Australasia's home for timber news and information

Opinion: Maria Helena Semedo – International Day of Forests

On Sunday we mark the International Day of Forests, and never before has there been greater reason to focus our attention on these precious natural resources that cover a third of the Earth’s land area. We owe so much to forests. Over the last year, forests have been helping to
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Sugar factory closure delivers skilled labour to Hyne

Many years of plant and maintenance experience is being harnessed as part of Hyne Timber’s expansion in Maryborough. Source: Timberbiz The closure of the Maryborough Sugar Factory (MSF) late last year, saw an opportunity for Hyne to recruit skilled, experienced people from within the
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Strong market confidence carries new home sales into 2021

New Home Sales increased in February to be 1.7 per cent higher than February last year, prior to the impact of COVID restrictions on new home sales. Source: Timberbiz The HIA New Home Sales report – a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states – is a
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Aussie pair nominated for Blue Sky Award

Visy’s Michael Darveniza and UTAS PhD researcher Michelle Balasso have been nominated for global Blue Sky Young Researchers Innovation Award. Source: Timberbiz They are two of 21 candidates from nine countries who are contestants for the awards. Launched in 2016, the awards are
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X-Frame raises maiden capital

X-Frame Australia Pty Ltd has successfully completed raising its maiden capital of $485,000 via the Innovyz Circular Economy investors. This raise will enable the company to capitalise on strong client interest and opportunities. Source: Timberbiz X-Frame was developed by Ged Finch at
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China takes our chips but not our wood

Australia is bracing for a drawn-out disruption to its A$1.6 billion annual timber trade with China after requests to Beijing’s customs officials to resume the log exports were ignored, two sources told Reuters. Sources: Reuters, Timberbiz, Nasdaq The four-million-tonne log timb
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Expansion at Neville Smith starts a second shift

The expansion at Neville Smith Forest Products which is due to begin from 1 July 2021 will add 30 new full time jobs and allow the company to start a second shift. Source: Timberbiz Andrew Walker Neville Smith Forest Products CEO said it planned to start the second shift at its Huon V
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China takes Australian sandalwood deal with Quintis

The world’s largest Indian sandalwood producer has struck a deal that will see Santalum album exported from Western Australia’s Ord Valley and developed into new products for the booming Chinese traditional medicine market. Source: ABC Rural Quintis signed a memorandum of
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Australia increases imports of American hardwoods

There was been a significant growth in exports of US hardwood lumber to Australia in 2020. The increase in volume of hardwood lumber totalled 11% YOY. The most popular species, American white oak, saw a 3% increase to 17,035 cubic metres but American red oak figures reveal a remarkabl
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IFA & AFG addresses land management at Victorian Ecosystems Inquiry

The Institute of Foresters of Australia and Australian Forest Growers has told the Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria that only active and adaptive land management supported by collective community action can address ecosystem decline directly and effectively. Source: Timberbi
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