News in international markets

Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) increased 16.0% year-over-year in value in February, the ITTO reported.

An investigation published by Notes from Poland shows Belarus is circumventing EU sanctions by exporting timber into the bloc through Poland using false documentation suggesting it is from Kazakhstan.

A major European Union plan to better protect nature in the 27-nation bloc and fight climate change was indefinitely postponed on Monday, The Associated Press reported.

Metsä Group will construct a demo plant for lignin refining in connection with its Äänekoski, Finland, bioproduct mill. The plant’s daily capacity will be two tons of the lignin product.

Stiga RM plans to significantly expand its birch plywood mill in Kuldīga this year with an investment of more than 10.5 million euros, LSM reported.

Metsä Group announced that production at various Finland-based board mills and sawmills will temporarily shut down due to ongoing strikes.

VicForests has been responsible for forest management on behalf of the Victoria, Australia, government for the past 20 years, ABC News reported.

On Monday, the Albanese Government launched its $100 million (AUD) Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) program.

Finland’s UPM announced that UPM Pulp, UPM Timber, and UPM Communication Papers will start change negotiations on possible temporary layoffs.