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.
News in international markets
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.
Slowing Growth in Finnish Forests Jeopardizes the Country’s Ability to Meet Its Climate Goals
Researchers predict that the total growth of Finland’s forests will drop well below estimates calculated by the Natural Resource Institute of Finland. They further predict that forests will inevitably remain at a lower level for the next several decades.
Construction of binderholz’ Solid Wood Panel Plant II In Salzburg, Austria, Nearing Completion
Construction on binderholz’ solid wood panel plant II located in in St. Georgen bei Salzburg, Austria, began in August 2021, and production is anticipated to start in late 2022Q4. According to binderholz, the site will have the world’s most modern and powerful solid wood panel plant.
US Wood Pellet Exports Climb Higher Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in August
According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, the US exported 880,876 metric tons of wood pellets in August. This is up from 649,185.7 metric tons of wood pellets in July. Year-over-year, it is up from 647,922.9 metric tons in August 2021.
Mercer International Completes Acquisition of HIT
Mercer International, a global forest products company with operations in Germany, the US, and Canada, announced on Monday that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of all of the shares of the parent company of HIT.
Metsä Fiber’s New State-Of-The-Art Sawmill in Rauma, Finland, Is Fully Operational
Metsä Fiber, part of the Metsä Group, announced on Friday that its new state-of-the-art sawmill in Rauma, Finland, is now fully operational as a continuous sawn timber production facility. Its annual capacity is 750,000 cubic meters of pine sawn timber, and the annual use of pine logs sourced in Finland is ~1.5 million cubic meters.
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Decline Year-Over-Year in August 2022
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization, Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) in August 2022 declined 2% in value compared to August 2021, falling from US$412.6 million in August 2021 to US$404.6 million in August 2022.
14,000-Hectare Softwood Plantation Proposed in the State of Victoria, Australia
The Australian Associated Press is reporting that the State of Victoria’s government will invest $120 million (AUD) in a soft timber plantation in the state’s southeast. Hancock Victorian Plantations will match the spending to buy, lease, and manage more than 14,000 hectares of softwood plantation.
Finland Targets Wood as a Major Building Component as It Moves Towards Carbon Neutrality
In Finland, wood is a readily available building material. As a result, there is a growing trend to use wood in buildings throughout the country. It is also in step with efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.