Metsä Fiber, part of the Metsä Group, announced on Friday that its new state-of-the-art sawmill in Rauma, Finland, is now fully operational as a continuous sawn timber production facility. Its annual capacity is 750,000 cubic meters of pine sawn timber, and the annual use of pine logs sourced in Finland is ~1.5 million cubic meters.
Wood Markets News
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Decline Year-Over-Year in August 2022
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization, Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) in August 2022 declined 2% in value compared to August 2021, falling from US$412.6 million in August 2021 to US$404.6 million in August 2022.
Monthly Construction Spending Declined in August 2022
On Monday, the US Census Bureau reported that total construction spending during August 2022 was estimated at a SAAR of $1,781.3 billion, 0.7% below the revised July estimate of $1,793.5 billion. The August figure is 8.5% above the August 2021 estimate of $1,641.6 billion.
US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update Released for October 3, 2022
The US National Interagency Fire Center reported on Monday that the total number of large wildfires and complexes currently burning in the US dropped from 89 last Monday to 72, with more than 766,553 acres across 7 different states currently burning. One new wildfire has been reported within the past 24 hours.
Alberta Government Announces 20-Year Renewal of Forest Management Agreement With Weyerhaeuser
Alberta announced on Thursday that it has renewed the forest management agreement held by Weyerhaeuser for the next 20-years in exchange for important stewardship responsibilities. These agreements establish the company’s right to grow and harvest Crown timber from forest management units near Grande Prairie and Drayton Valley.
Fort Nelson Area Forest Industry Revitalization Threatened by Rail Logistics Issues
The Fort Nelson First Nation and local politicians have been trying to pull themselves out of a 15-year regional recession by revitalizing the region’s forest industry, which was shut down in 2008 when Canfor Corp closed its plywood and OSB mills. Those closures were proceeded by the shuttering of the Tackama sawmill in 2005.
Stora Enso to Partner With EcoTelligent on Mass Timber Telecommunication Support Structures
On Thursday, Stora Enso and EcoTelligent Oy jointly announced a collaboration that will establish mass timber as the material of choice for telecommunication support structures. The partnership is set to provide an alternative that will reduce the dependency on steel and concrete in telecom masts.
14,000-Hectare Softwood Plantation Proposed in the State of Victoria, Australia
The Australian Associated Press is reporting that the State of Victoria’s government will invest $120 million (AUD) in a soft timber plantation in the state’s southeast. Hancock Victorian Plantations will match the spending to buy, lease, and manage more than 14,000 hectares of softwood plantation.
Personal Income, Disposable Income, and Personal Consumption Expenditures All Increased in August 2022
The US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported on Friday that, according to their estimates, personal income (PI) increased $71.6 billion, or 0.3%, in August. Disposable personal income increased $67.6 billion, or 0.4%, in August. Personal consumption expenditures increased $67.5 billion, or 0.4%, in August.
University of Michigan Final Consumer Sentiment Index Increases for September 2022
The University of Michigan today (9-30-22) released its final Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) for September. The Index of Consumer Sentiment increased to a reading of 58.6 in September, up from its reading of 58.2 in August. This is a month-over-month increase of 0.7% but down 19.5% year-over-year (72.8 in September 2021).