News in international markets

Western Australia has joined Victoria in banning commercial logging of native forests starting next year, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

New Zealand Forestry Minister Penni Henare has said that the government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei.

In August, Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) fell 26.0% in value year-over-year, according to the International Tropical Timber Organization.

VIDA AB, owned 70% by Canfor, announced that it is acquiring a 50 million board foot sawmill from Ingarp Träskydd for 50 million SEK (CAD$6.0 million).

Western Australia is working to help transform former timber towns into thriving places to live and visit through the recently created Community Small Grants Fund.

Mondi announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its last remaining facility in Russia, Joint Stock Company Mondi Syktyvkar, together with two affiliated entities to Sezar Invest.

Reuters reported that International Paper has sold its 50% stake in a Russia-based joint venture to local Russian shareholders.

The availability of wood as a raw material for industrial use is already a problem in Finland, according to reporting by YLE News.

The EGGER Group has agreed to purchase the Rauch Group’s chipboard plant located in Markt Bibart, Germany.