Forest Products Industry

Timber plantations in permanent forest reserves are not considered deforestation, plantation and commodities Malaysian minister Johari Ghani told the Dewan Rakyat (the lower house of the Malaysian parliament). Source: Free Malaysia Today He said the government considered such plantations as forest since the land use remained unchanged and trees were replanted after harvest. Johari also said states were allowed to log and replant only a small portion of reserves at a time, capped at 5% of the total area. He said Malaysia would honour its pledge to the United Nations to keep half of its land under forest cover. “We are at 54.3% (forest cover) today, so we’re still within our limit,” he said. He said loans had been provided to support timber plantations under the industrial timber plantation (ITP) scheme, with repayment due when harvesting begins, usually after 15 to 20 years. As of June 30, some 259,654ha of reserves had been converted into plantations, of which 67.5% had already been replanted. He was responding to a question by Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN-Kubang Pasu), who had asked about the progress of ITPs, the extent of deforestation involved, and their impact on the environment and ecosystem. Johari said that clearing forests for oil palm was not allowed as such crops would not meet global sustainability standards and could not be exported. He also rejected claims that ITPs were monoculture projects, saying various species such as acacia, rubber and teak are being planted. “The key rule is to keep replanting after each cycle so that forest cover is maintained in the long term,” he said. On the timber trade, Johari said raw log exports remained prohibited. “Logs must be processed locally before export, such as into furniture,” he said. Imported logs are permitted, but only from certified sustainable sources to protect Malaysia’s export certification. He was responding to a question by Tan Hong Pin (PH-Bakri) on whether logs from Malaysian forests were being exported directly overseas.

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China’s central bank said on Monday it has issued a notice jointly with two other government departments, outlining 15 targeted measures to leverage financial strength to drive high-quality forestry development. Source: China Daily The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said that the measures, raised jointly with the National Financial Regulatory Administration and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, involve five aspects. These aspects include enhancing financial services for collective forest tenure reform, strengthening financial safeguards for critical forestry strategies, and increasing financial investment for the forestry industry’s high-quality development. The notice placed a strong emphasis on innovation in forest rights mortgage lending, advocating for an expanded scope of mortgageable forest rights, legally compliant loan term extensions, and overall improvements in loan quality, quantity, and accessibility. It further specifies that the three departments will enhance financing coordination for national reserve forest projects, streamline loan approval processes, and facilitate the transformation of ecological resources into ecological capital. Going forward, efforts will focus on improving the quality and efficiency of financial services for collective forest tenure reform in order to support the high-quality development of the forestry sector, according to the PBOC.

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The Two Sides Trend Tracker is a biennial global survey and one of the most comprehensive studies into consumer perceptions of print, paper, and paper-based packaging. Commissioned by Two Sides and conducted by independent research company Toluna, the study was carried out online in January 2025. Source: Timberbiz In its latest edition, the research gathered responses from 12,400 consumers across 17 countries including national representative insights from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States. Across Europe, a growing number of organisations are encouraging customers to transition from paper to digital communications, often citing environmental benefits. However, many of these claims lack evidence and fall under the definition of greenwashing – the use of misleading environmental messaging to justify cost-saving decisions. The Trend Tracker survey reveals that 56% of European consumers recognise the primary motivation for service providers switching their customer communications to digital is to reduce costs, not to help the environment, an increase from 49% in 2021. Furthermore, 65% believe they should not be charged more for choosing paper bills or statements, a figure that has risen steadily from 54% in 2021. The right to choose remains important for many, 76% of European consumers (up from 74% in 2021) agree they should have the right to choose between paper and electronic communications, especially when dealing with financial and service providers. This choice is not only about preference but about accessibility, ensuring that those who cannot easily access digital services are not left behind. “The Trend Tracker survey is a vital tool for understanding how consumer perceptions are shifting across a wide range of topics related to print, paper, packaging, and tissue products. “Unlike earlier editions, where the COVID-19 pandemic introduced dramatic swings in opinion, this year’s findings reveal a steadier and more consistent view across Europe. Encouragingly, we’ve seen modest improvements in public understanding, but the survey also highlights some persistent misconceptions that the industry must continue to address,” said Jonathan Tame, Managing Director, Two Sides. Focus Areas of the 2025 Survey: Environmental perceptions of paper, print, and fibre-based products Preferences for printed or digital communication Attitudes toward packaging and sustainable alternatives Consumer views on tissue product use and manufacturing Two Sides is a global not-for-profit, membership organisation promoting the unique sustainable and attractive attributes of print, paper, and paper-based packaging. You can download a summary paper here.

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Faced by continuing change in packaging and industrial paper markets, the latest data and analysis for Australia reveals some intriguing trends and shifts. This update focuses on the performance of various packaging grades, including corrugated boxes, cartonboard, sacks and bags, and other industrial papers. Source: Industry Edge IndustryEdge is confident that when final analysis is completed, Australia’s large packaging and industrial paper market will have consumed a record volume of paper and paperboard, around or just above 2.0 million tonnes, in 2024-25. Confirmation will be available in the 2025 Pulp & Paper Strategic Reviews. A highlight of the last year has been the sharp increase in Australian packaging grade imports, which rose by 17.2% year-ended May 2025. Imports totalled 278.9 kt, more than 40,000 tonnes higher than for the previous year. This surge in imports contrasts with a 5.8% decline in exports over the same period. Importantly, Australia is still – by a long margin – a net exporter of packaging and industrial paper grades. The weighted average prices for imported packaging and industrial paper grades also saw a decline of 3.3% in Australian dollars, measured on a free-on-board basis. The trend of increasing imports extends to converted packaging products, including sacks and bags and every possible version of corrugated boxes, right down to humble pizza boxes. These imports continue to set new records, with a total of 214 kt imported year-ended May, valued at more than AUD679 million, marking a 4.8% increase for the year. These may be something of a canary in the mine. Despite the sovereign capacity in packaging, it is easy to observe imports gaining a progressively larger toehold, gradually crowding out local manufacturing, at the margin. IndustryEdge’s latest reporting, provided as part of the Pulp & Paper Edge Data and Information Service, provides a comprehensive overview of the Australian packaging paper industry and trade, highlighting the key trends. For instance, Australia’s net exports of packaging and industrial paper grades totalled 493 kt year-ended May, down 15.3% from the prior year. Imports of Kraftliner – the strong outer liner for corrugated packaging – and corrugating medium, saw notable increases, with the latter rising by 40.7% to 63.7 kt over the last year. The July monthly update also delves into price movements of various packaging grades. Import prices for packaging and industrial paper grades declined by 3.3% year-ended May 2025. The IndustryEdge Australian Packaging Paper Trade Price Indexes provide valuable insights into these price trends, showing the weighted average price movements for selected major grades. It is updated each month and exclusively available to subscribers. Converted packaging products continue to trend upwards, with annual imports increasing for the twenty-seventh consecutive month. Year-ended May 2025, total imports rose by 8.1% to 213.9 kt. Moulded fibre product imports also saw a significant increase, totalling AUD93.9 million, up 22.9% year-ended May 2025. The packaging and industrial paper sector in Australia and New Zealand continues to experience change, with increases in imports and notable shifts in price trends. These developments underscore the importance of staying informed and adapting to the evolving market landscape. For more detailed data and analysis, subscribers can access IndustryEdge’s online Pulp & Paper Industry Data & Information Service at any time and can download a range of data and analytical products, all updated monthly at www.industryedge.com.au

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The recent Blackberry Funding article (Funding for critical research to tackle blackberry invasion) was distributed with incorrect information regarding the source of funding and the recipient of the funding. The Murray Region Forestry Hub (MRFH) was not the recipient of the funding for this work. FWPA provided funding to the research project which is headed up by Dr Rae Kwong (AgVic). The Hubs, who are funded by DAFF are often instrumental in providing the preliminary work to support such research applications. The media release from the MRFH was intended to demonstrate the strong ongoing collaboration between these groups.

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Following the initial announcement earlier this year, Techlam has now confirmed the successful acquisition of the Woodspan brand and intellectual property (IP), and the formalisation of a long-term supply partnership with Taranakipine. Source: Timberbiz The deal ensures continuity for Woodspan’s parallel laminated timber (PLT) customers and brings the brand’s technical expertise in-house. “We’ve been working towards this since our initial announcement earlier this year,” said Brett Hamilton, Managing Director of Techlam. “The acquisition gives us direct access to proven PLT systems, and the manufacturing partnership ensures our customers get reliable supply.” Under the new structure, Taranakipine will continue manufacturing PLT panels to Woodspan specifications, whilst Techlam will lead design, sales, distribution and customer support. This partnership combines Taranakipine’s production capabilities with Techlam’s global distribution network and technical resources, ensuring an uninterrupted supply for customers. “We’ve worked closely with the Taranakipine team to align on specifications, tolerances and logistics,” said Roy Hamilton, Director of Sales & Projects at Techlam. “The result is a seamless supply chain that supports our customers with reliable, high-quality engineered timber.” Tom Boon, CEO of Taranakipine, sees the arrangement as strengthening both companies. “This partnership is a great example of how collaboration can unlock value for the entire industry,” he said. “We get to focus on what we do best – manufacturing high-quality PLT panels whilst Techlam takes care of the customer relationships, design and project management.” As part of the transition, Ruben Norris, formerly Technical Manager at Woodspan, has joined Techlam as Technical and Project Support. “I’m excited to be joining Techlam at such a pivotal time,” said Ruben Norris. “There’s genuine momentum here. The partnership with Taranakipine means we can maintain the quality standards customers expect whilst expanding our capacity to support new projects.” The timber industry in New Zealand has historically faced supply chain disruption and gaps in technical support. Roy Hamilton says the new structure addresses this. “We’ve spent months aligning specifications and logistics with Taranakipine. Customers are already seeing improved lead times and better coordination between design and production,” he said. The deal delivers several benefits for the industry: improved lead times and production planning, expanded technical support through Ruben’s training programmes, continued innovation including the MPI-supported PLT ground floor system, and sustainable sourcing from New Zealand-grown radiata pine. The companies have integrated their ERP systems and completed joint training programmes, with additional customer engagement planned for September. “We’re not trying to reinvent anything,” Brett Hamilton said. “Woodspan already had great systems and loyal customers. We’re just making sure those relationships are properly supported, and the supply chain works reliably. This is about building something enduring for the mass timber industry in New Zealand.”

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New Forests, a global investment manager of nature-based real assets and natural capital strategies, has announced the purchase of approximately half of McPhee Beef Farms in New South Wales via its Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund. Source: Timberbiz McPhee Beef Farms is a large-scale, highly improved beef breeding operation located near Yarrowitch and Walcha in the New England region of New South Wales. Aggregated over 30 years by the McPhee family, it is home to the Maria River Cattle Company Angus herd which, crossed with fullblood Wagyu bulls, is a major supplier of high-quality F1 Wagyu. Covering approximately 8,400 hectares of freehold land across two main holdings, Benditi Aggregation and Glen Eagle, the McPhee Beef Farms will be known as Benditi Pastoral Company. Existing staff and management are being retained under a new management company formed by the vendor to provide ongoing property management and maintain existing business relationships for Benditi Pastoral Company. The asset will be managed by New Forests with specialist agricultural expertise provided by its related entity New Agriculture, using a whole of landscape approach to optimise the investment returns with the potential for registering carbon projects and introducing more regenerative agriculture practices.  New Forests will also look at management practices to reduce emissions across farm vehicles and review energy requirements from renewable sources. “The McPhee asset is a quality business which aligns perfectly with our whole of landscape approach where we can position investors to benefit from the best use of the landscape, while combining additional revenue streams such as carbon and biodiversity,” David Shelton, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, and Global Head of Investments at New Forests, said. McPhee Beef Farms is ANZLAFF’s fourth Australian investment, following the acquisition of three sites in the central tablelands of New South Wales, which were acquired as part of the Fund’s Australian greenfields aggregation program. In January 2025, New Forests announced the final close of ANZLAFF (its fourth fund focussed on Australia and New Zealand), raising approximately A$600 million from institutional investors from across Asia Pacific and Europe including Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power, Germany’s BVK and Sweden’s AP2. In April 2025, New Forests announced New Agriculture was looking to raise A$750 million for the New Agriculture Landscape Opportunities Fund (NALOF) from institutional investors. This strategy takes a similar approach to the previous four funds, but with agriculture as the core focus, rather than forestry. The transaction is subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval.

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In Aotearoa New Zealand’s Woodhill Forest, just 50km northwest of Auckland, the Forest Stewardship Council Forest Walk this week brought together retailers, manufacturers and supply chain leaders from across the local FSC network to see responsible forestry in practice. Source: Timberbiz Hosted by FSC certified forest managers Manulife Investment Management and Matariki Forests, together with landowners Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, the event highlighted how FSC certification safeguards biodiversity, upholds Indigenous Peoples rights and cultural values, supports workers and local communities and delivers certified materials to local and international markets. Attendees represented a cross-section of New Zealand’s FSC community, from chain of custody certificate holders such as Opal ANZ, Visy, Abodo Wood and OfficeMax to Promotional Licence Holders including Mitre 10 NZ, The Warehouse, Bunnings NZ, NXP Limited and Woolworths Group (Countdown), with the New Zealand Green Building Council also in attendance. Bringing these organisations together for the first FSC Forest Walk in New Zealand created a unique forum for connection across the supply chain and underscored the growing momentum behind FSC in the region. The day began with a pōwhiri led by Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara. Guests were welcomed with waiata (song) and the sharing of kai (food), an expression of manaakitanga, the Māori value of hospitality and care. Malcom Paterson, Chief Executive of Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, then spoke about the land and his people’s enduring relationship with it, emphasising its deep and longstanding place within the cultural landscape of Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara. He explained that under Crown ownership, Woodhill Forest was established to stabilise the vast drifting sand dunes which were encroaching on agricultural land, with planting beginning in the 1930s continuing through to the 1980s. Following the 2013 Treaty of Waitangi settlement, the land was returned to Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, who retain ownership today and have partnered with Manulife Investment Management and Matariki Forests to manage the plantations. Integral to the management of Woodhill Forest is its function as a multi-use landscape, where recreation and community use coexist with forestry operations. Horse riding, mountain biking, tree climbing and paintball take place among the plantation trees, while its forest scenery has provided striking settings for major films and television series including The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Attendees were introduced to the recreational side of the forest at Tree Adventures and Woodhill Mountain Bike Park, where the forest managers outlined how they support public access and community use of the forest. They explained the importance of responsible forest management in balancing recreation and safety while maintaining social licence and engaging with stakeholders. “It was a fantastic experience to learn about the history of the forest block and how it’s managed, and to see FSC principles in action,” Simon Rice, Product Risk and Compliance Coordinator at Bunnings NZ, said. “It was also great to see how the forest is open to other commercial ventures, and how the forest management company works collaboratively with each entity to ensure the forest flourishes as a shared resource. That level of coordination was really impressive and added another layer of insight to the day.” The group also travelled to a coastal restoration project, where a protective strip of trees has been retained between the shoreline and the plantation forest. This buffer plays an important role in protecting the forest from the salty coastal winds. The forest managers explained how the site is managed to maintain High Conservation Values, with a focus on environmental resilience and cultural values. The FSC Forest Walk concluded at an active harvesting site, where attendees observed a harvester in operation and learned how the plantation life cycle is managed. The group also heard from the harvesting contractors, a multigenerational family-run business with many years of experience and a deep understanding of forestry. The FSC Forest Walk at Woodhill Forest brought FSC’s requirements to life. Held in the lead-up to FSC Forest Week (20-26 September), the event provided a timely opportunity to reflect on the role of forests in our everyday lives and the importance of supporting sustainable forestry. FSC ANZ extends its thanks to our hosts, Manulife Investment Management, Matariki Forests and Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, for welcoming participants to Woodhill Forest and sharing their knowledge and expertise into responsible forest management.

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New guidance to simplify safety for forestry businesses and workers has been published by WorkSafe New Zealand. Source: Timberbiz Forestry had the highest fatality rate of any sector in 2024, with 16.58 deaths per 100,000 workers. The fatality rate is 20 times higher than the average for all industries. The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for forestry and harvesting operations was spearheaded by WorkSafe, in collaboration with the forestry industry. The ACOP has now been launched by the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden. The guidance outlines the responsibilities and legal expectations for operators and helps workers know what good looks like. An update to the good practice guide for small forestry operations has also been published, along with educational resources to aid understanding. New information is included on machine safety, planting and pruning (silviculture), managing work-related health, and manual tree felling. “The guidance blends technical expertise with hands-on knowledge from the sector, and uses shared language between the two,” WorkSafe’s chief executive Sharon Thompson said. WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses and workers to meet their responsibilities and keep people healthy and safe. “Reducing deaths and injuries in forestry requires everyone in the sector to properly plan for and practise safe harvesting.” The updated ACOP is the first key deliverable from WorkSafe’s priority plan for forestry. The organisation will be undertaking targeted assessments to help embed the guidance in the coming months. The Forest Industry Safety Council, the New Zealand Forest Owners Association, and the Forest Industry Contractors Association partnered with WorkSafe to develop the new guidance. “Huge strides have been made to improve work health and safety in the forestry industry, but there’s plenty of work to be done. We want the same thing – for our people to be safe on the job, and to come home from work safely every day,” said Joe Akari, chief executive of the Forest Industry Safety Council and Safetree New Zealand. Read the updated forestry guidance at https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/forestry/  

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In a new report, Australia’s leading tech and engineering academy has highlighted the urgent need for Australia to reduce reliance on diesel in mining, road freight, agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Source: Timberbiz The report, released today by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) in partnership with Fortescue, gives five clear recommendations, including that the Federal Government commission an independent review to reform financial incentives that support diesel use. ATSE CEO Dr Kylie Walker said that to achieve its low-emission targets, Australia needed to take a new approach to fuelling heavy industry, and this could be achieved by applying technological solutions, and reforming policy and tax levers that support diesel. “There is an urgent need to decarbonise Australia’s most emissions-intensive sectors,” Dr Walker said. “By encouraging the application of mature clean fuel technologies, investing in fast-tracking clean tech in development, reducing the cost of green alternatives and increasing the cost of diesel in a targeted and balanced way, Australia can achieve its industrial decarbonisation. “Early-stage research and development initiatives are also crucial in supporting the transition away from diesel.” The report calls for an independent review which should consider a range of reforms, including to the Fuel Tax Credits Scheme (FTCS), which is a major barrier to the transition away from diesel. By subsidising diesel use, the FTCS currently protects high-emitting sectors from the true cost of fossil fuel consumption and undermines national emissions reduction goals. The report also recommends examining changes to the Australian market-based emissions reduction mechanism by exploring the introduction of carbon pricing or an adjustment of the Safeguard Mechanism to better reflect the environmental impact of diesel. ATSE’s report highlights a range of mature and emerging technologies, and the need for a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of decarbonisation pathways beyond electrification – as well as mechanisms to bring clean fuel tech to market. Other recommendations include the establishment of a coordinated Future Diesel Strategy, investment in comprehensive infrastructure to support the clean energy transition and targeted R&D investment. ATSE Fellow, Fortescue Board Member and former CSIRO Chief Executive, Dr Larry Marshall emphasised the importance of Industry partnering with Government to shape science-based Industry and Energy policy. “Heavy Industry wants to transition to cleaner fuels, but the current policy settings make it harder than it should be. Right now, the Fuel Tax Credit scheme effectively subsidises burning diesel, while companies that invest in clean alternatives face higher costs especially in this transition period. That imbalance holds back innovation and locks in emissions,” Dr Marshall said. “The Federal Government has a critical role to play in fixing those settings and creating incentives that accelerate the adoption of clean technologies. At the same time, Industry must step up and co-invest in the solutions that will cut emissions and deliver new green industries for Australia. “If we want Australia to become a Clean Energy Superpower; if we want a Future Made in Australia; then we need a system that rewards smarter, cleaner choices. Emerging clean technologies need the right mix of policy, incentives and investment to make Australia’s green and gold vision a reality.” Dr Walker said a strategic mix of policies, investment and industry engagement was necessary to support this transition. “The transition away from diesel while supporting thriving Australian freight, mining, agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors is a complex challenge. It won’t be easy and there is no one-size-fits-all solution – it will need to be all-encompassing” she said. “But we have the technology; we can do it if we get the settings right.”

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