As the result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, UPM-Kymmene Oyj, the Helsinki, Finland-based forest industry company, has announced that it intended to temporarily cease deliveries to Russia. While the forest industry is not directly targeted by the international sanctions at the moment, sanctions against the financial sector may impact UPM’s or its customers’ businesses and transactions in Russia.
News in international markets
Metsä Group Suspends Wood Production Operations at their Svir Sawmill in Russia
Metsä Group, the Helsinki, Finland-based forest industry group, has announced that it has suspended all wood production operations at their Svir sawmill in Russia. The Metsä Svir sawmill produces sawn timber for a range of industries.
Stora Enso Oyj Halts All Exports and Imports From Russia
On Tuesday (3-2-22), Stora Enso Oyj, the Helsinki Finland-based integrated paper, packaging, and forest products company, which operates three corrugated packaging plants and two wood products sawmills in Russia, said it will stop all exports and imports to and from Russia. The company also announced that a mitigation plan has been activated to secure availability of input materials from other sources.
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Increased 52.0% Year-Over-Year in January 2022
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), in January 2022, the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) increased 52% in value compared to January 2021, from US$254.4 million to US$387.1 million. Pine sawnwood exports grew significantly.
What’s Old is Suddenly New Again: Moving Roundwood Timbers by Rail in the U.K.
For the first time in 18 years, roundwood timbers have been successfully transported and delivered by rail to Pontrilas Sawmills in Herefordshire, England. Euroforest Ltd., an independent timber harvesting company, and Colas Rail delivered 400 tons of roundwood timbers from Newton Abbot in Devon to the sawmill site.
Potential Impacts of Russia-Ukraine Conflict on Softwood Log and Lumber Markets
Sanctions on Russia will severely limit its ability to participate in international trade, but the impacts to its softwood log and lumber trade are likely to be less affected than other industries.
Australia’s Farm Forestry Assistant Program Supports Local Softwood Plantation Industry
Australia’s Forestry Minister Dave Kelly has launched the Farm Forestry Assistant program (FFAP) for 2022. The program supports farmers and landowner who wish to plant pine trees on their land.
Stora Enso to Invest 9 Million Euros in Automated Cross-Laminated Timber Coating Line at Ybbs, Austria Sawmill
Stora Enso announced on Friday (2-11-22) that it will be investing 9 million euros in an automated cross-laminated timber (CLT) coating line at their Ybbs sawmill in Austria. In the news release, the company said the investment will further strengthen its position as a leading global provider of engineered wood products for low carbon, sustainable buildings.
Timberlink Investing Millions to Upgrade Tarpeena Sawmill and Construct New CLT/GLT Plant
Timberlink’s Tarpeena sawmill, located in South Australia, is undergoing a multi-million-dollar expansion. The project will include an upgrade the existing sawmill and the construction of Australia’s first cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT) manufacturing plant, which will be co-located on the sawmill’s site.
U.S. Wood Pellet Exports Up Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in December 2021
According to data released on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service, the U.S. exported 774,410.2 metric tons of wood pellets in December. This up from 764,259.6 metric tons in November, and up 564,826.2 metric tons in December 2020.