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Spanish police have arrested five members of a drugs gang, several Dutch nationals among them, during a raid in the Catalan city of Reus on Sunday, Spanish media reported. Source: Dutch News The gang, whose members come from Albania, Lithuania and the Netherlands, had hit upon a “very sophisticated method” to hide the drugs by impregnating 16 tonnes of wood pellets used as fuel for wood burning stoves with liquid cocaine, local paper Diari de Tarragona said. Police discovered that the pellets, which had entered the country legally from South America to Spain in sea containers, were stored for three months to “cool off” before being taken to a place where the drugs were extracted. The premises had been watched for months when a lorry with a foreign number plate arrived to pick up a load of pellets and police sprang into action. In all, 920 bags of pellets, each weighing 18 kilos, were found. The gang also had a space to package, seal and store the drugs, which were then transported across Europe. Police also impounded five kilos of MDMA, two hydraulic presses, a lorry and luxury car.

Since 1991, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has published a comprehensive report on the social, economic and environmental state of Canada’s forests. The theme of the 2023 edition of The State of Canada’s Forests is relationships for resiliency. Source: Timberbiz The document underscores the need for climate action and the benefits of sustainable forest management, while drawing attention to the interconnections between people, nature and the long-term sustainability of Canada’s diverse forest-based values. Among the stories featured in NRCan’s 2023 report: how Canada manages its forests for diverse values through the principles of sustainable forest management how “community forests” help sustain multiple values at multiple scales in increasingly uncertain landscapes how sustainable forest management sequesters carbon and helps mitigate climate change how forests help protect healthy aquatic ecosystems and Canada’s drinking water, and how forest disturbances and climate change affect our drinking water supply and quality the diverse people working across the forest sector supply chain, from forest regeneration and the production of various forest products to the development of new knowledge to help sustainably manage our forests “In 2022–2023, Natural Resources Canada continued to deliver on its mandate to improve the lives of Canadians while ensuring that our country’s natural resources are managed sustainably, competitively and inclusively,” writes the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “This report summarizes many of these initiatives, and it highlights the department’s efforts to ensure economic growth, create good jobs in every region of the country, and improve the lives and livelihoods of all Canadians.” To learn about the challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s forests and forest products sector, read The State of Canada’s Forests: Annual Report 2023 here.  

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way to make a popular pain reliever and other valuable products from plants instead of petroleum. Source: Timberbiz Building on a previously patented method for producing paracetamol, the discovery promises a greener path to one of the world’s most widely used medicines and other chemicals. More importantly, it could provide new revenue streams to make cellulosic biofuels derived from non-food plant fibres cost competitive with fossil fuels. “We did the R&D to scale it and make it realizable,” says Steven Karlen, a staff scientist at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Centre who led the research published recently in the journal ChemSusChem. Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is one of the most widely used pharmaceuticals, with a global market value of about US$130 million a year. Since it was introduced in the early 1900s, the drug has traditionally been made from derivatives of coal tar or petroleum. In 2019, Mr Karlen and UW–Madison biochemistry professor John Ralph showed how it could be made instead from a compound in poplar trees using a well-known chemical reaction. Now Mr Karlen’s team has improved the process for making paracetamol as well as other drugs, pigments, textiles, and biodegradable plastics with a cumulative market value of more than US$1.5 billion, a portfolio of products that he says could support dozens of small biorefineries feeding into larger hubs without saturating the market. The process is available for commercial licensing through the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the non-profit organization that commercializes university discoveries to support ongoing research. The paracetamol molecule is made of a six-carbon benzene ring with two chemical groups attached. Poplar trees produce a similar compound called p-hydroxybenzoate (pHB) in lignin, the part of the cell wall that binds plant sugars together and provides structure. Lignin is chock full of valuable aromatic compounds that could replace many petrochemicals and provide biorefineries with additional revenue streams to make plant-based fuels cost competitive. The challenge is breaking down the complex and irregular chain of molecules into useful components. It turns out pHB is relatively easy to break off with chemical treatment, but while the initial discovery showed it was chemically possible to turn it into paracetamol, Mr Karlen says that process didn’t convert enough of the raw material into the final product. Research scientist Vitaliy Tymokhin discovered that treating poplar biomass with a different and typically cheaper method converted nearly all the pHB into another chemical that can then be converted into paracetamol or a less valuable molecule with other applications. “You can make dyes like black ink, polymers which can be used in textiles or material application, convert it to adhesives or into stuff like that,” Mr Karlen says. “It’s got a huge market and big value.” By recycling the unreacted product back through in a continuous reactor, the scientists successfully converted 90% of the raw material into paracetamol, which they extracted using a method that’s cheaper than traditional purification techniques. Karlen says it should be possible to dial the yield up to 99%. The process is primarily water based, relies on green solvents, and is continuous rather than a batch reaction, which makes it ideal for industrial applications. “As I’m chopping the tree up, it can feed right into a reactor that pulls out the benzamide,” Mr Karlen says. “So, you’re never stopping. As fast as your trucks can come in and fill that hopper, you can keep processing.”

Spanning four decades and featuring domestic and internationally significant work, Dr Brian Richardson’s career was acknowledged when Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard presented him with the Minister’s Biosecurity Award at the New Zealand Biosecurity Awards dinner at the Beehive. Source: Timberbiz The award recognises outstanding contributions to New Zealand biosecurity over at least 10 years. Dr Richardson, a principal scientist in Scion’s Plant Protection Physics and Chemistry team, has worked at Scion since 1983 and research during his 41-year career has focused on forest protection, particularly in the areas of biosecurity and pest management. His expertise in pesticide application has been applied to pest eradication operations and more recently to the problem of wilding conifers, where his aerial spraying guidelines now underpin the Wilding Conifer Control Program. Dr Richardson also helped eradicate invasive insects including the painted apple moth, white-spotted tussock moth, and southern saltmarsh mosquito. Successful invasions of these pests could have crippled New Zealand’s horticulture and forestry exports. What keeps many people in science, Dr Richardson says, is a sense of curiosity. “That sense of discovery is really exciting, but for me, it’s adding value. Seeing something you do of use to someone. That motivates me. Working with teams has always been a big part of it too,” he said. “Anything I’ve achieved has been with the support and partnership of others who I feel all share in this award. Sadly, some of those who helped me on my career journey are no longer with us, but I will still acknowledge their contributions.” He also remembers some challenging and successful projects that became career highlights. “I think some have shared common characteristics. They’ve been complex problems with clear goals or challenges for the science to overcome. They’ve involved partnerships between policymakers, the science teams and people managing operations. We’ve worked closely together as a team and that’s really key to success,” he said. “There’s a lot of satisfaction in science that is immediately of value and can be used by people making decisions.” Dr Richardson has also collaborated internationally, such as with the US Forest Service on the development of spray modelling systems to quantify pesticide drift and efficacy. This work was recognised with a technology transfer award from the USDA Forest Service in 1996. He has contributed to technical advisory groups convened to address significant biosecurity incursions such as the brown marmorated stink bug and been involved in sector-wide initiatives like the Forest Biosecurity Council and as a board member on research programmes, including Better Border Biosecurity, BioProtection Research Centre, and Frontline Biosecurity. Scion chief executive Dr Julian Elder says it is great to see a lifetime’s achievements be recognised. “As Brian said in his acceptance speech it is a huge reflection on all the people he has worked with over the years. It is also great to see Scion and the critical work the Crown Research Institutes do for New Zealand being acknowledged.” Forest Owners Association chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says Richardson’s recognition is well deserved. “It’s really important for scientists in the forest industry to be recognised.  Scientists generally, and those who work in the forest industry in particular, tend to be overlooked when awards are handed out.” “So, recognition through a Ministerial Award is tremendous news.” “That Brian’s work is in biosecurity is also noteworthy. Keeping pests and pathogens out of our production forests, native trees and gardens is vital, but usually the more successful we are the less newsworthy it is.” The award is the latest in a list of Dr Richardson’s achievements including the NZ Institute of Forestry ‘Forester of the Year’ Award in 2015, a Science New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and New Zealand Plant Protection Medal in 2022.

The prospect of a “looming” balcony crisis in Victorian homes has raised concerns, but proactive measures can be taken to assess and address potential structural issues before they escalate. Timely inspections, maintenance, and necessary repairs can help mitigate risks and ensure the safety and longevity of these properties. Source: Timberbiz “Analysing the timber species and waterproofing systems used could be a crucial step in understanding why these issues are occurring, especially if the buildings are around 10 years old,” said Professor Tripti Singh, Director of the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life. Timber is a safe, durable, and predictable material to work with but like anything else, it requires ongoing maintenance. Some are saying that defective balconies are the biggest concern for buildings constructed in the last 15 years, but homeowners can prevent this sort of damage by taking proactive steps to maintain their balconies and other timber home elements. If you are looking to purchase a home or already own a home with a balcony, inspections are a great first step. Knowing the state of the balcony and what materials have been used arms you with the necessary knowledge to maintain your property. Inspections can help identify construction quality and design flaws so that you and your builder can plan the appropriate course of action for your balcony and decking concerns. Balconies and decks constructed prior to provisions introduced into the National Construction Code (NCC) may not meet current safety standards, as these provisions weren’t in place to mandate construction. However, with the implementation of the NCC provisions, decks designed and built to adhere to these provisions are considered to meet safe service life standards when properly maintained. From design to installation, timber is a durable and sustainable choice when correctly specified and constructed. Choosing a knowledgeable builder who knows the ins and outs of waterproofing and timber construction can provide you the reassurance you need to trust your balcony or raised decking system will last. From recommended timber species, termite protection and weather protection to sub-deck supports, builders can find all the details they need on domestic timber deck design from WoodSolutions. Timber professionals know that choosing the right timber species for each project is key to a long-lasting build. If you want to do some research of your own, you can download the SpeciesSolutions app to research timber species for any home project. Preventative measures such as coating systems (paints, stains), preservative and on-going maintenance assure your timber balcony can survive the elements. Waterproofing and maintaining that barrier is key to keeping your balcony in shape. If the damage has already occurred and you need to know what to do next, download the guide to learn about the Impact and Assessment of Moisture-affected Timber-framed Construction. The WoodSolutions guide on Domestic Timber Deck Design that, when used alongside modern design and construction techniques, is a best practice guide and tool that can assists tradespeople in delivering a safe and durable balcony or deck. Homeowners should regularly inspect and maintain balconies and decks made from timber to ensure structural integrity and safety. Timber is susceptible to weathering and damage over time, posing potential hazards if left unchecked. Regular inspections and maintenance, including sealing, staining, and repairing any damage, can prolong the lifespan of the structure and prevent accidents or costly repairs in the future. Find out more about timber durability, installation, inspection in the Domestic Timber Deck Design guide at https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/publications/domestic-timber-deck-design-0

Diversity Council Australia (DCA) has awarded John Deere Australia and New Zealand Inclusive Employer Status for 2023-24, in recognition of the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Source: Timberbiz To celebrate Inclusion at Work Week, DCA announced the 82 employers to earn a place on the list, with John Deere joining a small number of companies to receive the recognition three times, having been included in 2021-22 and 2022-23. To make the list, participants must prove their commitment to diversity and inclusion by having employees complete an in-depth survey to map the state of inclusion in their workplace and produce results that exceed national benchmarks on a series of key measures. John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, said achieving Inclusive Employer Status for the third year in a row was a proud moment. “Each year, this assessment has provided us with valuable insight on where to focus our efforts to ensure we offer an inclusive workplace for everyone,” he said. “An inclusive workplace is not the result of the actions of one, but the actions of many.” As Head of People and Culture at John Deere Australia and New Zealand, Camilla Kelly has led the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) journey. “DEI is multi-layered, requiring time, dedication, and a holistic approach to fully understand its complexities,” Ms Kelly said. “It can challenge deeply held beliefs and raise difficult questions. It’s not about checkboxes or quotas, but rather it’s interwoven in everything we do and everything we want to be. “We have taken the time and energy to expand knowledge across the company, not just talk. “Our policies, talent selection criteria and workplace practices have been updated, including introducing industry-leading gender-neutral parental leave. “We’ve also worked on developing leadership capabilities and implementing DEI frameworks that empower everyone to lead initiatives that move the needle on DEI.” John Deere’s Australia Aftermarket team recently led such an initiative, holding an event at the Brisbane office to celebrate World Inclusion Day. Staff were encouraged to share their personal stories, food from their cultural backgrounds, and discuss perspectives on what inclusion means to them. “Inclusion is all about creating a work environment where everyone feels respected,” Aftermarket Marketing & Communications Specialist, Laura Pozniak-Elphick, said. “You should feel like you can bring your true self to work every day, and John Deere really embraces that. “While your colleagues always try to be their most professional selves, it’s important to remember they are individuals with families and lives outside work. Someone could be smiling on the outside but struggling on the inside, so we just need to be mindful of each other and be as kind and inclusive as possible. “If your corporate values are rooted in diversity and inclusion, that extends to your ability to recruit the best people, which ultimately elevates your whole business. I think there’s also a halo effect where if a company is a good corporate citizen, they’re more likely to be offering their products and services in the best possible way.” With innovation as one of John Deere’s key values, Ms Kelly said diversity and inclusion was paramount to the company’s success. “As a smart industrial company, we need both diverse talent and an inclusive culture to develop this competitive advantage,” she said. “Fostering genuine, sustained diversity in the workplace takes many years and a genuine heartfelt commitment from all staff. It’s important that business leaders take charge to lead and empower other staff to follow.”

Foresta, an Australian listed company, announced the signing of a 30-year lease on a property in Kawerau, in the Bay of Plenty with plans to build New Zealand’s first low emissions fossil free fuel plant. Source: Timberbiz It plans to invest $300 million building the plant which will employ more than 100 people. The plant would produce low-impact torrefied wood pellets. The plant is subject to resource consent being granted. The production process produces torrefied “black” wood pellets heated to between 200C and 300C in the absence of oxygen. Foresta said black wood pellets had the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions when used as replacement for coal, as well as to reduce emissions from shipping for every log not being exported. Foresta chairman Henry Cheng said that with the phasing out of industrial coal boilers by 2037, the company was placed to provide locally produced black wood pellets. Annual initial production of 65,000t of pellets would require about 200,000t of logs or about 330ha of forestry supply a year. Seven million tonnes of pine feedstock would be used to produce two million tonnes of black wood pellets. New Zealand uses around two million tonnes of coal a year for electricity generation, industry and heating. Supply agreements are under way with owners of sustainably managed pine plantations. The company says it does not intend to use forestry waste or slash but has identified 2000 pine forest owners within 100km of its proposed plant. Recently Foresta signed a harvesting contract with Silvertree Biomass Solutions for around 243,000 tonnes per annum of logs, stumps, and other approved biomass, fulfilling the entirety of Stage 1a’s raw feedstock requirements for the proposed integrated manufacturing facility in New Zealand. This strategic partnership underscores Foresta’s commitment to fortify its raw material supply chain, by securing the forest cutting rights the company said in a statement. “We recognise that harvesting and delivery costs represent a significant portion 50%-90% of our biomass supply expenses. This contract with Silvertree not only secures our supply chain but also ensures cost efficiency, contributing to our commitment to sustainable operations.” The planned plant will also produce natural, pine-based chemicals (rosins and terpenes) from pine trees which can replace petroleum-sourced chemicals.  

New South Wales will record the biggest expansion of softwood plantations in a decade, growing the timber frames needed to build more houses. Source: Timberbiz Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) NSW CEO James Jooste said new softwood plantations are critical to resolving the states housing crisis. “Timber frames are the backbone of our housing industry used in 80% of new homes,” Mr Jooste said. “The solution to meeting future housing targets is access to domestic building materials and the most important material is timber,” he said. The Commonwealth has allocated $73 million over the next four years to help establish new long-rotation softwood and hardwood plantations in Australia. NSW will plant an additional 3500 hectares of softwood timber under round 1 of the Commonwealth Governments Plantation Establishment Program. Mr Jooste said that figure is three times larger than the total national plantings in 2021-22. “We are on the right track to reverse the stagnant growth of one of our most important resources,” he said. “New South Wales received 70% of grants on offer under round one of the program showing the demand to address our housing crisis. “We need to build more homes to deal with our housing crisis, but we can’t build houses with growing more softwood trees.” Mr Jooste said the Plantation Establishment Program has been key to stimulating new investment in plantations. “NSW must build 80,000 new homes every year for the next 25 years to meet our housing needs, so this program could not have come at a better time,” he said. “The Commonwealth can keep improving the program by simplifying up-front to access the program while maintaining a robust assessment criterion. “The strategic increase in timber plantations is not just about meeting immediate housing needs. It is also a vital step towards environmental sustainability. “Timber is the ultimate renewable helping to decarbonise our economy while we achieve our housing targets,” Mr Jooste said. Grant applications for Round 2 of the program runs from 9 February 2024 to 27 June 2024. Successful applicants will receive $2,000 per hectare to help with the establishment costs of new plantations.

The global search to find an internationally recognised expert to lead South Australia’s Forestry Centre of Excellence as director has begun, with leading forestry researcher Dr Jim O’Heir appointed as the general manger. Source: Timberbiz South Australia’s Dr O’Hehir brings his extensive experience in the areas of forestry, wood production and environmental management as he joins the Forestry Centre of Excellence having previously been the head of Forest Research at the University of South Australia in Mount Gambier and various executive roles at ForestrySA. Dr O’Hehir is highly regarded across both the industry and research sectors, which was reflected when he was named the 2023 Timber Legend at the 4th Green Triangle Timber Awards last October for his dedication to the forestry sector. A search for a second expert is also underway to fill the director role. The successful applicant for the director role will help advance innovative research on wood resources and wood-based products, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaborations within the University of South Australia, with national and international research institutions and industry. The Forestry Centre of Excellence (FCoE) is the first of its kind in South Australia and was a key forestry commitment by the Malinauskas Labor Government with an aim to create long-term research and development capability to enhance the Green Triangle’s economic prosperity to generate more jobs and investment in the region. The South Australian Government last year launched the FCoE strategic plan, which outlines the vision behind the $15 million 10-year collaborative project, which has been established at the existing UniSA and TAFE precinct in Mount Gambier. The FCoE is a central hub that focuses on innovation, sustainability, and the creation of new market opportunities from Australia and across the globe. A Strategic Collaboration Agreement to formally establish the centre was signed off in December 2023 between the South Australian Government, the University of South Australia (UniSA), the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub (GTFIH), and the South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA). Tree Breeding Australia (TBA) will also be located in the centre. For more information about the role or to apply visit: Research Professor: Wood Science & Technology and Director: Forestry Centre of Excellence (Level ERP). https://workingatunisa.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?event=jobs.checkJobDetailsNewApplication&returnToEvent=jobs.listJobs&jobid=88CB661B-D769-F4CE-5182-DA7C3CEF5135 Applications close 11:30 pm Thursday 18 April 2024 (ACST).

Funding to support disaster resilience in the primary industries has been highlighted at a South Australian Forest Products Association disaster resilience summit in Mt Gambier. Source: Timberbiz A new pilot project led by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and Primary Producers SA (PPSA) has received $770,000 from the State Government’s Disaster Risk Reduction grant program to prepare the agricultural sector and mitigate the impacts of compounding and increasingly complex natural disasters. Funded through a national partnership agreement between the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments, the project takes an industry-led approach to minimising disruptions to supply chains and maintaining the production and profitability of regional communities. This support is subsequent to the $26.7 million investment made by the Malinauskas Government to increase the Country Fire Service’s aerial firefighting fleet, which for the first time has seen a Blackhawk helicopter with 4,500 litre capacity for water and foam substantively based at Mount Gambier during the 2023–24 fire danger season. Additionally, the upgrade of the latest fire observation tower in Lucindale South has now been completed featuring game changing artificial intelligence (technology now rolled out across the region. The cameras are now fully operational at Comaum, Mount Benson, The Bluff, Carpenter Rocks, Mount Burr and Furner. It is the first time the Pano AI system has been implemented commercially in Australia as part of the South Australian Government’s $2.3 million fire tower network upgrade project, with $1 million targeting the new technology – and it has already been able to assist with early detection of several bushfires in the South East. “This new pilot program funded by SAFECOM and delivered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and Primary Producers South Australia (PPSA), provided the South Australian Forest Products Association an opportunity to host a Disaster Resilience Summit bringing together all the agricultural commodity groups with community groups and key decision markers in an effort to focus on how to mitigate the impacts of compounding and complex disasters,” South Australian Forest Products Association CEO Nathan Paine said. “One thing that Covid taught us all, is that disasters can come at any time and we can never be too prepared. These disasters include bushfires, floods, heatwaves and extreme winters, pandemics, animal, and plant diseases, and we need to ensure that we are all integrated with our approach when it comes to disaster management,” he said. “SAFPA’s Disaster Resilience Summit attracted significant guest speakers to address the 80 plus crowd who attended from across the State and Victoria, to understand how authorities and community members can minimize the disruptions to supply chains, ensure production maintenance continues in the event of a disaster and most important, how we can support the community to recover after a disaster. “SAFPA acknowledge the ongoing support of the State Government, particularly the Minister for Forest Industries, The Honourable Clare Scriven, and the Minister for Emergency Services, The Honourable Joe Szakacs, who both attended and spoke at the Summit.  Their attendance highlights how important the State Government values our regional economies and how committed they are to safeguarding lives, property and infrastructure in the region.” Along with the Ministers, the Summit attracted the following speakers: Jonathon Pollock, Bureau of Meteorology Jason Taylor, Limestone Coast Landscape Board Cameron MacDonald, OneFortyOne Caroline Rhodes, Primary Producers South Australia Alex Zimmerman, Community recovery Coordinator, SA Government Brett Loughlin, Chief, SA Country Fire Service Anthony Walsh, Green Triangle Fire Alliance Andrew Prolov, PANO AI Jason Wallace, ac.care Andrew Excel, Department of Infrastructure and Transport Georgina Goodrich, Department of Premier and Cabinet “Industry and Government have a strong partnership and are working together to reduce the impacts of disaster.  Currently, SA’s forest industries invest $13 million every year into fire detection, prevention and response, including fire fighters, specialist firefighting tankers, and associated equipment,” Mr Paine said. “With industry’s investment along the State Government’s additional investments into upgrading fire tower network with new technology and increasing the Country Fire Services aerial firefighting fleet with a Blackhawk helicopter, the Limestone Coast is well prepared to combat any compounding and complex disasters. “Thank you to our partners, SAFECOM with Department of Primary Industries and Regions and Primary Producers South Australia, OneFortyOne and Limestone Coast Landscape Board, for their support for this ever-important Summit.  SAFPA are working in step with industry and government authorities to ensure the Limestone Coast are well prepared in crisis management, mitigation and recovery,” he said.