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.
News in international markets
Russia to Build the First New Pulp and Paper Mill in 40-years in the Republic of Karelia
The Russian State Commission for the Development of the Arctic has announced it has approved an investment project for the construction of a new pulp and paper mills (PPM). It will be the first new PPM to be built in Russian in over 40-years.
Metsä Group Selects LSAB Suomi Oy to Deliver Blades to its New Rauma Sawmill in Finland
Metsä Fibre has announced that it has selected long-time partner LSAB Suomi Oy to deliver blades to its new Rauma sawmill in Finland. The value of Metsä Fibre’s Rauma sawmill investment amounts to approximately 200 million Euro, and the new unit will produce around 750,000 m3 of pine sawn timber annually.
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.
U.S. Wood Pellet Exports Top 635,000 Metric Tons in April
According to data released on June 8, 2021 by United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service, the U.S. exported 635,463.4 metric tons of wood pellets in April. This is down from 667,309 metric tons in March, but up from 595,166.2 metric tons in April 2020.
Struggles in Japan’s Housing Market Continued in February and March
Japan’s housing market continues to fight an uphill battle, despite some signs of improvement. In February, Japan’s housing starts declined -3.7%, followed by a slight improvement in March of 1.5% to 35,448 units.
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Increased 57.5% Year-Over-Year in April 2021
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) in April 2021 amounted to US$376.4 million — an increase of 57.5% when compared to April 2020, when they were valued at US$238.9 million.
Bergkvist Siljan to Increase Production by 60% at their Insjön Sweden Sawmill
Bergkvist Siljan, a leading Swedish sawmilling group supplying sawn wood products to customers mainly in East Asia, Western Europe, and North Africa, announced that it has been granted by The Environmental Impact Assessment Delegation permission to increase the production of sawn wood products at their Insjön sawmill in Sweden, by approximately 60%, from 400,000 to 650,000 m3 per year.
Segezha Group Announces Plan to Consolidate CJSC Novoyeniseiskiy Wood Chemical Complex
Segezha Group, a Russian integrated forest products company, which operates forestry, sawmilling, plywood manufacturing and cross-laminated timber production, has announced its plans to consolidate 100% of CJSC Novoyeniseiskiy Wood Chemical Complex.