Australian timber industry news

Indigenous peoples and local communities from the world’s largest and most vital tropical forest basins – the Amazon, Congo, Southeast Asia and Latin America – will gather in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo for the First Global Congress of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from the Forest Basin. Source: Timberbiz The goal of the congress is defining the outcomes COP30 should deliver on to protect the territories they guard. This landmark global event will bring together more than 400 participants, with Indigenous and local community leaders and government representatives from around the world including Norway’s Special Envoy for the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Hans Brattskar, and Harlem Siu Mariño Saavedra with the Ministry of Environment of Peru. As discussions on COP30 continue to focus on logistics aspects of the conference, the congress hopes to bring depth and urgency to the protection of indigenous territories, with a focus on land titling and direct financing to their communities. “Our forests are not just carbon sinks or resources they are our homes, our histories, and our futures. As the world prepares for COP30, it must centre on the most effective climate solutions: securing Indigenous land rights and enabling us to protect our own territorie,” said Joseph Itongwa, Indigenous leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo and member of REPALEAC, and Co-chair of the GATC. “This convening will harness the power of the world’s largest rainforests, bringing together governments and our organizations to advance land rights and secure direct funding to defend our lands from growing threats.” The event will take place at the Grand Hôtel of Kintelé, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo May 26-30. It is hosted jointly by the Global Alliance for Territorial Communities and its member organizations, along with the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). The Congress builds on major international milestones, from COP26 in Glasgow and COP15 in Montreal to COP29 in Baku, where Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities gained unprecedented visibility. The focus is now on translating pledges into concrete policies, direct financing mechanisms, and legal protections.  

After this year’s fires burned through the Palisades and Altadena neighbourhoods in the US, destroying more than 16,000 structures, the city is reckoning with 4.5 million tons of debris, according to LAist – “the largest municipal wildfire cleanup operation in recent history.” Source: Yahoo As a result, the Army Corps of Engineers is sending trucks to 18 different regional facilities including landfills and recycling plants to manage the process of clearing out build remnants and remediating hazardous materials. Trees that appear damaged or unviable are cut down and sent to a local golf course to be mulched, a fact that doesn’t sit right with local sawmill owner Jeff Perry. For the past decade, Perry’s mill, Angel City Lumber (ACL), has sourced trees from Los Angeles County that have been cut down due to disease, pests, or development and transformed them into usable lumber. In the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton Fires, Perry teamed up with local landscape architects Ruth Siegel (who is also the deputy director of the nonprofit Los Angeles Futures) and Blake Jopling (who works for Rana, a small landscape architecture practice) to create Altadena Reciprocity, an initiative that helps homeowners recycle an often-overlooked resource, neighborhood trees, into a product that residents can use for flooring, stair treads, door casings, and much more. By reusing these trees and selling the product at a low cost, post-disaster material reuse can immediately serve rebuilding efforts and address both the high costs of construction and the need for healing after disaster strikes. Recycling after natural disasters is a net-good; rather than sending these materials to the landfill, concrete and metals can be safely recomposed for future projects. The Environmental Protection Agency cites a myriad of benefits, including generating revenue, creating jobs, and offsetting carbon outputs from landfilling or new product manufacturing. The agency states that, after disasters, asphalt can be re-aggregated into asphalt-concrete pavements, and metals like steel, bronze, and copper have high values and can also be sold as scrap. Wood, however, is usually relegated to landscape mulch, which, says Perry, is replicative of how cities usually deal with their dead or dying tree canopy. Los Angeles County, for instance, has 13 million trees, says Perry. An average dieback scenario, wherein trees reach the end of their lifecycle, means around 10% of those trees die each year. “That’s a lot of trees coming down, and we’re mulching them all.” He calls this “insanity.” “We’re basically operating out of a post-industrial, commoditizing-natural-resources mentality, where all the wood you get is from the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and Brazil, but all the wood that falls domestically – we chip it,” Perry explains. “There’s around two billion board feet of wood that is consumed in the housing market of Los Angeles,” adds Siegel. “Based on the dieback rates, there’s about the same or more wood in board feet available [locally], and we’re not using any of that.” The fires exacerbated the availability of dead, damaged, and downed trees; Jopling notes that the Army Corps also had to take down trees that might have survived but were planted too close to homes and needed to be removed so that heavy machinery could safely demolish and clean up properties. For trees still standing, the trio is fielding phone calls from residents who need help surveying their tree’s health, tagging trees for removal, and working with the Army Corps to identify those that would be suitable for reuse. These damaged trees, Perry explains, aren’t just future lumber. While other groups have assembled in Los Angeles to salvage materials like handmade fireplace tiles, which speak to the city’s Arts and Crafts architectural history, reusing trees is akin to preserving Los Angeles’s urban planning and botanical history. “Urban planners, over the last century or longer, chose certain species for ornamental reasons, usually to forest a given area, to give it more canopy,” says Perry. As settlers arrived during the Gold Rush and began building up present day LA, they chose eucalyptus, ficus, acacia, and a lot of Australasian species that are fast growing and robust in an arid environment,” he says, adding that Deodar cedar, California sycamore, and Aleppo pine, and Italian stone pine are also common. Jopling, who was born and raised in Altadena, notes that these trees flourished in the Palisades area, providing a distinct, dense canopy. “It has to do with the development pattern in Los Angeles in the ’20s and ’30s, which also coincided with a time where there was a great botanical interest in tree species,” Jopling says. Most of these species aren’t commercially used in structural lumber, but ACL will likely be able to produce enough millwork-grade board for 500 rebuilt homes, says Siegel. It will be milled, air dried, and ready to be sold in a few years to coincide with anticipated permitting timelines. Jopling notes that many Altadena residents are running into higher costs to rebuild as much as 40% more than originally anticipated, or are underinsured. To meet those needs, all of the repurposed lumber will be sold at or below market cost, primarily to Altadena residents who are looking to rebuild. “Lumber prices have doubled since pre-pandemic times … it’s going to get even worse, given the tariffs and given this rush to rebuild all at the same time,” explains Siegel. “I see this as an imperative mission to help with a rebuilding and to make it affordable for the community.” Altadena Reciprocity, she continues, could become a model for how cities and counties respond to natural disasters in the age of material scarcity. Federal agencies could see their endeavour as a sustainable model for repurposing trees after hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Importantly, trees also have meaning to many residents. As Jopling has travelled around Altadena to perform assessments, what should be a “quick process” quickly turns into a long and difficult conversation with homeowners about the struggle to rebuild. “It’s all these layers of sad, sad stories, but in great contrast to talking to people about their trees,” he says. “It’s small relative to all the things that need to happen, but I’ll go […]

Woodsafe Timber Protection and Tantimber have partnered to deliver sustainable fire-retardant wood with superior aesthetic and technical quality. Source: World Construction Network “For Tantimber, wood is more than just a building material – it’s a living resource that deserves to be treated with respect and innovation,” Tantimber CEO Yakup Kayatas said. “Our partnership with Woodsafe allows us to offer even more durable and safe solutions for indoor and outdoor environments worldwide.” Woodsafe Timber Protection, meanwhile, is recognised for overseeing more than 1,400 projects each year, with a distribution network that extends across Europe and other regions. The company has participated in significant projects, including the tallest wooden skyscraper globally, Mjøstårnet, and the world’s largest oak roof at Gardermoen Pir Nord. This partnership will utilise Tantimber’s proficiency in wood processing in conjunction with Woodsafe’s fire-retardant treatment methods. The synergy is anticipated to furnish architects and the timber sector with distinctive products that improve aesthetics, climate resilience, and enduring fire protection. “We are proud to join forces with Tantimber, a manufacturer that not only shares our passion for wood as a material, but also our belief that sustainability and technical performance must go hand in hand,” Woodsafe CEO Thomas Bengtsson said. “The collaboration with Tantimber opens new market opportunities for Woodsafe in a region where we have previously had limited presence. “Through Tantimber’s established network and market reach, we can now offer our fire-retardant wood solutions to projects and stakeholders across Europe and will have a deeper impact to the Middle East and nearby markets, where demand for sustainable and safe timber construction is on the rise.” Woodsafe Timber Protection is a manufacturer working exclusively with the industrial fire-retardant treatment of solid wood and plywood. Tantimber uses eco-friendly production methods to create wood products that can resist extreme climates and physical stress.

Scientists have discovered the oldest ancestor for all Australian tree frogs, with distant links to the tree frogs of South America. Newly discovered evidence of Australia’s earliest species of tree frog challenges what we know about when Australian and South American frogs parted ways on the evolutionary tree. Source: Timberbiz Previously, scientists believed Australian and South American tree frogs separated from each other about 33 million years ago. But in a study published in the Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology, palaeontologists from UNSW Sydney say the new species, Litoria tylerantiqua, is now at about 55 million years old, the earliest known member of the pelodryadid family of Australian tree frogs. The study is based on fossils unearthed from Murgon on the traditional lands of the Waka Waka people of south-eastern Queensland. The new species, Litoria tylerantiqua, is named in honour of the late Michael Tyler, a renowned Australian herpetologist globally celebrated for his research on frogs and toads. “It is only fitting to name Australia’s earliest tree frog in honour of a man who was a giant in Australian frog research and in particular the first to explore the fossil record for Australian frogs,” says study lead author Dr Roy Farman, an adjunct associate lecturer with UNSW School of Biological, Earth & and Environmental Sciences. Around 55 million years ago, Australia, Antarctica and South America were linked together as the last remnants of the southern supercontinent Gondwana. Global climates were warmer during this period, while a forested corridor linked South America and Australia. Up until now, it was thought the earliest Australian tree frogs came from the Late Oligocene (about 26 million years ago) and the Early Miocene (23 million years ago). Fossils of the Late Oligocene were found at Kangaroo Well in the Northern Territory and Etadunna Formation at Lake Palankarinna, South Australia, while the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in Queensland revealed tree frogs from the Early Miocene. But the new species extends the fossil record of pelodryadids by approximately 30 million years, to a time potentially close to the divergence of Australian tree frogs from the South American tree frogs. Previous estimates based on molecular clock studies – a method scientists use to figure out when different species split from a common ancestor by looking at the rate of genetic changes over time – suggested that Australian and South American tree frogs separated from each other at about 33 million years ago. “Our research indicates that that date is at least 22 million years too young,” Dr Farman says. “While molecular studies are important for understanding the evolutionary relationships of different groups of animals, these studies should be calibrated using knowledge from the fossil record and in this case the fossil record provides a more accurate time for separation of the southern world’s tree frogs.” To conduct this research, the authors used CT scans of spirit-preserved frogs from Australian museum collections to compare the three-dimensional shape of the fossil bones with those of living species. The technique – called three-dimensional geometric morphometrics – has only been used on fossil frogs once before. Using these new methods, they were able to unravel the relationships of these fossils to all other groups of frogs living and extinct. “We had a real problem at the start of this study because the pelvic bones of most living frogs were invisible inside whole pickled frogs rather than available for study as skeletons,” Dr Farman says. “Museums understandably want to ensure these often unique or rare pickled specimens remain intact for molecular studies because DNA can be obtained from their soft tissues. This meant that instead of skeletonising these specimens, we needed instead to make CT scans of them, enabling us to create 3D models of their otherwise invisible skeletons. “Using these cutting-edge investigative methods, we were able to determine from the shape of the fossil ilia – one of three bones that make up each side of the pelvis – that this new Murgon species of frog is more closely related to the Australian tree frogs (pelodryadids) than the South American tree frogs (phyllomedusids).” Litoria tylerantiqua joins the only other Murgon frog, the ground-dwelling Platyplectrum casca (previously described as Lechriodus casca), as the oldest frogs known from Australia. Both have living relatives in Australia and New Guinea demonstrating remarkable resilience over time. “Despite their delicate nature, frogs have been surprisingly successful at surviving several mass extinction events since their origins about 250 million years ago, including the mass extinction 66 million years ago that took out the non-flying dinosaurs,” Dr Farman says. “Although global extinction events triggered by human activities – such as rapid climate change and the spread of chytrid fungus – may be among the worst challenges frogs have had to face, the fossil record could reveal how some frog groups overcame previous challenges, perhaps by adapting to new, less-threatening habitats. This could provide clues about how we might be able to help by translocating some threatened frogs into more future-secure habitats.” Frogs such as the southern corroboree frog are threatened in their current habitats which have become more hostile due to climate change. The authors say that if the fossil record shows physically similar frogs living in very different habitats, today’s frogs may benefit by being reintroduced into similar environments.  

An increase of 42% in exports of logs, wood, and wood articles for April 2025 when compared with April 2024 as reported by Stats NZ is welcomed by the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA). Source: Timberbiz “It is pleasing to see wood products and log exports contributing NZ$481 million towards the NZ$7.8 billion record surplus, an increase of NZ$141 million from a year ago, said WPMA Chief Executive, Mark Ross. “This increase is encouraging for an industry that is doing is tough, but we need this trend to continue as a means of reigniting and growing our domestic wood processing sector.” This rise comes on the back of a national trade surplus driven by primary product exports of NZ$1.4 billion, with New Zealand importing NZ$6.4 billion and exporting $7.8 billion of goods in April 2025. Besides wood products the main export contributors were milk products, red meat and fruit. Stats NZ highlighting that the top growth export markets in the last 12 months included ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia, along with Europe and China. When looking at the NZ$141 million increase in wood product exports in more depth the key articles contributing to this increase included wood in the rough, railway sleepers, sawn wood, veneer sheets, densified wood, along with particle board, oriented strand board and fibreboard. “Most of these exports are value-added wood products,” Mr Ross said. “To purposefully grow our industry we need to work together and invest in domestic processing of logs, which then allows for the creation of higher-value products like sawn timber, engineered wood, and other finished goods.” After all a thriving wood processing and forestry industry will create more jobs and economic opportunities in the regions, support our local communities and build economic resilience for New Zealand. More details on the Stats NZ report can be found here.  

Compared with most other countries, Australians consume a large quantity of tissue and tissue products. On some measures, second only to the USA. Source: IndustryEdge In 2023-24, IndustryEdge calculates Australia consumed 335.1 kt of tissue stock – for conversion into toilet paper, facial tissues, hand towels and other tissue products. The 33rd consecutive annual edition of the Pulp & Paper Strategic Reviews provides all the annualised details for the last decade, as well as the most recent year. In the same year, Australia also consumed 112.8 kt of imported ‘ready to sell’ toilet paper and facial tissues, along with hand towel, serviettes and similar products valued at AUD48.2 million, on a free-on-board basis. In total, IndustryEdge calculates total tissue and tissue product consumption was about 470.0 kt in 2023-24. Local production of tissue stock (almost all is converted and used in Australia) is dominated by ABC Tissue, Kimberly-Clark and The Sorbent Paper Company. At different times, all local producers will also import tissue stock and also finished tissue products. In New Zealand, the sole producer is the international business Essity. All the significant local producers have some sales both sides of the Tasman. The chart and table below show the consumption experience for tissue stock, for the last decade. Tissue stock imports dominated by China and Indonesia As the chart shows, tissue stock imports to Australia have long been dominated by mainland China, supported by consistent shipments from Indonesia. Tissue stock imports rose just 0.1% year-ended February Demonstrating stability, over the year-ended February 2025, tissue stock imports to Australia lifted just 0.1% to 108.0 kt. In February, imports totalled 6,801 tonnes, at a weighted average price of AUDFob1,603/tonne. Imports of tissue stock have been deteriorating over the last two years, with January import volumes the lowest in nearly nine years. Stock imports to NSW down 9.1% Tissue stock imports are dominated by three states: NSW, Victoria and WA. Over the year-ended February, imports to NSW fell 9.1%, while those to WA declined 7.5%. The suspicion is that some of these declines may be linked to increased imports of fully converted products. Manufacturing is centred in the most populous states – NSW, Victoria and Queensland. WA has converting capability to avoid excessive freight costs. It is notable that the weighted average price is operating toward the bottom of its medium-term range.   Pre-converted toilet paper imports at record levels – that is a sovereign manufacturing capacity issue! While the tissue stock consumption and trade data is important and useful, the really big story is the rapid growth in Australia’s imports of fully pre-converted tissue imports, especially toilet paper. When the nation thinks about sovereign capacity and security, we consider building products, a range of materials and of course defence. Perhaps its time to take a deeper understanding of sovereign manufacturing capability, because when we drill into details like toilet paper, we can observe that nearly ALL the additional consumption of toilet paper driven by a growing population, is being supplied by imports. Over the year-ended February 2025, Australia’s imports of pre-converted toilet paper totalled 72,900 tonnes, marginally below the record set the prior month. Imports have increased a very strong 31.8% over the year, with Indonesia tripling its imports to Australia, supported by market leader China and New Zealand, both of which recorded strong increases. Imports year-ended February 2025 were valued at AUD164.6 million on a free-on-board basis over the full year, just AUD0.2 million lower than the annualised record set the prior month. The value of converted toilet paper imports has risen 24.8% compared to the prior year and has tripled over the last five years. For more information visit: www.industryedge.com.au

Nominations for the Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award 2025 are open. Established in 2015, the Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award is a perpetual tribute to the enduring legacy of the late Richard Stanton, renowned for his pioneering contributions to Sustainable Forest Management in Australia and internationally. Source: Timberbiz This esteemed award recognises individuals who have made significant strides in Forest Management or Chain of Custody Certification within the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme. In 2024, with the support of the late Richard Stanton’s widow, Sonya Stanton, the award extended its eligibility to early-career professionals in forestry, environmental science, wood technologies, and design, as well as university students pursuing relevant studies, including those completing post-graduate degrees. The award recognises the multifaceted approach to sustainable forest management, emphasising environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects, along with innovation in the use of forest products. Open to all individuals contributing to Sustainable Forest Management under AS/NZS 4708 or Chain of Custody under AS 4707 or PEFC ST 2002, the award welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to: Certified Forest Owners and Managers Chain of Custody Certificate Holders Certification Bodies Forest Scientists and Researchers Builders and Designers advocating for sustainable timber utilisation. Responsible Wood encourages indigenous Australian nominations for this award as it strives to recognise and celebrate Australia’s diverse talents and contributions to forestry and land management. Candidates must be nominated, with nominations accepted from Responsible Wood members, certificate holders, stakeholders, lecturers, or senior leaders within academic institutions. Candidates should be nominated based on their exemplary achievements in the following areas: Significant and valuable contributions to sustainability. Innovation, improvement, or excellence in sustainable forest management or the fabrication, supply, or utilisation of certified forest products. Strong commitment to the principles of sustainable forest management. Innovation and improvement in promoting Responsible Wood and/or PEFC-certified products. A Judging Panel will evaluate nominations, and their decision will be final. Each nomination will be ranked from 1 to 5 based on the following criteria: Contributions to the Principles of Sustainable Forest Management Promotion of Responsible Wood and/or PEFC-certified Forests and Forest Products Focus on Innovation and Leadership in the candidate’s sector Impact on the Development of the Responsible Wood Scheme Social contributions to promoting forest products, forest health and productivity, biodiversity, and/or indigenous forest values. The Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award includes a bursary of $2,000 to support the recipient’s continued professional development. This fund can be utilised for conference fees, related travel expenses, training courses, or any other activities aimed at skill enhancement or professional experience enrichment. Nominations should be submitted in written form, not exceeding 800 words, outlining the candidate’s demonstrated excellence in the Areas of Excellence and providing any other pertinent information and emailed to info@responsiblewood.org.au Nominations close at 5:00 pm on June 30th, 2025. Judging will take place in July 2025 with the nominees and the winner notified by early August.

OneFortyOne and Nature Glenelg Trust announced the continuation of their successful partnership with a renewed commitment of $50,000 for the upcoming year. Source: Timberbiz This partnership, which began in 2013, has been instrumental in supporting various biodiversity and conservation projects in south western Victoria. OneFortyOne General Manager Forests Deon Kriek said that over the years, OneFortyOne and Nature Glenelg Trust have collaborated on numerous initiatives aimed at restoring and preserving natural habitats. “One of the flagship projects of this partnership is the Mt Burr Swamp Restoration Reserve,” Mr Kriek said. “With support including number of other contributors, this 300-hectare site has been transformed from drained agricultural land into a thriving ecosystem.” He also highlighted the importance of the collaboration. “We are proud to support Nature Glenelg Trust in their mission to restore the environment in our region,” he said. “Our partnership reflects our shared values and commitment to environmental stewardship.” The renewed funding will continue to support further restoration efforts at Mt Burr Swamp, education facilities, and contribute to the NGT Foundation. Partnership funding has also underpinned a number of small regional biodiversity projects to support the Southern Brown bandicoot, Eared worm lizard, and Silver Xenica butterfly as well as a native grassland assessment and burning program in collaboration with Burrandies. Managing Director/Founder of Nature Glenelg Trust Mark Bachmann expressed his enthusiasm for the continued partnership. “The support from OneFortyOne has been a great contribution to our efforts to restore and protect critical habitats,” Mr Kriek said. “This renewed commitment will allow us to build on the great work we’ve done so far.”

Home building should rebound with interest rate cuts but long-term challenges remain. The number of homes commencing construction in Australia is set to increase over the next few years, driven by strong population growth, low unemployment, and falling interest rates. Source: Timberbiz However, long-term structural issues continue to pose risks to housing affordability and national supply targets, according to the latest outlook from the Housing Industry Association. HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon said the sector is showing signs of improved confidence following a period of weak activity, particularly in apartment construction. “We expect new home commencements to increase steadily through the second half of the decade,” said Mr Reardon. “Detached house building will lead this recovery, peaking in 2027, with apartment construction set to follow as market conditions and policy settings improve.” Recent interest rate cuts and historically strong migration are adding to demand for new housing. But ongoing constraints including land shortages, regulations and taxes are increasing the cost of construction and limiting supply. This will continue to drive up the cost of both renting and buying a home. “The only way to close the growing gap between supply and demand is through meaningful reform, particularly at the state level.” The HIA report forecasts that home building will fall 20% short of the Australian Government’s target of 1.2 million new homes over the five years. “We need to unlock land, streamline planning processes, and remove barriers to investment if we are to meet the housing needs of a growing population,” Mr Reardon said. “Australia has the capacity to deliver, but it will take a coordinated response from all three tiers of government to overcome these constraints.” While detached housing is showing strong growth in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland, activity remains subdued in New South Wales and Victoria. Apartment construction is yet to recover from a collapse in foreign capital caused by punitive state taxes and is expected to rebuild gradually towards the end of the decade. This growth will be boosted by ongoing demand from migration and Olympic focused building in Brisbane. “Housing demand is not going to decline with a rise in interest rates. It is continuing to grow along with the population. Structural reforms are needed now to shape affordability, economic opportunity and living standards for the next generation,” concluded Mr Reardon. Forecasts Detached houses: There were 26,880 detached houses that commenced construction in the December quarter 2024, which brought the 2024 calendar year to 107,240 detached starts, up by 7.0% compared to the previous year. This increase is expected to continue with a further 3.7% in 2025 to 111,240, and 6.7% increase 2026 to 118,660 and to a peak in 2027 of 120,910 starts. Detached starts are then expected to fall as the cost of land and rising borrowing and construction costs see households shift demand to unit construction, seeing starts fall to 108,240 in 2030. Multi-unit dwellings: There were 15,390 multi-unit dwellings that commenced construction in the December quarter 2024, which brought the 2024 calendar year to 60,940 multi-unit starts, the lowest in 13 years. This is expected to be the trough of this cycle with the number of multi-unit starts increasing to 68,850 in 2025. A further 9.6% increase in 2026 will still see multi-unit commencements remain anaemically low at 75,450. From this point, capacity constraints should ease, while demand continues to exceed supply, resulting in an additional 13.0% increase in starts in 2027 to 85,250. This expansion should continue and exceed 100,000 starts in 2029 for the first time since 2018. From this point, the increase in multi-unit starts will ease.

As at mid-May, export log prices have reached what looks to be the bottom of the cycle based on what we see happening in China and India. NZ domestic prices are holding level with a tick up in demand in some segments. We are currently experiencing elevated enquiry for more logs from our local sawmill owners. This is something we have not seen in a long time, long may it continue. The bottom of the export market is certainly not as severe as at the same time in 2024. Around NZ, many forest owners have pulled back production rather than lay logging crews off. This has resulted in reduced log volumes being delivered to Ports and that is exactly what is needed to allow the China and India markets to catch breath. Across the China eastern seaboard, daily sales have been ticking along well. These are not to levels we have seen in prior years, but at numbers hovering close to 60,000 m3 per day usage, it is clear demand is good but not great. As reported last month, the price falls in the market are the direct consequence of over production in NZ. Some of that is driven by some exporters taking big risks and trading losses, offering fixed prices over several months to gain market share. In some cases, the fixed prices are well above where they need to be for sustainability, thus the short-term gains stand to be eroded by longer term losses amplified by over-supply. Inevitably, my 30+ years of experience in forest products marketing tells me there will be casualties at the outer extremities of this behaviour. Within this jostling for position, prices for logs landed in China have remained remarkably stable. Compared to last month, about a US$2 per m3 drop. At the NZ wharf gate, a lift in the US$/KIWI$ exchange rate has helped to reduce price levels with the combination seeing log production being tempered. In China, inventory has remained around 4.1million m3 changing very little over the last 2 months. This is too high for a market with an ever-watching eye over Donald Trump’s tariff antics. A reduced vessel flow from NZ in May should see inventory reduce, and again that is exactly what is needed. I have stated many times how I believed tariffs will play out and the net impacts to US consumers and economy. The feedback I have been hearing is many US citizens believe China will pay the tariffs. This just proves propaganda and ignorance prevails. A recent report from FOREX NZ Ltd stated “Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, announced o/night that they would soon start raising prices later this month as a means to pass on the tariff costs onto consumers. This is likely to be the start of everyone doing this, as the reality that ultimately it is US consumers who will pay for them, starts to hit home”. In the increasingly important market of India, prices have remained unchanged with trade in May at the same levels as last month. There is a pervading commentary that suggests we are at the bottom of the market. I mentioned in a prior report an India Trader had been purchasing logs at well above market prices and selling at below market prices significantly oversupplying and upsetting the market, in the end, promulgating the recent downward slide. Turns out the Trader was able to do this by scamming banks with fraudulent documents including executing Letters of Credit for non-existent cargos. He now resides at Prime Minister Modi’s pleasure and is unlikely to see the light of day for a few years. His departure has been positive for the market but issues of labour shortages and over supply of log continue to dominate and temper any opportunity for price improvement. There were nine log vessels in April discharged at Kandla port and now one less than predicted earlier at eight in May. On the surface, this is still one more than the market needs but the volume of unsold logs held in bond is now at very low levels. Although daily usage is not monitored, this suggests a reasonable lift in demand. As always, please remember the thoroughly important message, “despite the challenges, it remains, as always, fundamentally important, the only way forward for climate, country and the planet, is to get out there and plant more trees”. Allan Laurie, Managing Director, Laurie Forestry. Laurie Forestry is a leading Australasian forestry company that provides consultancy, management and marketing services to forest owners, farmers, sawmills and manufacturers.

Construction project “Haus Tür an Tür” (Door to Door) in Augsburg, Germany, provides 18 new flats for low-income tenants and those facing precarious housing conditions. The project uses laminated veneer lumber in its timber construction, chosen for its technical benefits, material efficiency, and a high degree of prefabrication. Source: Timberbiz The result is a construction process that saves time, materials, and costs while reducing errors – key factors in the project’s overall cost-effectiveness. The use of wood not only contributes to a healthier living environment but also enhances the building’s overall sustainability by storing CO2 and reducing resource consumption. The building’s foundation consists of load-bearing and non-load-bearing exterior walls in timber frame construction. In total, 500 cubic meters of wood were used. Wood also absorbs pollutants from the air, improving indoor air quality. “The client wanted an ecological construction method. Cement, concrete, and steel were therefore excluded. With wood, we chose a renewable resource that stores CO2, thus fulfilling the sustainability concept,” said Manfred Gilg from the architect company Streidl, Gilg & Wolff Architekten. In the later usage phase, a solar system will contribute to efficient building operations. Rainwater will be collected and used, the roof areas will be greened, and spaces for gardening will be provided. The deep stud level of the exterior walls is also made using laminated veneer lumber (LVL). The decision to use Metsä Wood’s Kerto LVL products was based on the company’s ability to deliver custom-made laminated veneer lumber in large widths, compared with other suppliers. In the project, beams measuring 63 by 300 millimeters were used. Kerto LVL significantly contributed to the realization of an efficient and cost-effective frame construction that could easily accommodate energy-optimized wall elements with thick insulation. This ensured that the building met the high Efficiency House Standard 40. Gumpp & Maier was responsible for prefabricating the exterior wall elements. The individual wall elements have a maximum length of 10.5 meters and a maximum height of 3.55 meters. They were prefabricated in the factory including windows, shading, and façade cladding and could be easily and quickly assembled on-site. “Prefabrication provides significant relief for work on the construction site. The individual elements only need to be installed there. Most of the work can be done in the factory, shielded from the weather and under optimal conditions for employees. The high degree of prefabrication and the slim designs also significantly reduce the time spent on-site,” said Wolfgang Krettenauer, Project Manager at Gumpp & Maier. The building’s outer shell consists of 21-millimeter-thick vertical spruce cladding with tongue-and-groove profiles. This is mounted on ventilation battens and an 18-millimeter-thick underlay. The timber frame of the load-bearing exterior wall elements was insulated with mineral wool. For the non-load-bearing elements, Gumpp & Maier filled the cavities with cellulose. Two layers of 18-millimeter-thick gypsum fiberboard with a vapour barrier in between were used for reinforcement. For non-load-bearing elements, an 18-millimeter-thick particle board served as the reinforcing layer. On-site, an 8-centimeter-thick installation level was added, consisting of CW profiles filled with mineral wool and clad with two layers of 12.5-millimeter-thick plasterboard. Overall, the load-bearing exterior walls achieve a U-value of 0.107 W/m²K, while the non-load-bearing exterior walls achieve 0.099 W/m²K. The individual elements stand out for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to warping and twisting. They are lightweight for easy transport and quick to install. This also benefited timber constructor Gumpp & Maier GmbH. “The dimensional precision of Kerto LVL is especially advantageous in prefabrication, offering numerous benefits to us as wood processors. Its minimal deviations greatly enhance industrial processes in timber construction, facilitating the production of high-quality elements,” Mr Krettenauer said. Thanks to its advanced design, Kerto LVL enables much slimmer constructions. This allows for timber and hybrid structures with longer spans while reducing the amount of material needed. In residential buildings, this results in more usable square meters with lower material consumption. Metsä Wood products were also used for the threshold on the ground floor, made from Kerto GLVL, a glued laminated veneer lumber with larger cross-sections. Thresholds measuring 100 by 360 millimeters and 100 by 300 millimeters were manufactured for the project in Augsburg. These high-load-bearing components are primarily used in multi-storey buildings, and their high load-bearing capacity effectively prevents settling damage and increases the building’s longevity. Dimensional stability and accuracy lead to particularly high quality, especially in ecological timber frame construction and multi-story buildings. Kerto LVL provides the foundation for the sustainability and cost-efficiency of the construction project. This is supported by PEFC-certified wood (PEFC/02-31-03) and innovative product characteristics that distinguish it from conventional solutions in the field.

InventWood, a University of Maryland spin-off, is preparing to scale a wood-based material dubbed Superwood, a product with a strength-to-weight ratio almost 10 times higher than steel while remaining markedly lighter and renewable. Source: Tech Crunch The company’s first commercial batches are scheduled for shipment from a new facility in Frederick, Maryland, in the third quarter of 2025. The underlying technology originates from research led by materials scientist Dr Liangbing Hu. In 2018, Hu reported a method that transforms ordinary timber into a substance up to 12 times stronger and 10 times tougher than its natural form. Rather than leaving the discovery in the laboratory, he refined the process, cutting production time from more than a week to just a few hours, before licensing the patents to InventWood. InventWood has since attracted US$15 million in the first close of its Series A round, led by the Grantham Foundation with participation from climate-focused investors. The startup has raised more than US$50 million, funding the new manufacturing line and a strategic partnership with distributor Intectural to speed adoption across North America. Superwood’s performance stems from molecular engineering. Standard lumber, principally cellulose and lignin, is treated with food-grade chemicals to modify its structure, selectively remove components, and densify the remaining cellulose. Subsequent compression multiplies hydrogen bonding between fibres, yielding a material that InventWood reports as 50% stronger in tensile load than steel and resistant to fire, water, rot, and pests. Initial production targets architectural façades for commercial and high-end residential projects. Over time, InventWood aims to replace structural elements such as beams and columns, addressing construction’s heavy carbon footprint by substituting steel and concrete with a domestically sourced renewable alternative.

IKEA says it is taking an important step toward improving global standards in responsible forest management. Together with the European Forest Institute and Preferred by Nature, IKEA will start a research project that will explore, test and scale improved forestry practices, strengthening climate resilience and minimising negative impacts on biodiversity. Source: Timberbiz In this research project, Inter IKEA Group, Ingka Group (IKEA retailer), the European Forest Institute (EFI), and Preferred by Nature together will explore opportunities for biodiversity and climate-smart forestry across various forest types in Europe, starting in forests owned by IKEA businesses in Latvia. Inter IKEA Group and Ingka Group are funding the research project, as well as allocating 16,000 hectares of forest land for testing the different models and alternative solutions. The collaboration partners will apply science-based insights by adjusting existing forest management methods to selected forests where they identify opportunities for improvement. The aim is to improve the forest’s resilience and biodiversity by combining existing scientific and practical knowledge with traditional and new forest management methods. Techniques that will be investigated and included in the pilot are: closer-to-nature forestry, continuous cover forestry, and other practices that incorporate climate change mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and the provision of other ecosystem services. “At IKEA, we recognise the vital role that forests, and nature play in helping mitigate climate change. Climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation are closely connected. “As a large user of wood, we want to contribute to protecting the valuable forests where we operate. In this project, together with our partners EFI and Preferred by Nature, we will investigate how forest management can adapt to changing climate conditions and contribute to climate change mitigation and increased biodiversity,” says Mikhail Tarasov, Inter IKEA Group Head of Forestry. “Our ultimate aim is to scale these successful solutions across the forests we own or source from, and to improve forest management standards going beyond the wood sourced for the IKEA business. Marcus Lindner, Head of EFI’s Resilience Program said that It was of paramount importance to adapt sustainable forest management practices to cope with disturbances and extreme events caused by climate change, and to safeguard biodiversity to ensure enhanced forest resilience. “In collaboration with IKEA and Preferred by Nature, EFI will review the scientific evidence for climate and biodiversity smart forest management and develop the scientific basis to support the development of new adaptive management strategies.” Preferred by Nature will provide expert advice and certifications, which will be imperative to the success of the project. Peter Feilberg, Executive Director of Preferred by Nature said that when we plant a tree today, we’re shaping the forest of the next century. In a changing climate, we can’t just repeat what worked in the past. “We need to rethink forest genetics, species mixes and management models to build forests that are highly productive, climate-resilient, and rich in biodiversity and carbon. This partnership is a chance to combine science, innovation and practical fieldwork to help set a new direction for responsible forestry. And by feeding the learnings into forest certification systems and wider supply chains, the impact can go far beyond IKEA’s own forests,” he said. As a large consumer of wood, IKEA wants to use its size and scale to continue improving forest management practices and raising industry standards. By investing in continued learning and ongoing improvement of forest management practices, IKEA can continue to provide affordable home furnishing for the many, while ensuring responsible forestry practices and mitigating our climate and biodiversity impacts in line with our long-term sustainability goals. IKEA, Preferred by Nature, and EFI will collaborate to incorporate recommendations from this project into established forest certification standards, such as FSC, to scale impact and drive change beyond the IKEA supply chain.  

A major safety crackdown is currently being rolled out across Queensland as Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) launches a state-wide campaign targeting forklift operations in the transport and warehousing sectors. Source: Timberbiz The blitz comes in response to alarming rates of serious injuries and fatalities involving mobile plant equipment, with forklifts topping the list of high-risk machinery. As part of the campaign, WHSQ inspectors will be authorised to issue on-the-spot fines for unlicensed forklift operation and for workplaces failing to implement adequate traffic management procedures. The National Timber and Hardware Association is urging employers to act quickly. David Little, NTHA CEO welcomed the campaign, emphasising that safety must come before convenience, particularly as many operators are working with outdated licences or have not undergone refresher training in years. NTHA’s three-hour Forklift Refresher Training is designed to bring licensed operators up to speed with the latest legal and safety requirements. A Traffic Management Plan is also a legal requirement for any workplace operating forklifts or mobile plant. It outlines clear and practical procedures for the safe movement of all vehicles within a worksite and must be specific to each location. The plan must be clearly communicated and understood by all personnel. NTHA’s Workplace Safety division is offering expert support to help businesses prepare, from reviewing current traffic plans to implementing new ones that meet compliance standards. NTHA says this is not just about ticking boxes, it is about preventing tragedies. “We commend WHSQ for this campaign,” an NTHA spokesperson said. “Safety is paramount. Many forklift operators hold outdated licences or have not received refresher training in some time. Our three-hour Forklift refresher training ensures operators are aligned with the latest safety standards and legal obligations.

Dr Shane Reti, New Zealand Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, announced that New Zealand’s new public research organisations will be formed from 1 July 2025. From this date, Scion will operate as a division of the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science (Bioeconomy Science Institute). Source: Timberbiz The new organisation will advance innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing, protect ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks and develop new bio-based technologies and products. Scion will join AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research and Plant and Food in the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Dr Reti announced the appointment of the Board of Directors for the new Bioeconomy Science Institute: Chair Barry Harris (currently Chair of NIWA) Deputy Chair Kim Wallace (currently Chair of AgResearch) Candace Kinser (currently a director of Plant & Food Research) Andrew Morrison (currently a director of AgResearch) Gray Baldwin (currently a director of Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research) The other two new public research organisations have also been named. The New Zealand Institute for Earth Science (bringing together NIWA and GNS) and the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (currently the Institute of Environmental Science and Research – ESR) will also be formed on 1 July. “These reforms are about unlocking the full potential of science to deliver stronger economic growth and greater resilience for New Zealand. We’re not wasting a moment,” Dr Reti said. “Earlier this year, the Prime Minister unveiled a major overhaul of the science system, including the move from seven Crown Research Institutes to three new, future-focused entities. These new organisations will concentrate on key areas of national importance.” The new institutes will be: New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science – advancing innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing; protecting ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and developing new bio-based technologies and products. New Zealand Institute for Earth Science – supporting energy security and sustainability; developing land, marine and mineral resources; and improving resilience to natural hazards and climate-related risks. New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science – strengthening public health through disease detection and response; and supporting public safety through forensic science services. “These institutes will ensure our world-class researchers are focused on delivering science that drives innovation, supports our industries, and improves the lives of everyday New Zealanders,” Dr Reti said. “Critically, the new research organisations will have a strong commercial focus, with a mandate to translate science into real-world outcomes and commercial success. “It’s not enough to have great science we need that science to power start-ups, lift productivity, and create jobs. This is about turning research into results for New Zealand’s economy.” “These changes are about focus, outcomes, and value. We are investing in science that delivers for New Zealand — science that strengthens our economy, supports our environment, and builds resilience for the future,” Dr Reti says. “I’m confident these new leaders will help us deliver a science system that is more connected, more commercially focused, and better aligned with the needs of our nation.”

The Australian Forest Products Association and Forest Industries Federation of Western Australia wants the Western Australian Government to take immediate and further action against the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB), a damaging tree pest that could seriously impact forestry industries and destroy trees and ecosystems from local gardens to national parks Australia-wide. Source: Timberbiz The PSHB, first detected in WA in 2021, is spreading through backyards, urban forests and native reserves across metropolitan Perth killing trees. FIFWA CEO Adele Farina said that in South Africa the ongoing management costs associated with the PSHB were in the billions of dollars. “We believe a national response may be warranted to contain the impact of this pest,” she said. “We urge WA and other governments to seriously consider the impact of this pest and act before the problem potentially gets out of control. “We’ll engage further with the WA Government, other state jurisdictions and the Commonwealth as required, in response to the PSHB threat and further immediate action on the issue.” Eradication and containment efforts need to be increased or it’s a matter of time before it moves south of Perth to the state’s production forests, or potentially nation-wide, killing many iconic trees, decimating Australian backyards and impacting forestry. The only effective treatment known is tree or limb removal so the WA Government, along with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions need to be on notice about the serious biosecurity risk this Borer presents. It would be a travesty if governments don’t resource the PSHB response sufficiently. “AFPA and FIFWA have written to the WA Government to ensure appropriate resources and actions are being put in place with respect to requirements under the national Emergency Plan Pest Response to combat this significant exotic tree pest in Perth. We don’t want it spreading and impacting production forests in southern-WA or potentially other parts of the country,” AFPA Chief Executive Officer Diana Hallam said. “This is not just WA’s problem and we’re acutely aware that measures to eradicate PSHB through the national emergency plant pest arrangements haven’t been sufficient. If governments fail to up the ante and act decisively now, we risk setting a dangerous precedent. The cost of inaction won’t just be measured in trees lost, but also damage to ecosystems, biodiversity, communities and our ability to respond to future crises.”  

The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation (NZTIF) is calling on the Department of Conservation (DoC) to revise its procurement policy requiring that all timber for key government-funded projects such as Rākau Rangatira Phase Two located in Northland be sourced exclusively from FSC-certified forests. Source: Timberbiz While intended to ensure responsible sourcing, this requirement unfairly excludes hundreds of small forest owners, including farmers and regional woodlot managers who manage their forests sustainably but are not FSC-certified. This will result sawmills being unable to source logs from these small-scale woodlots to supply DoC projects when they may have had a strong relationship with the forest owner. According to FSC New Zealand, approximately 490,000 hectares of Forests is in the hands of small growers who are uncertified. “FSC was originally created to combat illegal or unsustainable logging in natural forests in under-regulated regions,” said Bruce Larsen, President of NZTIF. “That’s not New Zealand. We have one of the most advanced forest management regimes in the world, with strict compliance requirements under laws like the Resource Management Act, Climate Change Response Act, and the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry.” DoC’s FSC-only policy imposes an unnecessary burden on small-scale forest owners, many of whom cannot justify the cost or complexity of joining an international certification system that offers little environmental or social uplift in the highly regulated New Zealand context. The Federation believes DoC’s current approach runs counter to the Government’s own messaging around supporting local, natural materials. “We welcomed the Government’s directive to use more New Zealand wool in public buildings. It’s time for a similar commitment to wood a ‘Wood is Good’ policy that supports local timber, encourages domestic processing, and keeps the value chain within New Zealand,” Mr Larsen said. Instead of creating barriers, the NZTIF urges DoC and other government departments to adopt a more inclusive and pragmatic procurement approach — one that recognises the integrity of New Zealand’s laws, the reality of small-scale forestry, and the importance of supporting regional economies. “New Zealand timber manufacturers, small forest owners, and large forest owners are all ready to contribute to a sustainable, value-added forestry future. But government policy needs to create opportunities — not shut the gate,” Mr Larsen said.  

Applications are open for the second round of the Tasmanian Government’s On-Island Processing Program to support more local value-adding for our wood and timber industry. Source: Timberbiz Round 2 will focus on Tasmania’s hardwood plantation timber, while also continuing to provide funding support for other types of timber, providing a total of $8.5 million of grant funding, with up to $2 million available per project. Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said Tasmania’s increasing supply of plantation hardwood provided a major opportunity to grow the value of the wood and timber products sector. “Following the success of round 1 and given the importance of sustainable forestry to our economy, regional communities and local jobs, we have made an extra $5 million available through the program, taking the total round 2 funding to $8.5 million,” Mr Abetz said. “Processing locally grown timber right here in Tasmania not only value-adds but also creates jobs and opportunity, particularly in regional Tasmania.” Grants will be made available to eligible timber processors to implement processing projects with demonstrated feasibility, a strong business case and demonstrated value-adding to the resource. The new resource offers the opportunity to develop quality products such as: sawn timber, veneer, engineered wood products or new high value timber products. With Sustainable Timber Tasmania estimating around 125,000 cubic metres of pruned and unpruned millable plantation hardwood logs will be available per year over 10 years, round 2 of the On-Island Processing Program will encourage more local investment on plant and systems to increase the value of our wood, wood fibre and timber products. The On-Island Processing Program supports businesses looking to invest in equipment and process improvements aimed at capitalising on the strong ongoing demand for high-value products such as architectural and décor grade veneers, load bearing timbers, engineered wood products and quality timber furniture. In total, the Tasmanian Government has committed a total of $15 million to the On-Island Processing Program to grow the Tasmanian forestry sector’s on‑island processing capabilities. The first round of the Program was launched in 2021 with funding committed to seven projects. Applications are now open and will close on Thursday 31 July 2025 and should be submitted using the online SmartyGrants system

This week is Australian Made Week, and the Australian Forest Products Association is calling on consumers to buy Aussie made timber and wood-fibre products and support a sector that underpins local manufacturing, regional jobs, our local environment, and helps fight climate change. Source: Timberbiz “Around 180,000 Australians are either directly or indirectly employed by the supply chain of Australia’s forestry and forest products sector, with many of those jobs located in regional centres and rural Australia, keeping these places alive,” Chief Executive Officer of AFPA Diana Hallam said. “When consumers focus more on buying the locally made and manufactured, essential products we create, that means a stronger supply chain, a stronger sector and stronger communities. “We often find that consumers are very surprised just how many items essential for everyday life are made by our sector. Consider timber house-frames and furnishings like flooring and decking, cardboard packaging and tissue products, timber and particleboard furniture and shelving as well as magazine and news-print paper. There are so many examples. “When Australians buy Australian Made items, produced from Aussie grown and manufactured timber and wood-fibre, they’re supporting a great manufacturing industry, local jobs whether they’re in the forest, timber mill or in transport and logistics. Our sector also operates to world leading environmental standards, meaning consumers can have peace of mind that buying Australian means buying sustainable and supporting an industry that fights climate change. “Remember to look for the iconic green and gold kangaroo logo to be sure you’re buying Australian Made. You can be sure it’s a sign of quality and support for so much more than just one product. It’s support for towns, families, communities, the economy and environment. When Australians buy Australian – we all win.” New research from Roy Morgan reveals 73% of Australians would be willing to buy more Australian-made products to avoid reliance on imports, with seven in 10 (72%) willing to pay more for locally made goods. Australian Made Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro said recent global economic uncertainty and challenging market conditions have highlighted the importance of supporting Australia’s manufacturers and producers. “While global supply chains are shifting, this is a moment of opportunity for Australian brands to claim new space in both domestic and international markets – by leaning into what they do best – high quality production, sustainability, authenticity, and community values. One of the best ways to do that is through country-of-origin branding,” Mr Lazzaro said. The trusted Australian Made logo bearing the iconic green and gold kangaroo is one of the most recognised logos in Australia. It is used by around 4,500 businesses to promote their home-grown status. These businesses represent approximately 40,000 jobs and generate a combined annual revenue of around $8 billion. Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus OAM was named ambassador of Australian Made Week spotlighting products bearing the iconic Australian Made green and gold kangaroo logo.

Bombala’s timber mill has been sold to an NSW regional company that has promised uninterrupted operations and continuity for customers and employees. Source: Monaro Post The mill, which was purchased as a much smaller operation and expanded over 17 years by Korean company Dongwha Australia, is now owned by the Borg Group, a specialist timber and panel business based on the Central Coast. The sale was confirmed Monday by Borg Group CEO, Jim Snelson. The mill will trade under the name of Porta. Bombala based Snowy Monaro Regional Councillor, Bob Stewart, has welcomed the news of the sale and Borg’s commitment to the facility, which he said is a ‘major player’ for the town. “With 130 jobs alone at the mill and no government jobs to speak of anymore, Bombala relies big time on it and if it can get developed further, that would be great,” Cr Stewart said. “I will try to organise for the new owners to meet with council and I hope the council will support them in the future.” Cr Stewart also thanked the Dongwha company for its investment into Bombala, particularly for its role in supporting community organisations; from the local races, where it sponsored the main race in 2025, to the inaugural Australian National Busking Championships Bombala regional heat to various sports and community groups. Although the sale amount has not been disclosed, Marketscreener reported online that an undisclosed buyer agreed to acquire Dongwha Australia Holdings Pty Ltd from Dongwha Enterprise Co Ltd for 88.9 billion Korean (around $99 million Australian) on February 17, 2025. The sale to the Borg Group took effect from May 1. The decision was made public after months of speculation within the local community, which relies heavily on the mill for employment and purchase of local timber. Mr Snelson said The Borg Group was pleased to announce the acquisition and re-assured employees and customers that operations would continue without interruption. “Porta is committed to building on Dongwha’s strong legacy in Australia by maintaining product quality, delivering exceptional customer service, and fostering a safe working environment,” he said. “For over 17 years, the Bombala sawmill has been a trusted producer of high-value timber products, including decking, structural framing timber, and fencing. “This acquisition marks an important step in Borg’s continued expansion in the timber industry.” Mr Snelson said Porta was widely respected for its high-quality products, innovative solutions, flexible customer approach, and expert team. “The integration of Dongwha further strengthens Porta’s capabilities and supports its growth strategy,” he said. Dongwha Australia was founded in 2011 in Australia as Dongwha’s directly managed overseas production base through the acquisition of Willmott Timbers. Dongwha Australia’s core business area is lumbering. Its Bombala sawmill was built on government subsidies to boost its role in improving the regional economy. Last year, Dongwha Australia welcomed a NSW Government Forestry Industry Action Plan designed to outline the path the state would take to ensure a sustainable timber industry that aligned with the government’s key environmental priorities. Dongwha Australia team leader, Neville McInnes, told The Monaro Media Group that although the company had not yet been contacted by the new advisory panel, it was pleased the government had committed to the industry and had three key areas it wished to discuss. “They are a commitment to keeping roads open to guarantee the transport of timber between plantations and the mill; a commitment to the continued supply of softwood and a commitment to not losing what supply was already available. “We welcome the plan, absolutely,” Mr McInnes said. “We have 130 direct employees and are always looking for more workers. For every one direct job, three come off it, that’s 450 jobs feeding off the mill, without secondary jobs, so we estimate 750 jobs come out of the Dongwha site.”