Australasia's home for timber news and information

Biocomposite kitchen utensils from Stora Enso

Stora Enso and Orthex are bringing to the market a new range of kitchen utensils made from a new biocomposite which combines the best qualities of wood and plastic. Source: Timberbiz The bio-based material used to replace fossil-based plastic is made from spruce and sugarcane, which r
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China hits back with tariffs on US timber

China is fighting back after the US recently proposed tariffs saying it would impose tariffs on US products including timber. The Chinese government said it would add duties to a number of timber products varying from 5% to 25%. Sources: Timberbiz, TTF UK China’s Ministry of Commerce
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Biochar cements its relationship in Singapore

Wood waste from furniture factories makes up a huge portion of waste generated in Singapore. In 2016 alone, more than 530,000 tonnes of wood waste were produced, of which, a significant amount is in the form of saw dust. Source: Timberbiz Instead of incinerating or disposing them in l
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Unprecedented partnership to produce 125,000 tonnes of timber

Aboriginal people on Cape York are branching out into the timber business as Rio Tinto expands its bauxite operations in far north Queensland. Source: The Australian In an unprecedented partnership with the international miner, the traditional Wik and Wik Way people have set up a comp
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Xlam joins NZ government to provide employment

New Zealand Minister of Social Development Carmel Sepuloni has announced a partnership between XLam NZ Ltd and the Ministry of Social Development. Source: Timberbiz “The Ministry of Social Development and Xlam will work together to create entry-level manufacturing and construction opp
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End of an era for sandalwood

Senior timber assessor Steve Davis and technical officer Mike Cully have been working hard in Kununurra to harvest Indian sandalwood from old Forest Products Commission (FPC) research plots. Source: Timberbiz Senior forester (Ecology) Jon Brand said that the agreement between the FPC
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TAC members sought for new training package projects 

The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) has approved two new projects for the Timber and Wood Processing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) to review and update units of competency and qualifications. Source: Timberbiz These are: Advances in Wood machining and Sawdoctoring
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Drone ensures koala safety

The koala in Victoria’s Strzelecki Ranges has a new ally to guard its safety – the all-seeing drone that detects any animal in its sights.  It’s the preferred technology that family company Hazelwood Forestry, based in the Latrobe Valley, is now using for its business of wild life man
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Feedback sought on training package projects

ForestWorks is seeking feedback on the Prefabricated Timber Building Systems and Manufacture of Cross Laminated Timber and Glulam Projects. Source: Timberbiz Views and feedback is sought from industry specialists on job activities and knowledge required from people working in these ar
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OFO maps its future growth in Australia and NZ

OneFortyOne Plantations(OFO) is consolidating its position as a new vertically integrated company, including potentially using bioenergy as it maps future growth in Australia and New Zealand. Source: Philip Hopkins for Timberbiz The company’s executive general manger – forestry,
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