Australasia's home for timber news and information

Stora Enso leaves paper production in China

Stora Enso has signed an agreement to divest its 60% equity stake in the Dawang Mill in China, to its joint venture partner, Shandong Huatai Paper. The joint venture, Stora Enso Huatai (Shandong) Paper Company Limited operated the Dawang paper mill at Dongying in the Shandong province
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EU action to protect and restore the world’s forests

On 23 July, the European Commission (EC) adopted the Communication on Stepping up EU Action to Protect and Restore the World’s Forests. It’s a new ambitious European approach in response to the continued widespread destruction of the world’s forests. Source: Timberbiz An a
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American red oak project with Polish designer

The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) has been promoting American hardwood for more than 20 years and regularly supports international projects with renowned designers and architects. The effects of their work can be seen, among others at the London Design Festival, the Interzum
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EWC forestry award to JNL’s David Rameka

David Rameka from JNL’s Gisborne Mill in New Zealand won an Eastland Wood Council (EWC) Forestry award that recognises an individual who demonstrates excellence across a range of skills within wood processing – skills beyond best practice guidelines Source: Timberbiz To be eligible fo
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FSC risk assessment for Australia completed

An assessment of the risk of sourcing wood from ‘unacceptable’ sources from Australia has been carried out in accordance with FSC-PRO-60-002A V1.0 FSC National Risk Assessment Framework. Source: Timberbiz FSC defines unacceptable sources as wood originating from: Illegally harvested w
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Ross Hampton appointed vice chair UN committee

Australian Forest Products Association CEO Ross Hampton has been appointed as Vice-Chair of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-based Industries. Source: Timberbiz “It’s a great honour to be appointed as Vice-Chair of the FAO s
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US housing start slump has local implications

The US economy appears to be in good shape, if we take into account high levels of employment and factors like wages growth. Forest2Market in the US commented recently that despite positives on a range of fronts, the critical residential construction sector is under-performing, with p
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Spreading forest certification across the Tasman

The National Governing Body for PEFC in Australia is in New Zealand this week to discuss the standard development and champion the all-important PEFC forest certification message. Mr Dorries and Marketing and Communication Officer Jason Ross will be spending this week traveling throug
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Challenging times for timber cladding Alliance

A decision deeming that timber cladding is acceptable for all classes of buildings other than Class 2 and 3 low-rise buildings is to be challenged by the Wood Cladding and External Fixtures Alliance. Source: Timberbiz The Alliance is pleased the Australian Building Codes Board has con
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Russia could swamp Australasian markets with high grade timber

Russia is emerging as a major timber exporter that could potentially swamp markets in Australia and New Zealand, a forestry conference has been told. Dennis Nielson, director of NZ-based consultancy DANA, said Russia as a country was overwhelming in its scale, with a forestry industry
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