News in international markets


Australia’s Vision for Forest Products Innovation

Citing other countries with world-leading forest industry research institutes that are delivering breakthrough discoveries right now, The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) and the University of Tasmania are calling on the Australian Federal Government to invest $100 million (A$) over the next 4-years, with matching funds coming from the industry to correct Australia’s research shortfall.

KSI Sawmills Announces $4.5 Million Investment in New South, Australia Sawmill

KSI Sawmills has announced that they are making a $4.5 million-dollar (A$) investment in South Australia’s timber industry. KSI Sawmill currently operates a small mill at Nuriootpa and plans on building a new mill which will be strategically located allowing for expansion, offering improved transportation routes central to both local timber plantations and downstream markets.

Stora Enos Provides Additional Information on the Closure of their Veitsiluoto Pulp and Paper Mill

Responding to reduced demand in the paper market, Stora Enos announced back in April 2021 that it planned to permanently close down pulp and paper production at its Kvarnsveden and Veitsiluoto mills. As a result of the co-determination negotiations regarding the Veitsiluoto site, the three paper machines, chemical pulp and groundwood production, and the sheeting plant will be closed permanently.

North Carolina’s Building Code Council Issues an Alert on the Use of European Lumber in Home Building

North Carolina’s Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey issued an alert on Monday (6-14-21) in regard to European lumber being used in the construction of homes and buildings throughout the state. The Building Code Council has determined European lumber, which is being imported to help with the nation’s lumber shortage, does not meet N.C. building code requirements and, in some cases, could cause catastrophic failures in wall, floor and roof framing.

New Zealand’s Log Exports Have Domestic Wood Industry Leaders Fearing for their Survival

Having sold off much of the Crown forestry estate over 30-years ago, most of New Zealand’s (NZ) forestry lands are currently in private hands. Today the NZ government is looking for those private forestry land holders to help them with carbon offsets, provide enough timber for housing, and earn export income and supply biofuels and biocoal to fill the countries’ vehicles and boilers.