and since then a lot has happened in terms of technological development. But one thing remains the same, and that is Komatsu’s stability concept, which was launched in 1984, a full 40 years ago this year. The breakthrough came when Komatsu engineers wanted to build a harvester from scratch, rather than on a modified forwarder chassis as was common at the time. They developed a prototype for a thinning harvester, but the difficulty was stability. After many tests, they came up with the solution that is still a hallmark of Komatsu harvesters today. The concept consists of an innovative swing axle that improved stability by locating the engine at the rear. This design, together with a unique hydraulic levelling solution, allowed the machine to navigate difficult terrain with both high precision and efficiency. The tilt cylinders were linked to the swing axle stability cylinders, which meant very good machine control during work even in steep terrain. It sounds complicated but in practice it means that if the crane is working far out from the machine and carrying a heavy tree, two stabilising cylinders work as an automatic counterforce to maintain stability. This innovation, combined with the automatically levelling cab, makes Komatsu harvesters very stable and comfortable to work in. And that’s probably the most important benefit of a stable machine. The feeling when you can sit safely and upright even though the terrain is sloping. It allows you to work in a more relaxed way and thus feel more alert at the end of the day. Four decades later, Komatsu’s stability concept shows that true innovation not only stands the test of time, but continues to make life easier for operators, whatever the terrain.  

The OneSafe Group has recently celebrated its 100th meeting, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to enhancing safety across the forestry industry. Source: Timberbiz Initiated in 2016, OneSafe Group was established as a collaborative by OneFortyOne and its partners to improve safety practices within the forestry industry and communities involved. Companies represented in the group are: OneFortyOne, Fennel Forestry, Greenfreight, LV Dohnt, Merrett Logging, Moreland Holdings, QUBE Forestry, Reid Logging, Tabeel Trading, LITA, PFP, GEM, Teagle, TPPL, Trimble, I&D Contracting, and WFC. OneFortyOne Marketing and Operations Manager Ockert le Roux said the group aims to align safety practices with a shared approach to managing risks. “This initiative brought together senior leadership from various organisations and includes contractors as integral stakeholders in safety strategy,” Mr Ockert said. “Since the group’s inception we’ve made measurable progress in safety throughout the local industry.” OneSafe Group innovations include the development of a Contractor Safety Induction System, application of machinery isolation improvements, and implementation of fatigue guidelines. “Additionally, the group has introduced Guardian safety systems throughout its log haulage network and in selected light vehicles in the high-risk category” Mr Ockert said. “Guardian is an in-vehicle monitoring system which detect distractions and fatigue related events when the vehicle is in use.  It alerts drivers through and alarm and a chair-shaker when a microsleep event occurs. It also sends a notification to fleet owners to investigate and address events with drivers.” OneSafe Group has been instrumental in improving safety standards within the forestry industry by introducing safety leadership training, increasing safety awareness, and developing robust safety protocols like the Drug and Alcohol Policies and Fatal Risk Control Protocols. The group also shares best practices and lessons learned from incidents across participating organizations, embedding safety metrics and performance audits into regular operations and contracts. The group has been learning from each other and implementing improvements and has achieved an 86% reduction in Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) over the past nine years. As OneSafe Group celebrates its 100th meeting, the collective looks forward to further reducing TRIFR, and future goals include expanding safety culture transformation, continuing to develop safety innovations and tools, and strengthening partnerships with contractors to collectively improve safety outcomes. “Reaching our 100th meeting is a testament to the dedication and collaborative spirit of everyone involved in the OneSafe Group,” Mr Ockert said. “Our ongoing efforts to innovate and improve safety practices have made a significant impact, and we are committed to continuing the pursuit of a safer industry for all.”

A workshop in Fiji this month will seek to strengthen biosecurity in the Pacific by developing a new strategy to manage risks associated with sea container movements. Source: Timberbiz The strategy aims to reduce the global spread of hitchhiker pests across the Pacific region via the sea container pathway. These include the giant African snail, whose voracious appetite poses a threat to crops and other plant life, and the formosan termite, one of the world’s most destructive termites, both detected in shipments to Australia in October. More than 2.5 million sea containers arrived in Australia in the 2023-24 financial year, up 4.7% on the previous year. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Deputy Secretary for Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Justine Saunders said the workshop would promote heightened biosecurity and further trade in the region. “Our region relies on trade via sea containers, but we need to ensure we can safely and responsibly develop our trade between nations and not allow the spread of pests and weeds,” Ms Saunders said. “A new strategy will help strengthen the biosecurity capabilities of Pacific for sea container pathways, including those to and from Australia and other Pacific Island countries and territories. “It will reduce biosecurity risks for agricultural industries within the region, supporting preservation of pest status and food security. Once implemented, the strategy could lead to faster border clearances and reduced costs for commercial sea cargo industries.” The workshop will also focus on exploring ways to automate sea container hygiene as part of the digitalisation of cross-border trade. The event will bring together representatives from Pacific Island countries and territories, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the World Bank Group, and commercial sea cargo industries for the Pacific Strategy for the Sea Container Pathway Workshop in Nadi, Fiji, from 25-29 November. The event is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the World Bank Group.

Executive Administrator at PF Olsen Ltd Janine Branson decided to see what Chat GPT would write about NZ forestry today. Interesting reading. Source: Timberbiz This is CHAT GPT’s view on forestry in New Zealand Forestry in New Zealand Today: A Pillar of Sustainability and Economic Growth Forestry remains one of New Zealand’s most significant industries, contributing to both the economy and environmental sustainability. With over 1.7 million hectares of planted forests, predominantly radiata pine, New Zealand’s forestry sector generates more than $6 billion annually and employs thousands across rural communities. The industry is a cornerstone of the country’s export market, with wood products being shipped to over 120 countries, including key partners like China, Japan, and the United States. Domestically, forestry supports construction, furniture manufacturing, and pulp and paper industries. In recent years, New Zealand’s forestry practices have increasingly aligned with sustainability principles. The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) incentivizes forest planting, making forestry a crucial player in the country’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Forests sequester around 19 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, a vital contribution to combating climate change. However, the sector faces challenges, including the impacts of climate change, fluctuating international demand, and debates around land use. Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023 underscored the vulnerability of forestry infrastructure, sparking discussions on more resilient practices. The government and industry leaders are now focusing on improving forest management and infrastructure while addressing environmental concerns like sediment runoff and the legacy of “slash.” Looking ahead, innovation will play a pivotal role in the forestry sector’s evolution. From exploring engineered timber in construction to adopting digital technologies for forest management, New Zealand is well-positioned to remain a leader in sustainable forestry on the global stage. For New Zealanders, forestry is more than an industry, it’s a legacy of stewardship that balances economic needs with the health of our environment.  

As part of the Forestry Transition Fund the Labor Government is investing $789,766 into Helico Australia, an Alexandra based specialist helicopter servicing business, to expand the businesses. Source: Timberbiz The investment will go towards the construction of a new $1.5 million purpose-built maintenance facility and headquarters, to meet the growing demands of the aviation industry across Australia. “This expansion by Helico Australia will not only provide additional local jobs but will also bring economic benefits to the wider community, I encourage eligible local businesses to apply for Round 2 of the Forestry Transition Fund to expand and diversify into new business opportunities,” Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said. The new premises will consist of larger workshops with work bays for helicopter and engine tear-down and rebuilds, a spare parts store, paint booths, sheet metal manufacturing and non-destructive testing. There will also be a dedicated area for innovative engineering design and fabrication technologies. Helico Australia is planning to use local tradespeople for the construction of the new facilities, having already established relationships with trades in the region. The business currently has 24 staff, and when the new facilities are built it will employ additional full-time employees in a variety of roles ranging from engineers to hangar and grounds staff and trainees. Helico Australia services and rebuilds Robinson helicopters that are used by the agricultural and resources industries in northern Australia for stock mustering and transport, as well as the delivery of supplies during the wet season. Round 2 of the Forestry Transition Fund, which supports job creation and business development in and around communities impacted by the end of native timber harvesting, is now open. A $20,000 employment incentive payment for the employment of ex-native timber workers is also available. Applications close on 31 October 2025, for more information visit www.deeca.vic.gov.au/forestry or call 1800 318 182.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Les Schultz (“The Baron”) was the senior APM executive responsible as General Manager for Forests and Wood Products Australia wide, then Australia’s largest private forest grower. Source: Timberbiz Mr Schultz’ previous company roles included 1968-69 convenor of the committee to review APM’s profitability and future prospects, in the late 1850s-1960s he was mill manager at Petrie paper Mill, and logging engineer in charge of wood handling in Gippsland and road construction and maintenance were key responsibilities Oliver Raymond (retired Chief Fire Control Officer and Harvesting Development Officer APMF) in a vale to Les Schultz described working with Les Schultz. “Anyone who has worked with Les over a period will well remember the way he looked at you with those eyes. Which one was actually looking at you? “I really enjoyed him because he didn’t put up with bulldust. He would grill you, but after he was convinced you knew what you were talking about, his back-up was great. “I remember having spent a couple of years trying to get the Windsor Tree Harvesters to work, I finally said to him ‘Les, they are not the answer to mechanization of harvesting radiata’. Okay he said, what is the answer?” “So, I told him about a Swedish machine called a Logma that I had read about in an overseas magazine. I explained the reasons it would work in radiata where a Windsor wouldn’t. “He thought about what I had said, asked a few more questions and then said: ‘Well, you’d better go and look at it.’ “To cut a long story short, I did, and the Logma was a success in radiata harvesting.” In another description that tells of Mr Schultz’ wide appreciation for forestry, two forest department workers lost their lives in a wildfire in the Western District. Mr Schultz and Mr Raymond contacted the local district forester and flew over to meet him in a helicopter, the day after the event. The two men had been fighting a wildfire on a dozer and unfortunately had decided to try to get away from the fire by going up a hill. The fire had travelled faster than they could, and it overtook them. The engine on the dozer was still going when they were found after the fire had swept over them. The operator had stood up and fallen off the machine. His offsider was found in front of the dozer’s blade. Both had apparently died by breathing superheated air from the fire. They certainly were not badly burnt. The dozer was still in the position it had been found in the previous day. There was some low vegetation within five meters of the machine. The shrubbery had been scorched, but not burnt. The engine of the machine was still going when the two men were found, so lack of oxygen was obviously not a problem. It was a solemn trip back in the chopper. The lesson learnt was spread through the company’s workforce. Do not try to outrun a fire travelling up hill. Remember that fire doubles its rate of travel for every 10 degrees of uphill slope. Vale Les Schultz. A long life, but you left behind a lot of benefits to your workers.]

Even after the Prime Minister scuppered a deal this week to pass Nature Positive legislation with the crossbench, Labor MPs are still claiming that the prospect of a Federal EPA could still be delivered early next year before the Federal election. Source: Timberbiz There is now chaos, confusion and undermining between Anthony Albanese, Madeleine King and the Western Australian Government on one hand, and Tanya Plibersek and fellow left faction Labor MPs on the other. Labor is divided and rudderless, as the Prime Minister desperately tries to please everyone while simultaneously pleasing no one. Shadow Environment Minister Jonno Duniam wants the Government to come clean on its intentions: “Will the Government confirm that it will put its Nature Positive Bills before the Senate, as they stand, next year as Senator Katy Gallagher claimed yesterday? If so, why wasn’t this done this week when they had apparently struck a deal with the crossbench?” The Nature Positive (Environment Law Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2024 included amendments to close the loophole that exempts native forest logging from the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The new laws will apply to the native forest industry but will not ban native logging altogether. The Nature Positive legislation included other measures that aim to protect the environment, such as: Establishing a statutory definition of “nature positive” Establishing the Environment Protection Australia (EPA) as an independent statutory agency Introducing stronger compliance and enforcement measures Creating new environment protection orders that allow the Minister to stop work or restrict activities that pose a significant environmental risk Establishing a nature repair scheme Expanding the “water trigger” to all forms of unconventional gas development. “The Government are walking both sides of the street. They don’t want to say their EPA is dead, but the Prime Minister killed off a deal on it for the second time- at the request of the Western Australian Labor Party,” Minister Duniam said in a statement. “Clearly, if their EPA is established, it will mean that resource rich states and territories like Western Australia that already have their own EPA will have to deal with another heavy layer of environmental bureaucracy. “Before anything else in the environmental policy space, the Government should abide by their commitment to reform the EPBC Act – as Minister Plibersek promised to do way back, before the end of 2023. “Labor’s proposed Federal EPA is simply a bureaucracy on top of broken environmental laws that will only increase confusion and red tape, making it harder to get a government approval for a project while not guaranteeing any improved environmental outcomes. “The ongoing rancour and feuding between Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek is incredibly damaging for the Labor Party but, even worse, is preventing any good outcomes for Australia.”  

After 47 years we are thrilled that Australasian Timber Magazine (formally Timberman) is transitioning to a fully digital magazine format. Australasian Timber Magazine will continue to expand its unique industry segment’s coverage and promotion of timber manufacturing, technology, design, construction and products as consumers and governments increasingly recognise timber’s carbon saving advantages, Australasian Timber Magazine This change comes with several exciting benefits for our readers and advertisers alike. The decision to move from a print magazine to a digital format has been driven by demand from Australasian Timber Magazine readers and advertisers, evolving media consumption trends and the advantages digital platforms offer. Audiences are increasingly seeking content that is accessible anytime, anywhere, on devices they already use. A digital magazine meets these needs by offering greater convenience and flexibility, allowing readers to access articles on various devices. It also allows readers to click on links contained in stories and in advertisements. Furthermore, digital platforms provide valuable data analytics, offering insights into reader preferences, engagement patterns, and content performance allowing for more targeted content creation and personalized marketing strategies. In our first fully digital edition of Australasian Timber Magazine we feature the announcement of the 2024 Timber Design Awards, with the overall prize going to the outstanding Embassy of Australia in Washington D.C. Designed by Bates Smart Architects, the project involved a delicate balance between cultural representation, iconic civic presence and practical security considerations. The inspiration came from Australia’s iconic landscape and embodies the essence of the vast continent. We also look in details at Phillip Island’s prestigious new multi-dimensional cultural centre in Cowes which won the Excellence in Timber Design (Sustainability) award. We also report on the launch of an updated timber framing campaign with new assets and expanded digital push, and report on a world-first engineered wood product made exclusively from locally grown bluegum (Eucalyptus Globulus) timber manufactured in Warrnambool which will provide a pathway to address Australia’s growing structural timber market demand. The Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub and Forest and Wood Products Australia, working in partnership with WTIBeam (formerly known as Warrnambool Timber Industries), have unveiled the first of its kind GL18 timber product which can be utilised in everything from flooring to roof framing in both residential and commercial construction. And we look at reports of imported timber products that could potentially mislead consumers into thinking they’re from sustainable Australian sources, along with recent revelations that up to a quarter of products failed Federal Government inspection. It’s a situation which has Australian Timber Importers Federation concerned, with members facing one of the toughest battles to comply with some of the world’s strictest legislation aimed at combating the trade in illegally logged timber. And we profile Neville Smith Forest Products, a trailblazer in Tasmania’s forestry sector, renowned for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible sourcing. Neville Smith Forest Products is a leader in the timber industry, with a heritage spanning over 100 years. NSFP is known for producing high-quality hardwood products, all sourced from sustainably harvested regrowth and plantation forests. To read our first digital issue for free go to https://www.timberbiz.com.au/atm/current/And you can get Australasian Timber Magazine delivered directly into your inbox by subscribing for free at https://winetitles.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ac41575cbca450f7966070392&id=c05a617678