According to data released by US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service and reporting by Biomass Magazine, the US exported 632,043.8 metric tons of wood pellets in February. This is down from 637,518.4 metric tons in January.
News in international markets
Finland’s Wood Imports and Export Values Declined in 2022
The Finnish forest industry’s foreign trade was negatively impacted in 2022 by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting economic affects. According to Luke, a total of 5.5 million cubic meters of roundwood and forest industry by-products were imported in 2022, a 56% annual drop.
UPM Completes Sale of Russian Businesses to Gungnir Wooden Products Trading
UPM on Monday announced that it has completed its withdrawal from all of its businesses in Russia. UPM is selling all of its Russian operations, including the Chudovo plywood mill, to Gungnir Wooden Products Trading.
Stora Enso Completes Divestment of Its Paper Production Site in Hylte, Sweden
Stora Enso today reported that it has completed its previously announced (January 27th) divestment of its paper production site in Hylte, Sweden, to Sweden Timber. Sweden Timber is a Sweden-based sawmill and planing mill company.
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Declined Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in February
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization, Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) declined 36.0% year-over-year in value in February, from US$413.6 million a year ago to US$264.2 million in February.
New Zealand’s OneFortyOne Turning Huge Volumes of Unwanted Forestry Slash Into Biofuel
New Zealand forestry and timber company OneFortyOne is tackling the country’s nationwide problem of managing forestry slash waste by turning it into biofuel, according to an article by the company appearing in “Stuff.” The challenge became particularly acute after Cyclone Gabrielle in February.
Forest Stewardship Council Ends Certification in Russia
The Forest Stewardship Council® announced Thursday the withdrawal of the remaining forest management certificates in Russia by the respective certification bodies. The move is a result of the decision by Assurance Services International to terminate its FSC assurance activities in Russia.
Sonae Arauco Investing 100 Million Euros in a New Production Line for Wood Fiber Insulation
On March 22nd, Sonae Arauco announced it is investing more than 100 million euros in its Meppen industrial unit in Emsland, Germany. According to the press release, a new production line for wood fiber insulation materials is to be built there.
Improving Relations Between Australia and China are Helping to Improve Timber Trade
The Global Times, a CCP-affiliated publication, says that relations between Australia and China have started to warm after an abrupt halt to trade due to what the Chinese government saw as hostile policies from the previous Australian government. Timber imports to China from Australia are showing signs of recovery.
Södra’s New CLT Facility in Värö, Sweden, Increases Its CLT Capacity Tenfold
On Wednesday, Södra opened a new cross-laminated timber (CLT) facility on the west coast of Sweden. The plant, located in Värö, is one of the largest in Sweden and will permit a tenfold increase in Södra’s production capacity.