Stora Enso and Voodin Blade Technology, a German-based startup, announced on Tuesday that they have signed a partnership agreement to develop sustainable wind turbine blades made of wood using Stora Enso’s LVL, a mass timber product.
News in international markets
Estonia’s Chances of Amending EU’s Land Use and Forestry Regulation are Limited
Estonia’s chances of amending the EU’s LULUCF Regulation on climate targets does not look favorable. Nevertheless, Estonia’s Minister of the Environment, is still attempting to secure greater flexibility and disaster-related compensation mechanisms.
US Wood Pellet Exports Decline Month-Over-Month but Remain Higher Year-Over-Year in September
According to data released on Thursday by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service, the US exported 766,508.2 metric tons of wood pellets in September 2022. This is down from 880,876 metric tons in August but up from 690,514.5 metric tons of wood pellets in September 2021.
Ireland Unveils New €1.3 Billion Forestry Program
Ireland unveiled a new forestry program worth €1.3 billion. The fund will see payments to farmers for planting trees rise between 46% and 66%, and payments will continue for 20 years rather than the current 15 years.
Lack of Foreign Inputs Puts Argentina’s Timber Industry at Risk of Closure
Restrictions imposed on purchases made abroad by Argentine President Albert Fernández’s administration, in order to preserve the Central Bank’s reserves in foreign currency, has the Argentine Chamber of the Wood Industry warning that local producers may soon be forced to halt all activity due to the lack of imported inputs.
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Fall Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in September
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization, Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) in September declined 11% in value year-over-year. Pine sawnwood exports declined 15.0% in value.
Vietnam’s Wood Products Industry Feeling the Pressure From War in Ukraine and Other Logging Issues
Vietnam is one of the world’s largest wood and furniture exporters. However, according to customs data, between August and September alone, Vietnam’s wood products exports sank 21%, with more than a 14.6% drop in total shipments.
Carlyle to Acquire Majority Stake in Grupo Garnica Plywood S.A.
Carlyle, a global investment firm, announced that it has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Grupo Garnica Plywood S.A., a leading global manufacturer of premium plywood. Carlyle’s is purchasing shares from ICG, a global alternative asset manager.
China Home Prices Decline for 13th Consecutive Month in September
According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, as reported in Bloomberg News, home prices in China sank for the 13th consecutive month in September. New-home prices in 70 cites, excluding state-subsidized housing, dropped 0.28% from August.
EU Timber Regulations Scheduled to be Replaced
Research from iov42, the London-based company that has created a computer platform for traceability in the timber supply chain, has found that timber importers across Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, and the UK are troublingly unprepared for the upcoming change in EU regulations.