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.
News in international markets
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.
EU Parliament Adopts More Ambitious Carbon Sink Goals
The EU Parliament on Tuesday adopted the revised regulation on the land use, land use change, and forestry sector (LULUCF) which seeks to improve natural carbon sinks to make the EU the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and improve biodiversity in line with the European Green Deal.
US Becomes Sweden’s Second Largest Wood Products Export Market
A press release dated March 6th from Danske Bank, which provided highlights from its latest quarterly analysis, “Forest and Economy,” noted that reduced supply—not increased demand—has allowed Swedish wood products prices to begin rising once again, after their sharp decline in the autumn of 2022.
Timber Imports into UK Decreased in 2022, but Outlook for Timber Usage Remains Optimistic
According to recently released statistics from Timber Development UK (TDUK) and reporting by the Timber Trades Journal, imports of the main timber and panel products in 2022 were 2.4 million m3 lower than in 2021. TDUK, however, sees reasons for a brighter outlook in 2023.
Stora Enso Teams With Plywood Manufacturer Paged to Replace Fossil-Based Glue With Lineo
Polish plywood manufacturer Paged has selected Stora Enso’s lignin product, Lineo, to replace fossil-based glue in its plywood manufacturing process, according to reporting by Timber Trades Journal Online.
US Wood Pellet Exports Down Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in January
According to data released on Wednesday by United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service and reporting by Biomass Magazine, the US exported 637,518.4 metric tons of wood pellets in January, down from 917,175.4 metric tons in December.
Norra Skog to Build a New Timber Terminal in Östavall, Sweden
Norra Skog has announced it is investing SEK 57 million in the construction of a timber terminal to be built on a former sawmill site in Östavall, Sweden. The goal is to have Östavall operational sometime in the second half of 2024.