Russia’s forest fire season, which has been becoming more damaging due to climate change, traditionally lasts throughout the summer. Ryazan region on Monday, declared a state of emergency with fires covering a 9,000-hectare area, causing smog in nearby Moscow.
News in international markets
Ireland’s “Project Woodland” Strategy Draws Ire From Irish Tree Farmers
The independent “Project Woodland Regulatory Review Report” was to look into the forestry regulatory system in Ireland and explore whether improvements could be made to the licensing system, while working within the parameters of Irish and EU environmental laws, as well as increase the number of trees being planted.
Södra Wood Announces Production Adjustment to Better Align Production With Customer Demand
Södra Wood announced on Monday that, while it still expects the long-term prospects for the use of sustainable building materials to remain strong, the company is now anticipating weaker demand for wood products in the short term due to increasing inflation and higher interest rates in both Europe and the US.
New Zealand’s “Industry Transformation Plan” Could be Forest Products Industry’s Turning Point
New Zealand’s Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan sets out ambitious targets for exporting more finished wooden products, increased wood construction domestically, and a huge transformation from oil and coal fuels/materials to wood-based sources instead.
Big River Group Announces Its Expansion With Acquisition of Timberwood Panels
Big River Group announced on Friday that it has expanded its national network and has increased their architectural product offering with the acquisition of specialty manufacturer Timberwood Panels. Big River Group noted that the purchase of Timberwood Panels is consistent with Big River’s strategy for geographical and segment growth.
European Wildfires on Pace to Set Record Forestland Losses in 2022
Citing data provided by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the AFP News Agency reported on Sunday that approximately 660,000 hectares (1,630,000 acres) of land have been ravaged by wildfires since January 1st through August 13th, 2022.
US Commerce Department Rules That Vietnam Circumvented Hardwood Plywood Duties Using Chinese Core Materials
The US Department of Commerce has preliminary determined that hardwood plywood (HWPW) assembled and exported from Vietnam to the US used Chinese core materials. The agency ruled that the HWPW are subject to significant antidumping and countervailing duties that could be as high as 200%.
Australia’s Consumer Confidence Declines for Tenth Consecutive Month in August
Australia’s Westbank Corp., in a survey of 1,200 respondents released on Tuesday, reveals that Australia’s consumer sentiment continues to fall as surging inflation and interest rates increase, coupled with declining home values all weigh on the outlook for householders.
Australia’s Major City Skylines Could Soon Feature 50-Story Mass Timber Skyscrapers
In an effort to decarbonize and revitalize urban construction, Australia’s skylines may soon feature timber skyscrapers up to 50-stories tall. The proposed timber skyscraper buildings are made possible by using a hybrid construction and engineered mass timber around a concrete core.
US Wood Pellet Exports Increase Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in June 2022
According to data released on Thursday by the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, the US exported 832,092.2 metric tons of wood pellets in June, up month-over-month from May’s 740,605.0 metric tons. It is also up from 603,794.9 metric tons in June 2021.