HS Timber Group, one of Europe’s leading wood processing companies with exports destinations to over 70 countries, announced it is expanding its product portfolio with its acquisition of 100% of the shares in the Finnish sawmill Luvian Saha Oy, whose products are known under the brand name “Luvia Wood.”
News in international markets
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Increased 30% Year-Over-Year in March 2022
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), in March 2022, the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (excluding pulp and paper) increased 30% in value compared to February 2021. Pine sawnwood exports grew significantly, rising 51% in value between March 2021 and March 2022.
U.S. Dept. of Commerce Extends Deadline for Final Conclusion on Anti-Dumping Probe of Hardwood Plywood Imported From Vietnam
Vietnam says the U.S. Department of Commerce has announced an extension of its deadline for its final conclusion on the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tax evasion investigation into hardwood plywood imported into the U.S. from Vietnam.
Stora Enso Announces Sale of Two Sawmills and Forest Operations in Russia to Local Management
Uncertain about its future in Russia, Stora Enso, the Finland-based forestry firm, announced on Monday (4-25-22) that it will be selling its two sawmills, one in Karelia and the other in Novgorod, along with the Russian forest operation that supplies wood to both mills to local management. The mills have an annual capacity of 350,000 cubic meters.
Australian Forestry Industry Hopes Pulp Log Trial Can Help the Country Overcome Structural Timber Shortage
Forest and Wood Products Australia, in partnership with the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub, has received an Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation program grant of $1.3 million (A$) to explore opportunities to create new wood products using softwood and hardwood pulp.
Coillte Announces New Strategy to Expand Ireland’s Carbon Capture and Forestry Planting
Coillte, which manages 440,000 hectares of Ireland’s state-owned woodlands (7% of the country’s land area), has announced that it has launched a major new strategy to optimize the benefits from forestry in Ireland. Coillte plans to greatly expand carbon capture, forestry planting, biodiversity, and recreational facilities between now and 2050.
EU Adopts Fifth Round of Sanctions, Effectively Halting Russian Wood Exports to the EU
On Friday (4-8-22), the European Union (EU) adopted its fifth round of sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new sanctions include import bans on wood, cement, fertilizers, seafood, and liquor. The new round of sanctions will effectively halt Russian wood exports to EU countries.
EU Provides Questions and Answers on its Fifth Round of Restrictive Measures Against Russia
The EU has provided additional background information, via a set of questions and answers, explaining its imposition of a fifth round of restrictive measures on Friday (4-8-22) against Russia for their invasion of Ukraine. “The European Commission is fully committed to assisting [Member States] and ensuring a consistent implementation.”
Swedish Forest Industry Joins Forces with Forest Machinery Manufacturer to Develop New Sustainable Forest Harvesting Machine
Sustainability is one of many major challenges facing the Swedish forestry industry. In 2019, a group of eight Swedish forestry companies, along with the forest machinery manufacturer Komatsu Forest, started working together to create a machine with a low-impact approach that could increase harvesting productivity and improve the operator’s environment.
U.S. Wood Pellet Exports Decline Month-Over-Month but Rise Year-Over-Year in February 2022
According to data released on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, by United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service, the U.S. exported 628,659.8 metric tons of wood pellets in February, down when compared to the 655,656.5 metric tons exported in January.