A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed today between the timber and timber-based industries in Malaysia and Vietnam. The MoC is intended to help to further develop the timber trades in both countries. The MoC is in line with the Asean Summit agreement of 2000 where the Initiative for Asean Integration was launched.
News in international markets
Wood Engineering Technology Reports Construction of Their Second Production Line Is Advancing
Originally announced in June of 2021, work to build the second production line at the state-of-the-art Wood Engineering Technology at Matawhero, New Zealand is advancing. “The building to house all the production equipment is 40 percent complete, and we are starting the installation of the plant equipment over the coming few weeks.”
UK Residential Homebuilding Being Impacted by Inflation and Declining Consumer Confidence
In May, the UK experienced the slowest rise in residential homebuilding in the past two years, the result of declining consumer confidence and skyrocketing inflation. The construction purchasing managers’ index, compiled by CIPS and S&P Global, found that housebuilding activity fell to a figure of 50.7 in May, from 53.8 in April.
New South Wales Announces Renewal of All North Coast Wood Supply Agreements, Extending Native Forest Logging Until 2028
Australia’s New South Wales Agriculture Minister Dugland Saunders has announced that all North Coast Wood Supply Agreements that were to expire next year have been renewed and extended until 2028. The renewal, Mr. Saunders says, was done to provide “certainty” for the industry to “invest in their businesses.”
U.S. Wood Pellet Exports Decline Month-Over-Month but Remain Above Year-Over-Year Totals in April 2022
According to data released on Wednesday by United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, the U.S. exported 659,071 metric tons of wood pellets in April, down from 801,396.9 metric tons of wood pellets in March but up year-over-year from the 635,463.4 metric tons exported in April of 2021.
Sanctions and Ports Closed to Russian Vessels Starting to Take Their Toll on Russian Lumber Markets
EU and other countries’ sanctions against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, coupled with rising transportation tariffs and a stronger Russian Ruble, has led to a steady decline lumber exports and made the production of lumber in Russia’s Northwest a losing proposition. Exports to Europe, the main market for sawmills in the Northwest, will end on July 9.
binderholz Group GmbH Solid Wood Plant II Preparing to Start Production in Late 2022
binderholz Group GmbH, a leading European company offering solid wood products and innovative building solutions, announced in August 2021 that it had commenced construction on binderholz solid wood panel plant II, which is set to be located in St. Georgen bei Salzburg, Austria.
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Increased 22.2% Year-Over-Year in April 2022
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization, Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) in April 2022 increased 22% in value compared to April 2021, from US$380.5 million to US$465.3 million. Pine sawnwood exports increased 29% in value, growing from US$59.7 million in April 2021 to US$77.2 million in April 2022.
Federal Judge Issues Permanent Injunction Against Plywood Imported From Brazil With PFS-TECO Grade Stamp
On Tuesday, a lawsuit to stop the importation and sale of substandard structural plywood from Brazil ended with Federal Judge Roy Altman issuing a permanent injunction barring a long-time certifier from operations in Brazil. The injunction requires the revocation of all PS 1 certificates issued by PFS-TECO to over a dozen Brazilian mills producing structural plywood for the U.S.
Australia Considering the Construction of Two of the World’s Tallest Timber Towers
The world’s tallest timber tower has been pitched for Perth, tipping out tech giant Atlassian’s approved Sydney timber hybrid tower. Grange Development recently filed plans for a $350-million, 50-story timber-hybrid residential tower of 245 apartments. At almost 183 meters, the development would be the tallest timber building in the world.