Australian timber industry news

UPM has signed a definitive agreement to form a graphic paper Joint Venture with Sappi, and the parties have secured financing arrangements that will provide a robust financial standing for the Joint Venture. A non-binding letter of intent (LOI) on the transaction was signed on December 4, 2025. The planned Joint Venture will include the entire UPM Communication Papers business and Sappi’s graphic paper business in Europe. The Joint Venture will be owned 50/50 by UPM and Sappi. It will operate as an independent company, managing its own operations, resources, and decisions within agreed shareholder boundaries. “The definitive agreement is an important milestone in creating the planned Joint Venture that we see as a necessary step to secure long-term commitment and supply continuity for graphic paper customers in Europe and strengthen the resilience of the entire European graphic paper industry,” said Massimo Reynaudo, President and CEO of UPM. Following this milestone, the parties will start planning to ensure operational readiness of the Joint Venture from day one. Until the closing of the intended Joint Venture according to the satisfaction of all legal and regulatory requirements, UPM Communication Papers and Sappi’s European graphic paper business will continue to operate as separate and independent companies. The Joint Venture is expected to create annual synergies estimated at about €100 million through asset and logistics optimizations, product portfolio rationalization, sourcing efficiency improvements and operational efficiencies. The establishment of the Joint Venture is intended to create a sustainable standalone business that ultimately will provide divestment flexibility for all shareholders. Three years after closing, with the Joint Venture expected to have completed the integration and realized the synergies, either shareholder may initiate a divestment of their shareholdings.

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In the UNESCO Spreewald Biosphere Reserve in Germany, a log corduroy road is currently being constructed using round timber to enable low-impact access to a wetland area. A Komatsu 951XC harvester equipped with an S172 head is being used for the project. Source: Timberbiz The timber road will provide the foundation for future forestry operations. The Spreewald region in Brandenburg, Germany, is one of Europe’s most distinctive natural landscapes. The region is characterized by a widely branched network of natural and man-made waterways as well as permanently wet, partly marshy soils. As a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Spreewald places special demands on forestry operations, as the sensitive site conditions and the low load-bearing capacity of the soils make the use of conventional machinery considerably more difficult. Against this backdrop, a special forestry operation is currently being carried out: in a wetland area, a Komatsu 951XC harvester combined with an S172 head is building a road made of roundwood, known as a corduroy road. The planned road will be approximately 800 metres long and will serve as a stable foundation for further access to the area. The main challenge lies in the ground conditions. The subsoil is soft and unstable, which means machines cannot be used without preparatory measures. Building the corduroy road makes it possible to create the necessary infrastructure for the subsequent work steps. The aim is to enable adapted management of the area in the future. Timber harvesting will be carried out manually with chainsaws. A cable yarding system is planned for transporting the timber. At the end of the cable line, the felled trees will be processed by a harvester. A forwarder will then handle the onward transport of the logs from the stand. The construction of the corduroy road is therefore the first and decisive step in enabling a structured and soil-friendly operation in this challenging environment. This application demonstrates how practical solutions can be developed through the targeted use of modern forestry technology, even under extreme site conditions. This junction has been designed so that work can be carried out in parallel: On one side, the harvester processes the stems, while on the other side the cable yarder is positioned. The cable yarder handles timber extraction from the protected area of the biosphere reserve, where the use of machinery is not possible.

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Europe is experiencing rising demand for affordable housing, while the construction sector faces longer timelines, labour shortages and growing carbon requirements. Traditional building methods are struggling to keep pace, and scalable solutions that reduce environmental impact are urgently needed. Source: Timberbiz Modular timber construction offers a promising pathway, yet few examples exist at a scale that demonstrates true repeatability.  Xylino brings that vision into practice. Located in Almere, the Netherlands, this five-storey residential complex shows how an industrialised timber system can accelerate building delivery while significantly reducing environmental impact. The project takes its name from the Greek word for wood and represents the first large-scale modular housing development in the Netherlands built entirely from Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). Completed in early 2026 by property developer De Alliantie Ontwikkeling BV, the building provides 103 homes, including mid-market rental units, social housing apartments, and ground-level residences, supported by a semi-underground parking structure and a shared car-free courtyard. The building is assembled from 436 prefabricated wooden modules manufactured by geWOONhout. Each module is delivered to the construction site with integrated technical systems. Built entirely from LVL, the structural system consists of four corner columns and integrated floor and roof elements. The interlocking assembly creates a strong and precise structure without the need for a concrete core. Installation on site follows a sprint-based approach rather than a traditional linear schedule. Construction teams place eight to twelve modules per day, which corresponds to three to four complete apartments. A full residential block can be assembled in approximately four weeks. Digital design plays a key role in making the system scalable. By using a design platform, every component has a digital twin containing dimensions, specifications and end-of-life instructions. Each module includes a QR code linking to this data, supporting precise fabrication today and reuse or recycling in the future. The approach creates consistency in manufacturing while still allowing flexibility in layout and housing typologies. While cross-laminated timber (CLT) is common in timber construction, geWOONhout selected Kerto LVL as the main structural material to their concept. Kerto LVL products are manufactured by gluing together 3 mm thick veneers either all in the same direction or with 20 % laid crosswise, depending on the intended use of the product. Kerto LVL offers a high strength-to-weight ratio through, making it up to 50% more material-efficient than alternative mass timber products with similar performance. The high stiffness and dimensional precision of LVL ensure consistency in modular fabrication, where millimetre accuracy determines installation speed and overall quality. Different Kerto LVL products were selected for different applications in the structure. Kerto LVL S-beams measuring 5.2 metres serve as floor and roof beams, while shorter beams of 2.9 metres are used as studs and rim boards. The floor surfaces are constructed from 5.05-metre Kerto LVL Q-panels, and the load-bearing stability walls with a length of 3.3 meters are built from reglued 100-mm Kerto LVL Q-panels. CNC machining ensures tolerances within 0.5 millimetres, provides pre-cut service openings, and minimizes material waste. Kerto LVL is listed in Category 1 of the Dutch National Environmental Database (Nationale Milieudatabase, NMD). This verified environmental data supports transparent lifecycle assessments and simplifies compliance with Dutch regulations for sustainable building materials. Performance requirements for acoustic comfort and fire safety were key considerations. The entire load-bearing structure is wrapped with fire protection materials to meet regulatory standards for multi-storey housing. To achieve acoustic performance, additional mass was added to floors using olivine aggregate, a mineral that also captures CO₂. Acoustic decouplers between modules prevent sound transmission, and the full system has been tested to confirm compliance with residential performance thresholds. In addition, the construction is protected to R120, providing 120 minutes of resistance to structural failure, as required for new buildings exceeding 13 metres in height. Environmental considerations extend throughout the lifecycle. Lighter foundations reduced transportation emissions, smaller on-site cranes and PEFC-certified wood sourcing contribute to a significantly lower carbon footprint compared with conventional building methods. Modules are designed for disassembly, reuse and material recovery, supported by the integrated digital system. Operations on site are carried out with solar power, and the completed buildings include solar panels, high-performance insulation and rainwater harvesting. Low-carbon concrete is used only where necessary, such as in the semi-underground parking facility. Industrialised timber construction is advancing rapidly in the Netherlands and Belgium.

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Building approvals ticked down by 3.4% in April, including a 0.9% decline for detached houses and a 7.2% decline for multi-units, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics released yesterday. Source: Timberiz The ABS released its monthly building approvals data for April 2026 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories. HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt said the decline in April did not upset the positive underlying trend, with approvals in the three months to April still 12.1% higher than the same quarter a year earlier, including +9.3% for houses and +16.0% for multi-units. “The data continues to reflect the good momentum in Australian home building heading into 2026, supported by elevated population growth, low unemployment and last year’s rate cutting cycle,” he said. “The value of alterations and additions approved in the latest three months was also 14.0% greater than the same quarter a year earlier. This reflects the underlying demand for housing in Australia pitted against land constraints, which is pushing more households into the renovations segment.” Mr Devitt said “recent headwinds” surrounding rising interest rates, Budget announcements and international turmoil were likely to have a more noticeable impact on the data in the second half of the year. “Interest rates were already on the way up in response to higher-than-expected inflation in the second half of last year,” he said. “Elevated population growth and government spending have kept both inflation and interest rates higher than they otherwise would be, even as households and private sector businesses remain constrained. “Recent Budget changes will add to market uncertainty and disrupt the momentum that was evident in early this year. “These issues magnify the importance of the role of governments to reduce the cost of delivering a new home to market. “Australia is not expected to build enough homes to meet current and future demands,” Mr Devitt said. “Taxes and regulations on home building need to be reduced and skills shortages addressed, if Australia is to meet its housing targets. “Budget measures to deliver ‘enabling’ infrastructure like transport and utilities will support home building over the medium-to-long term.” In seasonally adjusted terms, Queensland saw the largest increase in new home approvals in the three months to April 2026, compared to the same quarter a year earlier, up by 24.4%. This was followed by Victoria (+13.5%), New South Wales and Western Australia (+9.0%), and Tasmania (+8.0%), while South Australia saw a 1.4% decline. In original terms, the Australian Capital Territory saw a decline of 12.2%, followed by the Northern Territory (-3.3%).

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A Southland council in New Zealand is looking to bolster its response to wilding conifers has warned new funding will only go so far. Source: The Press This week, the Government announced a NZ$79 million nationwide boost to tackle the uncontrolled spread of rogue trees which are plaguing the country. Environment Southland biosecurity team leader plants Jolie Hazley spoke positively about that funding at a Wednesday committee meeting but said it was “not going to solve all of Southland’s issues”. Hazley explained already-funded areas appeared to be the priority with a possibility of some new spots being added. “I’m not expecting that any new Southland sites will be picked up but I will definitely be advocating for that.” Mid Dome, Flagstaff and Takitimu all stood a chance, Hazley said, but Lake Te Anau up to Kingston would go unfunded and continue to face spread unless landowners stepped in. In response to questions from councillor Maurice Rodway, Hazley confirmed the council currently spent NZ$50,000 on wilding control which went towards the Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust. Rodway said the council needed to find more funding within the organisation to tackle areas not funded by the national scheme, while councillor Eric Roy questioned why the council still permitted Douglas fir planting when technology was available for sterile seed sources. Hazley responded that current GE rules did not allow for sterile trees to come into New Zealand. A report for the council meeting warned a status quo approach to wilding conifers would lead to about NZ$1.4 billion in lost benefits over 50 years, according to a consultancy. The report said the region’s response had mainly focused on contorta and dwarf mountain pine, but Douglas fir had emerged as a major threat. Multiple reasons were cited for that such as extensive plantations in the 1990s and early 2000s, continued planting at the present time, and an ability to spread more than 20km. A series of next steps were approved at the meeting including direction for staff to work with other agencies in response to the threat. According to MPI, a quarter of the country would be covered in wilding conifers within 30 years if the trees were left to spread.

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From key governance decisions to updates shaping the future of responsible forest management, this year’s Annual General Meeting brought Forest Stewardship Council ANZ members together for a day of connection, discussion, and shared purpose. Source: Timberbiz The event welcomed members from across Australia and New Zealand to reflect on progress and look ahead to the work still to come. Three special resolutions relating to constitutional amendments were passed by members. The amendments introduced formal definitions for Australian and New Zealand members, updated membership arrangements by establishing National and International membership classes and associated eligibility requirements and amended board composition provisions to support Australian and New Zealand representation across the three chambers. In practice, this reflects Australian members’ support for proposed cross-Tasman governance arrangements. However, the final decision regarding New Zealand governance remains contingent on a vote by New Zealand-based members. This year’s AGM marked both a returning and a new appointment to the FSC ANZ Board. Nicky Moffat was re-appointed to the board in the Environmental Chamber while Patrick Anderson was appointed director. Mr Anderson has been involved with FSC since its founding, representing Greenpeace International at the organisation’s inaugural meeting in 1994, and brings more than three decades of experience in forest governance, human rights and environmental advocacy. Rachael Cavanagh concluded her tenure on the board earlier this year. With strong participation, the day highlighted several important developments for FSC in the region. Members heard updates on the revision of the Australian Forest Stewardship Standard, which is now in its second and final round of public consultation. The meeting reflected on a year of engagement, including FSC Forest Walk events held across Australia and New Zealand, which brought stakeholders together to see responsible forest management in practice. The continued growth of FSC’s promotional licence holder program was another highlight, with leading businesses across Australia helping promote FSC-certified products and strengthen awareness of responsible forestry. The program continued with presentations from Rayne van den Berg, Founder of Value Australia, who outlined progress and next steps from the Global Forestry Natural Capital Project; Michelle Wong, Deputy Regional Director, FSC Asia Pacific, who provided an update on FSC Trace; and Tolita Davis-Angeles, who spoke to the First Nations Committee’s work and future direction. Grounded in collaboration and member participation, the AGM once again reinforced the importance of member engagement in shaping the direction of FSC ANZ.  

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A new peer-reviewed study vindicates what the forestry sector has long argued: that native forest harvesting is not the primary cause of swift parrot decline, and that misdirecting conservation efforts toward the forestry sector will not improve the species’ outlook, according to Timber Towns Victoria. Source: Timberbiz Timber Towns Victoria President Cr Karen Stephens says for years, timber workers and their families have carried the economic and emotional burden of decisions that this research now calls into question. “This new scientific research is further evidence that Victorian timber communities were stripped of a vital renewable resource industry, devastating local livelihoods and causing significant mental pain and suffering, due to restrictions that were wrongly justified in part on swift parrot habitat concerns. “The impact on these communities has been profound — businesses closed, jobs disappeared, and families were left struggling under the weight of uncertainty and stress,” Cr Stephens said. The study, published in the journal Australian Forestry, was conducted by independent researcher Simon Grove, who reviewed the body of published research to test two competing explanations for the critically endangered species’ collapse. Mr Grove concluded the evidence firmly favours predation — specifically the killing of nesting females and their eggs or broods by sugar gliders, an introduced species — over habitat loss as the primary driver of decline. The swift parrot breeds in Tasmania and migrates to Victoria and other parts of south-eastern Australia, where it relies on eucalypt woodland and native forest. Nesting birds in both jurisdictions face predation by sugar gliders, whose range has expanded significantly. Mr Grove’s paper sets out two hypotheses — a forest habitat narrative and a predation narrative — and finds that neither the straightforward habitat hypothesis nor a more nuanced version linking sugar glider predation to the effects of forest disturbance is well supported by the available evidence. The predation hypothesis, by contrast, is grounded in empirical observation and supported by what the paper describes as apparently robust statistical modelling. The implications are direct. A conservation strategy focused solely on protecting existing breeding habitat would, the study concludes, make negligible material difference to the swift parrot’s fate in the short term, doing little more than ensuring remaining birds continue to be predated when nesting. Mr Grove is unequivocal: directing outrage toward the highly regulated forestry sector does nothing to further the species’ chances of surviving into the next decade and is in fact contributing to the problem rather than the solution. “For too long, swift parrot conservation has been used to partly justify restrictions that crippled Victorian timber towns. This research makes clear it is time to follow the science and end policies that unfairly punish regional communities,” Cr Stephens said TTV is calling on the Federal and Victorian governments to update their conservation response to reflect the best available science, prioritise practical predation mitigation at scale, and cease using swift parrot habitat concerns as a basis for restricting the forest management practices that Victoria’s timber towns and their families depend upon.

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Forest and Wood Communities Australia (FWCA) has welcomed the publication of a major peer-reviewed scientific review that concludes Australia’s native forests can be sustainably managed for timber production while protecting biodiversity, carbon values, water resources and other environmental outcomes. Source: Timberbiz The paper, Australia’s Native Forests Can Be Sustainably Managed for Wood Production Together with Other Important Forest Values, published in the journal Australian Forestry, brings together the expertise of highly respected forest scientists Dr John Raison, Professor EKS Nambiar, Dr Geoff Kile and Dr Lindsay Bren. FWCA Director Steve Dobbyns said the review should serve as a wake-up call for politicians and decision-makers who have increasingly relied on activist campaigns rather than scientific evidence when making forestry policy. “For too long, public debate about native forestry has been dominated by misinformation, emotion and ideology rather than facts,” Mr Dobbyns said. “This comprehensive scientific review examines many of the claims used to justify forest industry closures and harvesting bans and finds that they are often based on poor evidence, flawed assumptions or selective use of science.” The authors conclude that sustainable native forestry does not cause deforestation, does not threaten biodiversity at a landscape scale, does not increase wildfire risk and does not generate the large carbon emissions often claimed by anti-forestry campaigners. Importantly, the review highlights that native forest harvesting occurs on only a tiny proportion of Australia’s forest estate each year and that harvested areas are regenerated under strict regulatory requirements. “The reality is that Australian forestry operates under some of the world’s most rigorous environmental regulations,” Mr Dobbyns said. “The science confirms what forestry professionals, regional communities and independent experts have been saying for years – well-managed native forestry can coexist with biodiversity conservation, carbon storage and other community values.” Mr Dobbyns said the findings are particularly relevant as governments continue to make decisions affecting thousands of regional jobs, domestic timber supplies and the long-term management of public forests. “We have seen governments in Victoria and Western Australia close native forest industries based largely on claims that this paper directly challenges.” “These decisions have devastated regional communities, increased Australia’s dependence on imported timber and reduced our capacity to actively manage forests for bushfire risk and other values.” FWCA said the review also exposes the flawed assumption that plantations can immediately replace all wood currently sourced from native forests. “The authors make it clear that Australia already faces a growing timber deficit and increasing reliance on imports,” Mr Dobbyns said. “Politicians need to understand that if we stop producing timber from sustainably managed Australian forests, the demand doesn’t disappear. It is simply shifted offshore to countries that may have weaker environmental standards.” Mr Dobbyns said forestry policy must be based on evidence rather than activist pressure. “Every policymaker considering restrictions on forestry should read this paper before making decisions that affect regional communities, housing affordability, renewable materials supply and the long-term health of our forests.” “The authors demonstrate that sustainable native forestry remains an important part of responsible forest management and that blanket harvesting bans have no sound scientific foundation.” FWCA is calling on federal and state governments to ensure future forestry policy is informed by peer-reviewed science, practical forest management experience and a balanced assessment of environmental, social and economic outcomes. “Australia deserves evidence-based forestry policy,” Mr Dobbyns said. “Regional communities, forest workers and future generations should not pay the price for decisions driven by misinformation.” You can download Australia’s Native Forests Can Be Sustainably Managed for Wood Production Together with Other Important Forest Values here.

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Australia’s housing supply is increasingly more exposed to global pressures as cheap imported structural timber floods the market, undercutting local producers at a time when domestic capacity is already under pressure. Source: The Daily Telegraph New data shows imports of engineered timber (LVL) from China have surged 63% in 12 months, with prices well below domestic production costs. As Australian Forest Products Association NSW boss James Jooste explains, softwood timber is the most critical material when it comes to the housing construction sector. “Eightly% of detached homes that are built in New South Wales are built using softwood timber. There’s a good reason for that because it’s sustainable, it’s durable,” Mr Jooste said. Coupled with NSW’s building crisis, there is a growing concern that cheaper imports could undermine Australia’s sovereign capability, with local events like the closure of the Great Western Highway and rising fuel prices highlighting how fragile supply chains can be. “Whether its fuel, natural resources, or things like timber so we can build houses, we want to make sure we’re not exposed to supply chains when a war happens,” Mr Jooste said. “We need to have the ability on shore in Australia to make sure we’re self-sufficient with critical materials. “We fundamentally don’t want to be exposed to the global trade winds when we should be able to be focused in Australia on the on resources that we have in abundance to do things like build Australian homes made out of Australian timber.” The AFPA highlights a mass amount of timber is being dropped on Aussie shores from places like China, which is in direct competition with our locally grown trees. While this may appear to lower costs in the short term, critics argue that it undermines Australian manufacturing, reducing local supply capacity and increasing long-term exposure to global volatility. “We need to make sure that we invest in those businesses and companies that are doing it in Australia, I think that’s really important and I think a lot of Australians are saying that,” Jooste said. Imported engineered timber is now being sold for almost half the domestic price, directly replacing locally manufactured structural timber in homes, but the AFPA points out that supply isn’t the main problem with the housing industry in NSW. “We’re actually not in a housing crisis. We’re in a building crisis right now, we see that throughout timber mill yards because we’ve got excess timber in those yards,” Jooste explained. “At a time that we should be going hammer and tongs on getting that timber to be building new houses in New South Wales, where the government had a laser-like focus on trying to address this issue.” As the state approaches its next election in March 2027, the AFPA say its imperative for both parties to get their forestry industry action plan sorted as soon as possible. “It’s really important to get the planning done now and get some direction around how we want to support our domestic manufacturers in New South Wales. “We’ve got all the resources we need to make sure that when it comes to building houses, we have those materials close to areas we need. Without a strong domestic industry, Australia risks becoming dependent on imports for the very materials needed to meet housing targets — at higher long-term cost and risk to Australian jobs.

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The Green Triangle’s plantation community has formally recognised one of its most respected leaders by naming a bushland restoration project at Australian Bluegum Plantations’ (ABP) Les Johnson Plantation, near Dergholm, in honour of outgoing CEO Russ Hughes. Source: Timberbiz The dedication of the Russ Hughes Bushland Project acknowledges Mr Hughes’ decade-long commitment to biodiversity, conservation and sustainable land management – values that underpin the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo habitat restoration being delivered at the conservation site. Throughout his tenure with ABP, Mr Hughes championed environmental stewardship, strengthened relationships with local communities, and embedded conservation principles into everyday operational practice. Those commitments helped lay the foundation for initiatives such as the Russ Hughes Bushland Project, which directly supports the recovery of one of the region’s most threatened species. Delivered in partnership with BirdLife Australia and Greening Australia, the project focuses on restoring critical habitat, improving food availability and increasing nesting opportunities for the critically endangered Red-tailed Black Cockatoos. Mr Hughes joined ABP in 2015 building on his experience working with industry and First Nations communities as a professional forester in Canada. Incoming CEO Darren Shelden, who worked closely with Mr Hughes during his tenure, said the naming of the project was a fitting acknowledgement of his influence and work ethos. “Russ has always believed plantation forestry is about more than growing wood fibre – it’s about people, landscapes, and the legacy we leave behind. His leadership has set a benchmark for how industry can work hand-in-hand with nature,” Mr Shelden said. “This bushland restoration will stand as a living reminder of Russ’ passion for biodiversity and his deep respect for the environment. It’s a place where staff, families and visitors can connect with the landscape he cares so deeply about, including the precious stringybark and buloke habitats that support the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.” The Russ Hughes Bushland Project forms part of ABP’s broader environmental enhancement program, which includes native species plantings, habitat protection, wetland restoration and long-term conservation planning across the estate. Mr Shelden said Mr Hughes’ influence extended well beyond operational leadership. “Russ has been a mentor, a passionate industry advocate, and a trusted colleague to so many of us. His legacy is woven into the culture of this organisation. He is thoughtful, principled, and always looking to the future and supporting the next generation of foresters,” he said. “At the core of his work was leaving the landscape in a better condition than when it was found. This habitat restoration stands as a lasting tribute to his contribution.” A farewell gathering with staff, industry partners and long-term collaborators was recently held at Les Johnson Plantation to mark the occasion. The event included the planting of several native species to enhance long term habitat for the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. While stepping down as CEO, Mr Hughes continues to contribute to the sector as founding Chair of The Precinct Project, an advanced manufacturing initiative exploring new engineered wood products from plantation fibre grown in the Green Triangle. As a founding member of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub, he also played a pivotal role in shaping the project’s early vision. ABP board member and GTFIH Deputy Chair Laurie Hein said Mr Hughes had been influential in turning “ambition into action”. “Russ’ ability to galvanise industry, government and community partners has unlocked new opportunities. From habitat restoration and koala management programs to the early visioning of The Precinct project. The region is stronger, more resilient and forward-looking because of his valued contribution,” Mr Hein said.

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Metsä Group marked the inauguration of its expanded and modernised tissue paper mill in Mariestad, Sweden, on 26 May. The opening ceremony was conducted by external representatives together with Metsä Group and Metsä Tissue leadership. Source: Timberbiz Metsä Group has made significant investments in strengthening its tissue business in Europe. The €370 million investment in Mariestad is one of the largest in the European tissue industry and reflects Metsä Tissue’s commitment to the future of European hygiene and tissue sector. The renewed Mariestad mill doubles its annual production capacity to approximately 145,000 tonnes, strengthening the availability of high-quality tissue products in Scandinavia. “By strengthening local production, we improve availability, reduce supply chain risks and support our customers across Scandinavia strengthening Metsä Tissue’s position as a trusted long-term partner to its customers,” said Sari Pajari-Sederholm, CEO of Metsä Tissue. The modernised mill represents the latest technology in tissue production. It includes a new state-of-the-art tissue paper machine and three new converting lines for rolled and folded tissue products. These enable the efficient and responsible production of high-quality tissue papers for Metsä Tissue’s well-known brands, including Lambi, Serla and Katrin. In addition to increased capacity and improved product quality, the investment significantly enhances the mill’s environmental performance by improved energy efficiency and reduces water consumption, lowering emissions per ton produced. “With the Mariestad mill, we are setting a new benchmark for modern tissue production in Europe. This investment combines high-quality tissue paper products, efficient production and improved environmental performance – all built close to our customers,” said Jussi Vanhanen, President and CEO of Metsä Group. The Mariestad mill produces tissue papers used in a wide range of everyday applications, from household use to professional hygiene solutions. The expanded and modernised Mariestad mill started operations in late 2025.

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is seeking eligible institutions interested in being designated as FAO Reference Centres for Forestry to support FAO and its Member Nations in the implementation of its mandate and priority areas. Source: Timberbiz FAO Reference Centres for Forestry provide technical and scientific advice and/or services to strengthen global, regional and national capacities in areas of FAO’s mandate as related to forestry. Forests are a vital force in the fight against climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, hunger and poverty. Covering one-third of the world’s land, they provide food, energy and materials while supporting most terrestrial biodiversity and storing more than half the global carbon. Despite a slowing global deforestation rate, forest loss and degradation persist. Urgent strategic action is required to conserve and restore forest ecosystems, enhance sustainable production and resilient livelihoods and value chains, and scale up science-based innovations. Forests have immense potential to support global economic, social and environmental goals, and realizing this potential requires collaboration. This call for interest in FAO Reference Centres for Forestry is a step towards creating an institutional structure to collaborate and drive high impact work in forestry. The Forestry Division leads FAO’s work on forestry, characterized by a balanced approach to the productive and protective functions of forests and forest ecosystems in promoting agrifood systems transformation while addressing other global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation. It liaises with FAO Member Nations, partners, civil-society organizations and the private sector to promote sustainable forest production, forest protection and innovation across the forest sector. The Forestry Division also collects, analyses and shares information on the world’s forest resources and the production, trade, and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products. The Committee on Forestry and six regional forestry commissions guide FAO in its technical work on forestry. Thematic topics for application This call aims to establish and/or strengthen partnerships that contribute to scaling up forest-based solutions. Institutions working on the below thematic topics, among others, are invited to apply and become FAO Reference Centres for Forestry, thus bringing world-class expertise that will support FAO and its Member Nations. Forest foods Agroforestry Productive forests Forest pest and disease Urban forestry Mangroves Forest and water Climate resilience Innovative use of forest genetic resources Forest economics, data and statistics Forest mechanization   Institutions designated as FAO Reference Centres will obtain the following advantages: International and regional recognition for their standing and the high quality of work in their fields of specialization. Name recognition and association with a United Nations agency, including the possibility of using FAO’s name, emblem and other logos under set conditions. Access to the Organization’s policy and technical information resources and benefit from FAO’s experience and knowledge at the global and country levels in the agreed areas of collaboration. Joint activities with FAO aimed at the promotion and support of future research and related training activities. Joint resource mobilization with FAO, where applicable. Access to FAO’s extensive scientific and technical networks, with the possibility of broadening partnerships through collaboration with other national, regional and global organizations, including other FAO Reference Centres. Engagement, where relevant, in multistakeholder collaboration with governments, academia, the private sector and civil-society organizations to enhance impact.   More information is available at https://www.fao.org/forestry/en/

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The growing market need to enhance the performance of lightweight thinning harvesters and excavator-based harvesters without increasing engine power has accelerated the demand for new solutions. Source: Timberbiz Kesla’s new powerB pressure accumulator system provides an effective response to this challenge by delivering significant additional power during critical work phases. The solution improves harvester performance, productivity, and fuel efficiency without the need to increase engine power. Light thinning harvesters and excavator-based harvesters often face challenges such as low feed speed and limited sawing power, which reduce work efficiency and make handling difficult trees more demanding. KESLA powerB addresses these challenges by efficiently utilizing load fluctuations in the hydraulic system. In harvester operations, the power demand of the hydraulic system varies continuously, and rapid changes also cause pressure spikes that are detrimental to the system. The PowerB pressure accumulator system is connected to the harvester’s pressure line, where it stores energy. At the same time, the system smooths pressure variations and filters pressure spikes, improving the durability and reliability of the hydraulic system and hoses. The stored energy is utilized at moments when the harvesting head’s energy demand is at its highest, such as during sawing and feeding. The core of the PowerB system is its valve and control logic, which manages energy charging and utilizing cycles with millisecond-level precision at exactly the right moments. The control system also ensures operational safety by discharging the accumulator energy in a controlled manner when the harvesting head is not active, ensuring safe machine operation and maintenance. “Thanks to precisely controlled charging and discharging cycles, the accumulator capacity enables up to nearly 50 kW of instantaneous additional power for sawing and delimbing feed. What is particularly significant is that the energy stored in the accumulator is immediately available, without the delays associated with hydraulic system of the base machine,” said Mika Tahvanainen, Director of Product Management at Kesla Oyj. “In addition, the impact on fuel efficiency is positive: the additional power does not require extra fuel. As engine load is balanced, hourly fuel consumption is even reduced while work productivity increases.” KESLA powerB integrates seamlessly into the extensive KESLA xTimber product family for excavator harvesters. The system is also ideally suited for lightweight thinning harvesters with limited engine power. The KESLA powerB system is available for all KESLA harvester heads controlled by KESLA proLOG, xLogger, or Dasa control systems.

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Forest & Wood Products Australia has released a new industry standard designed to strengthen confidence in timber construction by improving how mechanical fasteners and connection systems are tested and characterised across Australia’s timber sector. Source: Timberbiz The new FWPA Standard (T01) establishes a nationally consistent approach for testing mechanical fasteners and connectors used in timber structures, supporting more reliable structural design, stronger product confidence and greater innovation in modern timber construction. Developed through an FWPA-funded research project managed by the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) and undertaken by the ARC Advance Timber Hub at the University of Queensland, the Standard responds to an important industry need for contemporary, robust and practical testing methodologies. As timber construction systems continue to evolve, including greater use of engineered wood products such as glue-laminated timber (GLT), laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and cross laminated timber (CLT), the performance of connection systems is increasingly critical to structural reliability and market confidence. FWPA Standard T01 provides a clear pathway for manufacturers, testing laboratories, engineers, universities and certifiers to generate stronger and more consistent performance data for timber joints and fastener systems. Why the new Standard matters. FWPA Standard T01 establishes standardised methods to determine key connection performance characteristics, including: Strength, stiffness, ductility and slip performance of timber joints Testing methods across sawn timber and engineered wood products, including GLT, LVL, CLT and plywood Procedures for both lateral and axial loading scenarios, including identification of governing failure modes Standardised testing of individual fasteners and complete connection assemblies Generation of characteristic design values suitable for structural design under AS 1720.1   Importantly, the Standard is intended to support industry as an alternative to AS 1649 (2025) for determining characteristic capacities of commonly used timber connection types until that standard undergoes further comprehensive revision. Rather than replacing existing Australian Standards, FWPA Standard T01 is designed to complement them; helping improve consistency, reduce uncertainty and support more efficient timber connection design. Connection systems are fundamental to the performance and scalability of timber buildings, particularly as Australia sees growing interest in prefabrication, mass timber construction and higher-value engineered wood applications. By improving the way connection performance is characterised, FWPA Standard T01 will help industry generate clearer, more robust design data, enabling greater confidence in timber connection systems and supporting innovation across the built environment. The Standard is expected to be particularly valuable for timber manufacturers, product developers, testing laboratories, researchers, structural engineers and certifiers seeking dependable performance data to support product development and compliant structural design.

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Australia’s wine industry is vast, and behind every row of vines stands treated timber posts. When a vineyard reaches the end of its productive life, those posts require careful disposal: subject to waste regulations, they must go to licenced landfill facilities, which can be costly for growers. As a result, posts are often stockpiled on-site, presenting challenges in bushfire-prone regions. Source: Timberbiz The Vineyard Post Reuse Pilot, part of The Timber Circularity Project, is developing a practical end-of-life alternative and it is the culmination of trials run by the FABAL Group. Using innovative technology to process the vineyard posts for reuse, it represents a step forward for the Timber Circularity Project in developing pathways for CCA treated timber posts. Between 1.7 and 4.3 million treated timber posts are currently being removed from Australian vineyards annually, representing 15,000 to 38,000 tonnes per year. This initiative is addressing that problem by safely stripping them to be repurposed as fence posts or landscaping materials using a system that can readily be adopted by vineyard managers and farmers. At $3.50 – $5.50 per post, times 600 – 700 per hectare, there’s potential to save up to $3000 a hectare in waste management. Dr Pene Mitchell, Research Fellow from National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life who is leading the project, puts it plainly. “If we treat timber, we can get 20 plus years out of it. If we change to concrete or steel or plastic, the overall sustainable impact is much more significant: “We really need to find a solution for treated timber in a circular economy,” Dr Mitchell said. The post reuse system is mobile and can connect directly to existing farm machinery, meaning capital and operating costs are reduced and logistics costs are kept to a minimum. Early studies suggest the system can process around 600 posts per day, and preliminary economic modelling indicates that the posts can be sold for more than it costs to process them. “We thought it wouldn’t be economically viable,” Dr Mitchell said. “But then when you factor in the fact that the farmers would have to pay to get rid of them, it just makes a lot of sense.” Research indicates that timber has a fraction of the environmental impact of extractive materials such as steel and concrete as it can be grown in ways that build ecosystems rather than deplete them. Timber already has strong sustainability credentials – it’s renewable and stores carbon. The next step is building better reuse and recycling pathways so those benefits last even longer. “The timber circularity project just closes that loop of how we can continue to keep timber in our supply chain,” Dr Mitchell said. “The benefits of sustainability, community, economic security, all of those things can be addressed through a timber circular economy.” The Timber Circularity Project, led by the University of the Sunshine Coast’s National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, is dedicated to identifying and implementing strategies for the repurposing and recycling of preservative-treated timber and engineered wood products (EWPs). Commenced in 2023, the project is a three-year endeavour supported and funded by leading industry stakeholders, including: Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA), Wine Australia, Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA), Frame & Truss Manufacturing Association (FTMA), Koppers Performance Chemicals, Hexion, and Azelis. The vineyard post pilot is co-funded by the South Australian Wine Recovery Program and delivered in partnership with FABAL Group Pty Ltd.  

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The potential closure of New Zealand’s North Island town’s biggest employer would have a “devastating” economic domino effect, with hundreds of livelihoods at stake and locals fearing an exodus for Australia. Source: Stuff NZ Around 200 jobs are on the line at Kaitāia’s two timber mills as Japanese owner Juken New Zealand Ltd undergoes a formal consultation process over their future. Juken NZ managing director Hisayuki Tsuboi said the company was exploring whether the mills could continue operating under a different structure, including a potential sale or a joint venture. “We are taking the mills to market to assess whether there is interest from potential buyers,” he said. If no buyer is found, the mills could be closed down. The job losses would have a “devastating effect” on the local industry and the wider community of 6000, Workers First Union said. Ollie Smith, a saw operator at the mill for 18 years, knows the pain workers face, having been made redundant himself. “It’s such a big employer for Kaitāia,” he said. “I feel for those guys who stayed on after the last lot of redundancy in 2018.”

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As Traditional Owners guided the fire, they welcomed a small group from Canada to learn first-hand how cultural fire is used to care for Country in Australia, share stories and strengthen connections across cultures and continents. Source: Timberbiz Among them was Dr Jennifer Grenz, a Nlaka’pamux woman from the Lytton First Nation and an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship. Dr Grenz’s research is currently focused on culturally informed catastrophic wildfire recovery alongside Interior Salish Communities in the southern interior of British Columbia. She was joined by three fellow Canadian visitors, who had travelled to Australia with a shared purpose: to learn, connect, and exchange knowledge about cultural fire practices. “We’ve come to Australia to learn about cultural fire and prescribed burning, but also to build relationships, share knowledge across water and learn from each other,” Dr Grenz said. Their journey began in Western Australia before bringing them to Victoria, where they spent time on Country, including several days in Gariwerd (the Grampians) and attending the Scrub Track Cultural Fire, east of Bendigo. The visit itself was the result of international connections, relationships formed through conferences, shared networks, and a common commitment to revitalising Aboriginal land management practices. For Dr Grenz, the experience has been both eye-opening and deeply affirming. “One of the most amazing things I’ve learned is that while ecosystems and traditions may differ, we share so much more than what separates us,” she says. “We face similar challenges, but we also share victories as we reclaim and strengthen our stewardship practices,” she said. Fellow visitor Tiffany Traverse, a Secwépemc woman from the community of Kenpesq’t and an Indigenous researcher, sees strong parallels between the two countries. “We have very similar colonial histories,” she said. “For 150 to 200 years, many of our communities have been disconnected from land and from using fire in the way it was traditionally practised. That’s something we share with Australia.” While landscapes, plants and animals may differ, the principles at the heart of cultural burning, care for Country, respect for knowledge and community connection, remain deeply and remarkably aligned. Ms Traverse’s work back home focuses on native and culturally significant seeds and plants, teaching her community about conservation and traditional practices. Being on Country in Australia, witnessing cultural fire firsthand, added another layer to that knowledge. Traditional Owners group representatives from DJAARA, Barengi Gadjin, Eastern Maar and Gunditjmara supported their time in Victoria by sharing their knowledge, cultural leadership, and connection to Country. The visit to the Scrub Track Cultural Fire was more than an observation – it was a moment of exchange. A space where ideas, experiences, and cultural practices could be shared openly, connecting cultural fire practitioners across borders.

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The Forestry Centre of Excellence (FCoE) hosted a full-day field trip in Mount Gambier in May, bringing together industry, researchers and stakeholders for a hands-on exploration of plantation management and applied technologies. Source: Timberbiz The day began at the Centre with an introduction before participants visited local field sites to observe silvicultural practices, providing practical insight into plantation establishment and management and highlighting work undertaken through the Centre and its partners. Following lunch at Umpherston Sinkhole, demonstrations in the Blue Lake area focused on forest health and emerging technologies in forestry. The demonstrations showcased a range of tools and applications, including virtual reality in forestry, remote sensing technologies, IML-RESI (Instrumenta Mechanica Laborum – Resistance) tools for assessing the structural integrity of wood, forest hydrology applications, stem conductivity measurement, and other evaluation methods used for monitoring and assessing forest condition and tree health. The program concluded with an evening networking dinner at the Bob and Gayle Cowan Auditorium, providing an opportunity for continued discussion and connection across industry and research communities.

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Public comment is now being sought on an amendment to Australian/New Zealand Standard for Sustainable Forest Management (AS/NZS 4708:2021). Source: Timberbiz Developed by Responsible Wood, AS/NZS 4708 sets out requirements for sustainable forest management in Australia and New Zealand. It forms part of the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme and supports PEFC-endorsed certification in Australia. In New Zealand, it underpins the PEFC-recognised sustainable forest management scheme. The Standard plays an important role in stewarding responsible forest management practices that support healthy forests, biodiversity, renewable timber supply, regional jobs, cultural values and community expectations. Responsible Wood CEO Simon Dorries said the review process helps ensure the Standard continues to reflect evolving industry practices, environmental priorities, scientific knowledge, and stakeholder expectations. “Sustainable forest management impacts a wide range of people and sectors, from forest managers and manufacturers through to builders, designers, retailers, environmental groups, communities and consumers,” Mr Dorries said. “This public consultation is an important opportunity for stakeholders to help shape the future of responsible forest management in Australia and New Zealand.” With the revision process initiated every 5 years, latest updates reflect changes to the PEFC International Standard for Sustainable Forest Management PEFC ST 1003:2024 introduced to align PEFC with the European Deforestation Regulation and stakeholder feedback received since AS/NZS 4708 was last updated in 2021. The revised draft has been developed by the Standards Reference Committee, which includes representatives from forest management, forest research, auditing, government, community organisations, environmental groups, Indigenous stakeholders, industry and labour unions across Australia and New Zealand. The review process is being undertaken in accordance with Standards Australia procedures. Responsible Wood is accredited as a Standards Development Organisation (SDO) and is accredited to develop Australian and New Zealand Standards in line with recognised standards development processes. The Responsible Wood Certification Scheme, of which AS/NZS 4708:2021 is a key component, is endorsed by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) – the world’s largest forest certification system. Stakeholders are invited to review the draft Standard and provide feedback by 7 August 2026. The draft Standard and submission form are available via the Responsible Wood website: Draft Standard: https://www.responsiblewood.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AS-NZS-4708-2021-Amendment-One-Public-Comment-Draft-May-2026.docx Submission form: https://www.responsiblewood.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AS-NZS-4708-2021-Ammendment-1-Public-Comment-Submission-Sheet-May-26.docx

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Women in forestry must be prepared to flex their courage muscle if they want to help shape forestry’s future, three of Australia’s most prominent rural and industry women told more than 100 Forestry Australia webinar attendees. Source: Timberbiz Their message comes as the sector faces growing public scrutiny in a range of issues, including its role in a low-carbon economy. That is according to former NFF president Fiona Simson, former Indi MP Cathy McGowan AO, and carpenter Radmila Desic AM, who shared their expert insights in a dynamic conversation moderated by association president Dr Michelle Freeman. “This session was a beacon for those who want to make a difference, but who may not yet see themselves as leaders. We heard that every leadership journey is different, but that success in leadership requires humility, investment in continuous formal learning and remaining true to yourself,” Ms Simson said. Ms Simson described building the courage muscle as a key discipline for leaders, with the current World Farmers’ Organisation Vice President telling the panel. “If you don’t practise being courageous, you can’t be courageous when you need to be,” Ms Simson said. “The brave leaders are the ones who can do the work.” Ms Simson said forestry needs the communication skills, networks, and empathy women bring to take its message forward. The sector must find champions who can carry the case for forestry to the right people at the right time with the right information. Turning to how culture shifts inside organisations, Ms McGowan argued the change comes from collective momentum and traced her 2013 election win in Indi as the catalyst that opened the path for other independent women into federal politics. “All these other women on the cross bench have become the change,” Ms McGowan said. Ms McGowan urged women to focus on leadership over busywork and highlighted the value of doing one thing right rather than spreading effort across a hundred fronts. Ms McGowan was project leader for the Women in Timber Project in the early 2000s, with last Tuesday’s panel marking her return to a forestry audience two decades on. Speaking from a trade background, Ms Desic brought construction industry experience, having built an apprenticeship career from 1992, when female carpenters in Brisbane were a rarity. The Member of the Order of Australia now leads engagement and retention strategy for women in male-dominated trades, drawing on her record as the first female Chapter President of the Australian Institute of Building in Queensland.

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