18.12.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
This year Finnish forest owners have been exceptionally active in
tending their young forests. Until the end of October 2008 an aggregate
of 113,000 hectares of forest were treated. That exceeds 2007 figures
by more than 20,000 hectares. Similar results have not been obtained
for five...The EU and Sweden in debate concerning the pine wood nematode
11.12.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
In August 2008 the Swedish Forest Agency
reported that pine wood nematodes have been found in wooden packing
crates in Sweden. Earlier inside of Europe the nematode has been found
only in Portugal. Nematode lives in pines' water transportation
channels and disturbs the water flow so that...The EU and Sweden in debate concerning the pine wood nematode
08.12.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
In August 2008 the Swedish Forest Agency reported that pine wood nematodes have been found in wooden packing crates in Sweden. Earlier inside of Europe the nematode has been found only in Portugal. Nematode lives in pines' water transportation channels and disturbs the water flow so that...Slower development of the roofing materials market in Poland
01.12.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Lower economic growth, weakening
residential construction and slower development of non-residential
construction will soon bring about a sharp slowdown in the growth of
the roofing materials market in Poland. A more abundant supply and
increased competition are likely to reduce the...Finns Keep Lumber Duty Level
27.11.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The next raise in the export duty on Russian lumber to Finland has been postponed at least until the autumn of 2009, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday after a meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. Most in the Russian forest industry are pleased with that...Forestry revenues plunge in British Columbia, Canada
27.11.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
imber revenues are down almost 50%, and it is going to take some creative thinking to revive the slumping forestry industry, B.C.'s forest minister says.Forestry revenues normally pour more than $1 billion into the government's pocket from taxes and fees, but this year just $652 million in...Timber export tariffs held off as Prime Minister Putin visits Finland
19.11.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Russia won't increase export duties on timber in the next nine to twelve months. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced the decision after negotiations with his Finnish counterpart on Wednesday. But other issues like the construction of the Nord Stream pipeline were not that easy to agree...New carbon standard set for forestry trading
19.11.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
A new standard for carbon trading will help link forestry and
agriculture projects into a million-dollar market to help fight global
warming, backers said on Tuesday.
Under rules set by the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS), projects
such as reducing the rate of tropical...Russia takes step with wood to meet the EU halfway
14.11.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin made the following sensational statement at a meeting with his counterpart of Finland Matti Vanhanen held yesterday: Russia is ready to postpone the introduction of sharply increased export duties on timber raw materials, which was...Light and darkness for the Swedish forest industry
14.11.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The Swedish forest industry foresees
weak demand for saw timber, equilibrium between supply and demand for
pulpwood and strong demand for energy wood.
Intermediate annual reports for the first nine months of the year are
mostly sad reading. The sawmill industry is in the worst situation...Wood construction strengthens its position after recession
11.11.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
In Finland wood is expected to increase as construction material when the global financial crisis is eventually abating.
Already
before the crisis construction in Europe did not meet demand. Strong
growth is expected when the business cycle takes an upward turn. The...Italian woodworking technologies follow the general global negative trend
04.11.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The negative period that has been
characterizing the industry since the beginning of the year — after
three years of constant growth — has accelerated during the third
quarter due to the global financial and economic crisis, the actual
relevance of which has been perceived since September...Stora Enso Wood Products plans temporary production curtailments to improve profitability
31.10.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Stora Enso is planning additional production curtailments in its Wood Products
business area through temporary mill closures, shift reductions, efficiency
measures and extended maintenance stoppages in Finland, Estonia and the Czech
Republic. The Group has already recently agreed similar...Record felling in Danish forests
28.10.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
In 2007 a record of 2.6 million cubic metres of wood were felled in
Denmark's forests. Despite of record level fellings, the quantity is
only half of the biological annual growth of 5 million cubic metres.
The felling exceeds the previous record from 2006 with 9 %...Finnish forest sector sees good future prospects
28.10.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
A working group chaired by Mr Esko Aho, Finland's former Prime
Minister, presented in the end of September its report on forest
sector’s future. The working group believes that the forestry branch
will be able to renew itself and to create new preconditions for growth...Exibition HOLZHAUS 13 — 16 November 2008 Moscow, Russia
24.10.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The Crocus Expo exhibition centre welcomed the HOLZHAUS exhibition organized by MVK International Exhibition Company, Russian Association of manufacturers and consumers of glued laminated timber, and supported by the Federal Agency for Construction, Housing and Public Utilities (Rosstroy) and...U.S. Financial Crisis Will Delay Recovery of Housing, Lumber Markets until 2010
23.10.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The historic downturn in lumber demand will likely extend another year
until the American financial system and housing market can be repaired,
according to a new lumber supply and demand forecast from Western Wood
Products Association.
...Forest covers 42% of the EU27 land area
22.10.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
EU27 roundwood production up by 20% between 2001 and 2006
In 2005, forests and other wooded land covered 177 million hectares in
the EU27, or 42% of its land area. The largest area covered with
forests and other wooded land was found in Sweden (31 mn hectares or
75% of its land area),...Forest products industry studies biomass impact
30.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
An information provider for the forest products industry, has released
a report examining the emerging biomass industry and how it could
potentially affect U.S. timber supply and prices.
The report, titled “The Emerging Biomass Industry: Impact on
Woodfiber Markets,” examined whether...Russia to change face of softwood trade
19.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Russia’s imposition of heavy export taxes on roundwood logs could
see the last shipment of logs leave for Finland in late 2008 and alter
the global trade of softwood sawlogs, according to Wood Resources
Quarterly (WRQ).The US publication reported that Russian
softwood log exports have...South American industry has mixed year
19.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
South American countries have experienced a mixed 2008, with wood
exports rising and falling, according to the latest Tropical Timber
Market Report.Brazil, Peru and Bolivia have all experienced a downturn in exports
at some point during the year-to-date, with Brazil seeing a decline of
7...Nordic firms announce structure changes
19.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Stora Enso and UPM-Kymmene have announced sweeping changes to their business structures as they look to remain competitive in the current market. Stora Enso plans to close operations with poor profitability, including the
170,000m³ per year Paikuse sawmill in Estonia, while...Tax relief also for forest conservation
19.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
There will be a follow up of the tax exemptions for timber trade
proposed by the Finnish Government. The Government now intends to make
forest conservation more attractive by means of tax relief.
In
the Government's budget session it decided that forest sales to...Record timber sales as a consequence of tax exemptions
19.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The proposal of the Finnish Government at the end of July to
introduce partial tax exemption for timber sales resulted in record
sales in August. The quantity of timber sold from private forests
attained record level, i.e. 5.3 million cubic metres.
The
Government's...End of tax deduction for first thinning livens up timber sales in Finland in August
16.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The Finnish forest industry managed to
purchase a total of 5.3 million cubic metres of wood from privately
owned domestic forests in August.
The industry’s wood supply situation remains dire even though the
August purchase amount increased almost threefold from July. The
aggregate...Forests should be used for combating climate change
15.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The Nordic Ministers of Forestry have appealed for the use of
forests in combating climate change. Ministers highlight the importance
of improved forest management and increased use of wood-based products
in the fight against climate change.
In
the statement of the...Global timber markets impacted by Russian log export taxes
10.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
With the impetus provided by the
Russian government, which has implemented regulations that restrict
open trade of logs, Russia is slowly transforming from being a large
exporter of logs to an important producer of primary processed wood
products, as reported by the Wood Resource...EKO-LAS Fair in Tuchola , Poland
03.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
On September 4-6, 2008, the forest
grounds near Tuchola (Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship) will be hosting
the 11th Fair of Forest Management, Wood Industry and Environmental
Protection "EKO-LAS," organized by the Bydgoszcz Fair SAWO in
cooperation with the Regional Directorate of State...Chinese scientists succeded to transform sawdust into biofuel
03.09.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
It was a chemical breakthrough. According
to a report in New Scientist, Yuan Kou at Peking University in Beijing,
China, and his team have efficiently transformed sawdust into alkanes
and alcohols needed for biofuels.
The deciding step in process is a lignin breakdown reaction....Estonia invests 105 million kroons into timber processing equipment
29.08.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Investments into timber processing equipment in Estonia will be
subsidised with 105 million kroons during the years 2007-2013, writes
the National Broadcasting.The objective of the subsidies is to improve the competitiveness of
enterprises that process wood as raw material and help them...Woodworking machinery: negative results also in the second quarter 2008
22.08.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The negative trend of wood technology orders,
already recorded in the first quarter of the year 2008, worsened in the
April-June period. After 3 years of growth, the usual quarterly survey
shows that, as compared to the same period of 2007, orders from the
Italian market decreased by 17...Georgia accuses Russia of starting forest fires
19.08.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Georgia accused Russia on Sunday of deliberately starting a fire
which threatens to destroy a forest regarded by Georgians as a national
treasure.
Russia's Defence Ministry denied any involvement.
Georgia's Interior Ministry said Russian helicopter gunships swooped
over a region near the...IWF 2008 – International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair — USA
18.08.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
August 20-23, 2008Atlanta, GAThe largest woodworking technology trade show in the Western Hemisphere is held every other year at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, and is ranked among the largest trade shows in the world. Recognized around the world as the...Vietnamese woodcraft exports to Japan expected to rise
15.08.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Vietnamese
wood-product exports to the Japanese market will continue to rise if
domestic producers can cash in on the tastes of Japanese consumers in a
timely manner.According
to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) experts, with an
annual growth rate of 4.8%, Vietnam is...Sweden has most renewable energy in the EU
14.08.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Sweden has the greatest share of renewable energy in all EU-countries, i.e. 43,3 %.
Industry
and electricity production are the biggest contributors to the share of
renewable energy, followed by district heating production and the
housing sector. The transport sector...Wooden Volkswagen Beetle Gives Us Woodenly Timber
13.08.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
A couple from Bosnia spent an eternity covering their Volkswagen Beetle with small
oak pieces that look like fish scales, and replacing some parts with
carved wood equivalents.This Volkswagen Bettle is covered in more than 20,000 small pieces of handmade oak
which were glued to...Norway secretariat to guide European forest work
06.08.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Norway
has established a secretariat in order to help it facilitate the aims
of its chairmanship of the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of
Forests in Europe (MCPFE) political forum, The Timber Industry Magazine
reported.Norway
plans to work heavily on climate, water and energy...Finland speeds up timber sales by tax relief
30.07.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The Government of Finland proposes partial tax relief for income
from timber sales. The purpose of the tax relief is to speed up sales
of domestic timber in order to secure raw material for the forest
industry.
The Government's proposal of 23
July 2008 provides that...Finland gives tax breaks to wood sellers
25.07.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Finland's
government will cut capital gains taxes on timber sales to help its
paper sector, which accounts for almost a fifth of the country's
exports, cope with a shortage of raw materials, Reuters reported.Finland's
forests are mostly owned by individuals and the tax cut is meant...Vietnam becomes Asia’s biggest exporter of timber furniture
21.07.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Vietnam
has become the biggest furniture exporter in the Asia’s market,
according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The ministry was
quoting figures from the American Hardwood Export Council.The
export turnover of locally made wood products reached $2.5 billion in
2007 and may reach...Structural wood products — a bargain amid soaring material prices
11.07.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
While the cost of construction in the
U.S. continues to climb, one building material – wood – remains a smart
investment for the savvy professional. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, over the last four years, steel products have doubled in
price and concrete products are up 35...Insects threat spruce forests in Southern Sweden
09.07.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The dangerous bark beetle is swarming in Southern Sweden earlier
than normally. There is also a great risk of a second generation
swarming later in the summer.
Because
of the warm summer the beetle population swarmed early. The drought
made spruce more vulnerable to...Russia to Join WTO When Finland Permits
04.07.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Russia will join the World Trade Organization (WTO) no sooner than it settles the timber-tarriff conflict with the EU, said EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.
The duties imposed by Moscow contradict the agreement of EU and Russia, the commissioner announced in the air of Finland’s...3,000 hectares of forest ravaged by fire
01.07.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Norway has suffered one of the country's most disastrous forest
fires since the war. Extreme drought resulted in the destruction of
about 3.000 hectares of forest in the Froland county on the south coast.
15 helicopters and several hundred firemen...Brazil: Credit line will help modernize logging in the Amazon
26.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The new Brazilian Minister of the
Environment has plans to use credit lines for Economic and Social
Development (BNDES) to modernize and increase efficiency of production
activities in the Amazon, said Portal Moveleiro. The production of
timber and vegetable oil products were identified...Amazon soya deal to be replicated in timber
25.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Brazil’s
new environment minister Carlos Minc has called for the timber sector
to replicate a soya deal which bans purchases of soya from deforested
areas of the Amazon, The timber Industry Magazine reported. Mr Minc’s
comments came as he announced a one-year extension to the...China: MDF industry development shows rapid gains in capacity
25.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The MDF industry has developed rapidly
over the last twenty years in China, making important contributions to
development of the national economy and improvement of people’s living
standard. China’s MDF industry began in the 1970s, with outputs
eventually increasing sharply in the 1990s....Finnish paper firms warn of higher costs
23.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Rising raw materials and energy costs drew profit warnings from the
world's top paper and packaging firms Stora Enso Oyj, UPM-Kymmene, and
Huhtamaki on Wednesday, sending shares in all three tumbling.
Stora Enso said its second-quarter operating profit would halve from a
year ago,...Space cameras to monitor forests
19.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Plans to use a state-of-the-art camera onboard a satellite to monitor deforestation levels in Africa's Congo Basin have been unveiled.The high resolution RALCam3 camera, designed and built by UK scientists, will provide the first detailed view of the area's rate of forest cover loss.The...Roundwood sales liven up in May – need still exceeds availability twofold
17.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The forest industry managed to purchase 2 million cubic metres of timber from private forest holders in May. The amount increased by a fifth from April, but purchase volumes were still only half of the level achieved in May 2007.This year’s January-May aggregate purchase volume, 8.2 million...Norwegian forest owners require better framework conditions for new bioenergy production
17.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The annual meeting of the Norwegian Forest Owners' Federation on 4
June decided to present a resolution to the Norwegian Government
requesting better framework conditions for producing bioenergy.
The Government's target of producing 14 TWh new bioenergy is positive
and...A more market oriented approach is needed in the forest industry
12.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
A more market oriented approach in the forest industry is the way to get out of the present crisis.
This was the message of Mr Mikael Selling, partner and one of the
founders of the company Opticom International Research, when he gave a
speech in PricewaterhouseCoopers forest industry...Roundwood sales from small-scale private forests
06.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Finland’s forest resources are sufficient to allow felling volumes in
small-scale private forests to increase to above 60 million cubic
metres.In recent years, the forest
industry’s annual roundwood purchases from small-scale private forest
owners have amounted to about 45 million cubic...Finnish forest owners plant 160 million saplings
05.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
This spring family forest owners will plant a total of 160 million
saplings in Finnish forests. The family forest area concerned will be
almost 85,000 hectares.
Only domestic
species, i.e. spruce, pine and birch, will be used in regeneration,
spruce being the most...Green alarm for Russia’s economic boom
04.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Greenpeace is warning of permanent environmental
damage unless Russia’s booming economy is managed differently. The
activists say turning a blind eye to green concerns may cause trouble
in years to come.
Russia is home to some of the most
polluted places on Earth. The quality of air...Congo Basin Forest Is Biggest For Approved Logging
02.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
A tract of tropical forest in the Congo Basin mapped with the help of local pygmies has become the largest in the world certified under a system meant to ensure responsible logging, partners in the project said on Tuesday.The 7,500 sq km (2,896 sq mile) concession area, almost the size of...Global trade of woodchips reaching new records
02.06.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Pulpmills in both Europe and the Pacific
Rim are increasingly sourcing their mills withwood from fast-growing
plantations. This has resulted in a major expansion of worldwide trade
of both wood chips and pulplogs the past few years, according to the
Wood Resource Quarterly.
Global trade...Scientists generated bacteria producing cellulose
27.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Scientists
from University of Texas at Austin generated bacteria producing
cellulose. According to the researchers, the cellulose is to be turned
into ethanol and other biofuels, Russian forestry review informed. The
microorganisms were developed by Malkolm Brown and David Nobles...European companies adjust wood strategies as Russian log costs increase
21.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Russian
domestic sawnlog and pulpwood prices fell 20% in the 1Q 2008 as taxes
on softwood logs increased 20 to 25% of log value, ITTO reported. Since
Russian taxes and thereby the cost of logs are expected to increase
further, forest companies in Europe, the Nordic countries and...Swedish forest is a great carbon sink
20.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Swedish forests absorb twice as much carbon dioxide as total Swedish
emissions — more than 110 million tons. The parliament wants to take
this into account in making Swedish climate policy.
In climate policy making the advantages of Swedish forests, i.e....Beech plywood prices declined on European sales markets
15.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Beech
plywood prices have declined again on the whole on European sales
markets over the past few weeks, manufacturers and importers report,
Euwid Wood products and panels informed. The latest contracts for
retail deliveries of standard and multiplex grades, in particular,
featured...Forestry has a bright, green future
14.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
There is no doubt that current economics in the Canadian forestry
sector are grim. However, when you look out at the horizon, at where
global economics are quickly going, it's clear that the industry's
longer-term prospects are excellent. And strangely, the future of
Canada's most...Finnish forest industry production down 5% in January-March
12.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
In
January-March 2008 forest industry production in Finland is estimated
to have fallen by 5%. In the wood products industry production fell by
one-fifth, Finnish Forest Industries Federation informed. Production of
paper and pulp, on the other hand, was roughly the same as the...The tree-house restaurant
12.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Now that’s a hell of an idea to attract customers.
This Okinawa Tree-House restaurant, on Highway 58 at the entrance in
Onoyama Park in the south of Japan. What may look like a genuine tree
is actually a man-made concrete structure, just like the French used to
build in the lathe 19th...Swedish officials protest against Russian timber protectionism
12.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Swedish Minister for Trade Ewa Björling
met representatives of the Swedish forest industry on Wednesday to
discuss and identify potential measures and strategies with which to
counter Russian timber tariffs that were raised by 50 per cent on 1
April.
"The latest rise was a...Forests Under Expanding Wildfire
08.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Starting from the forest fire season, about 5,000
wildfires have been registered in Russia. According to the Federal
Forestry Agency (Rosleskhoz), 4,852 fires were registered as of 21
April, starting from the beginning of the fire season. Actually, this
is seven times more that last...Timber Imports Not Slowed By New Russian Customs Rules
06.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The cut in the number of border customs processing points by Russian officials has not yet slowed the import of raw timber. In
northern parts of the country, the paperwork has to be taken hundreds
of kilometres for processing, but for the time being shipments
themselves still following...Russian export tax opens log markets for local
05.05.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
A Russian log export tax is helping blunt the impact of the U.S.
lumber market collapse for coastal forest company TimberWest Forest.TimberWest
is the province's No. 1 log exporter. But with U.S. demand and prices
in the tank, the company is letting its trees continue to grow rather
than...Brazilian pine sawlog prices were up despite lower demand in the 4Q
25.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The
export-dependent sawmilling industry in Brazil has been cutting back
production in 2007 as shipments to the US fell. With the reduced
operating rates, demand for sawlogs declined and timber prices leveled
off in the local currency in the 4Q, Wood Resource Quarterly reported.
However,...Tools, techniques to estimate timber volume
24.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Selling timber is not the only reason for
understanding some basic ecological characteristics of a forest.
Certainly, species composition, wood volume, and forest density are key
components of establishing a timber sale, but they are also essential
to assessing forest health...Solidwood flooring shows strong growth in Guangdong Province
23.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The flooring industry, especially the
solid wood composite flooring industry, has been developing rapidly in
Guangdong Province due to rising housing starts. According to
statistics, sales of commercial housing reached 62.20 million m² in
2007 in Guangdong Province,
up 20% in the...Finnish Forest Management Associations encourage an increased rate of forest thinning
23.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The Forest Management Associations* initiated a campaign for
increasing forest thinning during their promotion week on 14 — 19 April
2008. During the week the associations organized events for forest
owners all around Finland. The promotion week constituted the starting
shot for a...Impacts of biodiversity protection on the wood supply in Europe
22.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
As the EU promotes renewable energy with
clear targets for 2020 and the wood markets show increasing demand of
raw material, the present political discussions are focusing on
availability and mobilization of wood in Europe. On the other hand,
policies are being developed to halt the loss...New Forest study centre rebuild
18.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
A new education centre called The Treehouse has opened at Cannock Forest in Staffordshire.The 347sq m (3,735sq ft) environmentally friendly venue – developed by the Forestry Commission – includes two classrooms for up to 120 students and is complemented by a new Chase Heritage Trail...Malaysia: Timber product prices on the rise
17.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Prices of Malaysian timber products have been rising steadily as the
raw materials shortage became critical as a result of tropical
thunderstorms. CIMB Research said in a recent report the heavy
rain in the country since February had affected timber-harvesting
activities and could dent...European Commission voices concern after Russian duty rise
16.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The European Commission has voiced its discontent at Russia's
decision to increase timber export taxes for a second time and said
that it will make the country's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) harder. Russia increased the rate of its export duties for timber to ˆ15/m3
on...The storm Gudrun cost approximately 2 billion euro
16.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Recent calculations by the Swedish Forest Agency indicate that the
damage suffered by Swedish forestry because of the storm Gudrun is
approximately 18.4 billion SEK (circa 2 billion euro).
In January 2005 the storm Gudrun hit Southern Sweden. It was the worst
storm in...New Zealand Wood welcomes forestry productivity indicators
14.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
NZ Wood
welcomes indicators for forestry productivity. Development
of scientifically-robust productivity indicators for New
Zealand’s forestry sites will help ensure the long-term
sustainability of forests as a resource, according to NZ
Wood.Crown Research Institute, Scion, announced...Russia Plans Timber Tracking to Control Illegal Logging
14.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
By 2011 there will be a unified information system in operation in
Russia for controlling timber circulation that may help the government
combat illegal logging, according to a report in "Russian Forestry
Review" magazine.
The new system was announced by Valery Roshchupkin, head of
the...Siberia's black market logging
10.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The vast forests of Eastern Siberia, known as the Taiga, are a
goldmine for Chinese wood traders, who send raw logs over the border to
serve their home country's booming economy. But much of the wood trade
is illegal.With its barbed wire fences, smashed windows and crumbling...Timber industry is in trouble
09.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Global economics and the housing bust are throwing a relentless string
of problems at the mom-and-pop sawmills and logging companies that make
up much of the nation's hardwood lumber industry.
Large furniture makers have abandoned the United States, and changing
consumer tastes and...Russia: First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov proposes to set up a cluster of wood-working companies in the Russian Far East
09.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei
Ivanov held a meeting with the head of Delovaya Rossia, the
entrepreneurs' alliance. It was during this event that Sergei Ivanov
announced that a cluster of wood-working companies needed to be set up
in the Russian Far East. According to the First Deputy...European paper/forest products companies face continued decline in credit quality
04.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The credit quality of European-based
paper and forest product companies is likely to continue to decline as
they contend with higher input costs, a strengthened euro and declining
demand, according to Moody's Investors Service. In a new Industry
Outlook report examining the main credit...Canada must adapt to climate impact on forests
03.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Canada must prepare for the impact of global warming on its forests,
such as increased fires in the west and ice storms in the east, the
country's forest ministers said.
Canada's lumber and paper industry must also address its declining
competitiveness and use trees for non...Russian timber protectionism
02.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
From 1 January 2009 Russia increases timber export tariffs to 75 USD
per cubic meter in a bid to boost domestic forestry processing. The
five-fold tariff increase in less that a year now triggers major
problems among the foreign timber importers.
Russia has about thirty percent...Pulpmills in Finland and Sweden increase pulpwood imports as domestic wood fiber costs rise
02.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The
Finnish forest industry is facing difficulties with high wood costs and
the prospect of sharply reduced log supply from Russia in the coming
years. The industry has already started to alter their log procurement
strategy by increased imports from other countries and...EU urges Russia to reconsider rise in export duties on timber
01.04.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
European Union officials urged Russia on Tuesday to reconsider an
increase in duties on raw timber exported to EU nations, warning the
decision will hurt Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organization.
Russian authorities said Tuesday the country was raising its tax on
exports to 25...Illegal cuttings and the world market of wood
31.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
In Japan, one of the biggest importers of the forest products, more and
more accusations revealed the illegal wood cuttings. Rusia, Indonesia
and Malaysia are the most important countries which import great
volumes of forest products from the illegal timber cuttings.China is
the leading...Forest education builds bridges in Balkans
31.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Forest education is building bridges in the Balkans in the shape of an international forest policy course in Belgrade, Serbia. The
course is part of a larger master’s degree programme on forest policy
and economics, being implemented by the Faculty of Forestry in Belgrade
in co-operation...Vietnamese woodworkers face high material costs
28.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Wood
exporters in the southern province of Dong Nai have met with many difficulties,
as input costs are increasing and output has been affected by the ailing US
dollar.
High material costs,
skyrocketing bank interest rates and the falling US dollar have strongly
affected local wood...Western Canadian Pine Beetle Infestation Spreads
27.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
About half of the marketable pine trees in West Coast Canadian province of British Columbia have been ravaged by a nearly decade-long beetle infestation, according to new government statistics.The outbreak of mountain pine beetles has affected trees over an area of 13.5 million hectares (33.4...Swedish forest policy calls for increased forest growth
27.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Growth must increase in Swedish forests. That is the core purpose of
the Swedish Government's proposal for a new Swedish forest policy.
The main reasons of this new policy are that the forest plays an
increasingly important role in preventing climate change and that...Increased threat of bark beetles in Sweden
25.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The Swedish Forest Agency estimates that 1.5 — 3 million cubic
metres of wood in Southern Sweden have suffered storm damage this
winter which causes a risk of extensive bark beetle attacks.
The storm felled trees are spread over large areas, which means that
there is a...Vietnam 'hub for illegal timber'
20.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Vietnam has become a major South-East Asian hub for processing
illegally logged timber, according to a report from two environmental
charities.
The trade threatens some of the last intact forests in the region, say
the UK-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and...Latvian businessmen would like to invest in modernization of Belarusian companies
17.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Latvian businessmen would like to invest in modernization of Belarusian
companies, director of the Liepaja department of the Latvian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry Girts Kronbergs told reporters on March 12.
According to him, Latvian companies would like to invest in woodworking
and...Timber export tariffs to rise 5 times
17.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Russian timber export tariffs will rise to 75
dollars per cubic metre from January 1, 2009 as the government seeks to
turn around the industry.
Tariffs have already risen from $US 6 to $US 22 dollars and will hit $US 75 from the start of next year.
“Russia holds around a quarter of...China's wood industry fueled by illegal log imports from rainforest countries
13.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
While China has improved management of its forestry sector, expanding forest plantation cover and banning harvesting of natural
forests, China's recent growth as wood-products exporter is built on
timber imports — much of which are illegal — argues a researcher from
the Smithsonian...Timber takes off in Paris
13.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Timber has played a central role in the redevelopment of Terminal 2E at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. Pier
2E, the jetty attached to the terminal, has been refurbished in
ash-veneered birch plywood cladding and glulam supported by a steel
frame and covered in a glass shell, as part...Timber Export Points Reduced by 80%
13.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The Federal Customs Service yesterday reduced the number of customs checkpoints that will process unfinished timber exports from 668 to 128
with proper technology for assessing timber cargo. Kindling, sawdust,
milling byproducts, pulp and other rough forms of wood are subject to
the new...Russia prunes customs sites for raw timber to Finland
12.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Starting
Tuesday, March 11 Russia plans to eliminate many customs points for
international raw timber transports. If implemented, the move means a
dramatic drop in imported Russian timber to Finland, YLE informed. Russia
has yet to reply to Finland's request to postpone the change...Stumps, a non-exploited natural resource
12.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Stumps contain more than 20 % of all biomass of coniferous trees,
says the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The university
will make an extensive investigation and invest in research to find out
the positive as well as the negative consequences of stump extraction...Pinskdrev negotiate investment loan with EBRD
04.03.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Pinskdrev is negotiating an investment loan with the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The 2008 development strategy
has already been defined, BelTA learnt from the administration of the
enterprise.
Over the last seven years Pinskdrev managed to establish a...Sierra-Leon’s timber is prohibited to export
26.02.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Sierra-Leon’s authorities announced about the prohibition on wood
export. This measure was taken in connection with the high rise of the
illegal lumbering. The humid tropical forests are abolished on 90% in
accordance with the times of the British colonial sway. The most suffer
came to...Russia: Natural Resources Ministry to Blunt Axes
26.02.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Russia’s Natural Resources Ministry has elaborated amendments to the Forestry Code aimed at opposing illegal deforestation that accounts for 10 percent to 15 percent of the authorized forest procurement. The State Duma has the draft already but the dates of its passing are yet unclear...Norwegian forest owners increased felling in 2007
20.02.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
In 2007 a total of 8.2 million m3 of
timber for industry uses was felled in Norway. This is 850,000 m3, i.e.
12 % more than in the previous year. The reason for the increase was
the good timber prices. Felling has not been that extensive since the
years 1994/1995 apart from the exception...In 2007 Belorus increased the volume of furniture export by 2.9 %
20.02.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
In
2007 Belorus increased the volume of furniture export by 2.9 %, to
178,2 thousand tons as compared with the 2006, The ministry of
statistics and analysis of Belorus informed.In 2007 the volume of wood fiber panel export was 51,9 million square meters (-0,4 %).Lesprom.ru
Norwegian government decides to protect 147 km2 of coniferous forest
13.02.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The Norwegian government has decided to protect a coherent area of
coniferous forest of 147 km2 (14,700 ha) in the Buskerud county in
Southern Norway. The municipalities and forest owners concerned
together offered an area of 99 km2 for protection. The environment
protection organizations...Greenpeace report angers furniture retailer
12.02.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
New Zealand — South Island retailer
Smiths City is embroiled in a row with Greenpeace over a report
critical of its outdoor-furniture imports.
Smiths City Group managing director Rick
Hellings said the report, produced by Greenpeace and Indonesia's Human
Rights Committee, was a...Japan's plywood imports struggle as production eased in Malaysia and Indonesia
12.02.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
At the beginning of January, many distributors were selling plywood at
lower prices and plywood movements continued to be slow, said the Japan
Lumber Journal.It was noted that some producers in Malaysia and
Indonesia reduced plywood production for Japan, since producers
could not cope...Forest industry ready to increase production of renewable energy
08.02.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
With the aid of the forest industry, Finland will be able to treble its
use of wood chips. This increase would boost renewables’ share of
Finnish energy production by three percentage points from the present
record level of 28.5 per cent.Production of renewable energy from biomass can be...Russia looks at timber to boost coffers
31.01.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Russia has 20 per cent of the world's forestry
resources, but is currently a minor player in the global timber trade.
The Government is seeking to turn the industry into an advanced sector
of the national economy within 12 years.
"Technical
re-equipment and the creation of new deep...Mild weather a problem for Swedish and Finnish forest industry
28.01.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The mild weather this winter is becoming a major problem for the
forest industry in Southern Sweden and Southern Finland. It is
difficult to get the timber out of the forest when the ground is
thawing and wet after all rains.
Mr
Leif Brodén, group manager of the...In 2007 companies of Forestry Ministry of Belarus expand export by 48% to $132mln
24.01.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
In 2007 companies of the Forestry Ministry of Belarus exported $132
million worth of products, up by 48% on 2006, BelTA learnt from Ivan
Silkov, the chief of the sales and marketing department of the
ministry. According to him, in 2008 the companies intend to preserve
export upward...Forest fires leave 48 hot spots in Sumatra
24.01.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
The Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) said on
Wednesday recent forest fires in Sumatra Island have left at least 48
hot spots, 35 of which were located in Riau province.
Johanes Sudrajat, head of the BMG's analysis section, said the hot spots were detected by the "NOAA...Roundwood sales at record level in Finland in 2007
22.01.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Finland’s forest industry purchased a record amount of wood from the country’s privately owned forests in 2007. The total, almost 53 million m3, was some 25 % more than in 2006. Forest owners selling the wood received more than EUR 2 billion earnings.“Finland’s forest industry will, however,...Vietnam: Wooden products exports grow well, but problems exist
21.01.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Ton Quyen, Deputy Chairman of the Wooden and Forestry
Products Association, talked about the problems of the wood processing
industry.
What would you say about the business results of
wood processors in 2007?
Giant palm tree puzzles botanists
17.01.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Botanists have discovered a new species of giant self-destructing palm in Madagascar which is so large that it can be seen in satellite photos.The plant, which only exists in the remote north-west of the island, is unlike anything else ever found on the island before.Although villagers had...S.Leone Bans Timber Sales After Chinese Wreak Havoc
16.01.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Sierra Leone's government has banned the exportation of timber after "indiscriminate destruction" by Chinese and other foreign businessmen, a senior official said on Monday.Hassan Mohammed, deputy director of the forestry ministry, said Chinese loggers had wreaked havoc in the savannahs of...Lumber Industry Insufficiently Supported
15.01.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
Federal Forest Management Agency (Rosleskhoz) head Valery Roshchupkin admitted 18.12.2007 that measures in the new Forest Code to attract investment in the logging and lumber milling
industry are insufficient to create any qualitative change and a
program to raise duties gradually on...Improving but still bad economy in Danish forests
09.01.2008 | WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS | views
In 2006 Danish forestry showed an average
deficit of 600 DKK (80 ˆ) per hectare. This is an improvement from 2005
when the deficit was as high as 1,000 DKK (135 ˆ).
The main reasons for the improvement are extensive felling and better
timber prices. The deficit is caused by accumulated...
|