The US imported much more timber in July. There was a 21% increase in imports from June to July. The largest increase came from an influx of lumber from Canada, where a large portion of US imports come from.
University of Canterbury researchers have made a breakthrough in treating export logs by heating them using high voltage electricity. Export logs are usually fumigated to rid the timber of pests, such as insects and fungi which could pose a biosecurity threat.
Ford investigating using cellulose in their plastic components
Ford is investigating using cellulose in vehicle components to help further reduce the automaker’s reliance on traditional content such as fiberglass and petroleum.
400 jobs on the line as Sappi mothballs paper machine
Paper and packaging group Sappi has issued over 400 of its staff members with Section 189 notices regarding its decision to mothball the PM4 paper machine at its KwaZulu-Natal-based Tugela mill, from January 1.
If you're a pulp supplier in it for the long term these days, there's no standing still. It's been clear for a while that real demand in traditional end-use markets such as graphic papers is not going in our favour and we'd be foolish to think that's going to change.
Temporary threat for Australian sawn timber producers
The Australian sawn timber industry is experiencing a temporary threat from imports as a result of a strong dollar and a global surplus of timber following the Global Financial Crisis, according to independent economic forecaster and industry analyst, BIS Shrapnel.
