Forest Products Industry

For more than a decade, Vietnam has been one of the biggest success stories in the global wood pellet market. Fuelled by strong demand for renewable energy in Japan and South Korea, the country rapidly became Asia’s largest wood pellet supplier and the world’s second-largest exporter. Source: ResourceWise But as the market matures, the conversation is shifting. Buyers, regulators, and industry stakeholders are increasingly focused on the resilience, sustainability, and long-term competitiveness of pellet supply chains. Vietnam’s expansion didn’t happen by chance. As Japan and South Korea sought alternatives to coal, wood pellets became an important component of their renewable energy strategies. That demand created an enormous opportunity for Vietnamese producers, who quickly scaled production to serve these growing markets. Today, however, the dynamics are changing. Policy shifts in Japan and South Korea are reshaping biomass incentives, creating new uncertainty for exporters that have become heavily dependent on a relatively small group of buyers. Rapid growth often attracts greater attention and higher expectations. As Vietnam’s pellet industry has expanded, discussions have moved beyond production volumes to questions about sourcing practices, supply chain transparency, product quality, and environmental impact. Importing countries are placing more emphasis on sustainability standards, while buyers increasingly expect greater visibility into how pellets are produced. These developments reflect a broader trend across global biomass markets: commercial success is increasingly tied not only to price and availability, but also to operational transparency and environmental stewardship. Vietnam is also operating in a more competitive marketplace than it did several years ago. Emerging suppliers across Southeast Asia are expanding production, while established exporters continue investing in efficiency and sustainability. At the same time, pricing pressures make it more difficult for pellet manufacturers to invest in facility improvements or environmental upgrades, particularly when contracts prioritize cost over long-term partnerships. As competition intensifies, producers will likely need to balance affordability with investments that strengthen product quality, operational performance, and buyer confidence. The challenges facing Vietnam are not unique. Around the world, wood pellet producers are navigating similar questions around emissions, community impacts, certification requirements, and supply chain transparency. As biomass markets continue to evolve, these factors are becoming increasingly important to buyers and policymakers alike. For market participants, understanding these broader trends is becoming just as important as tracking prices and trade flows. Vietnam remains a critical player in the global pellet trade, but the industry’s next chapter will likely be defined by more than export growth alone. Policy changes, evolving buyer expectations, and regional competition are reshaping what success looks like for producers across Asia. ResourceWise’ latest Market Insights report, “Vietnam’s Wood Pellet Industry Faces Growing Market and Sustainability Pressures,” takes a deeper dive into these developments, exploring the market forces behind Vietnam’s rapid rise, the growing scrutiny surrounding the industry, and what these trends could mean for buyers, suppliers, and the broader biomass sector. If you’re looking to understand where the Asian wood pellet market is headed next, the full report provides the context and analysis behind these emerging shifts. You can download the report at https://www.resourcewise.com/resources/report-market-insights-asian-pellet-market-july-26?hsCtaAttrib=217560324217  

The post Vietnam’s wood pellet market appeared first on Timberbiz.

The Council Recommendation on Integrated Wildfire Management, which is a non-binding policy recommendation adopted by the Council of the European Union providing a common framework for EU Member States to improve how they prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfires across the entire disaster risk management cycle, identifies FoRISK among the initiatives to foster international cooperation on integrated wildfire risk management. Source: Timberbiz The Recommendation was adopted in response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons, particularly the record-breaking 2025 season in which more than one million hectares burned across the EU. FoRISK, an implementation mechanism of Forest Europe hosted by EFI, is mentioned under Article 41 in the section on Measures to Strengthen International Engagement. This reference recognises FoRISK as a key initiative in the pan-European region supporting cooperation, knowledge exchange and capacity building on forest risks management, such as wildfires, windstorms, pests and diseases. FoRISK is an implementation mechanism under the aegis of FOREST EUROPE, the pan-European voluntary high-level forest policy process, for the forest risk management community. Its main objective is to foster and strengthen international cooperation and knowledge exchanges between all members for the resilience and adaptation capacity of forests and the forest sector to future disturbances. The focus is on the evolving interactions between disturbances like wind, fire, pest outbreaks, and diseases – critical and essential for future forest management. Through the analysis of good practices, we develop policy recommendations and joint innovative solutions to support stakeholders in building more resilient forests. The Recommendation follows the publication by the European Commission in March 2026 of the Communication on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management, which set out a comprehensive approach to cover the whole risk management cycle of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery across Europe. FoRISK goals are to enhance and maintain the resilience of forests and the forest sector within sustainable forest management, and to support forest adaptation to changing conditions to future forest disturbances, by creating a proactive, long-term network through international collaboration and cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange. Wildfires are among the most pressing manifestations of the abovementioned challenges, exacerbated by climate change. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of forest disturbances across the pan-European region, proactive and effective risk management requires coordinated action across sectors, disciplines and national borders. FoRISK contributes to this objective by facilitating and supporting the exchange of knowledge and good practices and helping translate scientific evidence into practical and policy-relevant solutions. FoRISK remains committed to supporting pan- European countries and stakeholders in strengthening integrated forest risk management and contributing to resilient forests and resilient societies across the region.

The post Wildfire management in the EU aligns with FoRISK appeared first on Timberbiz.

Voodin consortium has secured a €48M EU grant to build Spain’s first automated wooden blade factory. Launching in 2031, the Navarre facility will replace fibreglass composites with recyclable engineered wood and support more resilient European wind energy production. Source: TechEU Wind energy is an important part of Europe’s shift to clean power, with €45 billion raised for new wind projects across the region in 2025. But that investment comes with a sustainability challenge: today’s wind turbine blades are made of fibreglass, a material that is difficult to recycle. Around 78% of decommissioned blades end up buried in landfills, raising serious environmental and cost concerns for the industry. To tackle this challenge, Germany’s Voodin Blade Technology and three partners have secured a €48.18 million grant from the EU Innovation Fund for the Voodin Blade 1st Factory (VB1F) project. The initiative will scale the production of fully recyclable wind turbine blades made from Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), replacing conventional composite materials with engineered wood. The consortium comprises project coordinator VMG Wood Invest and VMG Technics from Lithuania, together with Germany’s Voodin Blade Technology and Anker-Tec. Voodin Blade Technology has developed a fully automated, mold-free manufacturing process, which can produce wooden wind turbine blades anywhere in the world where clean energy is needed. This approach avoids the limitations of centralised factories and enables blade production with less specialised labour and investment. “Our manufacturing system is designed for fast-scale deployment,” said Tom Siekmann, Co-Founder and CEO of Voodin Blade Technology. “By enabling local blade production, we can help build stronger, more resilient European supply chains, reduce dependence on overseas manufacturing, and accelerate the deployment of wind energy where it is needed most. Our approach is designed for both scale and flexibility.” A first-of-its-kind factory in Navarre, Spain, will be established to create an all-European sustainable supply chain in line with the European Green Deal, the Net-Zero Industry Act, and REPowerEU. VB1F as the first automated, mold-free wind turbine blade factory in Spain. Launched in 2031, the Navarre facility will produce up to 160 sets of blades per year, supporting the manufacture of wind turbines that can collectively generate around 13.5 million MWh of electricity over a decade.  The process relies on advanced automation in a fully electric, mold-free environment, enabling flexible production without retooling for each new blade design. The operation is expected to support about 450 local jobs at full capacity. The technology not only removes supply bottlenecks but also helps meet Europe’s ambitious energy and climate targets. The plant can be licensed and replicated in other regions worldwide.

The post Consortium secures grant to build wooden blades in Spain appeared first on Timberbiz.

For Corryong’s Lily McKimmie, last summer was her initiation as a seasonal firefighter and a chance to step into a role she’d grown up around. Source: Australian Rural & Regional News “I grew up at the Corryong depot with my Dad working there, so it was a bit surreal actually being the one doing the job,” she said. As a first-year seasonal firefighter, there was a lot to take in. “It was a bit daunting at the start,” Ms McKimmie said, “but I settled in quickly. “I learned a lot in a short time and got more confident with each shift. “Being part of an experienced crew made a big difference. There was always support when I needed it and I got to learn by doing, which really helped. A highlight of the season was working alongside her dad, Beau, a career forest firefighter and respected member of the Corryong community. “I never really knew exactly what he did until this season,” she said. “Seeing him out there, the way he works and steps up, gave me a whole new level of respect. I’m really proud of him.” Like any first season, there were challenges especially when the Walwa River Road fire threatened communities in the Corryong district. “There were definitely a few moments early on where I felt out of my depth but those were the ones that pushed me the most,” Ms McKimmie said. “The long hours and having to back it up day after day was also something I had to adjust to. “It made me realise how important it is to stay calm, trust what you’ve been taught, and just focus on doing your job properly even when you’re tired.” Now studying at university in Geelong, Ms McKimmie is already keen for another season. Her advice to others thinking about joining? “Just give it a go, you learn so much by being there and getting involved,” she enthused. Anyone interested in a career in forest firefighting and land management can apply now for the 2026/27 season at https://jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/jobtools/JnCustomLogin.Login?in_organid=18479 or call 136 186.

The post Firefighting duo from Corryong appeared first on Timberbiz.

Long before power tools, traditional timber framing was crafted with generations of accumulated knowledge. In Australia this practice continues to evolve, adapting centuries-old European joinery traditions to local timbers, climates and building codes. Source: Timberbiz Join Chris Nance, founder of Traditional Timber Frames and one of Australia’s most accomplished post-and-beam practitioners, as he draws on more than 130 commissioned frames and nearly two decades of practice to share what traditional timber framing looks like in Australia today. Mr Nance will share how he has adapted the oak framing techniques he learned in Wales to Australian hardwoods and architectural contexts; and the practical considerations that come with designing, engineering and certifying handcrafted timber frames within the Australian regulatory environment. He will also reflect on his role as an educator, having taught timber framing in the UK, France and across Australia, and what it takes to pass on a craft that demands both deep material knowledge and hands-on skill. Whether you’re an architect, engineer, builder, or simply drawn to the idea of beautiful buildings made to last, this session offers a rare window into a craft tradition that is alive and growing in Australia. Registration is free, the event is on Tuesday, 4 August 2026 from 11am – 12pm. CPD points available For more information visit https://traditionaltimberframes.com.au/ or email info@traditioinaltimberframes.com.au

The post Traditional timber framing workshop appeared first on Timberbiz.