The sponsors of the Wood Awards, UK’s premier architecture and furniture competition celebrating excellence in design in the world’s most sustainable material include leading organisations involved in wood marketing and education in the UK. Canada Wood is the latest organisation to join the major sponsors of the Wood Awards, with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Carpenters’ Company and Wood for Good. The Wood Awards is also sponsored by American Softwoods. The Wood Awards’ steering group is formed of representatives from our sponsors and the five major sponsors which are AHEC, THE Worshipful Company of Carpenters, The Forestry Commission, Trada and Wood for Good. Additional support is to be provided be Canada Wood, Furniture Makers’ Company, The Malaysian Timber Council, Ontario Wood, Quebec Wood Exports Bureau, Rooff Limited.

Windmill Hill won the Gold Award, this year’s top prize for his “mouth-watering” timber construction. Strange House and The Watson House, that use a variety of timber elements showcasing the creativity and commitment to their owners had been awarded with Private/Best Small Project. An English ash Windsor Rocker emerged as the winner from an impressive category of Furniture. Chairman of the Judges, Michael Morrison chose the winning projects for 2011. The judges gave recognition for innovation, outstanding craftsmanship and outstanding design.

Figures for 2012 Xylexpo were actually up to expectations: 43,295 visitors, 15.9 percent less than in 2010. These figures indicate a substantial endurance of the biennial international exhibition of wood and furniture technology and supplies, in face of an economic situation that is still very complicated, also for the 515 exhibitors, including 177 foreign companies from 34 countries, who attended the Milan show.

The 23rd Xylexpo, held at FieraMilano-Rho from 8 to 12 May was a truthful mirror of the current situation: the figures published by the Acimall Studies Office just before the exhibition indicated that, in the first quarter of this year, orders to the Italian industry decreased by 4.6 percent compared to the same period of 2011, whereby a minus 24.8 percent variation on the domestic market was partially balanced by orders from abroad (plus 4.25 percent).

The new Dieffenbacher Colorizer applies high quality direct digital printing on THDF/MDF and particle boards for applications such as laminate flooring and for furniture production. The system is particularly suited to small and medium batch sizes. With a capacity of 1,800 m²/h (19,375 sq.ft./h) at a optical resolution of 1,200 dpi Dieffenbacher is setting new standards in quality and cost effectiveness.  The Colorizer has unlimited possibilities for printing images on panel board and will allow radical new design and product strategies to be realized.

The Dieffenbacher Colorizer offers many advantages compared with conventional roller printing or paper roll print methods such as:

•    Significantly reduced expenditure in the production process
•    Elimination of storage of paper rolls, printing rollers and presses
•    Sampling, pilot and small batches can easily be produced in short time
•    No set-up times for image changes
•    Economical production of small batches
•    Can print almost any image

Compared with other digital printers available in the market the Dieffenbacher Colorizer provides many benefits, such as better print quality at a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi (optical 1,200 dpi) and a higher capacity, 1,800 m²/h (19,375 sq.ft./h), than digital printers currently on the market. The single pass printing system produces a sharp image on to the board, the pigmented aqueous inks ensure a strongly adhered high abrasion-resistant surface coating when used with a melamine resin top coat.
 

Wood for Good, the UK timber industry’s sustainability campaign has launched its 2012 campaign: “Wood First”.  The campaign calls for the introduction of a “Wood First” rule in local authority planning guidance. This would require sustainably sourced wood to be considered, where feasible, as the primary construction material in all new-build and refurbishment projects. The organisation states that this will help the UK meet local, national and sectoral targets for carbon reduction.

Such a rule is already in place in many other parts of the world, most notably France, as a key element of climate policy. Current proposals from the European Commission will enable the carbon stored in harvested wood products to be taken into account in national carbon budgets.

Timber’s low carbon properties have already been well documented in a range of scientific studies and academic reports, which outline how wood actively mitigates against the effects of carbon change by absorbing CO2 and emitting oxygen during the growth process, resulting in carbon being captured in timber products.
The Wood First campaign has strong support from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), which was the first organisation to set global standards for responsible forest management, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC UK) and Confederation of Forest Industries: promoting forestry and wood (CONFOR).

The 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition will take place in Milan, Italy, from 18 to 22 June 2012. This annual event constitutes one of the world’s leading science-to-science, business-to-business and science-to-industry fora for the biomass sector.

One of the highlights of the 2012 Conference Opening on Monday, 18 June, will be the launch of the first World Forum on “Fuel, Food and the Environment: The Bioenergy Challenge”.

Main purpose of the World Forum is to stimulate open discussion from all stakeholders on the future of bioenergy and biofuels, and specifically, how policy makers can steer a sustainable course through the many complex issues within the biofuel debate.

Issues that will be debated by leading experts include:

•    steps towards worldwide governance of biofuels
•    development of International common approaches to sustainability and climate change mitigation
•    factors effecting the impact of biofuel production on food, environment and green house gas emissions
•    regulatory approaches to reduce Indirect Land Use Changes effects on the environment, green house gas emissions and food production
•    the interaction between the scientific community, interest groups and the policy-makers

This World Forum will bring together key politicians, leading international scientists, industrial representatives, major NGOs, and will host the first round table “towards a sustainable bioenergy solution”.
The programme of the World Forum will also include panel discussions moderated by top EU journalist, press conference, and ample opportunities for discussion and debate.

Dieffenbacher has received an order for a complete OSB plant in China. This is the second continuous OSB plant that Dieffenbacher will build in China. The first OSB plant for Baoyuan began production in 2010. The new plant which will be located in Eastern China will have an annual capacity of 228,000 m³.

Scope of supply includes the Rotary Dryer, Screening Equipment, Gluing Equipment, a Forming Line consisting of a CPS 280 – 40 and the raw board handling system. The press will produce boards with thickness from 6 to 40 Millimeters. Delivery of the equipment begins in September 2012. First board is scheduled in April 2013.

The national member of PEFC International has invited all interested parties to the PEFC UK Inaugural Stakeholder Meeting entitled "Purchasing forest products: Reducing risk and increasing confidence". The event is scheduled on 26th June 2012 at the Auditorium of the Society of Chemical Industries at Belgrave Square, London.

In 2008, the US Government extended the Lacey Act to include forest products. In Europe, March 2013 will see the introduction of the EU Timber Regulation which imposes a requirement on companies first placing timber on the EU market to ensure that appropriate ‘due diligence’ systems are in place. Companies trading in timber and timber products will need to keep track of where they purchased from and where applicable, who they sold to. The Regulation will apply to everyone trading forest products in the EU, including paper, furniture and wood fuel, therefore bringing thousands of companies into its scope.

To highlight the responsibilities that UK industry needs to be fully aware of, PEFC UK has decided to make the theme of its inaugural stakeholder meeting – mitigating risk in the procurement of forest products.

There will also be a panel discussion where delegates will have an opportunity to pose questions to our panel. This will be followed by a drinks reception to provide delegates with networking opportunities.

Ghana’s forest stood at 8.2 million hectares. But it was in the yester years. Currently, Ghana is importing logs from Cameroon.

Cameroon’s Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Ngole Phlips, who welcomed the move, assured journalists that his country was looking forward to trading with Ghana to reduce its dependence on the international market following the economic crisis in Europe.

Recently, Minister of Lands & Natural Resources, Mike Hammah, led a team to Cameroun to explore how Ghana could buy logs from the West Central African country while it restores its forest. The country’s forest cover stands at less than 1 million hectares and this has been aggravated by an estimated loss of 65,000 hectares of forest annually.

Ghana’s forests, which covered about one-third of Ghana’s total area, used to be the main source of exports.
Until recently, timber was the country’s third largest foreign exchange earner and the forestry sector was the highest recipient of aid and commercial credits.
A decade ago, timber and wood product earnings totaled US$212 million. The country’s exports of over 919,000 tonnes have dropped significantly.

Indiscriminate felling of trees by individuals and illegal chain saw operators, coupled with bad farming practices, bush fire and many others have been identified as the root causes of deforestation.

Ghana and Cameroon have since resolved to establish a Permanent Joint Commission to expand the scope of bilateral relations between the two countries to promote forestry and other sectors in the spirit of South-South co-operation.
In furtherance of this resolution, a high-profile body comprising technical teams from both countries is expected to be constituted to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance trade. These were contained in a Cameroon-Ghana Joint Communiqué on Bilateral Co-operation on Timber and Timber Products fashioned out in Yaounde between the governments of Ghana and Cameroon during a three-day visit by Ghanaian delegates.

SOURCE: GhanaWeb

RAUTE CORPORATION declared its interim report for the period January 1–March 31, 2012. The report goes on as:

•    The Group’s net sales, EUR 15.1 million (MEUR 14.6), increased 3% on the comparison period.
•    Operating profit was EUR -0.5 million (MEUR -1.4). Result before taxes was EUR -0.5 million (MEUR -1.6).
•    Earnings per share (undiluted) were EUR -0.12 (EUR -0.32).
•    Order intake was EUR 61 million (MEUR 29) and the order book at the end of the reporting period increased to EUR 82 million (MEUR 48).
•    The outlook for financial performance remains unchanged. Net sales in 2012 will increase significantly on the comparison year and the operating profit will be clearly positive.

The net sales for the first quarter of the year remained low. The order intake, on the other hand, reached a record high. Also taking into account the significant amount of orders we received during the final quarter of 2011, we can already at this stage be fairly certain of our outlook for the year in progress.

The year has begun in a challenging market situation, with the exception of the notably large mill order which we received in February. Construction activity in our customers’ main markets is still at a fairly low level, decreasing the need for our customers to make any major investments in new capacity. Various projects are being moved forward, however in this type of situation their activation is uncertain.

A strong order book provides Raute with the keys to a distinctly positive result and the chance to focus our efforts on the implementation of our strategy and on development projects which will guarantee us a better position to meet the challenges of the changing markets and, on the other hand, the opportunities presented by the improving markets when the global economy regains its stability.

Raute’s customers in the veneer, plywood and LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) industries are engaged in the manufacture of wood products used in investment commodities and are thus highly affected by fluctuations in construction, housing-related consumption, international trade, and transportation.

The plywood industry’s upgrade investments to ensure quality and cost competitiveness as well as maintain market shares have remained at a reasonable level during the early part of the year.

Several large projects encompassing single production lines and mill-scale deliveries under planning and negotiation are pending. Customers will decide on and realize these projects only once they are more confident that demand has recovered permanently and once financing for the projects can be arranged.

In February Raute received orders equaling more than EUR 50 million for the machinery and equipment for a plywood mill for Paneles Arauco S.A. in Chile. The machinery and equipment will be delivered mainly during the latter part of 2012 for the rebuilding of the Nueva Aldea plywood mill which burned down at the beginning of January.

During the reporting period Raute Corporation signed a long-term contract with UPM Plywood for the proactive maintenance and spare parts services for UPM Plywood’s Finnish mills in Pellos, Jyväskylä, Savonlinna, Joensuu and Kalso, as well as the Chudovo mill in Russia and Otepää mill in Estonia. Based on the contract Raute will take on the responsibility for some of the proactive maintenance inspections and scheduled maintenance programs performed at specified production lines at UPM’s plywood mills.

The order book grew during the reporting period by EUR 46 million, amounting to EUR 82 million at the end of the period (MEUR 48). More than EUR 15 million of the order book is estimated to be entered as income in 2013.

 Net sales for the reporting period totaled EUR 15.1 million (MEUR 14.6), up 3 percent on the first quarter of the previous year.

Europe’s share of total net sales during the reporting period was 33 percent (33%), Russia’s 23 percent (20%), South America’s 26 percent (6%), North America’s 13 percent (13%), and Asia-Pacific’s 4 percent (28%).

Operating loss was EUR 0.5 million negative (MEUR 1.4 negative) and accounted for -4 percent (-10%) of net sales.

The first-quarter result was negative due to low net sales. The three significant new orders received in November–December 2011 and in February 2012 could be observed as an increase in net sales in March. March accounted for almost half of the net sales generated during the reporting period.

The result before taxes for the reporting period was EUR 0.5 million negative (MEUR 1.6 negative) and the result EUR 0.5 million negative (MEUR 1.3 negative). Earnings per share (undiluted) were EUR -0.12 (EUR -0.32).
 

World Bioenergy 2012 planned to launch Sustainable Bioenergy Day, dedicating its last day to the development of a sustainable bioenergy market. Sustainable Bioenergy Day is a unique event, built around the coming global standard on Bioenergy ISO 13065 – Sustainability criteria for bioenergy. The event aims to highlight the various sustainable issues and development possibilities from all continents and for all stakeholders.

Sustainable Bioenergy Day 2012 on the 31st of May is unique event arranged together with ISO 13065, Swedish energy agency and Swedish Standard Institute (SIS). It includes the first ever public dialog forum regarding the coming ISO 13065 standard - Sustainability criteria for bioenergy.

The purpose of the day is to open up a public dialog around how to achieve a sustainable market growth for modern bioenergy. On the podium are experts from all around the globe, from all continents, from industry, NGO bioenergy associations and from ISO. The day includes the first ever public dialog forum regarding the coming ISO 13065 standard - Sustainability criteria for bioenergy. Sustainable bioenergy day ends with a workshop on sustainability open to all participants of World Bioenergy 2012.

As ISO is half way in its project to form a standard, now is the time to influence decisions that can be crucial to the development of our business in coming years. Take a chance to voice your opinions and get involved in the important work forward to create a sustainable bioenergy development.

Amongst the confirmed speakers are: Kevin McKinley, Deputy Secretary General of ISO, Samantha Smith, Head of the WWF Global Climate and Energy Initiative, Kent Nyström, President of World Bioenergy Association, WBA, Aditya Handa, Abellon CleanEnergy, Sonia Medina, Africa Renewables, Harry Stokes, Project Gaia, Birger Kerckow, Co-Chair of ISO/PC 248, Judi Wakhungu, ACTS.

Sustainability Bioenergy day is arranged by the Swedish Energy Agency with the support of ISO, SIS and Svebio.

Büttner Gesellschaft für Trocknungstechnik mbH and Siempelkamp Energy Systems GmbH became one company in December 2011. With this new synergy, Siempelkamp's motto "all from a single source" has once more been strengthened. Plant operators benefit from numerous advantages.

Under the new name Büttner Energie- und Trockungstechnik GmbH, the dryer and energy specialist is taking its know-how to new heights at the Krefeld and Hannover locations. The merger is logical because energy plants and dryers belong together regarding process technology and plant engineering competence.

Both managing directors – Ms. Dagmar Bautzmann and Ms. Ines Veckenstedt – welcome the advantages of this synergy. "Büttner purchases parts globally and always close to the plant operator. From now on we will use this concept when purchasing parts for our energy plants. Customers of energy systems will benefit from parts that were purchased close to their final destination and the corresponding lower transport costs," said Dagmar Bautzmann.

The two Siempelkamp specialists have already proven their combined strength in several mutual sales activities. In 2011 Swedspan, as an example, signed a contract for a complete dryer system as well as an entire energy system. Due to this investment, the Swedish Siempelkamp customer will be able to significantly increase the capacity of its particleboard plant.

Each veneer piece is a specimen which inherits grain properties of the wood of a particular type and for the same reason wood from trees with beautiful wood grains and flawless structure are used for its manufacture. A versatile product, veneer is used for interior as well as exterior installations and brings in a range of décor options for wood structures and furniture.

Veneers are also in demand among furniture manufacture and designers. High quality veneer is used to add style element to furniture pieces such as drawers, cabinets and dressers. Each veneer sheet is distinct from the other and lends uniqueness to the furniture where it is applied. Walnut, walnut kernel, oak and dark oak finish are highly in demand today. A veneer complements the interior perfectly and when used properly it elevates the overall impression of the interior and becomes a centrepiece.

To know more, download and read the recent edition of Wood & Panel Europe

Trex Company, Inc., the leading manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing, announced it will present at the following industry conferences:

•    Wells Fargo Securities 2012 Industrial & Construction Conference Date: May 9, 2012 Time: 3:30 PM ET Location: Palace Hotel, New York, NY Presenter: Ronald W. Kaplan, Chairman, President & CEO
•    Houlihan Lokey 7th Annual Global Industrials Conference Date: May 10, 2012 Time: 2:00 PM ET Location: Grand Hyatt, New York, NY Presenter: Ronald W. Kaplan, Chairman, President & CEO

The company will also meet one-on-one with institutional investors during the day. A copy of Trex's presentation slides will be posted to the Investor Relations section of the Trex website.

SOURCE: Business Wire

Acadian Timber Corporation reported financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Acadian generated net sales of $18.6 million on sales volume of 352 thousand m3, which represents a $3.1 million, or 14%, decrease in net sales compared to the same period in 2011.

Results for the first quarter were impacted by Acadian's implementation of a short-term vendor managed inventory program ("VMI") with one of its larger customers. At the end of the first quarter, Acadian held 72 thousand m3 of harvested logs in inventory related to the VMI. As purchase commitments are filled under the VMI during the second quarter of 2012, additional sales of approximately $3.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1.5 million are expected to be realized.

Adjusted EBITDA of $4.8 million for the first quarter was $2.5 million lower than in the first quarter of 2011, and Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 26% from 33% in the same period of last year. This decrease in margin is attributed to a lower contribution from the land management services agreement and significantly lower sales of higher margin spruce-fir sawlogs owing to the sale of these volumes being delayed until the second quarter as a result of the VMI.

Acadian's weighted average selling price across all products increased 7% year-over-year although this change was largely due to changes in the sales mix and sales to more distant markets. Prices for softwood sawlogs, which represent 38% of net sales, increased 5% year-over-year with this increase in average price primarily related to a greater proportion of sales coming from Acadian's Maine operations where softwood sawlogs attract stronger prices. Prices for hardwood sawlogs, which represent 7% of net sales, increased by 2%. Selling prices for hardwood and softwood pulpwood increased by 6% and 14%, respectively, year-over-year. Biomass markets remained stable with price comparisons having little utility as they are significantly affected by distance from the harvest location.

Softwood, hardwood and biomass shipments were 82 thousand m3, 115 thousand m3 and 60 thousand m3, respectively, for the first quarter. Approximately 31% was sold as sawlogs, 46% as pulpwood and 23% as biomass. This compares to 40% sold as sawlogs, 40% as pulpwood and 20% as biomass in the first quarter of 2011.

Net sales for the first quarter were $13.2 million (2011 - $17.9 million) with an average selling price across all products of $47.79 per m3 which compares to an average selling price of $46.37 per m3 during the first quarter of 2011. This year-over-year change in the average selling price reflects a higher proportion of hardwood pulpwood in the sales mix and improved pricing for this product. Other sales decreased to $0.9 million from $1.6 million in the comparable period of 2011 due to decreased harvesting activity on the land Acadian manages on behalf of others.

New Brunswick Timberlands held 72 thousand m³ of harvested logs in inventory related to the VMI at the end of the first quarter reducing sales and Adjusted EBITDA during the quarter by approximately $3.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively. These amounts are expected to be realized in the second quarter as purchase commitments under the VMI are filled.

Costs for the first quarter were $10.0 million (2011 - $11.6 million). Variable costs per m3 were 16% higher than the first quarter of 2011 as a result of increased sales of hardwood pulpwood to more distant customers in the United States and higher contractor and fuel costs.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $3.1 million, compared to $6.4 million in the comparable period of 2011. Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 24%, as compared to 35% for the first quarter of 2011, reflecting higher delivered log costs, lower contribution from the land management services agreement and the effect of reduced sales volume on fixed cost absorption.

SOURCE: marketwire

From 8–12 May 2012, the Italian city of Milan will host the XYLEXPO, the world exhibition for woodworking technology and furniture supplies. As a trendsetter, WINTERSTEIGER will give brand-new process solutions for quality thin-cutting.

The worldwide trend toward lamella with rustic appearance gives new value to the wood core. WINTERSTEIGER therefore reveals new ways for cutting large wooden blocks efficiently. Following its motto "From block to the lamella with pre-cut and integrated resaw", WINTERSTEIGER brings together all the sophistication of its in-house thin-cutting technology in a concept-based cutting system. Economic efficiency is redefined by absolute precision, minimum kerf and maximum capacity. For a block of 300 mm in height, for example, savings of 15 percent and more is feasible compared to the classical method of separate steps for the pre-cut and final cut. Additional tolerances due to the warping of wood are successfully eliminated at the same time. Details on this trend-setting and already completed cutting concept will be revealed to the trade professionals at the XYLEXPO.

Reliable, proven and cost-effective: Frame saws are still the favorite of the international market as their low acquisition costs offer the most economical thin-cutting. WINTERSTEIGER incorporates more than 40 years of experience and know-how in this technology. With compelling features: the thinnest kerf starts at 0.7 mm and the cutting height goes up to 400 mm.

 The carbide-tipped and Stellite saw blades developed and manufactured by WINTERSTEIGER also prove innovative spirit and diversity. For each application, there is the right solution with outstanding advantages:

- X-Clean: up to 92 % less saw dust formation
- X-Well for one-of-a-kind flooring surfaces
- Thin-cutting frame and band saws for all wood types
- Banso log saws and band resaws for wide use in mobile sawmills
 
 

Wood & Panel Europe – the leading e-zine for the wood and wbp industry has come up with an exciting offer for the visitors at Xylexpo. Try your luck for a 12 MP camera simply by dropping your business card for a draw.

Wood & Panel Europe is proud to be a consistent exhibitor in Xylexpo. Scheduled on May 8-12, 2012 at Milan, this biennial fair is an amalgamation of all the leading woodworking machineries and panel manufacturers from Italy and abroad.

Wood & Panel Europe will be present at the Hall 4, booth 11 and at the media stand (#12), wherefrom you can pick up a free copy of the magazine, participate in the game and meet our representative.

Confirm your presence by mailing us at pr@woodandpanel.com.

GreCon will exhibit new developments and enhancements of their current range of PREVENTIVE FIRE PROTECTION and MEASURING TECHNOLOGY for the wood, wood based panel and furniture industries at this year's XYLEXPO in Milan from 8 to 12 May 2012 in hall 4, stand A63.

With a spark detection and extinguishment system BS7 by GreCon, fire or even explosions can be prevented in all production areas. GreCon will exhibit the lastest  developments to their spark detection and extinguishment system at the XYLEXPO. With the product innovation BS7 NET, a flexible network function for centralisation and time synchronisation of control consoles is introduced. The BS7 UHS is a new extinguishing technology which reduces the reaction time of a spark extinguishing system making it 3 times faster. The new operating panel BS7 TOUCH provides additional information and control possibilities of a spark extinguishing system thanks to a touch and slide function. This ensures operations can be carried out more efficiently, while the information content for the operator increases significantly.

Besides spark detection and extinguishment systems, the wood, wood based panel and furniture industries can nowadays not be imagined without MEASURING TECHNOLOGY. Due to ever increasing production capacities and the related high production speeds, production parameters which change for only a few seconds can already cause substantial losses in quality and money. This can be monitored or prevented by using modern measuring and control systems by GreCon. GreCon will exhibit their range of measuring technology at the XYLEXPO, main emphasis being put on new developments and enhancements. The temperature and gas pressure measuring system CONTILOG consists of a chip which is inserted in wood based mats and then runs through the hot press. The parameters gas pressure and temperature progression, which are essential for the product, are measured by means of wireless sensor technology. At the Woodex 2011 in Moscow, CONTILOG was awarded best innovative development of all products and technologies exhibited at the exhibition. The GA 5000 is a gas analysis device used to measure formaldehyde emissions. These emissions can be determined according to EN 717-2 within a few hours. Finally, the enhancements of the surface inspection system SUPERSCAN are presented. The application can now be extended to the areas of raw panels and fibre sizes. With that, furniture board, laminate, raw panels and fibre sizes can now be inspected fully automatically.

Demand for larch lumber from East Siberia has been growing in Germany since Easter. This is mainly owing to industrial planing mills having stepped up production on account of better sales opportunities for planed timber. Against this background, industrial planing mills have now apparently run down their stocks and are placing more orders again with importers. Business in larch lumber had previously been rather subdued into April, as contrary to the expectations planed timber demand had not picked up in March. In this vein, the industrial planning mills were relatively slow do use up the stocks they had built up early in the first quarter. The revival in the larch lumber business since Easter is also not as strong as otherwise usual at this time of the year, according to importers.

With a little delay of about four weeks higher prices for kraftliner were instituted in April.

The most recent round of price negotiations for unbleached kraftliner brought a hike in most cases, which came into effect for deliveries from March, or from early April in some cases.

The mark-up did not turn out as high as producers had initially wanted but they are not willing to give up, especially given the fact that they believe the market situation will change with the closure of Peterson’s Moss mill.

One kraftliner producer told EUWID, the implementation of the remaining sum, in order to reach a full €60 price hike as announced, seemed unlikely, but things seemed to have changed. The fact that 290,000 tpy of production capacity were withdrawn from the market from one day to the next definitely had an effect on the market, the producer said.

Manufacturers reported extra inquiries from buyers looking to secure volumes and noted that the market could become much tighter in the second quarter. Other sources, however, point out that it remains to be seen what kraftliner importers from non-European countries will do now. Overall demand and consumption on the kraftliner market in France are described as moderate.

SOURCE: EUWID

As part of the "Fill 2020" project, the first construction phase commenced in April 2012 alongside the existing Fill premises in Gurten. Urgently needed additional logistics and assembly space will be built here in the next twelve months on an 8,000 m2 site. An extension to the electro-workshop, the machining shop and a new service center will also be accommodated on the expanded, new company site. In total, about 35,000 m3 of earth will be moved in the coming weeks before the first phase begins with construction of the parking area, building site, a new road and the new water overflow and storage basin. "We are investing around € 25 million over the next few years in the Gurten plant. The next phase is scheduled for 2014 with construction of a 2,000 m2 service and training center. This is a clear commitment to our location here in the Innviertel," explain the CEOs Andreas Fill and Wolfgang Rathner.

The timber harvested as a consequence of construction work will be recycled next winter in the Waldwärme Gurten boiler plant (which Fill played a major role in building). This in turn will provide heat to the entire Fill site (offices, production and storage halls). "In all our expansion plans, we attach great importance to environmentally friendly and environmentally compatible measures," says Andreas Fill, affirming the company's ecological focus.

Ghana is seeking to import timber from Cameroon to feed local processing plants lacking the raw materials to operate fully.

Cameroon contains some of the Congo Basin's most biologically diverse forest - over 300 species - extending over 22 million hectares. The country is a main tropical timber exporter, 80 percent of which is shipped to the European Union.

"We have so many sawmills but then the raw material is lacking because over the years there has been excessive exploitation," Minister of Land Affairs and Natural Resources Mike Allen Hammah told reporters at the end of a two-day trip.

"We are looking forward to concretising some of the conclusions we have arrived at with the Ghanaian delegation," said Minister of Forestry and Wildlife Philip Ngwese Ngole.

SOURCE: Reuters

The EU Timber Regulation becomes operational on 3 March 2013. From March 3, 2013 onwards, market players in the EU are officially prohibited from putting illegally felled timber and timber products on the market. In view of the approaching effective date, EU timber trade legislation for com-bating illegal felling was at the forefront of this year’s foreign-trade meeting organised by the foreign-trade unit of the German Timber Trade Federation on 13 April 2012. Counsellor Thorsten Hinrichs of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection informed players in the foreign trade sector about the expected bureaucratic requirements that the new EU Timber Regulation will entail for operators who place timber and timber products on the domestic market from outside the EU. At the 2011 foreign-trade meeting Hinrichs had already presented the German “Holzhandels-Sicherungs-Gesetz” (HolzSiG) which was a first step in implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 on the establishment of a FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community. The HolzSiG is currently being augmented with arrangements for implementing the EU Timber Regulation.
SOURCE: EUWID

The Malaysian Insitute of Architects (PAM - Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia) is hosting a seminar on PEFC certification as part of its Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities. The seminar will take place on Monday, 23 April 2012, at the National Textile Museum in Kuala Lumpur.

This event will address the issue of timber certification and the rationale for its implementation. The Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) is endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) in Geneva – the world's largest certification programme.

Sarah Price, PEFC's Head of Projects &Development, will discuss standards used, forest areas and companies and explain the recognition of MTCS. Also presenting will be Mr. Harnarinder Singh of MTCC who will deliver a paper entitled: "Certifying Malaysian Timber Products under PEFC System" and Michael Hermens, Managing Director of Malaysian-based APP Timber., specialising in imported certified timber and wood products. APP Timber will also introduce a leading softwood supplier.

The entire London 2012 Olympic Park development has achieved dual Project Certification from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) schemes for its timber usage —the first dual Project Certification in the world.
This groundbreaking achievement in sustainable timber procurement has played a prominent role in helping the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) achieve its commitment of making the London 2012 Olympic Games the greenest games ever with 100% of wood products supplied certified as legal and sustainable.
The project certification ceremony took place on 28 March at the Olympic Park Site with certificates presented to Dr. Peter Bonfield, Head of Construction Products at the ODA and Noah Bold, Park Operations Environment & Sustainability Manager, by the Soil Association.
The development was audited by the Soil Association's Woodmark and is being hailed as a major achievement that is potentially destined to be a future model for timber procurement globally. The scheme also saw a unique and important partnership role played by both PEFC and FSC to make sure that the levels of legal and sustainable timber procured by the ODA achieved the highest possible target. Woodmark said the project was a 'world first' for certification of such a huge and complex site.
Alun Watkins who heads up PEFC in the UK commented: "PEFC is delighted to have worked together with FSC to help make dual certification of this highly prestigious project possible. This is the first dual certified project in the world and we are proud that the UK has provided an example for others to follow in the future. We congratulate the Olympic Delivery Authority on their decision to source only certified timber. This demonstrates a strong commitment to responsible timber procurement which will help to make London 2012 one of the most successful and greenest games ever."
The Games' East London site comprises of seven major venues across the 246-hectare Olympic Park and needed to be managed on a daily basis for the thousands of timber products entering the site. The ambitious approach was driven forward by the establishment of the Timber Supplier Panel that embedded strict policy and procurement procedures and implemented a delivery management system that was forthright in policing and educating stakeholders and their supply chains about sustainable timber and unbroken chain of custody.

The six final candidates to the World Bioenergy Award 2012 are now chosen. One of them will be announced as the winner on May 29 at the opening session of World Bioenergy 2012 in Jönköping, Sweden. This is the second time that the World Bioenergy Award is presented.

The Nominated 2012 in an alphabetical order are:

Mr. Al Costa, Spain   
Mr. Aditya Handa, India
Mr. Timur Ivanov, Russia
Mr. Robert Parker, United Kingdom
Mr. Dilip Ranade, India
Mr. Harry Stokes, USA

The aim of the World Bioenergy Award is to recognize an individual who has made a difference: a business leader, politician or researcher who in a crucial way has furthered the development of the bioenergy sector.
The first prize winner was Professor Laércio Couto from Brazil. He was honoured for his applied research into environmentally appropriate and efficient methods of cultivating eucalyptus, which replaces huge amounts of coal and other fossil fuels.

The Association of the Parquet Industry announced that their parquet production has increased slightly in the year 2012.  At the General Meeting of the Association of German Parquet Industry in Bad Honnef, it was disclosed that there has been nearly five percentincrease in production compared to that of last year’s.The current business situation has been all over satisfactory.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, turnover fell to the hardwood flooring in 2011 by 3.7%. The production volume decreased by 6%. In addition, the participating companies reported for 2011 a significant increase in both the hardwoodexports increased by 10.7% to a value of€ 183 million and an increase in imports by 8.1% to Parquet 267 million euros.

The Association of the Parquet Industry (vdp) was founded in 1950 in Wiesbaden. Since 2006, the office is located in Bad Honnef. There are currently representing more than 90 percent of German parquet production. 

Mika Viljanmaa, who works as Development Manager in Metso’s Järvenpää unit in Finland, has been awarded the prestigious 2012 Marcus Wallenberg Prize for his work on metal belt calendering in paper and board making. Viljanmaa will receive the prize at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden on October 1, 2012.

the Board of the Marcus Wallenberg Foundation opined, “The 2012 Marcus Wallenberg Prize has been awarded to Mika Severi Viljanmaa for his ground-breaking development of metal belt calendering technology resulting in better paper print surfaces with less fiber materials and higher production efficiency”. Furthermore, the invention also paves the way for applications in other paper machine sections with the opportunity of becoming a wider platform technology expected to substantially enhance production efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability of paper and board making.

Metal belt technology improves quality and efficiency, with less raw materials and energy.

Metal belt technology has made a major breakthrough as a revolutionary new calendering concept for papermaking. Calendering is done to improve the paper surface and thus print quality. Compared with conventional calendering, advanced long nip metal belt calendering technology enables manufacturing of paper and board with better surface properties at a desired level of stiffness and bulk, but with 3-10% less fiber raw material; in addition it decreases energy consumption and yields higher production efficiency.

It is also suitable for low-cost fibers such as recycled fibers and thus enables development of new cost-competitive paper and board products. The new concept is compact, making it ideal for rebuilds to increase capacity by removing existing production bottlenecks such as yankee dryers or wet stacks.

Norbord Inc. reported EBITDA of $21 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $9 million in the prior quarter and $14 million in the same quarter last year.  The improvement reflects a 7% quarter-over-quarter increase in North American benchmark OSB prices as well as continuing strong results from the Company's European operations.

Norbord released first quarter operating results in advance of its full results to facilitate exploration of the broadest possible range of refinancing options related to its July 1, 2012 bond maturity.  Full first quarter 2012 results, including the shareholder letter, press release, management's discussion and analysis and unaudited consolidated financial statements, are expected to be released on April 27, 2012.

In North America, US housing starts were 20% higher during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year and permits were 30% higher.  More importantly for the OSB industry, US single family housing starts were 17% better versus last year.  In this firmer demand environment, the North American North Central benchmark OSB price averaged $203 per thousand square feet (Msf) (7⁄16-inch basis) in the first quarter compared to $190 per Msf in the prior quarter and $198 per Msf during the same quarter last year.  In the South East region, where approximately 55% of Norbord's North American capacity is located, prices averaged $190 per Msf in the first quarter, compared to $166 per Msf in the prior quarter and $177 per Msf during the same quarter last year.  Expert forecasts for 2012 US housing starts now range from 680,000 to 770,000, which is 11%-26% higher than last year's 610,000 starts.

In Europe, despite the negative economic news, overall panel markets continued to show strength.  In the UK, where the majority of Norbord's European assets are located, the housing market continues to slowly recover with home prices, housing starts activity and mortgage lending all trending up.  In addition, the UK government recently announced the "NewBuy" program to spur new home sales and increase home buyer eligibility by guaranteeing mortgages.  The UK government also announced legislative changes aimed at unblocking the permit planning pipeline.  Both of these initiatives are expected to be positive for housing demand over the longer term.

In the quarter, average European panel prices softened slightly compared to the previous quarter but remain higher than last year.  After peaking mid-last year, OSB prices were 7% lower than the same quarter a year ago and 5% down from the prior quarter.  However, particleboard and MDF prices are holding on to double digit gains compared to the same quarter last year, at 13% and 11% higher, respectively.  Quarter-over-quarter, particleboard and MDF prices were flat.

The 51st edition of Saloni set sail today showcasing high quality products for the global audience who have started attending the fair in hordes. Around 32,000 visitors passed through the gates to attend the fair. The innovation this year is the EuroCucina segment featuring kitchen equipment and accessories. The visitors have access to whole range of iSaloni apps, downloadable onto all the most popular mobile devices.

Over 300,000 visitors are expected to be present at the fair this year, hailing from 160 different countries to witness the high quality products on display by 2,500 exhibitors on 209,000 sqm of the event area.

The biennial EuroCucina in its 19th year will be accompanied by FTK (Technology For the Kitchen) which celebrates its 5th edition this year.  EuroCucina will be a centre for kitchen furnishing and style with display of the best in technological innovation. The biennial International Bathroom Exhibition, in its 4th edition, will emphasis on natural coverings by leading designers.

The 15th edition of SaloneSatellite is devoted to “Design<-> Technology” providing visibility to the most promising international designers. There is competition for the three most outstanding kitchen and bathroom products in the section. 750 international designer including designers from 17 international design schools will be present at the section.

This year the Saloni will be open to all public on Saturday. A new life has been given to casks with the “Barrels. The third age of wood” by 30 designers. The Teatro dell’Arte at the Triennale di Milano will be showcasing “Design Dance”- a project by Michela Marelli and Francesca Molteni.
The “MonteNapoleopne Design Experience by Citroen AUTO-Mobili” is the result of a collaboration between the Via MonteNapoleopne Association, Citroen and Cosmit. It will exhibit the epoch making Citroen cars and pieces of furniture from 50 editions of the Salone del Mobile.

The “Great Hands, Without End. The birth and evolution of design in Milan: the Castiglionis, Masistretti, Menghi, Sottsass, Vigano and Zanuso” – a show by and Laura Curino and produced by the Piccolo Teatro di Milano is back for the this year from 17th to 24th April after its premier last year.

The edition of “The City of the Saloni” guide like the previous one will include the details of the Milanese showrooms of the 80 exhibiting companies.

RotoFormer was originally developed for TwinRoll Evolution, the latest generation of TwinRoll presses from Metso. Now this new pulp inlet device is available for upgrading the DPA, DPB and TRP TwinRoll presses.

Upgrading to RotoFormer yields a number of benefits. The increased vat angle of the press and improved pulp distribution and formation provide significantly greater capacity for a broad range of inlet consistencies while delivering greater washing efficiency. Upgrading to RotoFormer also minimizes the risk of plugging in the inlet device.

The inlet box is open toward the roll surface. The screw maintains the flow of the pulp in the inlet box and its function is to distribute and form the pulp for optimal consistency and throughput. The special design of RotoFormer allows a pulp feed consistency between 3% and 11%, enabling capacity increases of up to 30%.
An upgrade includes RotoFormer, a new and improved spray pipe, longitudinal air seals and upgraded air pressurized end seals for presses with water adjusted end seals.

RotoFormer is easy to install. It is bolted to existing holes on the press. Almost no modifications are needed for the DPB and TRPB presses, but some adjustments of the vat are necessary for the DPA and TRPA presses. Installation takes approximately three days for the DPB and TRPB presses, and five days for the DPA and TRPA presses. The main press drive and the pre-breaker drive may need to be upgraded to handle a capacity increase.

The 512 exhibitors attending Xylexpo 2012 (updated at 10 April 2012) are ready to seize all the opportunities offered by the biennial international exhibition of woodworking technology and furniture industry supplies, to be held next Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 May. 35 percent will come from abroad, with European Community (Germany on top), China and Turkey in the forefront. Preparations and recent contacts with organizers, a few weeks before the opening, clearly indicate that the 32 thousand square meter net surface will be a showcase of innovative as well as “smart” solutions, giving tangible answers to a business season characterized by significant economic and structural changes.

Xylexpo will effectively show that there are possible answers, represented by more performing and less energy-hungry machines, technology that can integrate several operations into one production cycle, all to the benefit of users. Equipment manufactured with great attention to the composition of parts and aggregates, so as to generate scale economies that enable companies to give more at a lower price. So, an exhibition of answers and tangible solutions.

We remind you that Xylexpo – the only Italian exhibition supported by Eumabois, the European federation of wood technology manufacturers, and by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development – will cover four halls of the ultramodern exhibition center Fieramilano-Rho. Panel processing machines and technology will be exhibited in Halls 1 and 3; Hall 2 will feature solid wood machining solutions; Hall 4 is dedicated to suppliers and primary operation equipment and solutions.

Positive expectations also for visitors: pre-registrations collected until 10 April 2012 through the www.xylexpo.com website are similar to the levels achieved two years ago, suggesting that 50 thousand visitors are coming to Milan, just like in 2010.

Among several “service” news, this year we are launching the “MatchMaking” platform, a tool to help visitors plan their meetings with exhibitors; an easy and quick way to build your agenda during the exhibition, in order to make the most of your time spent among the booths. Matchmaking will be promoted through the information that visitors provide during their pre-registration on www.xylexpo.com.
Please notice that the high-speed trains “Frecciarossa”, travelling between Rome and Turin, and “Frecciabianca” (Trieste-Turin) will make special stops at the Rho Fiera Milano train station next to the Xylexpo halls.

Xylexpo 2012 will be held during Tew-Technology Exhibition Week, featuring the most important technology shows including Plast (the international exhibition for plastics and rubber industries), Fluidtrans Compomac (the biennial international exhibition for fluid power technology and mechatronics) and Mechanical Power Transmission & Motion Control (the international biennial exhibition for mechanical power transmissions, motion control and mechatronics that will end on May 11).

The National Wood Flooring Association's (NWFA) degree program was started 16 years ago to recognize members for serving the industry and continuing education. Over the years, the association has given 730 degrees, and during its Wood Flooring Expo in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, it increased that total by 51. Following are degree and award recipients from the past year who made the trip to Florida.

This year’s Honorary Vanguard Degree by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), which recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the NWFA and the wood flooring industry, goes to Mickey Moore of Wood Flooring Advisors. Moore, who holds a degree in woodworking technology and biology from the University of Memphis, was recognized because of all his work with NOFMA, where he held the position of technical director since 1988.

Those receiving a Craftsman Degree (for individuals who have attained 25 credits for education, achievement and service, of which 15 must be in education) were: Matt Crawford, Clarke-American Sanders; John Freeto, Woodcraft Wood Floors; Joseph Ho and Sharlene Lacroix, Qualiwood Enterprises; Claudia Lezell, Inspections Too; Michael Mcdermott, Mcdermott Hardwood Flooring; Joe Rocco, Artistic Floors By Design; Kellie Hawkins Schaffner, Waterlox Coatings Corporation; John Shepard, Carpet One Floor & Home; Troy Smith, Smith Bros. Enterprises; Joe Szenyeri; Jason Vivash, Vivash Custom Wood Floors; Peter West, West Flooring & Design; and John Wong, Golden Trim Enterprises.

The Master Craftsman Degree is given to Craftsman Degree holders who have attained an additional 25 credits, 15 of which are for achievement, and have attended or served as an instructor at an NWFA Advanced or Expert School and/or received an NWFA Floor of the Year Award. Rob Zehnder of CBA Sports Floors was the only recipient of a Master Craftsman Degree this year.

Individuals receiving an Advanced Master Craftsman Degree (for those who attain another 25 credits) were: Reed Maddray, Maddray Flooring; and Craig Mcintosh, DuraSeal.

Those receiving a Vanguard Degree (who have received 25 credits, 15 of which are for industry service or achievement) were: Hank Adams, Buckeye Hardwood & Lumber; Craig Anderson, Fine Cut Wood Flooring; Scott Avery, Modern Tech Floors; Martin Ceballos, Bona US; Peter Connor, W•D Flooring; Brian Gamet, Glitsa, a Division of the Rudd Company; Greg Gaylord, and Lewis Gaylord, Gaylord Forest Products; Bob Haggard, Hassell & Hughes Lumber Company; David Harrison, Custom Wholesale Floors; Gary Horvath, ATC Hardwood Flooring; Mike Johns, Bostik Inc.; Brenda Kubasta, Oshkosh Designs; Brett Miller, Basic Coatings; Chris Pryjomski, Pryjomski Wood Floors; Briggs Sanders, Bostik Inc.; John Saunders, Connecticut Wood Floor; and John Wooten, CMH Space Flooring Products.

Individuals accepting an Ambassador Degree (Vanguard Degree recipients who have earned an additional 25 credits for serving the industry) at the show were: Mark Elwell, Bamboo Flooring Hawaii; and Jeff Fairbanks, Palo Duro Hardwoods.

The NWFA's Golden Mallet Award recognizes those who have recruited more than four new members. Drew Kern, Flooring Works, received a Golden Mallet Award this year.

Organisation in Design the founders, art directors and organisers behind the Ventura Projects have invited visitors to Ventura Lambrate 2012 from April 17 – 22 in Milan, Italy.

In its own, unique atmosphere, Ventura Lambrate presents a strong selection of new designs by established labels, new brands, renown designers, emerging talents, galleries and institutes.
 

The second edition of the 2012 “Sustainable Packaging” conference ( “SusPack 2012”) was held at the Anuga FoodTec on 29th and 30th March in Cologne, Germany. At the two-day conference, current issues of sustainability in the (bio-based) packaging industry were discussed and existing solutions presented.

 “Nearly half of the sustainable packaging efforts aimed to use bio-based materials,” said speaker Dr. Harald Käb (narocon), “third only to recyclability/use of recycled content and weight reduction.” What is important here is not only the CO2 reduction potential (currently available bio-based packaging solutions reduce emissions by 20-30%), but also saving fossil resources. Major companies in particular are using bio-based solutions for their products as part of their sustainability strategy and are also utilizing so-called “drop-in solutions” (such as bio-PE or bio-PET) and blends with conventional plastics. The speaker indicated how important fact-based communication towards the consumer has become in this respect, as it prevents misconceptions.

Michael Carus from nova-Institute presented figures for the bio-based plastics market. According to Berlin-based industry association European Bioplastics, a total of 700,000 tonnes of bio-based plastics were produced worldwide in 2010. 60% of these were used for packaging, making it the largest application of bio-based plastics.

For the first time, nova-Institut GmbH teamed up with Anuga FoodTec to present the “SusPack Award” for the most innovative and sustainable packaging solution launched in 2011/12 at a joint ceremony. After short presentations by the nominees to the expert audience, the winner was chosen by the congress participants on 29th March 2012 and announced at the evening event.

The 2012 SusPack winners are:

•    Constantia Flexibles GmbH (Austria)
•    Tipa-corp Ltd. (Israel)
•    Imperial Ventures b.v. (Netherlands)
 

Schmitt Industries, Inc. announced its operating results for the third quarter and nine months ended February 29, 2012. Sales for the three months ended February 29, 2012 increased $236,376, or 8.1%, to $3,156,497 compared to $2,920,121 for the same period last year.

For the third quarter ended February 29, 2012, sales in the Balancer segment increased $68,118, or 3.2%, to $2,230,583 from $2,162,465 in the third quarter of Fiscal 2011. For the nine months ended February 29, 2012, sales in the Balancer segment increased $1,452,475, or 25.7%, to $7,114,407 compared to $5,661,932 for the nine months ended February 28, 2011.

Gross margins for the third quarter and the first nine months of Fiscal 2012 increased as compared to the same periods in the prior year due primarily to reducing the costs of inventory components and by changes in the product sales mix shifting towards higher margin products. Operating expenses increased during the third quarter and first nine months of the current year primarily due to higher personnel costs, higher sales and marketing expenses, higher maintenance and repair expenses and higher stock-based compensation offset by lower research and development.

Jim Fitzhenry, President of Schmitt Industries, added, "Our sales level for the quarter reflects the continuing recovery in our global markets, as well as the positive impact of new products and sales initiatives for both our SBS balancer and SMS measurement business segments and we are particularly pleased with the market reception we are seeing for our Xact(R) tank monitoring systems. Our attention is now on making the investments necessary to ramp up production and procurement to meet demand for our products while achieving consistent profitability," Fitzhenry concluded.

Lectra, the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials-textiles, leather, industrial fabrics and composite materials-and WGSN-the world's leading trend forecaster- announce its new global partnership with WGSN.

Lectra and WGSN stress that the best way to bridge this gap is with more open and efficient information sharing made possible by a strong foundation of technology and expertise. Together, the two companies will offer best practices to build a more streamlined and collaborative workflow between trends, design, and development.

"As market-leading brands in our respective sectors, WGSN and Lectra are natural partners. As the many customers we share know, WGSN and Lectra have a common mission-to improve efficiency through innovative technology systems and inspiration-right across the product development cycle. But this partnership isn't just about shared values. Together it will enable WGSN and Lectra to deliver uniquely powerful and exclusive new content and technology tools that will add value for current and future customers of both businesses worldwide," says Julie Harris, WGSN Global Managing Director.

Engaging the production knowledge found within most teams to tighten concept and design development means leaner design, fewer production issues, and an overall faster time to market.

WGSN and Lectra customers can look forward to an Autumn Winter 2013/2014 Womenswear Starter Pack to be released in May. WGSN will edit macro trends from their AW 13/14 selection to use as the basis for key looks.

Lectra will develop WGSN's color and textile inspirations into a complete design package, including mood and presentation boards; printed, woven, and knitted fabrics; colorway suggestions; seasonal palettes and production-ready spec information. To really give designers an advantage, Lectra will also develop flat pattern blocks and 3D prototypes for key looks.

"Design and development have to be efficient from step one," says Anastasia Charbin, Marketing Director, Fashion at Lectra. "A production-ready trend and design pack, complete with patterns and virtual 3D prototypes, gives designers and product developers an enormous advantage. The ability to visualize style, patterns, color, and texture in 3D cuts their workload enormously. Having all the technical information behind the creative work means fewer errors when it comes to production," she adds.

The 9th International Conference of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) will present the latest technology developments and applications of industrial hemp for bio-composites, food, feed, insulation and construction.
The International Conference of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) is established as the largest meeting of experts on industrial hemp in Europe and indeed world - wide. Specialists from all over the world will meet in order to exchange information regarding the latest developments in hemp and in other natural fibres and moreover on the applications for fibres, shivs, seeds and oil.

Participants will range from cultivation consultants, primary and further processors, traders, scientists and engineers, and investors to numerous small and medium-sized enterprises and to international automotive companies and suppliers. The conference language will be English. We expect 150 international participants.
 

Global Color Research, the parent company of Mix magazine and Mix Trends announced its collaboration with Tent London 2012 to bring The Green Trail.

This year and for the first time at Tent London; Global Color Research will create The Green Trail. Inspired by Mix trends, they  will explore colour beyond the typical seasonal stories. By tracking a colour group and its movement through our trends, in this case from 2011 up until 2014, they can effectively demonstrate the changing tone and context in which it appears. For this very special project we have chosen to focus on green, which has evolved from the fresh spring-like hues significant in 2011, through the greyed off and aquatic colours developing for 2013, upwards and onwards to the zesty and vibrant greens of 2014 that burst into life.

“Between Mix Trend books and Mix magazine, Global Color Research, the agency and publisher of both, offer a wealth of in-depth independent forecasting for all types of designers. As such we are delighted that Mix will bring this valuable research to Tent London 2012 for both exhibitors and visitors through interactive installations and workshops,” says Jimmy MacDonald, founder & director, Tent London.

The Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), World Resources Institute (WRI), and Rainforest Alliance joined with officials from government, national NGOs, the private sector, and international development organizations throughout the Congo Basin to launch a regional Global Environment Facility (GEF) project will focus on improving forest management and conservation.

The project, entitled A Regional Focus on Sustainable Timber Management in the Congo Basin, is starting with a set of activities at the regional level and in three pilot countries: Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo. The regional launch held in Douala, Cameroon, on March 20-21 was followed by events in Bangui, Central African Republic, on March 27, and Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on March 29. A subsequent launch event is expected to be held in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, in April 2012.

At the regional launch event in Douala, Adamou Bouhari, UNEP/GEF Task Manager, invited the participants to collaborate closely on this effort to address illegal logging and ensure that the management of production forests is carried out in a sustainable manner. According to Bouhari, initiatives at the national level have had significant impacts, but have focused on the ‘formal’ sector rather than the informal sector, and have not addressed regional and cross-border issues. GEF and UNEP involvement in this project will ensure that the Global Environment Benefits (GEB) are maintained and enhanced through a regional approach.

“WRI is very excited and proud to undertake this important and challenging four-year project to serve as a regional catalyst and work to promote a harmonized approach to the sustainable management of production forests,” said Pierre Methot, WRI’s Director of Forestry for Central Africa and Project Director. “This project will reinforce WRI’s already strong presence in the region and enhance our efforts to improve transparency and governance in the Congo Basin that focus on timber management, REDD, and other aspects of sustainable forest development.”

This project forms part of the GEF Congo Basin Strategic Program and will contribute to the implementation of the Convergence Plan and reinforce the capacity of COMIFAC.

The project will also capitalize on Rainforest Alliance’s ongoing work in Cameroon, and elsewhere around the world, with community-based forest enterprises.
According to Rainforest Alliance’s Senior Vice President & Vice President of Forestry Richard Donovan, “The forests of the Congo Basin are an incredible resource, but how do we ensure that local communities and indigenous people truly benefit from commercial activities, based on timber or carbon, in a way that supports forest conservation and community livelihoods? That is a critical challenge for this effort.”

Wood processing machines require a wide range of industrial belting. Habasit has developed an adapted range of solutions in power transmission, conveyor and processing belts.

This is why Habasit is able to offer suitable belts for every application, from solid wood processing to industrial furniture manufacturing up to production lines of all kinds for engineered wood products such as particle board, MDF/HDF, OSB, plywood and LVL.

Close co-operation with leading machine manufacturers, suppliers and industry specialists, has helped Habasit to develop and provide a specialised, customer-oriented application range of products and fabrication technology. These are backed by skilled consulting in all areas of wood-based panel manufacturing.

Continuous development has led to an extensive variety of solutions, from fabric-based conveyor and processing belts to HabasitLINK plastic modular belts and HabaSYNC timing belts, enabling customers to choose the best possible product for their application.

Habasit’s developed anti-sticking technology for forming belts which is particularly suited for particle board systems. The anti-sticking feature minimises the adhesion of panel chips and fibres. This prevents residues from sticking on the belts, improving the product quality considerably and ensures a longer life. Caking on the forming belts not just affects the quality of end product but affects the life span of the machines as well forcing to replace the belt prematurely. The anti-sticking property is a remedy against caking. The feature is available in the company’s ENB-12ERCH forming belt which was launched later last year.

Read the entire article in the current issue of the magazine

A web-based resource tool based on the joint FOREST EUROPE/ECE/FAO State of Europe's Forests 2011 report has been released; containing the new unpublished data on forests, forest management and forest industry in the pan-European region. In addition to the English version, for the first time the database is available in Russian.



This new information tool, which builds on a database released for the previous State of Europe's Forests report, provides a comprehensive, up-to-date description of the status and trends of forests and forest management in Europe. Based on 6 pan-European criteria for sustainable forest management, the database offers tremendous knowledge on 31 quantitative indicators to anyone interested in learning more about Europe’s forest-related data and activities.

In addition to characteristics of European forests and forestry data in general, the user also has access to information on the balance of carbon in forest ecosystems, forest health condition, and status of forest biodiversity as well as information on wood energy. Aspects of production, including wood and non-wood products and services, are presented along with information on protected forest areas. The database also provides information on social and economic aspects of the forestry sector.

In line with the structure of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, the data are presented in a way that illustrates trends of chosen variables for the years 1990, 2000, 2005 and 2010. The interface enables online review and simple analysis, but also allows selective extraction of the requested data in different formats.

The database is available at: http://w3.unece.org/pxweb/. These data are presented alongside other statistical data from different parts of the UNECE work programme. The FOREST EUROPE Liaison Unit Madrid and UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section encourage the international community to take advantage of this valuable resource, and to make suggestions for further improvement.

Third year Oxford Brookes University architecture student Stephanie Lewis was presented with the annual TRADA- and Timbmet-sponsored Student Design Competition trophy on TRADA's stand at Ecobuild, standing in the curvaceous, cocoon-like plywood pavilion which won her first prize.
Launched in 2010, the competition is run in conjunction with Oxford Brookes School of Architecture and challenges students to explore the creative and structural possibilities of wood.

This year the brief was to create a demountable shelter for a "marine rehabilitation centre", where an injured marine could rest and recuperate on an island as part of a rehabilitation programme. It also had to double as a means of getting to and from the island, and a display pavilion for TRADA's stands at Ecobuild and Timber Expo, where it could exhibit models of the 15 other competition entries.
Ms Lewis' winning design comprises an enclosing semi-circle of 24mm birch plywood crescents and ovals, ascending in height. These are interlocked, using dowels, wedges and steel bolts, with a horizontal bench for the marine to rest and sleep, doubling as a shelf in display case mode for the other competition entries to sit.

"The transport element comprises taking one of the ovals and attaching some form of membrane to create a coracle," she said.
Starting with a 3mm plywood model, Ms Lewis worked with TRADA University Liaison Manager Elizabeth Turner and Timbmet Lead Product Specialist Gary Hollis to develop the full-scale pavilion from 3m x1.5m x 24 mm plywood sheets. Once the calculations were complete, CAD drawings were sent to the company's Severn Ply division for the components to be cut automatically on a CNC machining centre. Timbmet sponsored the annual competition in memory of Dan Kemp, who founded the business in 1942.

Former Australian Timber Design Awards judge Michael Green recently completed a thought piece design of a high-rise timber tower that he hopes to see built in Vancouver. Rising 30 storeys, the Tall Wood tower, if completed, would be the tallest timber structure in the world.



Michael has made his design publicly available under a Creative Commons License. This bold move has has really grabbed attention, as Michael's design amounts to an instruction manual for building timber high-rises.

With technologies like cross-laminated timber breaking into markets previously dominated by non-timber products, Michael believes that tall wooden buildings may soon capture the interest of architects globally.

"Really we're at the stage where we're able to start to show what's possible, a bit like that Eiffel Tower moment," says Michael. "That was built when no-one used or understood tall structures, but it showed what could be done…"

Ekki is a vulnerable species of hardwood featuring in the Red List Category of UN, thus sustainably sourced wood of the species is highly encouraged. Eco Choice Ltd. Which specialises in FSC certified Ekki species came up with a solution of securing this wood for heavy construction purposes only. The company terms Ekki as the ultimate exterior hardwood, suitable for heavy civil and marine engineering projects. Other less demanding projects should actually use a wider range of durable hardwoods which are perfectly suitable for less demanding loads and environments. This is the problem of oversimplified specification that led them to take an instrumental role in the Environment Agency’s (UK) research project on lesser known species. A variety of FSC certified species from both Africa and South America were identified as both commercially available and also suitable for ground and water projects.

Read more about this species in the current Mar-Apr issue

The EU's emissions reduction target for 2020 could be facing an unlikely but grave obstacle, according to a growing number of scientists, EU officials and NGOs: the contribution of biomass to the EU's renewable energy objectives for 2020.
Around half of the EU's target for providing 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020 will be made up by biomass energy from sources such as wood, waste and agricultural crops and residues, according to EU member states' national action plans.

Wood makes up the bulk of this target and is counted by the EU as 'carbon neutral', giving it access to subsidies, feed-in tariffs and electricity premiums at national level. 

But because there is a time lag between the carbon debt that is created when a tree is cut down, transported and combusted – and the carbon credit that occurs when a new tree has grown to absorb as much carbon as the old one – biomass will increase atmospheric CO2 concentrations in the interim.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also says that biomass can only be considered carbon neutral if all land use impacts have been considered first.

The EU is aware of the issue and a proposal that could impose binding criteria for biomass for energy production, delayed many times, had been expected later this year but may be delayed again.

Forest-rich Scandinavian countries oppose binding biomass criteria – Finland and Sweden produce 20% and 16% of their energy from biomass – while industrial interests tend to support criteria that ignore combustion emissions and carbon stock losses from burning wood.

Sustainability criteria are one climate area in which the US leads Europe. The Environmental Protection Agency there has already conducted a public consultation on how to account for emissions from biomass burning, and submitted a legislative proposal.

Several EU officials spoken to by EurActiv expressed despair at the lack of enthusiasm for tougher accounting rules by the EU's energy directorate, which holds the biomass portfolio.

There are no reliable accounting figures measuring the length of time that Europe will suffer a 'carbon deficit' caused by the use of biomass for energy, in particular harvesting timber for that.

There is consensus that when a carbon deficit extends beyond 30-50 years, it is no longer of use in the EU's present strategy to decarbonise Europe by 2050.
One report last month by the US-based Southern Environmental Law Center using woody biomass for a modelled expansion of power generation, found that it would take 35-50 years to provide an ongoing carbon reduction benefit.

Biomass from composted waste or agricultural residues is a highly efficient way of reducing carbon emissions, but critics say that the EU has vague and ill-conceived definitions of what constitutes residue in many cases.

It does not, for instance, take into account the impact that removing crop residues such as straw can have in depleting the soil's carbon stock, with resulting increases in fertiliser and irrigation use, and lower yields.

Equally, a felled tree instantly produces wood with a higher carbon footprint than coal because burning a 100-year-old tree will release all the carbon it has absorbed into the atmosphere, and it its replacement will take 100 years to reabsorb the same amount of carbon.]

The EU's current accounting rules do not distinguish between residues or woods used in this way, and more sustainable biomass, terming them both 'carbon neutral' without consideration of bio-recovery times .

SOURCE: Guardian

The Board of Directors of Natuzzi S.p.A.  approved its consolidated results for the quarter and fiscal year ended on December 31, 2011.

2011 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
-- Total Net Sales amounted to EUR486.4 million, down by 6.2% as compared to 2010.

-- Industrial Margin at EUR160.3 million, (EUR197.1 million in 2010).

-- Operating loss equal to EUR27.3 million, as compared to an operating income of EUR0.4 million in 2010.

-- Net Group Loss of EUR19.6 million versus Net Loss of EUR11.0 million in 2010
FOURTH QUARTER 2011

-- Total net Sales at EUR129.6 million, 1.8% down as compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.

-- Industrial Margin amounted to EUR43.1 million, from EUR51.3 million reported in the same period of 2010.

-- Operating Loss equal to EUR10.3 million versus an operating profit of EUR0.2 million reported in the last quarter of 2010.

-- Net Group Loss of EUR15.9 million versus Net Loss of EUR1.4 million in 2010

-- Group’s Net Financial Position positive by EUR55.4 million

In 2011 Total Net Sales (including raw materials and semi-finished products sold to third parties) were EUR486.4 million, decreasing 6.2% as compared to 2010.

The break-down of upholstery net sales in 2011 by geographic area was the following:


                                   2011   2010
        Europa (excluding Italy)  41.0%  40.5%
        Americas                  33.7%  35.7%
        Italy                     10.8%  11.2%
        Rest of the World         14.5%  12.6%
       


The Industrial Margin, equal to 33.0% of total net sales (as compared to 38.0% in 2010), worsened as the result of the following factors:

-- lower sales, inflationary pressures on raw material and labor markets and an unfavorable trend in currency crosses have all affected the overall Group performance in 2011;

-- Then, the complex activity of relocation and consolidation of the existing Chinese operations within the new 88k sqm plant, that has generated further extra costs.

The incidence of Selling expenses on net sales improved, passing from 17.2% in 2010 to 16.4% in 2011, notwithstanding the reduction in sales.

The incidence of General and Administrative expenses on net sales worsened by 1.5%, passing from 20.7% in 2010 to 22.2% in 2011.

Group’s Net Financial Position as of December 31 2011, remained positive at EUR55.4 million, improving with respect to the Net financial position at EUR45.6 million of the previous year-end, mainly because of the refund from the local Chinese authorities following the plant relocation. Such improvement in liquidity was partially absorbed by the operating loss as well as capital expenditures and working capital.

In 2011, according to an independent and international survey (“World Luxury Tracking”) the Natuzzi brand was ranked as the best-known global brand in the furniture industry by a sample of 8,800 luxury consumers from seven Countries (Italy, France, Germany, Spain, UK, USA and Japan). That is an important result that encourages us to carry on with the work of rationalizing our brand portfolio, and qualifying the Group’s distribution network, so to let us differentiate from competitors by leveraging on brand values and product innovation.


SOURCE: Business Wire

Steel belts play an essential role in modern, continuous production processes for wood based panels (WBP) such as particleboards, OSB- and MDF boards, where they serve as heat and pressure transfer media at the same time. As the steel belt surface has a direct influence on the final panel surface quality, this application imposes high demands on steel belts regarding thickness uniformity and surface finish.

Innovative products, motivated staff and environmental protection
– Berndorf Band’s way to optimize customer relationship

During the last years maintenance and service became even more an important part of each production process, especially in the wood-based panel industry. The experience and technical leadership of Berndorf Band increases production by shortening down-time considerably.

Belt Manager - the black box for the steel belts
To have all the inspection data concerning steel belts in operation on computer, the brand new Belt Manager software allows to collect and analyse inspection reports, to communicate online with the Berndorf Band specialists, and - if necessary - to arrange the required action regarding maintenance or repair of the steel belt.

Detailed information about the steel belts in operation helps to optimise preventive maintenance, and thus to elongate steel belts’ lifetime. Because of the precise documentation – e.g. position and size of a deformation are already pictured in the file - a fast and individual repair is ensured.
The Belt Manager software is available in nine different languages.

Berndorf Band Mobile Training Centre
Proper repairs of steel belts are very important for a trouble-free operation, especially in continuous presses in the wood industry. The Berndorf Band Mobile Training Centre is ready to hit the road and specifically designed for training sessions at customer’s site.

Thanks to its well thought-out, compact design, the bernfixx Mobile Training Centre contains all the equipment needed for comprehensive training. It can be used wherever it is needed – even on site at your company premises!

Certified trainers from Berndorf teach the basics of belt repair on three fully equipped workplaces and assure a state-of-the-art session at highest possible level. The theoretical tuition comprises materials and technology, measuring and testing technology, safety instructions and specifications of the bernfixx service equipment used for each application.

After positive conclusion of the theoretical and practical exercises on the training places, students work on steel belts installed in the bernfixx Mobile Training Centre.

Berndorf Band attests the positive completion of the training course with a certificate.

Timber and wood products are becoming increasingly popular material choices for building construction and interior decor.

Wood, one of the world’s oldest and most familiar building products is finding new favour in Australian residential and commercial buildings and larger developments.
One of the main drivers of this change in material preferences is a growing awareness of the environmental impacts of buildings. Broadly speaking, there are two main ways in which a built structure affects the environment. The first is during its construction, the second, is during its lifetime of use.

Assessing the environmental impact of constructing a building can be complicated and there are reputable lifecycle assessment analyses (LCA) in different countries that can provide more information. However, the main factor is the embodied energy of the materials in the structure. Embodied energy is a measure of the energy used to produce, process and transport the material to the site and it is related to the carbon footprint of the building. Unlike most common materials, wood has extremely low embodied energy. In addition, wood stores carbon – approximately half the dry weight of wood is carbon – taken from the atmosphere by the growing tree. The result is that a building with a high wood content can be carbon negative – that is, more carbon is stored in the building than was emitted by its construction.

The other way in which a building affects the environment is the energy used during its lifetime of use. With today’s design knowledge, wood and wood products can be an integral part of building energy efficient homes and commercial buildings. Using a design and construction principle often termed ‘light and tight’ buildings are designed with low thermal mass and high insulation values (R-values). This strategy has the effect of reducing the transmission of energy between the exterior and the interior, consequently lowering the need for energy-expensive heating or cooling.

Together, these two factors; using more wood and wood products in the design and construction of a building, and choosing a ‘light and tight’ design, can lower the carbon footprint of a building and reduce its environmental impact.

Another factor behind the adoption of wood and wood products is the availability of new products and strategies to increase the durability of timber.

The Spanish Confederation of Wood, CONFEMADERA, has launched the Eco-Innovation project funded by the Wood European Social Fund under the Program Empleaverde Biodiversity Foundation under the Ministry of Agriculture , Food and Environment, and the collaboration of the Spanish Foundation of Wood, aimed at training free of charge to employees of SMEs in thewood and furniture industry in the field of sustainable innovation.

The project  includes the Wood Eco innovation perform other actions, such as an awareness campaign through various promotional materials, the implementation of a personalized consulting service for companies, two courses from waste treatment and energy efficiency companies Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura conducting a seminar on waste management, control of energy expenditure in business and promotion of eco-design, or conducting a study to develop a methodology for the implementation of eco-innovation in the wood and furniture industry and a practical guide for waste treatment and energy efficiency and other eco-design.

All major trade associations representing the forestry sector have together launched a declaration outlining the eight practical steps required to be undertaken by industry, stakeholders and international trade partners to achieve world-class timber production and trade standards through implementation of the Wood Legality and Verification System (SVLK).

The declaration was agreed at a formal ceremony in Jakarta on March 20th during the 2nd High Level Market Dialogue 2012. The introduction of SVLK in Indonesia will ensure that only wood products verified as legal will enter the market. At the event, the forestry associations pledged to fully support the Government of Indonesia’s efforts to:

1. Engage with all stakeholders from across the forest industry's multi-layer supply chains to help finalize and implement full SVLK compliance.

2. Encourage an examination of the desirability of adopting a phased approach to SVLK implementation across the industry to ensure a successful transition to full compliance of all companies, thereby mitigating possible production, trade and market disruption.

3. Assist (i) small to medium sized companies, (ii) companies operating in remote areas, and (iii) community based companies to be fully SVLK compliant in line with the Government of Indonesia's sustainable forestry development plan.

4. Work with foreign countries to build and strengthen an efficient mechanism to promote legal wood product and avoiding unnecessary administrative and financial impact on verified legal Indonesian timber and timber-based producers.

5. Encourage foreign countries to ensure consistency of policy application, encourage national public procurement policies to prioritize verified legal products and to support the introduction of the same high standards across the private sector.

6. Communicate and promote SVLK to global stakeholders consistently as the highest standard to verify legality and as the foundation for the sustainable forest management certification scheme in Indonesia (PHPL/SFM).

7. Encourage a reciprocal responsibility on the part of VPA partners and also the wider international community to ensure only wood products that are verified as legal enter the market.

8. Seek active participation in process to implement the VPA such as the Indonesia/EU Joint Participatory Committee.

Trade associations present at the signing of the declaration were: GPEI (Indonesian Exporters Association), MPI (Indonesian Forestry Community), APHI (Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires), APKINDO (The Indonesian Wood Panel Association), ISWA (The Indonesia Sawmill & Woodworking Association), APKI (The Indonesian Pulp & Paper Association) and ASMINDO (The Indonesian Furniture Industry & Handicraft Association).

SOURCE: Business Wire

The Hettich Group with its headquarters in Kirchlengern, Germany, turned over € 815 million in 2011. This represents an increase of 5 per cent over the year before (2010: € 773 million).

In 2011, over € 100 million were invested in products, plant and buildings world-wide. Investment totalling approx. € 80 million in the new ArciTech drawer system was the largest single investment in Hettich’s corporate history to date. This also meant that investments focused on the Kirchlengern/Bünde and Frankenberg operations.

The number of staff employed at global level rose by about 400 to approximately 5900 (2010: approximately 5500). Of these, more than 3,000 were employed in Germany.
In full family ownership, the company has a tradition of not publishing specific operating figures. “We are not entirely satisfied with the result, having hoped for more”, Dr. Andreas Hettich said. As a result of new product launches, we are expecting 2012 to bring moderate growth, albeit in a difficult business environment.”

All major trade associations representing the forestry sector have together launched a declaration outlining the eight practical steps required to be undertaken by industry, stakeholders and international trade partners to achieve world-class timber production and trade standards through implementation of the Wood Legality and Verification System (SVLK).

Trade associations present at the signing of the declaration were: GPEI (Indonesian Exporters Association), MPI (Indonesian Forestry Community), APHI (Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires), APKINDO (The Indonesian Wood Panel Association), ISWA (The Indonesia Sawmill & Woodworking Association), APKI (The Indonesian Pulp & Paper Association) and ASMINDO (The Indonesian Furniture Industry & Handicraft Association).

The declaration was agreed at a formal ceremony in Jakarta on March 20th during the 2nd High Level Market Dialogue 2012. The introduction of SVLK in Indonesia will ensure that only wood products verified as legal will enter the market. At the event, the forestry associations pledged to fully support the Government of Indonesia’s efforts to:

1. Engage with all stakeholders from across the forest industry's multi-layer supply chains to help finalize and implement full SVLK compliance.

2. Encourage an examination of the desirability of adopting a phased approach to SVLK implementation across the industry to ensure a successful transition to full compliance of all companies, thereby mitigating possible production, trade and market disruption.

3. Assist (i) small to medium sized companies, (ii) companies operating in remote areas, and (iii) community based companies to be fully SVLK compliant in line with the Government of Indonesia's sustainable forestry development plan.

4. Work with foreign countries to build and strengthen an efficient mechanism to promote legal wood product and avoiding unnecessary administrative and financial impact on verified legal Indonesian timber and timber-based producers.

5. Encourage foreign countries to ensure consistency of policy application, encourage national public procurement policies to prioritize verified legal products and to support the introduction of the same high standards across the private sector.

6. Communicate and promote SVLK to global stakeholders consistently as the highest standard to verify legality and as the foundation for the sustainable forest management certification scheme in Indonesia (PHPL/SFM).

7. Encourage a reciprocal responsibility on the part of VPA partners and also the wider international community to ensure only wood products that are verified as legal enter the market.

8. Seek active participation in process to implement the VPA such as the Indonesia/EU Joint Participatory Committee.

SOURCE: Business Wire

Metsä Wood launched a new generation plywood product family to increase architectural quality and improve margins for concrete formwork construction. Cost-efficient quality panel options –Endura Pro, Endura and FastForm – are now available for various system shuttering and special formwork applications as well as for the concrete element industry and construction sites using loose panel formwork.

The plywood panels have a special thermoplastic overlay that remarkably increases the endurance, strength and smoothness of the panel surface to new levels not seen in the industry at this cost level. The new product family consists of three multiple use shuttering panel options providing an affordable solution for all application needs.

For excellent price-to-performance ratio, birch-plywood-based Endura Pro can be re-used up to 300 times and Endura up to 200 times. And for a lower price, spruce-plywood-based FastForm can be re-used up to 15 times. Endura Pro and Endura are available in standard birch plywood sizes and also in XL sizes. FastForm is available in spruce standard sizes including handy ‘half panel’ sizes. The new overlay is applied to Metsä Wood high-quality birch and spruce plywoods in order to provide a more economical option than the competing solutions, across all needs.

“Our customers are looking for even better quality concrete surfaces and more durability from the shuttering panels. We responded to this demand by developing a new product family to meet both needs,” says Jussi Ekman, Metsä Wood's R&D Manager.

The coating material is hard yet elastic and thus provides a surface that is, at once, smooth and durable as well as highly crack and impact resistant. Furthermore, Endura Pro and Endura prevent rippling, which delivers a new level smoothness of visual appearance in architectural concrete structures. The light-weight FastForm provides an easy-to-use and economical solution for formwork panels on construction sites.

The new panels are environmentally friendly and easy to use performers, produced from fully renewable and premium quality Nordic wood raw material. They are produced on a new production line utilising innovative and advanced production technology at the Metsä Wood plywood mills in Suolahti, Finland.

The European association Eumabois invited the manufacturers of woodworking tools to an international get-together at Xylexpo (May 8-12, 2012). The purpose is to gather the top representatives of the European tools industry in a relaxed atmosphere. Besides networking, the key topics on the agenda will be raw material costs and availability.

The event will take place on May 9, 2012, at 6 p.m., in the Lem 2 Room on the Ponte dei Mari, next to Hall 6 in the Fieramilano-Rho exhibition center. 
Paul Oertli, President of Eumabois Tool Group will start the event with an introduction of his own. Dominik Wolfschuetz, Vdma Woodworking Machinery, is going to present a paper named as “The current situation of raw material markets” while Bruno Ehrle, Oertli Werkzeuge Ag is going to present “Current status and developments of EN 847”.

61.9 percent of all manufactured windows 2012 will likely be used in the renovation and energy-saving renovation of existing buildings, the market volume increases in this area that is below average by 1.7 percent. The number of employed in the new window increases by 4.7 percent and reached a market share of 38.1 percent.

In addition to analyzing the markets for refurbishment and new construction is the industry study, information on the percentage distribution of the windows in residential and non-residential construction. Since 2012, an increase in residential construction by 2.8 percent and a revival of non-residential construction is forecast at 2.9 percent, no share transfers is as follows: 62.4 percent of 2012 residential windows sold, such as single-family and multi-family houses built.

Sales of exterior doors also developed positively in 2011 and rose by 3.0 percent to 1.274 million units. "By the end of 2012 in Germany sold about 1.308 million exterior doors, which means a further increase to around 2.7 percent year on year," says the managing director of the Association of locks and fittings industry (Velbert), Stephan Schmidt. It can all frame materials recorded similar growth from 2.5 to 2.9 percent, so that the market shares of each frame materials - if any - change only marginally: doors made of aluminum can with a market share of 33.2 percent, just in front of plastic doors 32.2 percent claim. One in four exterior door (25.3 percent) is made from wood in 2012. Other frame materials found in 9.3 percent of the doors to their use.

Despite the fear of a slight slowdown is the glass and window industry assumes that allow construction activities in 2012, rising to the window and exterior door market, moderate and stable growth. For the first time in years is here in all four sub-fields of construction, renovation, residential and non residential buildings, an increase in the forecast. This positive snapshot should not obscure the fact that the ambitious climate protection goals of the federal government can only be achieved when government, business and consumers put considerable efforts on the day.

Australian Forestry Standard Limited (AFS Ltd) has announced the commencement of the first public comment phase of the revision process of the Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management(AS 4708), scheduled from 19 March to 18 May 2012.

The Standard Review Committee has already distributed the draft revised standard to a broad range of stakeholders in forest management seeking their comments. The Committee is seeking additional public comment on the draft standard via two public comment periods. In addition to this first public comment period, a second period will be based on a revised draft and is currently scheduled to be undertaken from June to August 2012.

"The Australian Forestry Standard is recognised as a world class standard and regular review and improvement is required to maintain this recognition," said the Chairman of the Standard Review Committee, Dr Paul Biggs.

"The Committee is made up of a broad range of interested and affected stakeholders and they are keen to get public feedback on the draft Standard to compare with their own views on how the Standard can be further improved," he added.

The Australian Forest Certification Scheme, of which AS4708 is a key component, is endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). PEFC is the world's largest certification system for sustainable forest management and, as the only global forest certification system, requires and implements regular revisions of all endorsed standards every five years. PEFC's Sustainability Benchmarks have also continued to evolve in recent years and the Standard Review Committee has sought to ensure that the revised Australian Standard (AS4708) continues to be consistent with PEFC requirements.

The second edition of the “Sustainable Packaging” conference (abbreviated to “SusPack 2012”) will be held at the Anuga FoodTec on 29th and 30th March in Cologne, Germany.

Current issues of sustainability in the packaging industry and their solutions will be presented and discussed at the two-day conference. The focus is squarely on bio-based packaging.

For the first time, nova-Institut GmbH has teamed up with Anuga Foodtec to present the “SusPack Award” for the most innovative and sustainable packaging solution launched in 2011/12 at a joint ceremony. The winner will be chosen by congress participants on 29th March 2012 and announced at the evening event.

Nominated companies and products for the conference are:

•    Constantia Flexibles GmbH | Paperlid – A more sustainable yoghurt pot lid
•    Imperial Ventures b.v. | abulbc – Dutch Tulips in Dutch Design - biodegradable packaging
•    STI - Gustav Stabernack GmbH | Multiformline – Responsible pleasures: Cardboard cake form
•    tipa-corp ltd | Tipack – Nature will not even notice we were here

With 110 participants from 15 countries, the ‘5th International Congress 2012 on Bio-based Plastics and Composites & Industrial Biotechnology’ has established itself as a major industry meeting-place. The latest edition is focused on Scandinavia, Italy and Germany. Organiser nova-Institute and sponsors Proganic and Coperion expressed their satisfaction with both the latest developments and the lively discussions at the congress. Innovation prizes were awarded to the companies Naporo, Martin Fuchs Spielwaren and Resopal.

Companies such as Novozymes (Denmark), Borregard (Norway), Novamont (Italy), Bayer Material Science (Germany), Evonik (Germany) and Henkel (Germany) presented their concepts for bio-refineries, new bio-polymers and natural-fibre-reinforced composites.

Michael Carus, Director of congress organiser nova-Institute, presented figures for the biomaterials market. Over 360,000 t of biomaterials are already used in Europe, including 145,000 t of natural-fibre-reinforced composites (mainly in the automobile industry) and over 215,000 t of wood plastic composites (WPCs) in the construction and automobile industries as well as the consumer goods sector.

Winners Bio-based Plastics and Composites Innovation Prize are:

•    1st prize: NAPORO GmbH – Fibre mouldings made from bulrush
Robert Schwemmer, Managing Director of NAPORO GmbH from Braunau am Inn in Austria, gave an enthusiastic presentation that won over the expert audience. Naporo manufactures low-density fibre mouldings for various uses from the little-used bulrush. The binding process works through the NAPORO ‘NATglue’ technology, whereby waxes and oils derived from the marsh plant are activated as binding agent. Bulrush is a wild plant that grows to heights of up to 4 metres, forms large, highly resistant clumps in wetlands and can be managed sustainably.
NAPORO foresees that this new kind of fibre moulding will be used in the building and furniture industries, as well as for housings and later in the automobile industry. The first products have already been launched onto the market.

•    2nd prize: Martin Fuchs Spielwaren GmbH & Co. KG – ‘spielstabil bioline’ toy range made from modified PLA
Second prize went to the company Martin Fuchs Spielwaren GmbH & Co. KG from Zimdorf with their children’s toys made from modified PLA. This new development was presented by Martin Vollet (Martin Fuchs Spielwaren) and Cord Grashorn (Linotech). The basis for the new ‘spielstabil bioline’ toy range was the newly developed PLA Compound Naturegran PV 6930, 68% of which is derived from renewable resources. The toys have very high material strength and high impact strength.
The expert audience was obviously impressed by this joint development between the companies Martin Fuchs Spielwaren, Livemold (injection moulding) and Linotech (developer of the material) and by the many challenges the new material was able to meet in terms of its technical characteristics, the high proportion of biomass, intensive colouring and numerous cases where it was approved for toys. Product recycling was also taken into account: customers can return the new toy to the manufacturer at no cost later for the materials to be recycled.

•    3rd prize: Resopal GmbH – RE-Y-Stone made from recycled paper with bagasse resin
Tanja Schäfer was delighted with third place for Resopal’s new RE-Y-Stone material. Basic and decorative paper is bound with a natural resin made from the residues of sugar production (bagasse) to make ‘RE-Y-STONE’. After curing, the bio-resin has thermoplastic properties and together with the papers forms a hard, mechanically highly loadable, dimensionally stable sheet with a robust surface. The bio-composite sheet is made entirely from renewable and recycled raw materials. One particularly impressive feature of the product is that the surface can be custom designed to make the material look like slate or wood.

Future advancements in biorefinery are a focus of attention for most companies in the pulp and paper industry.

Future advancements in biorefinery are a focus of attention for most companies in the pulp and paper industry today. What should they invest in, what are the technological solutions, and what is of most economic interest? Those are the themes of the World Biorefinery conference, organised by Elmia and SPCI, an association of Swedish pulp and paper professionals, at Elmia in Jönköping at the end of May. The conference is arranged in conjunction to World Bioenergy exhibition & conference on biomass for energy 29 - 31 May.

“This is an important development area for the entire forest industry,” comments Rikard Wallin, the chairman of SPCI and Mill Manager of Holmen Paper Braviken. “In our own company we’re now considering what steps to take in this field.”
World Biorefinery is being held concurrently with the World Bioenergy international conference and trade fair. The two topics are interlinked, which is one reason why Elmia and SPCI chose to hold their conference at Elmia in Jönköping both this year and in 2014.

“It’s an opportunity to make new contacts and establish networks for the future,” explains the executive director of SPCI, Marina Asp.
An equally positive attitude prevails among the green energy companies that are members of the Swedish Bioenergy Association Svebio, which co-organises World Bioenergy together with Elmia.

“The forest is a renewable resource with the potential to reduce climate change in many areas,” says Gustav Melin, managing director of Svebio.

Advancements in biorefinery are already being made in Sweden. A number of the country’s pulp and paper mills already supply energy in the form of solid and liquid fuels and district heating. One pulp mill, Domsjö outside the town of Örnsköldsvik, has been transformed into a biorefinery that produces chemicals and special cellulose for textiles. Södra, a major association of forest owners in southern Sweden, is developing new methods and products.

The machinery manufacturer from Ottobeuren is celebrating its 90th anniversary. For its 90th anniversary year of 2012, the company once again shows its innovative drive by launching three new sliding table saws at the HOLZ-HANDWERK trade fair in Nuremberg.

MARTIN combines high-quality manufacturing, materials and user-friendly operating concepts with cutting-edge performance, maximum precision and long life. By rounding out its product line with the new T60A, T65 and T70 sliding table saws and presenting them at HOLZ-HANDWERK 2012, MARTIN now offers machines to newcomers as well as established companies in the woodworking arena. “We want to offer individual machines for individual needs”, comments marketing director Michael Mühldorfer. “And of course we also offer a wide range of different options for customers’ individual needs.”
The MARTIN sliding table saw range is comprised of four sturdy workhorse machines, starting with the high-end T75 PreX that was successfully launched in 2010.
The flagship saw, the T75 PreX has revolutionized industry standards in terms of performance and flexibility. With a cutting height of 204 mm and a tilting range of 2 x 46°, woodworkers are enthusiastic about the opportunities that this machine has to offer.

“The new T70 sliding table saw is built on maximum performance and long life”, says Mühldorfer. With a 550 mm saw blade diameter, it produces a massive cutting height of 204 mm and a tilting angle of 0° to 46°. The core of the new T70 is its powerful and user friendly touch screen controller with a 10.4” monitor. Even the most basic T70 comes equipped with a standard 3-axis scoring saw system for cutting height, angle and width. The machine can be further equipped with a motorized cross-cut fence as well as a cross-cut table integrated in the controller.

The solid and heavy concrete composite reinforced machine frame, the highly-ribbed cast iron machine table and the reliable hardened steel sliding table guide system are only a few examples of MARTIN’s superior machine construction. The T70 also offers modern controller technology for those who demand cutting-edge performance for the long term.

The T65 sliding table saw newly defines the premium entry-level class saw. The machine’s cutting-edge controller is integrated in the machine frame. The innovative control structure speeds up work and leads to more intuitive understanding of the machine’s function by the operator. Sturdy mechanical design and sophisticated controller technology perfectly complement each other. With a T65 you get full support from the office as cutting lists can be compiled on an office computer and can then be downloaded to the saw with a USB stick. On closer examination you will note, that the major mechanical components, such as the solid and heavy composite machine frame, the machine table and the sawing aggregate, are identical on the T65 and T70 saws. You can find a whole variety of new, clever and high-quality solutions on both machines that can be seen as an interface between premium and premium entry-level class saws. One example of this is the rotational speed change that can be performed quickly and easily with the removal of the saw blade and a belt/pulley change through an opening in the cast iron trunnion. Another example is the new 3-axis scoring unit that can be removed within seconds.
These two machines are tailor made to the individual needs of the woodworker. Premium mechanical engineering is what both machines have in common. What differentiates them from each other are the different approaches to the electronic user support.

The T60A premium entry level class saw rounds out the MARTIN saw line. The machine controls that are focused on the essentials still offer everything necessary for a premium entry-level class saw. Cutting height and angle are adjusted electrically via push-button while the cutting angle is displayed digitally. According to Mühldorfer, the T60A is the perfect introduction into the world of premium entry-level class saws as it strikes the ideal balance between price and performance. All key components are built on maximum precision and long life like you would expect a MARTIN machine to be. The standard fine adjustment of the cross-cut stops and rip fence further solidifies MARTIN’s commitment to offering the customer more.

KLEIBERIT HotCoating technology, for both rolled materials and flat substrates, offers a wide variety of advantages:

•    One processing step
•    No interim sanding
•    100% solid content
•    Smaller production area
•    Lower capital expenditure
•    Reliable production
•    Variable


KLEIBERIT HotCoating offers customising features such as staining or printing (digital or direct) can also be easily integrated into the KLEIBERIT HotCoating inline process. Wrapping materials such as veneer and decorative paper can be individually designed and finished in a single piece flow according to customer requirements.


KLEIBERIT HotCoating and digital printing technologies are ideally suited to meet these demands.

The KLEIBERIT HotCoating technology meets these requirements with a simple to use, compact technology:
•    Protection with AC3 coating
•    No intermediate sanding required
•    Transparent
•    Universal adhesion
•    Imprinting of three dimensional structure, i.e. pores Individually Designed Flat Components

With KLEIBERIT HotCoating, an exceptionally resistant surface is achieved which is highly flexible.

Several KLEIBERIT PUR hotmelt adhesives were specifically developed for the requirements of bonding transparent materials and are well established in the market.

•    Transparent glue joint
•    Lightfast and UV stable
•    Bubble-free application and cross linking
•    Universal bonding properties


With the KLEIBERIT HotCoating technology, even standard melamine faced panels can get a high quality high gloss surface with an easy processing technology. The key is the very good adhesion of HotCoating to melamine surfaces and smoothing the surface with the KLEIBERIT HotCoating processing technology.


For more information, follow our March-April issue of Wood & Panel Europe (www.woodandpanel.com)

Stora Enso planned to appoint three new members to its Group Executive Team. At the same time three current members will leave the team to take new positions inside and outside the Company.

Karl-Henrik Sundström has been appointed Chief Financial Officer with effect from 1 August 2012. He joins Stora Enso from the Dutch semiconductor company NXP, the former Philips semiconductors business located in Eindhoven.  Karl-Henrik Sundström has spent most of his career with the Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson, building his career from Latin America and managing the company’s business in Australia to finally first becoming head of Global Services and later Executive Vice President and CFO of Ericsson AB.

“In his last two roles, as CFO of one of Sweden’s largest companies for almost five years, and currently as CFO of NXP, Karl-Henrik Sundström has proved to be a world-class CFO. His additional experience of running a business will greatly contribute to our efforts to renew Stora Enso. We all warmly welcome Karl-Henrik to our team with high expectations,” says Stora Enso CEO Jouko Karvinen.

Head of Stora Enso Global Identity Lauri Peltola, and General Counsel Per Lyrvall are also appointed as new members of the Group Executive Team.

“With Lauri Peltola joining the Group Executive Team, we underline the importance of our Global Stora Enso Identity, Global Responsibility and Rethink in the Executive Team work. With Per Lyrvall's appointment, we further emphasise the importance of our values, our transparency and our Code of Conduct, as well as one of our key Leadership Themes, ‘Do what’s right’,” emphasises Jouko Karvinen.

The new Group Executive Team is as follows:

Jouko Karvinen, Chief Executive Officer
Juan Bueno, Executive Vice President, Biomaterials Business Area
Lars Häggström, Executive Vice President, Global People and Organisation
Hannu Kasurinen, Executive Vice President, Building and Living Business Area
Per Lyrvall, Executive Vice President, Global Ethics and Compliance, General
Counsel
Mats Nordlander, Executive Vice President, Renewable Packaging Business Area
Lauri Peltola, Executive Vice President, Global Identity
Karl-Henrik Sundström, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (as of
1 August 2012)
Juha Vanhainen, Executive Vice President, Printing and Reading Business Area

The following three members are leaving the Group Executive Team: Hannu Alalauri,formerly head of the Fine Paper Business Area, has been appointed as the head of the Packaging Solutions Business Unit and joins the Renewable Packaging Management Team. Bernd Rettig, currently responsible for energy, logistics, R&D and capital investments, will continue with R&D and capital investments, but will also increase his focus on managing Stora Enso’s large capital investment projects. He continues to report to the CEO. The current CFO, Markus Rauramo, has been appointed as CFO of Fortum Corporation. He will remain with Stora Enso and in the Group Executive Team until Karl-Henrik Sundström joins the company.

Raute Corporation has signed a special maintenance and spare parts services agreement with UPM Plywood for their Pellos, Jyväskylä, Savonlinna, Joensuu, Kalso, Chudovo (Russia) and Otepää (Estonia) plywood mills. The value of the agreement can not be disclosed.

With this agreement, effective as of April 1, 2012, Raute will for its part be responsible for preventive maintenance inspections and scheduled maintenance programs of separately agreed production lines at UPM’s plywood mills. The Raute special maintenance programs focus on the optimizing of the use of proactive, condition-based maintenance and are based on Raute's know-how of its own equipment. The target is to secure trouble-free production and further development of the machinery and equipment through preventive, well scheduled and appropriate maintenance.

Mr. Mika Kekki, Director, Operations and Spruce production at UPM Plywood, says: “We are very pleased to sign this deal. Raute has been the major machine supplier in our mills and thus this service agreement is a natural continuation for our co-operation. In spite of the deal, UPM Plywood possess still strong own maintenance forces; both quantitative and quality point of view.”
"This agreement enhances the strategic goals of Raute and enables the development of long-term co-operation between UPM and Raute”, says Mr. Timo Kangas, Group Vice President at Raute.

David Walkem, Chief of Cooks Ferry Band and President of Stuwix Resources Joint Venture, has been elected to the independent Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) Board of Directors.

 “SFI certification addresses much that is important to First Nation communities – from recognizing indigenous people’s rights and traditional knowledge to environmental values such as wildlife habitat to social and economic values such as stable jobs and markets,” Walkem opined. “I welcome the chance to help shape the SFI program to make this link even stronger.”

Over two million hectares/five million acres of lands held by or managed for indigenous communities are certified to the SFI forest management standard – more than any other third-party certification standard in North America.
“The fact that indigenous land managers are choosing SFI certification shows how well it complements and supports their commitment to conservation and sustainable forest management,” said SFI President and CEO Kathy Abusow. “David Walkem brings a fresh perspective to the board, as well as valuable professional and cultural expertise.”

The three-chamber SFI board represents environmental, economic and social interests equally, and members include representatives of environmental, professional and academic groups, independent loggers, family forest landowners, public officials, labour and the forest products sector.
Walkem joins Craig Blair, President and CEO, Resource Management Service LLC, who was also elected to the SFI board’s economic chamber. They replace Daniel S. Fulton, President and CEO, Weyerhaeuser Company, and Rick R. Holley, President and CEO, Plum Creek Timber Company Ltd.

SFI Inc. is a registered charitable organization responsible for the largest single forest certification standard in the world.
The SFI program works with a wide array of partners to improve forest management in Canada and the United States, and sourcing worldwide.

DOMOTEX aims to consolidate its status as the most important international trade fair for the carpet and floor covering sector. “The new purple brand color and the new-look logo give DOMOTEX a modern and dynamic corporate image”, said Susanne Klaproth, Project Manager of DOMOTEX at Deutsche Messe. “The new look will help us strengthen the international reputation already enjoyed by DOMOTEX as a center of competence and a global platform as it emphasizes the role of design and creativity within the global carpet and floor covering industry. DOMOTEX offers an abundance of product colors, materials and designs. The focus on design, which is so important to this sector, is now also reflected in our DOMOTEX branding.”

The new color associated with DOMOTEX – a strong, vibrant purple – appears in the logo as well as in all advertising and the DOMOTEX website, and evokes a modern and stylish image. Klaproth argues: “Purple symbolizes creativity and personality, is uplifting, inspiring and confident. In other words, it is the perfect choice of color for a trade fair known world-wide as the most important event for carpets and floor coverings.”

The new DOMOTEX logo – a purple square with the DOMOTEX name in white letters – is sophisticated and modern. In this sense it is the ideal expression of a trade event which year after year sees some 1,400 exhibitors from every corner of the world showcasing their latest products.

DOMOTEX will also be launching a new campaign in 2012. The core idea behind the campaign is to show how floors can create an ambience using specific room settings. This is realized in an advertisement showing an open-plan loft in which the floor is the dominant design element, providing the room with a creative touch and an extremely individual flair.

London-based Bridport House is a ground-breaking multi-storey residential complex built from cross-laminated timber (CLT) sourced from PEFC-certified spruce forests of Central Europe.

Designed by Karakusevic Carson Architects and overseen by building contractors Willmott Dixon, Bridport House in the London Borough of Hackney is the first stage in plans to reinvigorate the Colville Estate, a 1950s housing project. Built from cross laminated timber, it is intended to replace an original 1950s building. Bridport House includes 41 new homes, housed in two adjoining buildings, respectively eight and five storeys high.

The cross laminated timber is made from PEFC certified spruce wood supplied by the company Stora Enso Wood Products and sourced from its purpose-built factory with fully integrated sawmill at Bad St Leonard in Austria.

The Bridport House project has pushed the boundaries of timber engineering. This particular project is the first time that CLT has been used in the UK for the construction of an entire multi-storey structure, including the ground floor. In the past, although the material has been used in multi-storey constructions, until now, the ground floor has tended to be constructed from concrete.

This particular project has clearly demonstrated the advantages of using CLT for buildings. CLT is lightweight (one of the key criteria for this project), it can be assembled very rapidly and above all, it has important carbon sequestration properties. The issue of weight was an important consideration in light of the fact that the site on which Bridport House is located has a storm relief sewer running northwest to southeast directly beneath it making it unsuitable for a traditional heavy concrete frame structure.

The structure has been designed so that the load-bearing CLT panels, which have line loads as opposed to point loads, are placed in a variety of positions on each floor, thereby spreading the load. This has also made it possible to double the size of the structure with an overall increase in the weight of only 10%.
In addition, construction of the structure took 10 weeks, making it considerably faster than the time required for a structure with a conventional concrete frame for which construction time is estimated at around 21 weeks.

Finally, in addition to the structure's PEFC credentials, the use of CLT also makes further environmental sense, thanks to its carbon sequestration properties. According to the contractors, Willmott Dixon's in-house sustainability consultancy, Re-Thinking, which has been working with Cambridge University's Centre for Sustainable Development, had the building been made using a conventional reinforced concrete frame, the materials required would have incurred an additional 892 tonnes of carbon. This is equivalent to 12 years of operational energy required to heat and light all the dwellings at Bridport House. When the sequestered carbon locked up in this 1,576m3timber structure is added to the carbon avoided, the total figure is 2,113 tonnes of carbon: equivalent to 29 years of operational energy. Put another way, with 20% renewable energy, it would take 144 years to save the same amount of carbon.

Egypt is the strategic hub of Africa and Middle East wood industry with USD 5 billion of wood domestic production, USD 3 billion of furniture production and USD 1 billion of furniture exports.

With the booming export of furniture and wood products, Egypt is importing 100% of wood, panels, machines and tools.

Egypt is one of the most promising markets in construction in Africa and the Middle East with yearly spending on construction of USD 7.3 billion.

The demand on wood in household products such as flooring and furniture is increasing as Egyptians are spending 27% of their income on household products.

Technologically, Egypt is the largest internet user in Africa with over than 22 million internet user which is near to 27% of its population.

HSBC bank report on world economy at 2050 is forecasting Egypt to be the largest 19th world economy topping Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Sweden and Austria

Cairo Wood Show 2012 will be held in Cairo International Conference Center from October 18-21 , 2012 at hall 4.

Cairo Wood Show 2012 will play a fundamental role in forming the market of wood and wood machinery industry in Africa. It will come this year with a wide scope of opportunities covering all sectors of Wood Industry.

By all account CWS2011 has been a great success and has exceeded many people's expectations for its first edition in Egypt after the revolution.

And following to the new stage of economic prosperity and political stability with exciting business opportunities in Egypt, Cairo Wood Show 2012 is featuring the most promising show in the Middle East and Africa and will offer exhibitors maximum benefits from their participation, providing the perfect environment to network with new potential partners launch new goods, win new business,  discover the latest products, trends, ideas and innovations in Wood and Woodworking industries

Exhibitors at the 18th ZOW supplier fair for the furniture and interiors industry, which ran between 6-9 February 2012 at the Bad Salzuflen exhibition centre, confirmed that the quality of this year's visitors was outstanding. Renowned furniture manufacturers, including well-known companies such as Interlübke, Nobilia, Rauch and Ikea, from all over Germany and their senior managers attended ZOW. Andreas Bielefeld, head of product development at Nobila and a member of the ZOW advisory board: "Again and again ZOW introduces us to suppliers who surprise us with their great products. This is the place where decisions have to be made if you will show new furniture in autumn."

In total ZOW attracted 671 exhibitors from 33 countries and more than 17 500 visitors. The majority of visitors, some 65%, were German, but many foreign companies also attended ZOW.  The importance of the East Westphalian-Lippe region as a location for suppliers to the international furniture industry is indisputable: 40% of all supplier products manufactured in Germany are produced here. At 35%, the proportion of visitors from abroad increased slightly in 2012 compared with the previous year. Historically most companies have come from the Benelux, the UK, Scandinavia and Italy, but there were also a good number of Polish and Russian firms at Bad Salzuflen in 2012. Visitors didn't just include industry and interiors, representatives of well-known trade organisations and other related sectors such as mechanical engineering also attended the trade fair in Bad Salzuflen.

ZOW is focusing on information, communication and networking more than ever before. Contacts are made, networks established and new deals initiated at the event. Here you can learn first hand the very latest about future technologies such as lightweight construction, RFID and new technologies used in furniture production. 2013 will feature a new exhibition concept in hall 22.1 dedicated to this trend.  Horst Rudolph, managing director of the exhibition organiser, Clarion Events Deutschland: "Here we will be giving companies a platform with a specific stand architecture focusing on communication in the centre of the exhibition. The area is designed to appeal in particular to those exhibitors who don't launch new products every year but are wanting to make personal contact with their target market at an early stage – to fit in with the ordering cycle of the furniture industry."

The 14th International Exhibition on Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Manufacturing Equipment (WMF 2012) and The 14th International Exhibition on Furniture Accessories, Materials and Wood Products (FAM 2012) opens today (Mar 12) at New China International Exhibition Center (NCIEC), Beijing, China. 2012 Beijing International Modern Forestry Equipment Expo (BIMF 2012) & 2012 Beijing International Landscaping Expo (BILE 2012) are concurrently held.

The 4-day exhibition gathers 600 quality local and overseas enterprises from 15 countries and regions, showcasing over 2,000 machines which are efficient, environmental friendly and energy saving at 60,000sqm exhibiting area. It is expected to attract more than 28,000 attendance to the exhibition. Around 20 local and overseas delegation groups will visit and source at the exhibition. WMF 2012 & FAM 2012 accommodate the future market needs, motivate the green industrial development and lead the new direction in woodworking industry.

WMF 2012 & FAM 2012 gather local and overseas renowned exhibitors coming from comprehensive industrial sectors, including Altendorf, Andritz AG, Berndorf, Dieffenbacher, OAV, SCM, Siempelkamp, Union Brother, Vollmer, Jianming, Nanxing, New Mars, Yuetong, Jiangjia, V-Hold, China Foma (Group), Shanghai Wood-Based Panel, Weideli, Qingdao New Motivity, Qingdao Linze, Qingdao Yongqiang, American Hardwood Export Council, etc. They will collaborate with 6 pavilions, including Germany, Taiwan Woodworking Machinery Association (TWMA), Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI), Qingdao of Shandong, Shanghai, Lunjiao of Shunde, to showcase the latest machinery, wood products, automatic production line, kitchen cabinet display zone, etc., which fully meet the needs of all enterprises.

WMF 2012 & FAM 2012 receive great support and participation from professional industry players. A series of seminars & forums are held onsite, they are: "China's Cabinet Industry (Beijing) Forum" & "Modern Forestry Technology Forum" on March 12 (1st day of the exhibition), "Technical Seminar by IMAL & PAL GROUP", "Technical Seminar by DIEFFENBACHER GMBH MASCHINEN-UND ANLAGENBAU", "Door Industry Forum" on March 13 (2nd day of the exhibition), "Floor Industry Forum" on March 14 (3rd day of the exhibition), etc. All these activities provide visitors with a face to face discussion with professionals, opportunities for exchanging industry information as well as a brand new platform for cooperation.

More than 20 trade delegations have confirmed to visit and source at WMF 2012 & FAM 2012, including Shandong Furniture Association, Sichuan Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Furniture, Langfang City Wood Processing and Furniture Manufacturing Industry Associations, Dalian Furniture Association, Harbin Furniture Industry Association, Tianjin Furniture Association and buyer delegations from Hebei, etc. In addition, Land Bond Group, Catking Furniture, Langfang Huari Furniture, Foshan Great Furniture, Morale Furniture, Beijing Kang Jie Furniture, Jilin Forest Industry, Boloni, Guangming Group, Dare Wood-Based Panel Group, Dongying Artificial Board Factory, IKEA, Qiang Li Furniture Group, Foshan Nanhai Jingcheng Wood, Hing Lee Furniture group, Xincheng Furniture, TOSTEM, etc., have pre-registered to visit and source at the show. WMF 2012 & FAM 2012 also attract overseas buyers delegations from Russia, Korea, Peru as well as The Malaysian Panel-Products Manufacturers' Association, etc., while buyers from Pt. Bukit Intan Abadi (Indonesia), Yildiz Sunta Mdf Aş.(Turkey), Vinraaj Traders (India), Whalen Furniture (Vietnam), Mukti Group (Indonesia), Mcomeva (Spain), etc. show great support to the show.

The Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) is working closely with FEFPEB (the European Federation of Wooden Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers) to liaise with the consultants appointed by the European Commission to assess the potential impact of extending its ISPM 15 regime.

The EC is considering increasing ISPM 15 to include all movements of wooden packaging material within the EU. Current requirements are limited to movements into the EU or out of Portugal, a known pinewood nematode area.

John Dye, president of TIMCON said: “As a leading member of FEFPEB, we will be submitting data and commentary on behalf of the UK pallet and packaging industry. This study will have an important bearing on the EC’s decision on whether or not to extend ISPM 15 for wooden packaging material – and could lead to fundamental changes in the regulations it applies to the industry.”

If these changes take place, there are major implications – not only for the European pallet and packaging industry, but for the entire European forest-based sector.

The furniture manufacturing sector is brimming with hope for fruitful times in the New Year. Kitchen furnishings sector, which trends an inevitable popularity with change in concepts of the modern day living area, shows an optimistic picture too. Ahead of the EuroCucina, a major biennial show for the kitchen sector, to be held in Italy held from April 17-22 at the Milan Fairgrounds in Rho, Wolfgang Steib, Member of the Management Board, Hettich elucidates on trends and scope of the industry while briefing about his company’s current stance in the sector.

When asked about the prevalent design trends in the kitchen industry, Wolfgang Steib answered, "In terms of design, the whole of the world – apart from the US – looks to Italy where, every two years, EuroCucina points the way, the next time being in April. We’re assuming the experiment focus will largely be on vertical lines, i.e. high drawer fronts. Extra-wide front panels will also continue to set the tone."

In material terms, far greater use is expected to be made of glass and stone, coupled with a used-look and surfaces that give the impression of being very natural. Alongside handle-free fronts, highly characteristic handles will underscore kitchen styling towards one of the major four trends of New Modern (unadorned and sleek), Deluxe (opulent with shiny effects), Organic (natural and with dynamic lines) or Folk (retro style). With Italy still going through difficult economic times, this year’s EuroCucina will focus more on sellable kitchens rather than pure show objects. High expectations on design are set to grow, also in relation to fittings in the kitchen.To read more, follow the March-April issue of Wood & Panel Europe.

OMNOVA Solutions announced that it has sold its U.K.-based Muraspec commercial wallcovering business to affiliates of a2e Venture Catalysts Limited, and its principal Amin Amiribased in Manchester, United Kingdom. Muraspec produces and distributes wallcoverings and other interior surfacing products, primarily to commercial markets in the U.K., Europe and the Middle East.

This stock transaction involves the entire Muraspec business including all brands, a plant in Kent, U.K., a design and distribution center outside London, plus sales offices in Paris, Warsaw and Dubai. Muraspec has approximately $40 million in sales. OMNOVA operated Muraspec as a stand-alone business.
"The sale of our European wallcovering business allows us to focus our resources on our global Performance Chemicals business as well as the coated fabrics, laminates and performance films product lines within Decorative Products that offer greater global growth potential," said Kevin McMullen, OMNOVA Solutions' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Due to the very different design preferences of countries and cultures throughout the world, the global commercial wallcovering market tends to require a regional focus, which a2e will be in a better position to serve.

The three ‘forest witnesses’, who, along with their communities, rely on the forests for their livelihoods, are sharing their experiences with MPs of the devastating impacts illegal logging can have on forests, people and wildlife and the and the benefits of responsibly managed forests.
 
The trio will go to Westminster to meet politicians and businesses to raise awareness about the need to ensure that timber imported into the UK is not just legal but also responsibly sourced, through a proven certification scheme such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

A new EU regulation in March 2013 will mean those supplying timber to the EU market will have to show that it is legal. By then the UK government needs to ensure that key legislation is in place to exclude illegal timber. Currently, the UK is the third highest importer of products made from illegal timber in Europe after Germany and Italy. This is the equivalent to fill just over 115 Royal Albert Halls.

On their visit to the UK, they have so far seen examples of where sustainable timber from the Congo has been used in construction. They visited South end pier to see how, in 2010, it was repaired using FSC-certified Ekki wood from the Congo Basin. They also went to the Olympic site in Stratford to see how they are using sustainable certified timber.

Beatrix Richards, head of Forest Policy and Trade at WWF UK, said: “The forest witnesses are here to remind politicians that they need not only to ensure key legislation is in place to exclude illegal timber from the UK, but also that this timber comes from responsibly managed forests. People in the UK can help by ensuring the timber products they buy are FSC certified.”

A recent survey by WWF found that EU countries are not doing enough to stem the flow of illegal and unsustainable timber or regulating its sale, despite the upcoming introduction of legislation to halt its import.

So far only four countries are ready to receive licensed timber and as many as nine have still to put in place any of the necessary implementing measures for the EU Timber Regulation. The UK has been the most consistent high scorer on performance, but has become one of the slowest in terms of improving its performance.

Choosing FSC certified wood products, from garden furniture to toilet paper, is the best way for the public to ensure that timber has been harvested legally and with respect for forests, people and wildlife.

The trip is part of WWF’s ‘What Wood You Choose?’ campaign. The two-year, EU-funded initiative raises awareness of the impacts of wood and paper consumption in the UK on communities in timber-producing developing countries.

According to a recent report by the Hackwell Group, production of wood plastics composites in Europe is forecast to grow by an average 13% annually up to 2015, when it will reach almost 360,000 t, produced predominantly through profile extrusion. The growth in production is slower than in the five years to 2010 during which it rose to 193,000 t/y, as a result of the continuing difficulties in European economies, the researcher said.

European WPC production began around 40 years ago in the automotive sector and in recent years has diversified and grown rapidly. Decking is now by far the largest application area with 75% of (non-automotive) output and WPC is now chosen for many other exterior and interior applications. Much of the predicted growth is still expected to be in construction applications, Hackwell says, most of which will be extruded. Important end-uses in the construction sector, excluding decking, include siding or cladding, fencing and window applications. Germany, France and Belgium are among the most significant WPC producing countries in Europe.

Injection moulded products have been successfully used in a wide range of end uses including paper manufacturing applications and musical instruments, as well as vehicle and shoe parts, while other processing technologies have been adopted in the automotive sector, which accounts for 30% of output. Furniture components offer considerable potential for WPC in the medium term and a number of products are successfully being marketed, the report says. In addition to European manufacture, imports of WPC from both the US and Asia have become increasingly important, particularly in the construction sector.


SOURCE: plasteurope.com

Sandvik Group at its 150th anniversary announced enhancement of its service support with an additional customer service training programs throughout 2012. The enhancements of its service tools range are in the pipeline. The company understands the need of service support expecially during a difficult market condition. This has seen the development of ‘Business Class’ service, an umbrella that encompasses everything from a global service network to training and product development.

A network of locally-based service engineers enables an immediate response to problems; technical support is available 24 hours a day and fully equipped teams can be despatched to site at short notice. It also means customers can benefit from preventative maintenance, with assessments, inspections and – if necessary – repairs to every aspect of the system from the steel belt itself to associated supports, drums and rollers.

Another way of maximising uptime is to supply in-house teams with the knowledge, skills and equipment to manage and resolve smaller problems and maintenance tasks.

One of the core aspects of this initiative is the QuickTools range, with tools that enable in-house teams to undertake tasks such as replacing small areas of damage on a belt, cutting thicker (up to 3.5 mm) steel belts, flattening deformation caused by heat and pressure, grinding off weld material, and slitting/dressing belts.

Sandvik has also intensified its program of customer service training, staging seminars in a number of European countries – Spain, Portugal and Turkey – and also in the booming regions of China and South America. These intensive training events are designed to give in-house technicians the knowledge and expertise to carry out preventative and corrective maintenance.

The petition which has been launched to change the government legislation on biomass subsidies, asks for people to pledge their support for a change to be made to government legislation on biomass subsidies for 3 key reasons:

•    UK furniture Industry jobs are under threat as rising wood prices are squeezing manufacturers and are making retailers look overseas for cheaper imports. In these tough economic times, the government should be supporting manufacturing base not damaging it with ill-thought through subsidies to energy producers.

•    The subsidies are paid by charging energy suppliers the cost of meeting renewable obligations charges. They pass on the costs to consumers (all of us) through price increases.

•    Wood is a great way to capture CO2 (burning it is not efficient), normally around 75% of the energy goes up the chimney and only 25% generates power. This leads to increased CO2 emissions, when compared to wood panel manufacturing. Chopping down vast forests will reduce biodiversity and damage the environment as forests take a long time to 'renew', unlike wind, solar and wave power which is unlimited. We should burn waste wood not virgin trees.

Wood Panels, during the past few years, has gained mileage as a preferred material for decorative purposes in claddings, floorings, roof sheathing, internal linings, ceilings, and construction purposes. Wood Panels find extensive application in the construction sector, which represents the largest end use segment, accounting for over 60% of consumption. Globally, the demand for Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is on an upward inclining growth curve, owing to its acceptance in various industries as an effective substitute for plywood. Product developments, along with the technological advancements, have played a major role in increasing the popularity of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). Engineered wood products are widely in demand in the market owing to its easy installation and low cost.

The global market for wood panels witnessed heavy declines in terms of consumption during the years 2008 and 2009, on account of the global economic crisis having a sobering effect on the major end-use markets. The North American market for wood panels followed the likes of the global market featuring the largest decline in 2009, a steeper fall from the previous year’s decrease. However, the residential repair and remodeling sector remained strong despite recession as consumers chose to repair their homes over the costlier option of buying a new house. During the year 2009, about 15 sawmills were shut down in North America alone, resulting in a net capacity loss of about 2.2 million cubic meters. The global economic slowdown also resulted in a decline in particleboard prices over the past two years, which fell by 16% in 2009 as compared to 2008.

Even as the global market resumed growth in 2010, in line with recovering world economies, increasing imports from China emerged as an additional reason to worry. Wood products market worldwide also faced competition from the biomass industry in raw wood procurement. While the aggregate market for wood panels is poised for slow growth over the review period, few product segments are fast gaining in popularity and are forecast to witness high growth rates.

Europe represents the largest regional market for Wood Panels in terms of consumption, as stated by the new research report on Wood Panels. The US and Asian region comprise the other major consumers of wood panels, with the three capturing a substantial consolidated share of the world market. In terms of fastest growth potential, China is forecast to race ahead, at the overall highest CAGR of 5.4% through 2017. In terms of products, Particleboard, inclusive of Oriented Strand Board (OSB), constitutes the largest market for wood panels. The other segment, Medium Density Fiberboard, offers highest growth opportunity over the analysis period.

The demand for Plywood is rapidly slowing down in most countries, primarily as a result of the dominance of OSB. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is being viewed as a suitable replacement for plywood in both construction and housing industries. Heightened construction and housing activity in Asia and Europe among other world regions in the near future is likely to push up the demand for furniture, leading to the higher requirement of MDF and particleboard products. As the demand for particleboard is forecast to increase in the coming years, many countries such as Malaysia, Turkey, Vietnam, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, and India, are already planning to establish new manufacturing facilities to meet the anticipated high demand. The global economic slowdown resulted in a decline in particleboard prices over the period 2008 and 2009, with prices falling significantly as compared to the previous year. Despite the competition from MDF, Particleboard has firmly retained its position as a superior furniture material worldwide. However, on the whole, demand for particleboard is stagnant in some parts of the world.

Key players profiled in the report include Ainsworth Lumber Company, Boise Cascade Company, Canfor Corporation, Duratex SA, The Egger Group, Fletcher Building Ltd, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Groupe Gascogne, J.M. Huber Corporation, Kronospan Holdings Ltd., Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Masonite International Corp, Norbord Industries Inc., Pfleiderer AG, Potlatch Corporation, Rougier SA, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, Temple-Inland Inc., Tableros De Fibras S.A., UPM- Kymmene Corporation, West Fraser Timberland Inc., and Weyerhaeuser Company.

The research report titled “Wood Panels: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of current market trends and issues, product and end-use analysis, technological developments, regulatory environment, product introductions, recent industry activity, and profiles of market players worldwide. Analysis and overview is provided for major geographic markets such as US, Canada, Japan, Europe, China, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of World. Market analytics are provided in terms of consumption in volume (cubic meters) for product segments, including Particleboard (Including Oriented Strand Board), Plywood, Medium Density Fiberboard, and Other Wood Panel Markets, for the years 2009 through 2017. The study also presents historic data for an insight into market evolution over the period 2003 through 2008.

Source: PR Web

UBM plc announced acquisition of four tradeshows for a total cash consideration of £19.4m and deferred consideration of up to £4.4m. One of these fair is Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), a recognized fair in Asia for the furniture sector.

UBM plc has acquired outright the MIFF exhibition on behalf of UBM Asia from its private owners. The acquisition of MIFF enhances UBM’s strong position in the furniture exhibition market, complementing Furniture China in Shanghai, the Index fairs in India and Interiors in the UK. In 2011 the event generated revenues of approximately RM 20m (£4.1m). The business’s gross assets as at 30 November 2011 were £5.4m.

David Levin, Chief Executive Officer of UBM plc said: "These acquisitions build on our well-established strategy of acquiring strong events that serve structurally growing markets and communities, and particularly events which operate in growth economies. We see attractive growth prospects for each of these events and look forward to those prospects being enhanced as they join the UBM family of events.”

BM TRADA Certification has signed up as an official show partner for Timber Expo 2012, underpinning its support for a show which is unique for the timber sector.
UK Sales & Marketing Manager Jane Owen said, ‘Last year’s event generated widespread interest in our services, particularly FSC Project and FSC & PEFC Chain of Custody. Again this year we will be offering information and advice on our stand, as well as staging informative seminars to help contractors understand how full or partial FSC project certification may help their projects.’

Another important aspect of the company’s services is third-party product certification under the Q-Mark brand. BM TRADA Q-Mark scheme membership is based on meeting strict technical and legislative requirements and requires manufacturers to have in place a Factory Production Control system, ideally under ISO 9001 or similar, demonstrating a commitment to quality and consistency in production. A wide range of products and building systems is covered by Q-Mark, which is recognised by NHBC and other leading organisations.

TRADA Membership & Marketing Manager Rupert Scott said, ‘With its 35-year track record in the construction sector, the BM TRADA name is well respected and can only enhance what Timber Expo 2012 has to offer contractors, developers and specifiers.’

Preparations are under way for the next edition of Xylexpo, the biennial international exhibition of woodworking technology and furniture industry supplies to be held from May 8 to May 12, 2012, Tuesday to Saturday, in the Milan Exhibition Center Fieramilano-Rho. The event brings great expectations and promises, committing organizers to magnify their efforts to be up once again to the excellent tradition of Xylexpo and to the role the exhibition has always played, namely the reference event for all wood technology industry actors in even-numbered years around the world.

At present, there are 460 exhibitors for a total exhibition surface above 30 thousand square meters. These figures indicate that, while virtually all small and big companies and groups will be exhibiting in Milan, they have all reduced their booth areas. The keyword is cost reduction, as the economic climate is still uncertain and calls for great caution with any investment.

“It’s a tough mission in tough times like these, after three troubled years for global economy and instrumental goods especially, which must face performance rates quite far from the standards we were accustomed to”, said Paolo Zanibon, exhibition general manager. “We are working intensively at the upcoming event – Zanibon added – knowing that the wood industry is looking at Xylexpo not only to find innovation, ideas, technology and equipment, but also to gather and discuss, to better understand what happened, what is happening and what shall be done in an industry and markets that have changed radically”.

Xylexpo will cover four halls of the ultramodern exhibition center Fieramilano-Rho. Panel processing machines and technology will be exhibited in Halls 1 and 3; Hall 2 will feature solid wood machining solutions; Hall 4 is dedicated to suppliers and primary operation equipment and solutions. At present, most of the 36 thousand square meter surface reserved by organizers has been assigned. Compared to past edition, it must be pointed out that exhibitor registrations are coming in later.

Visitors are the key target of most efforts made by organizers in the past few weeks and those still ahead. We are now in the most intensive phase of promotion among old and new visitors; this activity has been further strengthened through social networks (a communication channel that is “taken for granted”), adding them up to targeted “personal” contacts, mailings and newsletters to each and every operator with a potential interest to visit Xylexpo.

Substantial contribution is coming from the international network (50 offices around the world) which is working to promote the biennial show to 100 thousand potential visitors. In Italy, we are well on the way with the initiatives of a “mass marketing” campaign addressed to over 40 thousand Italian operators and direct marketing to over 15 thousand accurately selected companies.

One established and proven promotion activity is the presentation of Xylexpo in strategic markets during industry exhibitions and events. At these locations and events, Xylexpo has its own booth and organizes one-to-one meeting, press conferences or official presentations. After the dates in 2011 – Woodshow in Damascus (Syria), Delhiwood in New Delhi (India), Woodmac China in Shanghai (China), Ligna in Hannover, Fmc again in Shanghai, Woodtec in Brno (Czech Republic), Woodprocessing in Istanbul (Turkey), Wms in Toronto (Canada), Fimma in Valencia (Spain) and Woodex in Moscow (Russia) – in early 2012 Xylexpo was presented at Expobois in Paris (France), Indiawood in Bangalore (India), and soon at Umids in Krasnodar, Siberia.

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has launched an online Training Academy with its first e-learning module today, giving the joinery industry access to a flexible and modern training resource.

The first training module is on Wood Waste and Resource Efficiency, aiming to help joinery manufacturing businesses make better use of their timber resources at all stages from procurement through to disposal. The module is also useful for builders merchants and other suppliers to understand the joinery-side issues around procurement and wood waste disposal, and how they can play their role.

The Timber Resource Efficiency Partnership (TREP) has supported the BWF in producing the training materials for this module.  This is part of its work towards achieving the aims of the Joinery Industry Resource Efficiency Plan, published in September 2010. 

John Fletcher, Project Management for TREP, said:

“This module is the first step in helping joinery businesses, timber companies and builders merchants deal more effectively in the procurement and disposal processes, saving themselves money as well as bolstering the industry’s environmental credentials.”

Wood Waste is the first in a series of modules the BWF is offering via the academy, providing a modern alternative to physical training solutions.  Future subjects will include joinery estimating and fire doors.

Dave Campbell, BWF Marketing and Training Manager, has been driving the project with the aim of expanding the reach of training among the BWF’s members.

Access to the online academy is currently free to BWF and TREP members.

Forest industry in Finland grew by 2 per cent in 2011 in comparison to its previous year. Exports grew by 4 per cent during the same year. The wood products industry grew by 4 per cent while exports of pulp and paper industry products remained on the previous year's level.

The early part of the year was positive for the forest industry, but the European financial crisis depressed the industry's production volumes towards the close of the year. The price of timber was higher than the long-term average and timber sales picked up pace in summer and towards the end of the year. The prices of energy and emission allowances decreased in the latter half of the year as a result of the economic crisis.

Timo Jaatinen, Director General of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation said, “The decision to amend the energy tax refund mechanism at the beginning of 2012 was good for the competitiveness of the forest industry. It is important that this lighter energy tax burden is not cancelled out with the introduction of new taxes to balance State finances. The competitiveness of an industrial sector, which creates employment and growth, must be looked after also in difficult times”.

Sawn timber production increased 7 per cent from the previous year to about 10 million cubic metres. Advance data indicates that exports of all wood products industry articles were up about 4 per cent.

Several new forest industry products and innovations have been published over the past year. The production of microfibril cellulose, for example, progressed into the pre-commercial stage and the first biorefinery investments are being launched.

Demand for forest industry products will increase in the future, as consumption of non-renewable materials will be replaced with use of renewable and recyclable products.   

The FLEGT-REDD unit of EFI is organizing a special event for its member organizations. The event named Synergies in FLEGT-REDD activities’ will be held in Barcelona, Spain, on 12–13 April 2012 at the Institut d'Estudis Catalans in Barcelona, to identify and discuss the potential synergies and cooperation between ongoing work of EFI's FLEGT and REDD Unit.

REDD+ related policy options and governance challenges will be main highlight of the event. EU FLEGT Facility will provide key lessons learned from Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) processes.

EFI’s associate and affiliate members would be educations and discussing the development of the REDD and FLEGT through various topics in the event.

Purchasing groups from Vietnam, India and Mexico will bring 30-40 furniture manufacturers respectively to FMC China 2012 from 11 - 14 September to visit the related enterprises and factories. The Taiwan Woodworking Machinery Association (TWMA) and the Italian Woodworking Machinery Association (ACIMALL) will each have more than 30 exhibitors participating at FMC China 2012 to show visitors the latest product technology. There will be a total of 2,500 furniture manufacturers with 350,000sqm exhibiting at Furniture China 2012. They are the direct visitors for FMC.


In 2012, FMC will use Hall 4 and the total area will be 71,000 square metres, representing an increase of 20% over last year. There are 850 exhibitors expected in 2012, an increase of 14% over last year. And the visitor numbers are up to 35,000, 10% increase over last year. At the beginning of 2012, FMC booth sales have reached 70% with a positive response from exhibitors.
 

FMC received positive feedback last year. Cheng Jue, the Representative of Zhongwei Holding Group, said, "This is the fourth time that we have attended FMC China. We are glad to see FMC moving to a new venue. We used to get an outdoor booth at SNIEC. The air-conditioner  was not powerful enough and many customers complained. This year we will move indoors where the hall environment is clean and comfortable, so all customers are well taken care of.”


FMC Premium 2012 has attracted many famous enterprises such as Frenchtimber, Okin, Taizhou Chenguang, Aoda, Yihuang, Huali, Kingdecor, Dupont, Jowat and the State of North Carolina, .Penncylvania hardwood pavilions

Some of the people affected directly by illegal logging in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be coming to the UK next week. They’ll make it clear to the politicians and businesses that the kind of wood products that they buy here can have a big impact on lives in central Africa. They’ll also show how using sustainable alternatives is best for people and the environment. And they’ll visit places where FSC timber is in use - like the London Olympics site.

On Monday 20 February, three representatives from DRC forest communities will visit UK sites where certified, sustainable timber from the Congo Basin has been used - including the Olympic Park in Stratford, and Southend pier.

The following day they’ll meet politicians and businesses to tell them why they need to make sure timber imported in the UK is sourced from well-managed, FSC-certified forests.

Stora Enso - the Finland-based Integrated group of forest products companies has recently published its annual reports for 2011. The Report is comprised of four separate publications: Stora Enso Rethink 2011, Financial Report 2011, Corporate Governance Report 2011 and
Global Responsibility Report 2011.

Stora Enso Rethink 2011 is available in English, Finnish and Swedish. Financial
Report 2011, Corporate Governance Report 2011 and Global Responsibility Report
2011 are available in English.

Printed publications will be published during the week commencing Monday 5
March 2012. Stora Enso Rethink 2011, including Stora Enso Facts & Figures 2011
insert, will be distributed to shareholders registered with Euroclear Finland
and Euroclear Sweden who have requested a copy. Printed copies of Stora Enso
Rethink 2011, Financial Report 2011 and Global Responsibility Report 2011 can
be ordered at www.storaenso.com/order or by sending an e-mail to
group.communications@storaenso.com.

Stora Enso has also published the following separate PDF documents:

-- The official Financial Statements in Finnish
-- English translation of the Parent Company Financial Statements for 2011
-- Finnish translation of the Corporate Governance Report 2011
-- Global Responsibility Stakeholder Magazine in English

All of these publications and documents can be downloaded at the Group's
website at www.storaenso.com/annualreport.

B&K Structures _medArchitects and contractors working on the extension of the Wiltshire-based Wellington Academy sought the services of building specialists B&K Structures and their PEFC certified timber to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly structure.

The Wellington Academy is an institution for secondary education with 1,150 students aged 11 to 18 years. In addition to a 350-seat theatre, the Academy has business, enterprise, and design and technology facilities. It also has a separate boarding house constructed from highly engineered timber.

Andrew Deeprose, Design Co-ordinator for Kier Moss comments: "The architects and the academy were keen to ensure the building would be environmentally friendly. So sustainability was a key consideration on this project, and it was important when looking at sub-contractors to combine this with competitive pricing."

Giles Blight, Architect for BDP, who were employed by Kier, required a structure with the environmental benefits of sustainably sourced timber and the strength and integrity of steel, to be delivered on time and on budget. Combining all these attributes, the hybrid structure from B&K Structures was the ideal solution.

In the academy building itself, the progressive design incorporates natural ventilation and maximises the use of engineered glulam beams and columns. In addition, an xlam roof forms the central hub space of the atrium.

The separate boarding house, meanwhile, features a timber frame, made from xlam structural walls and ceilings, and cassette floors. Together with this, exposed glulam structural feature columns support a steel cantilever to a glazed roof. In a three-storey boarding house facility such as this, where groups of students are regularly moving from room to room, noise reduction is an important consideration.

Explaining how the floors were installed, Giles Blight comments: "Due to their acoustic and insulation properties, the cassette floors were key to the design." Delivery took place on time, and while the overall job took longer than expected, B&K Structures was adept at ensuring that there was no knock-on effect from one zone to the next and the team was able to construct each area independently of the next. Located adjacent to the existing Wellington Academy, the new buildings will provide a modern replacement for the outdated facilities and meet the needs of future students and staff.

The Timber Trade Federation (TTF) has launched the 2012 edition of the Members' Directory and Buyers' Guide.

The new Members' Directory and Buyers' Guide contains all the information buyers need to make an informed choice, along with details of incoming regulations, a full copy of the Code of Conduct, a description of the range of business services the TTF provides to Members.

The Guide has this year been complemented with the publication of the TTF Action Plan – an outline of the main focus of attention and action for the TTF Executive in the coming years. The Action Plan has been developed following consultation with members, customers and supply chains and highlights seven target work streams which will help the TTF expand its work and ensure that the timber industry provides a competitive, focused and relevant service offer to key clients, particularly in construction.

John White, Chief Executive of the Timber Trade Federation said: "The latest Directory provides buyers with a fully comprehensive list of UK suppliers as well as insight and information on issues affecting the sector and our Members. Our Action Plan also highlights the direction we are taking at TTF and areas of focus as we continue on our mission to grow the use of wood."

Schelling Anlagenbau GmbH extended its cut-to-size saws which has earned industry’s confidence through their high quality performance. Schelling has added the new VS area storage system which increases the flexibility of the machines significantly. With the new HPO optimisation software in the machine, single and pattern cuts can be entered automatically and downloaded quickly.  The company’s fh 4 and fh 6 panel dividing saws find its application in furniture industry and the joinery sector for their high cutting accuracy and their long service life.
fh 4 and fh 6 with the Schelling PLUS+ concept gives highest precision and productivity through more performance, optimised procedures, perfect cutting force, practical automation and innovative technology.

The fh 4 is equipped with a 15 kW motor to effortlessly handle book cuts. The 350 mm diameter saw blade allows blade projection of 95 mm. The saw blade can be adjusted automatically via a variable positioning element for optimal saw blade projection to suit particular applications. The feed speeds can be adjusted forward and reverse to 80 m/min (EU to 25 m/min forward).

The maximum saw blade speed of up to 120 m/min ensures extremely short saw cycles. Saw cycles can be further optimised by the simultaneous lifting or lowering of the saw aggregate and through the automatic detection of book heights and panel sizes. Various versions of cutting lengths of 3300, 4300 or 5800 mm and insert depths of 3300, 4300 or 5800 mm allows fh 4 to adapt to different operating requirements.
fh 6  has similar cycle optimisation with a saw blade diameter of 460 mm, allowing a saw blade projection of up to 135 mm, which offers a significant increase of panel throughput in the package. The insert speed is 80 m/min and the saw feed speed at up to 150 m/min results in higher ejection speed for finished parts. The cutting lengths available in this series are 3300, 4300, 5800 or 6300 mm, the insert depths can be 3300, 4300 or 5800 mm.

The steel machine table-bed protects the surface of any material being processed including high-gloss material. The manually adjustable, extra-wide 700 mm air cushion table allows proper handling of material after and during the cutting process. Rotary table reduces the handling time and allows longitudinally divided panels can be rotated for transverse cutting in one simple action.
 
Strips are not stacked but aligned angularly with the double-strip aligners that press the material onto the angle stop before and after the saw line. Even high book cuts can be accurately aligned with automatically adjustable alignment. Accurate saw aggregate guides and feeder carriage ensures cutting precision and low maintenance. The shear clamps on the feeder carriage automatically adjust to the pressure required for the book height allowing positioning to the desired dimension is guaranteed. With the DUPLUS2 concept, independent positioning of individual clamps to an additional dimension can be achieved.

Schelling optimisation software HPO calculates the cutting plans, as one of the ways to minimise material and production costs. Cutting panels are represented in either graphic or tabular form, summarising the cutting plan by importing data in a variety of formats. fh 6 features a management software, XBoB which lets one book residual panels, not required for the actual order into the warehouse, with a label and box numbers assigned to the remnants. Each remnant are managed in the optimisation and rescheduled for the next optimisation run. When the remnants are cut to size they will be automatically booked out of the system. This results in significantly lower storage costs, optimal utilisation of the panels, and a significantly smaller storage area for remnants.

The fh 4 and fh 6 panel dividing saws can be loaded either via an integrated lift table or via Schelling’s VS area storage device.

A bill that would classify decades-old incinerators and boilers at pulp mills as renewable energy cleared the Hatfield Senate .The bill has the potential to save local pulp producers millions of dollars. The bill would preserve jobs in the forest products industry, which has faced steep cutbacks and shrinking markets during the recession.

The bill, which sailed through the Senate by a 45-1 vote, would allow pulp mills to count biomass power generated onsite as "renewable" for their share of public utilities' I-937 mandates starting in 2016. The legislation also allows industrial customers to sell renewable energy credits earned before 1999 back to their home utilities, but not on the open market - a key provision used to mitigate opposition from environmental groups that killed the bill last year, Hatfield said.

If the bill becomes law, Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging and Weyerhaeuser Co.'s Longview plants stand to save millions of dollars over a long term because they won't have to buy renewable energy credits, industry officials say.

SOURCE: TDN.com

The furniture market operates in close call with the housing industry which was severely affected by the economic downturn. Despite the recovery, growth remains unstable as customer confidence continues to waver in view of the volatile economic environment in Europe, soaring gasoline costs and subdued employment rates.

With no significant increase in personal incomes or in sale of homes, the furniture market is yet to pick up pace. Faced with declining margins and intensely competitive conditions, several manufacturers shifted their production operations to emerging nations as part of efforts to cut costs. Furniture sales are expected to recover with improvement in housing sales.

Factors such as value and product mix, innovative marketing and capacity to maintain and deliver inventories of fabric and furniture frames continue to influence sales of furniture. Though replacement sales offer potential opportunities, reduced discretionary spending and prolonged replacement cycles continue to hamper growth prospects.

While the growing levels of sophistication of modern lifestyles will continue to drive gains in this market, the present financial troubles are casting the spotlight on cost effective, mass-market products.

Long-term growth in the global furniture and fixtures market is expected from Asia, owing to steady economic growth and rising standards of living. Further, increasing migration towards urban areas, rising disposable incomes, and changing lifestyles are expected to offer favorable prospects for market participants.

Flourishing property industry and tourist industry in developing economies is expected to foster the demand for hotel and residential furniture, along with other high-end products. Globalization and changing consumer behavior is contributing to the increased demand for luxury furniture in emerging markets such as China, Russia, India, and Brazil.

Manufacturers are increasingly opting to produce furniture from alternative material and recycled products such as wood from old buildings or reclaimed wood, thereby driving the demand for green furniture.

The research report titled "Furniture and Fixtures: A Global Outlook" announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a collection of statistical anecdotes, market briefs, and concise summaries of research findings. The report offers an aerial view of the global industry, identifies major short to medium term market challenges, and growth drivers.

Market discussions in the report are punctuated with fact-rich market data tables. Regional markets elaborated upon include United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, UK, Russia, China, India, Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, among others.

A CE standard for wood products has been recognised in Japan for the first time. This will simplify exports of construction timber to Japan, for European sawmills. "Recognition of the CE marked products for 2"x4" construction timber is a major breakthrough in our efforts to harmonise standards between Europe and Japan," says Jan Söderlind, Chairman of EuropeanWood.

Till date, European producers of 2"x4" products for structural usage needed a JAS certificate (Japan Agriculture Standard). From February 6, the European standard 14081-1 for design strength values for structural lumber is recognised in Japan. CE stamped 2"x4" products can thus be used in the same way as JAS certified products.

On 7th February 2012 the opening of the new Arper showroom took place in Stockholm, the creative hub of Nordic design.

The Swedish capital was chosen to strengthen the constant contact with the numerous architecture and interior design firms located in the territory, with which Arper has established great relationships and shared visions over time.

The mono-brand showroom, based in the Östermalm district, is developed according to a concept by Lievore Altherr Molina, the Barcelona-based firm with which Arper has a long and fruitful collaboration – from the creation of memorable collections, including Catifa and Leaf, to the recent remake of the corporate identity. The interior design project has focused on the creation of a luminous space, the perfect stage for the displayed products, easily showing and making the whole collection accessible, with its manifold variations and customizations. The predominantly white background hosts not only the chromatic palette of leather and fabrics, but also the vivid pictures shot by Dutch photographer Maurice Scheltens, author and conceptual interpreter of the new visual identity of Arper.

The opening party was crowded with the design community. Guests could preview the new chair “Juno” designed by James Irvine, which will be officially launched in April 2012 at the Saloni del Mobile in Milan.

Chinese kitchen manufacturer OM HOME is the proud winner of the first “Colour Road Star Award”, offered by the RENOLIT DESIGN business unit in Deidesheim, Rhineland-Palatinate on 8 December 2011. The company’s innovative and stylish use of 3D films from RENOLIT DESIGN’s extensive range including Colour Road 2011/12 collection trend colours, as well as the overall form and distinctive kitchen concept played a key role in the jury’s decision.

With its exciting use of the Makassar Natural high-gloss film on the carcass of a boat-shaped kitchen island, OM Home presented a kitchen idea which, in spite of its highly innovative surfaces and overall design, did not lose sight of the functional aspect of a kitchen.

The trophy which was specially designed for the occasion and the prize of an Apple iPad will be presented to the winner during Interzum Guangzhou 2012 (27th-30th March 2012, Guangzhou, China).

With OM HOME, the jury chose a worthy winner with an exciting product. This year, Karsten Jänicke, Business Unit Manager at RENOLIT DESIGN, hopes to see more European companies taking part in the competition. After all, a number of the new kitchen models which are featured in the current Colour Road Trend Brochure 12/13 definitely have what it takes to win an award.

Western Forest Products announced the first project in capital plan; a $16 million investment in the Saltair Sawmill. Western was joined by Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, for the formal site announcement.

This capital project will make Saltair the largest single line sawmill on the coast of BC and will provide upgrades to the edgers, stacker and sorters. The upgrades will increase production by approximately 15%, lowering the per unit cost of production, and improving competitiveness with global producers. Increased efficiencies with the upgrade will reduce mill bottlenecks, not only a benefit to productivity, but also to the safety of the work environment. Once the project is complete, a more competitive mill, that can absorb market fluctuations, will provide more stable and secure employment for the 140 existing mill jobs.

“With our improved financial results and a secure timber supply; both key to having the confidence to invest, we are taking the first step in our plan. Our capital planning focus now shifts to other high return projects that make up the remainder of our capital investment strategy”, said Dominic Gammiero, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Trade Fabrication Systems (TFS), one of the UK's leading processors of coated and laminated wood based products, has promoted Howard Morris to commercial director.

Speaking about Howard's promotion, Jean Richardson, Managing Director at TFS, said: "Howard played a fundamental role in making our vision for the company a reality over the last couple of years. And it's not just the product portfolio where Howard has made a real difference but also via internal processes, he was instrumental in the company achieving ISO9001 quality assurance and Investors in People.

With over 27 years experience in the panel, timber and construction industry, Howard has a wealth of knowledge from positions at companies, such as Norbord, Weyerhaeuser, Knauf Drywall, SIG Insulations and Mallinson Denny.

The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry, is participating in the seventh edition of the International Trade Fair for Woodworking Machinery, Tools, Fittings, Accessories, Raw Materials and Products (INDIAWOOD) through its involvement with the ‘INDIAWOOD’ seminar, providing fresh insights and addressing the latest and most pressing issues in the timber business in India.
The theme of the seminar this year is ‘Know Your Wood’. Featured AHEC speakers include Bob Sabistina, AHEC’s Technical Consultant and U.S. hardwood lumber grading expert, and Dr. Scott Bowe, Professor & Wood Products Specialist Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology College of Agricultural and Life Sciences University of Wisconsin, USA. Sabistina delivered a presentation on American hardwood species, grades and applications, while Bowe’s seminar covered the U.S. hardwood forest resource, lumber production and kiln-drying, with some emphasis on the environmental credentials of American hardwoods.

“The U.S. hardwood industry has extensive experience of drying hardwood lumber. In fact much of the research over the last 35 years related to drying temperate hardwood has emanated from the United States. Satisfactory kiln drying can only be achieved through having the proper equipment, by employing the correct techniques and by having a full understanding of the material,” said Wiles.

A new study by RISI, named as China's Timber Supply Outlook, 2011-2015, provides a thorough review and update of China's forest resource base, it's rapidly expanding wood products and pulp and paper industries.

The study will focus on the following areas:

• China's Economic Outlook, 2011-2015

• Domestic Timber Supply - updated forest inventory data; reported timber harvest trends by province; estimates of total wood fiber production; trends in new planting for timber production; new timber harvest quotas under 12th Five-Year Plan; forecast of domestic timber supply.

• Plantation Investment in China - profiles of all major foreign companies and all listed Chinese companies with forest assets in China; focus on species planted and growth rates; impact of forest reform and certification in China; cost of plantation development and estimated returns; Chinese companies acquiring overseas forest resources.

• Imported Timber Supply - volume trends for log and woodchip imports by species and source; lumber and other wood products imports by source; imports of wood pulp by grade and source.

• Timber Demand in China - lumber and wood panel demand by sector; forecast of lumber and wood panel production, imports and consumption; forecast of wood pulp production and imports; industrial roundwood requirements to meet expected demand.

• Price trends for imported logs, lumber and woodchips, by species and source.
• China's Timber Supply/Demand Outlook - forecast of China's imports of logs, lumber and woodchips needed to balance demand and supply; forecast of China's timber supply deficit.

• Consultants, government agencies and international institutions involved in the forest products sector

This study will provide an integrated overview and analysis of the prospects for China's rapidly developing forest products industry.

INDIAWOOD being the largest fair in the region again successfully drew a huge crowd and attention to it. Three halls reserved for the event were overflowing with visitors who were not only curious about the machineries brought from all over the world, but this year the number of deals signed seems to be outdoing the history. Companies, such as, Hymmen or Schattdecor, though not overtly ambitious, seemed to be happy to make their presence in the ever-growing Indian industry. Though a few of the exhibitors believe five days are too much for this industry to invest, still none said investing in India is an immature decision. Figures will take some time to appear, but from the ground I can report, it's surely crowded with serious visitors and nonetheless happy and hopeful exhibitors.

The Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI) and the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) marked the first critical step in the roll out of the new densified biomass fuel standard for North America through the accreditation of ten auditing agencies and two laboratories to the PFI Standards Program.

The Board of Review of the ALSC has accredited the following agencies to provide service under the program requirements:

1. Carolina Inspection Service, Inc.
2. Conway & Robison, LLC
3. Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association
4. PFS Corporation
5. Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau
6. Package Research Laboratory
7. Southern Pine Inspection Bureau
8. Timber Products Inspection
9. West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau
10. Western Wood Products Association

The Board of Review of the ALSC also has accredited two laboratories: Timber Products Inspection and the University of Maine. Accredited testing laboratories perform analyses on densified fuel to the PFI standard.

Under the supervision of ALSC, the program’s accreditation body, accredited auditing agencies provide services for qualifying densified fuel production facilities to label compliant densified fuel as outlined by program requirements.
Agencies will audit the fuel that is produced in accordance with the program’s parameters, which establish three grades of fuel –Premium, Standard, and Utility — that can be easily matched to the appropriate pellet-burning appliance.

According to PFI Executive Director, Jennifer Hedrick, “With the support the industry has shown thus far, we’re expecting many fuel manufacturers to enroll in this early stage of the program.”

Abstracts are being accepted for PFI’s Annual Conference for the following topic areas:

1. Regional, State and Local Initiatives in the Pellet Industry: What the pellet Industry can learn from Northeastern states. Presentations may address public policy, project development and/or community initiatives.

2. Marketing Strategies for the Promotion of Pellet Fuels: Best practices and new concepts to accelerate adoption and capture a larger consumer base.

3. Pellet Fuel Markets Beyond Residential: Using wood pellets for other thermal applications (e.g. greenhouses, Confined Animal Feeding Operations, institutional conversions from LP gas, coal, or oil, sustainable solutions for universities and public facilities).

4. Raw Material Resources: Accessing feedstock now and in the future (e.g. how federal regulations have impacted private landowners, long and short-term impacts of the downturn of the building industry on sawmill/plant residue, etc.).

5. The Future of Alternative Biomass Crops: How will the advent and increased usage of non-woody biomass impact the industry?

6. Open Category.

The PFI Conference Committee will review all abstracts. Notice of abstract acceptance will be made by PFI on May 4, 2012.

With the lack of sufficient quality and quantity of domestic wood fiber supply, new pulp mills in China are looking to expand importation of wood chips from plantation-rich countries in Southeast Asia to meet their growing fiber needs.

Malaysia, Cambodia, Chile and Brazil are few of the recent and still small suppliers of
hardwood chips to China. These countries, which all supply wood chips from fast growing Eucalyptus and Acacia plantations, are likely to expand their shipments in the coming years when Chinese pulp mills continue to diversify their supply sources.

Pulpmills in China consume practically only hardwood fiber, so imports of softwood
chips were negligible up until last year when a few shipments started to enter Chinese
ports from Australia, Russia, the US and New Zealand. This year, total softwood imports
may reach just above 300,000 tons, or four percent of total chip imports.

Vietnam is the lowest-cost supplier, while the cost for Eucalyptus chips from Australia were at the high-end in the 3Q. The costs chips imported from the major supplying country Vietnam, have gone up almost 40 percent over the past two years. Vietnam is also shipping large chip volumes to Japanese pulp mills.

Raute Corporation has received orders valued at over EUR 50 million from Paneles Arauco S.A. in Chile for plywood mill machinery and equipment. The machinery and equipment will be delivered mainly during the last part of the year 2012 for rebuilding the Nueva Aldea plywood mill which was destroyed in a fire in the beginning of January.

These orders have a significant impact on Raute's outlook for 2012. Raute will publish its estimate of 2012 outlook in the financial statements bulletin to be published on February 14, 2012.

The orders comprise, among others, two state-of-the-art veneer peeling lines, three drying lines equipped with latest machine vision and moisture meter technology, four automatic plywood gluing and lay-up lines, three plywood presses, an automatic veneer patching line together with three automatic veneer puttying lines and the mill's production management system.

These orders, being the biggest in Raute's history, are a proof of Raute's versatile expertise. Starting a project of this extent in a couple of weeks after the fire is a unique achievement, which is based on the long cooperation, established relationship and mutual confidence between Arauco and Raute.
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A 700 sqm wood frame building is under construction at the Shanghai Disney Resort, the first Disney resort in Mainland China. The wood frame structure will serve as offices for Disney employees and is centrally located within the resort area. The building will also serve as a VIP reception venue for government officials who visit during the construction phase.

Mr. Shi Mingfang, Vice President of the Shanghai Shendi Group, Disney’s Chinese partner, selected the final design of the building. As a result, a wood design by the Shanghai Landscape Design Institute was selected over other proposed designs.

The building building is expected to be completed in late March 2012 when Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng will lead a delegation of officials in a tree-planting ceremony to be held at the site.

Canada Wood Korea (CWK) Country Director Tai Jeong and Korea Wood Construction Association (KWCA) Chairman Chan Kyu Park have signed the 2nd extension of MOU on January 28, 2012. The MoU is for the cooperation in the implementation of 5 Star Construction Quality Certification program, training and inspection program for ensuring quality construction in Korea. Joseph Choi, a former consultant for CWK, has been named as the director for QA.

The two organizations, have worked together over the last two years conducting joint inspections of 43 projects for 5 Star Certification and holding numerous QA meetings for developing Inspection Check List and QA workshops for training. They realised a strong need for more training and creation of dedicated position for QA within KWCA to improve the effectiveness of QA program.

In order to implement the perceived changes, CWK has begun to provide more training and technical support for KWCA members particularly in their project planning stages for proper preparation of construction documents, and KWCA, on their part, has created a position dedicated for 5 Star Quality Assurance program with extra contributions from its members, demonstrating their commitment to QA.

Focusing on the furniture upstream industry, China International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Raw Materials Fair (Guangzhou) [referred as CIFM/ interzum guangzhou] is recognized as the largest and most comprehensive woodworking machinery and accessories fair in Asia, with the aim of offering a “one-package manufacturing solution” for furniture production industry. It is expected to reach a scale of 130,000 SQM in 2012, a marked increase of 20,000 SQM compared with that of 2011. Over 1000 exhibitors, including many renowned exhibitors such as the German, Italy, U.S.A, Spain and Turkey pavilions, will present their most advanced furniture production technology, techniques and materials all under one roof.

Raute Corporation is going to publish its financial statements bulletin for January 1 – December 31, 2011 (12 months) on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at about 9 a.m. A briefing for analysts, investors and the media will be organized on the same day at 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., at Scandic Simonkentta Hotel, Roba cabinet, Simonkatu 9, Helsinki. Financial statements for 2011 as well as about our prospects for the year 2012 will be heard on that day only. Everything will be presented by Raute Corporation’s President and CEO Tapani Kiiski and CFO Arja Hakala.

PEFC's recent publication, A Guide for Retailers, recognizes that the retail sector is in a unique position to make a difference in the forest by ensuring that the products it offers, and indeed the materials it uses in its own facilities and infrastructure (buildings, shelving, etc.), are sourced and manufactured from sustainably managed forests. The sector also has a tremendous opportunity to capture a share of the growing market for sustainably produced goods.

A Guide for Retailers is a brief and uncomplicated guide. It describes for the sector how PEFC certification and the simple act of being able to label their goods with the PEFC logo can benefit them. Notably, the simple act of providing goods certified to PEFC standards can help secure customer loyalty, enhance brand image and increase market share.

The Guide also describes in simple terms how the retail sector can support responsible forest management by, among others, promoting the importance of certification and goods sourced from sustainably-managed sources throughout its own supply chain, through its own suppliers and customers.

For more than eighty years Alpi has been working with wood in all its aspects, focusing on this central feature of its business with passion and respect.

Through continuous, focused research, the company has demonstrated that even an ancient and noble material such as wood can be reinvented and reinterpreted to create something new and improved. This idea has led to the development of multilaminar wood. The technology allows a single trunk to be cut into a large number of sheets of wood that are coloured and recombined to create panels, boards and coverings. These products are identical to woods that, until now, could only be obtained from premium tree species, which are becoming rarer and must be protected.

The limitless creative capabilities of multilaminar technology can also be used to produce woods with colours and patterns that do not exist in nature.

This continuous interest in innovation has made Alpi the international leader in the wood veneer sector and an ideal partner for designers, interior architects and furniture businesses, including contract furniture.

Today Alpi is facing market challenges head-on, further enhancing its collection and developing a new corporate identity.

With this objective in mind, Alpi has selected Matteo Ragni, an Italian architect who shares the company’s values and vision, to head its art direction project.

The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the construction wood market in the BRIC countries including:- In-depth analysis of the construction wood market in the four BRIC countries: Brazil, Russia, India and China- A detailed country-specific analysis of market attractiveness, covering the key trends, drivers and challenges across the four countries- Detailed market sizes for each BRIC country for a period of 10 years (2007-2016), including category level and end-user level analysis- Detailed insights into the regulatory framework, market entry strategy, product innovation and marketing strategy relevant to the construction wood market- Description and analysis of the competitive landscape and the key distribution channels for the construction wood market.

Due to the growing demand for housing from Brazil's large population, construction activity in Brazil grew rapidly during the review period. Brazil is currently facing a shortage of seven million housing units, which is expected to reach more than 12 million by 2022 due to the country's rising population and rapid urbanization. This will drive demand for construction wood in the country during the forecast period. The Russian construction wood industry will be driven by several impending major construction projects in the country, including those in preparation for global sporting events such as the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2018 FIFA World Cup over the forecast period. In India, the commercial construction end-user market is one of the largest contributors to the Indian construction wood industry, due to its dramatic growth following the expansion of India's information technology industry. China is the world's largest furniture manufacturer. Its production capacity now accounts for more than 20% of global production capacity. Furthermore, wooden furniture accounts for around one-third of all the furniture manufactured in China in 2010.

This report provides an extensive analysis of the construction wood market in the BRIC countries: - It analyses historical values for the construction wood market for 2007-2011, along with forecast figures for 2012-2016- It provides supporting country-specific analysis on the overall market as well as individual values for the market's key categories- The report provides top-level analysis of the construction wood market's production and market dynamics- The report also details the competitive landscape for manufacturers including future market entry strategies- The report outlines the current regulatory framework in the market

Weyerhaeuser Company today reported net earnings of $65 million for the fourth quarter, or 12 cents per diluted share, on net sales from continuing operations of $1.6 billion. This compares with net earnings of $171 million, or 32 cents per diluted share, on net sales from continuing operations of $1.5 billion for the same period last year.

Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011 include net after-tax charges of $12 million for restructuring and asset impairments. Excluding these items, the company reported net earnings of $77 million, or 14 cents per diluted share. This compares with net earnings before special items of $52 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

For the full year 2011, Weyerhaeuser reported net earnings of $331 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, on net sales from continuing operations of $6.2 billion. This compares with net earnings of $1.281 billion on net sales from continuing operations of $6.0 billion for the full year 2010. Earnings for the full year 2010 include $1.064 billion from income tax adjustments related to Weyerhaeuser's conversion to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

The segment's earnings improved $8 million in the fourth quarter compared with the third. Earnings from disposition of non-strategic timberlands increased $17 million to $21 million, compared with $4 million in the third quarter. Average selling prices for Western logs declined due to weaker Chinese export demand. These declines were partially offset by increased log sales volumes and slightly higher selling prices in the South. Fee harvest volumes rose, primarily in the South. Silviculture and road costs were lower, and fuel costs increased.

Excluding earnings from disposition of non-strategic timberlands, Weyerhaeuser expects slightly higher earnings from the Timberlands segment in the first quarter. The company anticipates increased fee harvest volumes in the West and slightly improved average selling prices due to a higher percentage of export logs sold to Japan. Weyerhaeuser also anticipates higher fuel costs and seasonally higher silviculture expenses.

Fourth quarter includes special charges of $19 million for restructuring and asset impairments. Third quarter included special charges of $46 million related to restructuring, asset impairments, and sale of the hardwoods operations. Weyerhaeuser completed the sale of the hardwoods operations in the third quarter.

SFI Inc. has sponsored a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) in GreenSource Magazine, published by McGraw Hill, which highlights the benefits of using certified wood in green building, demonstrates how government agencies support an inclusive approach to certification, and shows how LEED Pilot Credit 43 offers an opportunity for SFI-certified wood. The CEU will reach architects and builders, who can earn continuing education credits through the American Institute of Architects by reading the article and taking the test. It will run in the January/February print issue and online through the year.

Weyerhaeuser has launched a fire protection system for its TJI-joists.The company’s new “Flak Jacket” protection consists of a specialty coating applied to TJI-joists to improve their fire protection.The coating, which has a grey colour to the OSB web and part of the LVL flange, is designed to provide builders with a way to achieve one-hour floor/ceiling assemblies and comply with new International Residential Code fire protection requirements.The one-hour protection is achieved with only a single layer of gypsum and no mineral wool.Weyerhaeuser says builders can still cut and drill the joists as usual and use standard hangers.

The Midlands Timber Trades Benevolent Society has elected Christella Golby, a director of Wyckham Blackwell, Manufacturers of Trussed Rafters and engineered Timber Frame kits, to be their 2012 President.

This is only the second time the MIdlands Region has had a female President since formation in 1904. Christella was unanimously approved in recognition of her TTBS fundraising and contribution as member of the Midlands Committee.

Source: TTF

Wood for Good, the timber industry promotional vehicle, will be launching its 2012 campaign, Wood First in March.

Campaign Manager, David Hopkins, has asked all timber companies to contact  him with case studies, information and examples to support the campaign. He wants to hear from all TTF members and Wood for Good supporters about projects they have supplied to or worked on which show the benefits of using wood as a first choice construction material. The campaign is all about promoting the supply chain.
 
Source: TTF

Emma Newton has been promoted from financial director to the managing director by CR Taylor Timber. Her promotion will free up more time for executive chairman Charles Taylor to focus on sales, service and direct customer contact.

Charles Taylor said: "We performed well in 2011, notably in our fast-expanding engineered timber products division. We are achieving growth in core and emerging market sectors, developing our nationwide footprint and continuing to invest in the business and its people."

Source: TTF

Reduced activities in the housing construction sector decreased import of softwood logs and lumber in late 2011in China. The total imports during 2011 reached a record high, making China the largest importer of logs and lumber in the world.

Import of softwood logs and lumber to China has increased over the past 15 years, and in 2011 the country was the largest importer of softwood lumber and logs in the world. Total import value equaled almost eight billion US dollars last year, which was an increase of 57 percent from 2010, and up from only 70 million dollars 15 years ago. Annual growth over the past five years has been almost 30 percent, and over the past 15 years, the CAGR has been as high as 36 percent.
Imports of softwood lumber have increased faster than imports of softwood logs over the past few years, but log imports still constitute a higher share of the total import value of softwood products. After having increased for seven consecutive quarters, the importation of softwood logs and lumber fell for the first time in the 4Q/11 because of reduced domestic demand and high inventories at many of the country's ports. The decline was 14 percent from the 3Q/11, but the total import value was still higher than the fourth quarter in 2010.

By volume, importation of softwood log and softwood lumber to China fell 10 percent in the 4Q/11 as compared to the previous quarter. Importation of logs and lumber from Russia decreased the most, while lumber from New Zealand and logs from Canada actually increased slightly during the fourth quarter.

It can be expected that the housing market will continue to face headwinds during the first half of 2012 unless the Chinese government steps in to ease the country's monetary policy. As a consequence, the prospects for log and lumber imports will be faced with uncertainty short-term, but will likely continue to trend upward long-term.
Global timber market reporting is included in the 52-page quarterly publication Wood Resource Quarterly.


Source: Wood Resources International LLC

The leading fair for the construction and real-estate industry in Switzerland came to an end after five exceedingly successful days. With 115,111 visitors (+6.5%) and top marks from the just under 1300 exhibitors (+7%) Swissbau has once again underlined its leading position. In addition to the exhibition proper, sophisticated discussion forums were held on the subject of “Sustainable building and renovation”.

With a total of more than 500,000 employees and sales in excess of 50 billion francs each year, the construction sector constitutes a key pillar of the Swiss economy as a whole.

The focus of Swissbau this year was on sustainability and on energy efficiency. Stefan Cadosch (SIA), Ursula Renold (BBT), Daniel Büchel (BFE), Franz Beyeler (Minergie), Maria Lezzi (Federal Office of Spatial Development), Ansgar Gmür (HEV) discussed and debated the burning issues over a period of five days in high-calibre themed events, workshops and the Swissbau Focus Arena. The centrepiece of the Swissbau Focus competence platform were the four arenas which covered the subjects of energy, building labels, building in context/current spatial planning issues and education.

A total of 1300 exhibitors not only presented a comprehensive range of products and services but also came up with sophisticated stand concepts from both the technical and the design angle.

Futurologist Matthias Horx and landscape architect Christophe Girot, or the architecture lectures of the internationally renowned star architects and urbanists Jacques Herzog, Richard Burdett and Winy Maas, were the speakers at the event.

The Swiss Environmental Prize was awarded by the Aqua-pro Vita Foundation in the context of Swissbau. At CHF 50,000, this is one of the awards with the highest prize money in this field. The winner in the "Innovation" category was Neurobat AG from Gossau.

The specialist jury headed by Köbi Gantenbein, editor-in-chief of Hochparterre, assessed the stands on the basis of the three criteria of design and concept, design and craftsmanship and design and sustainability. The Erdgas (natural gas) stand was the winner in the category of stands of 80 m² and above. The decisive factor for this first place was the good, all-round staging of the promise that natural gas is something quite natural. Amongst the stands smaller than 80 m², the winner was schaerholzbau ag. This company highlighted its capabilities through its stand, fulfilling stringent requirements on design and engineering in an impressive manner.

New Forests Pty Limited (“New Forests”) completed the task of its acquisition of the Taswood softwood plantation estate on behalf of the Australia New Zealand Forest Fund (“ANZFF”).

The 46,000 hectare forestry estate will go on to be managed on Tasmanian Government owned land under a long-term Forestry Right, which provides New Forests to establish, supervise and harvest the timber plantations through 2069.

ANZFF is a forestry investment fund, comprising Australian and international institutional investors, and is managed by Sydney-based New Forests, an investment management firm specialising in sustainable forestry and environmental markets. New Forests currently manages approximately 325,000 hectares of timberland properties across Australia.

Osmose FirePRO has been ascribed with the status of “an approved product” by the Wood Protection Association for its humidity resistant  and flame retardant capability with the ability to deliver Euroclass C or Euroclass B on plywood and solid timber covered in the scope of the WPA approval certificate.

 “It is vital that specifiers can select products with absolute confidence and the WPA flame retardant manual, approved product scheme and supplier listings are designed to give this confidence,” said WPA director Steve Young.

He said that while the WPA’s scheme was an independent verification of performance data, specifiers still needed to ensure that flame retardant treatment had appropriate fire classification test reports for specific applications.
Source: TTJ

UK Government published the national Climate Change Risk Assessment which explores the threats and opportunities posed by climate change to the United Kingdom’s forests and woodlands.

The risk assessment was compiled by a consortium that included the Forestry Commission's Forest Research agency. Among the risks identified to forests and forest industries were an increasing threat to trees and woodland from tree pests and diseases, many of which are likely to thrive in warmer conditions.

There are also likely to be a number of opportunities for the forestry sector, including rising timber yields in Scotland and other areas of the UK where water supply is not limiting.

Tim Rollinson, Forestry Commission Director-General, welcomed the move and said, “These measures will go a long way to ensuring that the UK’s woods and forests are as well adapted and resilient as possible to the kind of climate we expect in the future, and also that they will play a full role in helping wider society to manage and adapt to the changing conditions.”

Södra Interiör takes possession of parquet flooring manufacturer Berg & Berg in Kallinge. Södra Interiör will take possession of the company on 1 February 2012.

 Berg & Berg employs some 90 staff and produces more than 500,000 square metres of high-quality parquet flooring every year. The company's annual turnover stands at around SEK 130 million.

Acoording to Urban Eriksson, CEO of Södra Interiö, this acquisition would further extend the range of products which Södra Interiör offered to its customers to include high-quality parquet flooring.

Södra Interiör has been producing solid wood flooring for quite a long priod of time, and is also a supplier of hardwood products for Berg & Berg parquet flooring. Berg & Berg flooring production takes place in Kallinge adjacent to the Södra Interiör facility.

"We have good opportunities for synergies between our businesses in both the short and the long term in fields such as marketing, logistics and product development," Eriksson commented.

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the Government of Japan have come together to implement a large capacity-building project to support five Congo Basin countries to provide training on sustainable forest management (SFM) and biodiversity.

The project, to be implemented by the Network of Central African Forestry and Environmental Training Institutions (Réseau des Institutions de Formation Forestière et Environnementale d’Afrique Centrale, or  RIFFEAC) lays stress upon improved training in SFM and biodiversity conservation in central Africa. It will be implemented through seven RIFFEAC training institutions in Cameroon, Central African Republic  (CAR), Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Gabon and the Republic of Congo. In addition to the  development of training materials and training of trainers, the project will provide a much awaited support  for the construction of required training infrastructure. The project will strengthen capacity for the  implementation of the ITTO/IUCN guidelines for the conservation and productive use of biodiversity in  tropical timber production forests which were elaborated in 2009.

In 2016, at the end of the five-year project, it is expected that more than 250 SFM trainers in the region  will be trained in teaching and demonstrating biodiversity-friendly SFM planning and techniques.

The project forms part of a collaborative initiative on sustainable management and conservation of tropical forest biodiversity between ITTO and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This initiative, which is also backing up a project on trans-boundary conservation in the Emerald Triangle area between Thailand and Cambodia, grew out of a treaty signed between these organizations in 2010 to energise the concept of group work and fund-raising towards their common objectives.

CBD Executive Secretary Ahmed Djoghlaf concurred, noting that, “This is the first time that the
Convention on Biological Diversity actively supports capacity-building for Sustainable Forest 2 Management, and we are confident that the project will support two of our main objectives: the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This will benefit present and future generations across Central Africa. “

The contribution from the Government of Japan makes up 82 per cent of the total project budget of US$4.4 million at current exchange rates. Implementation is going to start within the next few months.

DOMOTEX Middle East, the leading trade fair for carpets and floor coverings in the MENA Region (Middle East/North Africa) will now be staged at the CNR EXPO Center in Istanbul from 2012 on. DOMOTEX Middle East 2012 will be running from 8 to 11 November.

Turkey, with its population of around 73 million, now ranks as the world’s 17th largest economy and also boasts economic growth that is well above the global average. Forecasts predict that around 210 million square meters (2.26 billion sq. ft) of carpets and floor coverings will be laid in Turkey in 2012 alone. Exhibitors stand to benefit directly from the booming market in Turkey. The fair will attract large numbers of Turkish and foreign floor covering manufacturers on the exhibitor side, and purchasing executives, wholesalers, retailers, architects, planners, investors and real estate developers from Turkey, the MENA Region and Central Asia on the visitor side.

This year’s DOMOTEX Middle East in Istanbul is a gateway to major opportunities, not only in Turkey, but in the entire Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.
DOMOTEX Middle East will be  organized by Deutsche Messe – the creator of the original DOMOTEX fair in Hannover, the world’s leading tradeshow for carpets and floor coverings. The event, which will provide suppliers in the industry with unprecedented access to the Russian-speaking markets, will celebrate its debut from 26 to 28 September 2012 in Moscow.

Deutsche Messe’s DOMOTEX fairs in four quality locations around the globe are dedicated industry platforms that provide visitors and exhibitors with unparalleled insights into the latest trends and market developments as well as myriad networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

With important variations in different markets FEP, the European Federation of the Parquet Industry with seat in Brussels, presently estimates that based on preliminary information obtained from member companies and discussed at the recent DOMOTEX fair in Hannover, global parquet consumption in 2011 on the European market remained stable in comparison with the previous year. The general picture, however, is not uniform and the market performance varies considerably from country to country. First indications point towards a similar situation as regards parquet production, though complete data are not yet available at this stage. FEP wishes to underscore that this is a first prognosis and that variations still cannot be excluded at the present time.

In accordance with the past practice, full and definitive data will only be diffused at the federations General Assembly in early June. The preliminary result is in line with expectations & and developments witnessed in the course of the past year and reflects the impact of the prolonged economic and financial crisis dragging on for an excessive period of time, and certainly longer than the industry and all other echelons of society had hoped for. “Under the circumstances, the overall performance of our industry is certainly commendable. Parquet is very much alive and one can only hope that the promising results attained by certain countries will gradually spread to other regions as well thereby contributing to the much desired uniformity in the FEP territory”, commented FEP President Lars Gunnar Andersen. The data received by FEP suggest that the total parquet consumption in the EU/EFTA area has stabilized at around 95 million m², with growth especially on the German, Austrian, Swiss and Swedish markets. Some other important countries are still facing difficulties, though there are first indications of a slow but gradual unbending of the protracted strain in Spain.

 Raw material availability and related cost evolution, as well as the persisting fierce competition with products from Asian countries remain the main concerns for our European parquet producers and are both an obstacle and a challenge for developing sound and lasting future business strategies. Nonetheless and in spite of the shaky recent economic indicators of the European Commission, the resilience, creativity & innovative edge of the FEP member companies, as well as the top quality of European parquet fuel the conviction that our industry is very much up to the challenges it has been facing for the past few years and will emerge a winner when it comes to the crunch.

The FEP General Assembly 2012 & attribution of the first FEP Award As a result of the invitation of its Turkish member, the meanwhile 56th General Assembly & 37th European Parquet Congress of the European Federation of the Parquet Industry will be held on 7 & 8 June in the fabulous city of Istanbul on the Bosphorus. This special occasion will be graced by the attribution of the first FEP Award to a person, company, organization or authority having made a significant contribution to the parquet sector. In continuation of past tradition, the entire FEP Team genuinely looks forward to welcoming the members, colleagues and international guests to the one and only annual forum of the European Parquet Industry.

European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) in cooperation with German Trade Fair Ltd., organizer of the Summit at Domotex Woodflooring published a market study stating that Laminate flooring is popular among consumers and specially in Germany, France and Poland. Laminate flooring is not as popular among architects as it is with the consumers, but it has gained acceptance with significantly increased levels of information.

The market study surveyed consumers generally who have bought new floor in the previous year or are planning to buy new floor in the next months. The architects who participated in the study all have diverse experience in hotel and restaurant business contract, the shop-fitting industry, as well as private flat and office construction. The decision-making process of buying floor coverings requires a relatively long time period of four to five days - time for manufacturers and the trade to actively influence the process.

For laminate flooring in particular, women are at the helm in Germany and France, while more men decide to purchase laminate flooring in Poland. In all three countries, customers mainly buy laminates in DIY stores, especially in Germany, however, specialized stores to follow closely. In Poland, there are also so-called markets for flat and home design that are strongly frequented for the purchase of floor coverings. Before the purchase, two sources of information are particularly important to consumers in all three countries: Looking at the floor at homes of friends and acquaintances and speaking to friends and acquaintances. Conversations with salespeople, craftsmen, or the product exhibition in hardware or specialized stores are ranked lower. Internet-based sources of information are significantly less important, therefore, for consumers younger than the mid-forty range.

Architects in Germany and France primar gain information using original samples and sample folders, while reference objects to play important role in Poland, as well as conversations with colleagues, planners and interior designers. Interestingly, in all three countries, architects feel more strongly that they are fully informed about the offers on the flooring market than consumers.

Laminates of Strengths: Design, installation, durability An appealing design, simple maintenance, and durability at appropriate price-performance- ratio are the primary customer requirements for floors. For architects, individual design possibilities, hygiene, manufacturer warranty, possibility of large-scale installation and suitability for under-floor heating play important roles in addition to a good price-performance-ratio. Consumers and architects agree that the strengths of laminate flooring in Particular include its appealing design, simple installation, durability and price-performance-ratio. The ranking of floor requirements is rather similar in Germany, France and Poland among both target groups. However, the consumers have the highest level of requirements in Poland, while this applies to architects in Germany. In comparison to other floor coverings, laminate floors were rated highly by consumers. Compared to resilient floor coverings, laminate Particularly scored with the characteristics "elegant / sophisticated, insulating properties and ecological soundness," compared to carpets with the characteristics "hygienic, damaged parts can be replaced and suited for under-floor heating", compared to parquet with "do-it-yourself installation," compared to tiles with "heat and noise insulating" and "slip-resistant." Architects, however, have a more critical attitude toward laminate flooring, especially in Germany. In France, laminate scores higher among architects in comparison to resilient floor coverings in "ecological soundness," compared to parquet in "price-performance ratio, hygiene and machine cleaning" and compared to tiles with "sound insulating and slip-resistant". Polish architects prefer to laminate tiles due to the above-mentioned characteristics, however, they do not prefer it to parquet.

Price tolerances in Germany, France and Poland The price tolerance for high-quality laminate floors ranges between 12 and 20 EUR per square meter For Deutsch and French consumers and from 10 to 15 EUR for Polish consumers. The surveyed persons' income and level of information about laminate flooring must be taken into account. Interestingly, price estimates increase with lower levels of information. This could be interpreted as in expression of lacking knowledge about the actual prices. In higher income classes, persons surveyed are willing to spend up to 25 EUR per square meter for a high-quality product, while prices below five euros are seen as too cheap across all income ranges and associated with low-quality products. EPLF appreciates the fact that quality awareness among consumers seems to exist and is reflected in their willingness to spend more money on laminate. This promotes the image of laminate flooring on the market and not only shows its popularity but, that increases its value on the market

“Veneer is made from wood. It is an environmentally friendly natural product from the top of the tree,” said Dirk-Uwe Klaas, Managing Director of the Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) eV, the association for promoting veneer.

Veneer is produced mainly from the wood of the maple, beech, oak and ash i.e. tress with beautiful wood grain. Processed veneer are used as finishes for furniture, doors for interior and exterior as well as for the entire interior of apartments and houses.

Heat and water for preparation:
Water and heat are the ingredients of the first manufacturing step: The wood is first soaked in water to prevent discoloration and cracking. Then the bark is removed from the wood. The cuts come in large metal tanks in which they are made pliable by boiling or steaming. "This process also ensures the intended colour of the wood," says Klaas.

Peeling:
After heat treatment, the veneer sheets sliced or peeled.  The process usually brings the veneer sheets to a thickness of 0.6 to 1 millimetre. They are then dried, stacked on the quality and variety and cut to the desired level.

Finishing:
Veneers can be used for the refinement of various surfaces in almost all areas of residential or commercial buildings. Final finishing is achieved with oils and waxes and producing the intended colour which ranges from bright red maple and the beech, the medium brown of the oak and the dark brown of the walnut tree.

If you want to impress your beloved this Valentine, you can do it in your own unique sustainable way. Woodland Trust is happy to let you create a great excuse for a romantic woodland walk by dedicating a tree in a wood nearby, or a weekend away if you choose a wood further afield.

For just £15 you can dedicate a tree of your choice of one of 50 specially selected woods across the UK. Some woods are newly planted so that you can watch your tree grow, others are mature and already offer cool, green canopies for romantic woodland picnics.

Each tree is dedicated just once and comes with a personalised certificate, information about your chosen wood, and a map showing the dedicated area. You can dedicate a tree online right up until Valentine's Day.

Rhiannon Bates from the Woodland Trust, said: "Trees, like relationships, rely on sturdy roots to ensure they grow and remain strong and healthy. The roots of a relationship are formed by sharing experiences and making memories. What better way to show your love and commitment than by dedicating a native tree to your partner that you can visit for free at any time and make new memories together?"

In continued support for the NHLA Board of Managers' expressed desire to ensure that the NHLA hardwood lumber grading rules are active in markets around the world, the staff has recently ramped up their efforts in China.

In the fall of 2011, members of the NHLA staff traveled to China and were pleasantly surprised to see the high level of interest in NHLA already established as a result of our twenty year active partnership with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and the efforts of past Chief Inspector and Inspector Training School Instructor Bob Sabistina. In a supportive move to NHLA's visit, 18 Chinese consumer companies have remitted dues and joined NHLA, with several dozen more showing a strong interest.

The model for work in China is the same as the work we do everywhere. NHLA, as it has for more than 110 years, will provide unbiased and fair inspection of hardwood lumber to assist buyers and sellers with the fair and ethical trade of North American hardwood lumber. Right now, there will continue to be significant increases in demand from China, but the work there will translate easily to whichever country(ies) begin to import large quantities of North American hardwood lumber.
Who knows, maybe the work will shift to Indonesia or India or the Middle East. Wherever it goes, NHLA is committed to meeting our mission and staying active in the changing global hardwood marketplace.
NHLA announced the establishment of a permanent inspection services presence in China beginning February 1, 2012. NHLA National Inspector, Randy Wilson will arrive in China late January to set-up the mission, which will initially be based in the Dongguan area..

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In 2012 the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (20th EU BC&E) to take place in downtown Milan, at the Milano Convention Centre – MiCo gives its participants enough reasons to join the fair with opportunities to present their company, create and enhance successful business opportunities and get updated with the latest research and industry developments. The conference is scheduled to held from June 18-22 and the exhibition will be staged during June 18-21.

The international science and technology Conference of the 20th EU BC&E is the leading Conference in the field of Biomass, comprises more than 800 presentations in plenary, oral and visual sessions. Policy and industry decision makers address current topics and issues in the industry through several parallel events.

The 20th EU BC&E features four thematic highlights with strong industry relevance. These are ‘conference-in-conference’ events that fully address current ‘hot topics’ in the biomass sector:

• A parallel event on ‘Biogas upgrading and grid injection’
• A special industry show on ‘Biogas goes Europe’
• A further side event on ‘Biowaste to Energy’
• A forum on 'Bioenergy in Smart Grids'



The 20th EU BC&E offers a unique platform, which also invites members of the global biomass community to present innovative results and ideas to biomass specialists and decision-makers from all continents. Papers on conference subject are open to submission till January 30,2012.

Papers will be presented in plenary, oral and poster sessions and all presented papers will be published in the Conference Proceedings on DVD and online.

Peer Review:
A selected number of submitted papers will be invited for a Peer Review Process for publication in a renowned scientific journal. Please indicate if you would be interested to submit a final scientific paper for Peer Review.

EU BC&E Student Awards:
To encourage high-quality work amongst young researchers, the EU BC&E Student Awards will be given on the occasion of the 20th EU BC&E in recognition of outstanding students’ research in the field of biomass.

Forestry Industry is one of the promising industries in China, it motivates the related industries which are undergoing prosperous development, especially woodworking manufacturing industry. The 14th International Exhibition on Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Manufacturing Equipment (WMF 2012) and The 14th International Exhibition on Furniture Accessories, Materials and Wood Products (FAM 2012), being the leader and focus of woodworking manufacturing industry, have provided the best sourcing and trading platform for woodworking industry. Renowned as Asia's No.1 Woodworking Machinery, Furniture Accessories & Materials Fair, WMF & FAM have been successfully holding for 13 editions & serving woodworking industry for 25 years. The shows will be held at New China International Exhibition Center (NCIEC), Beijing, China from March 12-15, 2012.
In order to keep industry players, associations and media updated about the development direction of China’s woodworking industry, market trend of decorative materials as well as the recent news and highlights of WMF 2012 & FAM 2012, the organizes held a press conference in Beijing on Jan 10, 2012. Numerous industry associations, industry players and media attended.

During the press conference, Mr. Ma Qi Sheng, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of China National Forestry Machinery Association gave an in-depth analysis of the status quo of China’s woodworking machinery industry, he ensured the professional standard of WMF 2012 & FAM 2012. Ms. Zhang Zhong Ling, Secretary General of the Materials Committee of China Building Decoration Association affirmed the role of WMF 2012 & FAM 2012, she mentioned, “The demand for furniture market undergone significant changes in 2011, including rising in raw material costs, distribution costs and labor costs. In regard with these changes, we need to find new aspect, new channel and new business format. With the expanding consumer-driven economic policies in China, the domestic furniture market will have rooms for development. WMF 2012 & FAM 2012 will be a grand event for exchanging industry information. Those concurrent activities like forums, conferences, seminars themed on high technology have become a motivator to give impetus to the industrialization process.” Mr. Parry Chung, General Manager of Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd., stated, “ WMF 2012 & FAM 2012 values the communications between buyers and exhibitors, so we arranged a Business Matching in December 2011 for the members of Beijing Furniture Brand Alliances to meet and mingle with the machinery enterprises. We aim to serve every user industry of woodworking industry comprehensively. More importantly, renowned exhibitors will display “Assembly Line” machinery, revealing the automation of woodworking industry, addressing buyer’s demand on finding the solutions to tackle the problems on shortage of labor, environmental pollution, etc.”
WMF 2012 & FAM 2012 keep abreast of market trend and will provide professional visitors with the most comprehensive sourcing platform of latest information of woodworking industry. The exhibition area of WMF 2012 & FAM 2012 will reach 60,000 sqm. 6 user-friendly theme zones will be set up, they are: Furniture Machinery Zone (Hardwoods & Boards); Panel Board Machinery Zone; Carving Machinery & CNC Machining Center; Coating, Drier & Materials-making Machinery Zone; Furniture Materials, Hardware and Wood Products Zone; Knives, Blades and Machinery Accessories Zone. Exhibits include logs, panel board, hardware, semi-finished wood products, chemicals, decoration materials, other furniture accessories, other materials; wood processing machinery, furniture manufacturing machinery, panel board manufacturing machinery, knife and blade, machinery accessories, hand tools, grinder, measuring equipment, materials handling equipment; building construction, interior decoration, software, etc., which will certainly offer a convenient platform for sourcing.
WMF 2012 & FAM 2012 will gather 600 local and overseas enterprises from 14 countries and regions, including Jianming, Unisunx Group, Weideli, Qingdao New Motivity, Shenyang Dongtai, Jiangsu Baolong, Bino (Shanghai), OAV, Beijing KeMingWeiYe, Jinan Ruijie, Jinan Jinshengxing, Jinan Quick, Xinyang, Shandong Laizhou Jingmi, Hangzhou Hirono, Peak Tech / Pinnacle, Chongqing Pacific Tool, Beijing Vont, American Hardwood Export Council, etc., they will collaborate with 7 pavilions to showcase over 2,000 machines.
It is worth mentioning that 80% of the exhibitors are manufacturers rather than agents or distributors, which differentiates WMF 2012 & FAM 2012 from other exhibitions. Person in charge and technicians of these manufacturers will show up onsite and share the characteristics of their technology interactively. Visitors will not only understand the performance and safety of the products, but also lower their sourcing costs.

A series of concurrent activities will be held at WMF 2012 & FAM 2012, including seminars presented by industry professionals with topics “The Quality and the Standardization of Door Industry in China, the Application of the Wood-based Panel”, “New Wood Composite Door Manufacturing Technology and Equipment”, “China’s Cabinet Industry (Beijing) Forum”, “The Selling Point of Floor – Sales & Marketing”, etc. . Moreover, lucky draw for iPad 2 and other gifts will be held onsite, which will glitter the exhibition.

In this age of great environmental concerns, realisation of ecological implications of fossil based resources, greater importance has been placed on developing sustainable alternatives which are no less in physical and mechanical properties in relation with conventional materials. In construction sector renewable and biodegradable composite materials have been gaining popularity for structural applications. Wood fibres among other materials are preferred for reinforcement in composite materials due to its superior mechanical properties.

Composite panels with wood as an integral ingredient, typically use leftover wood residuals which are engineered to manufacture the panels. These panels can be modified and upgraded to suit a specific application requirement. These panels with properties such as durability, light weight and insulation besides excellent flexibility and quality are suitable for almost all kinds of installations. Composite wood panels overcome the defects and imperfections found in naturally grown timber. Plus, each composite panel is uniform and consistent ensuring high quality.

An array of composite panels can be achieved with improved interface properties by modifying both fibres and reinforced polymers after adequate adhesion between the fibres and matrix materials. Dieffenbacher group’s EVOjet dry resin blending system is among the most economical and effective resin system available these days. It is considered a perfect resin system for processing a combination of a large surface area of fibres in the conveying air and an effective resin distribution. This system provides all the benefits of traditional blow line blending. The EVOjet requires a minimum of maintenance, thus reducing the operating costs further. The machine also ensures reduced emissions.

Read the full article in our latest Jan-Feb issue

On Sunday, 15 January, 30 carpet designers from various countries received the prestigious design award at DOMOTEX. The exciting designs displayed at the leading trade fair for carpets and floor coverings impressed visitors from the trade and other professionals. The entire event offers an abundance of ideas and information, highlighting the patterns, colours and materials that will dominate in the season ahead.

A total of 211 carpets from 26 countries were submitted to the design competition, creating an “aroma” of the best in the contemporary carpet design. “All winners have contributed to the world of carpet design with spectacular ideas and true pieces of art. We as the jury however wish to point out one entry that is truly a ‘rug revolution’. The carpet “Tagged” by Jan Kath Design is phenomenal. Tradition and street style combined in a highly innovative and aesthetic manner. This rug will cause an uproar in the carpet scene”, says jury member Jean-Louis Mainguy, interior designer based in Beirut and known for the phenomenal depth of his imagination.

The Carpet Design Award – one of the most prestigious international prizes for hand-made carpets – is recognized as a mark of quality worldwide. The winning products are featured in the exclusive publication The Carpet Design Review 2012, which will be produced specifically for the competition.

For 2012 an international panel of top professionals evaluated the designer products submitted in ten product categories. The products were judged on the basis of criteria such as design, material quality, unique product features and innovation. A new category “Best Studio Artist Design” was introduced to the competition this year to represent the work of smaller producers with limited editions.

The Best Studio Artist Design of 2012 is given to Prisons by Chevalier édition. The best Modern Design Superior award(new category in 2012) went to Jaipur Rugs for Ruby Room. Reflection Sky by Wool and Silk Rugs receives the prestigious Best Modern Design Deluxe. The Best Traditional Nomadic Design Superior went for Ali Mohammadi for his Haleemi. Best Traditional Nomadic Design Deluxe,  Best Traditional Workshop/Formal Design, Best Old/Antique Carpet awards were given to Noor by Werner Weber Zürich, Cypress by Zollanvari AG,  Tekke Main Carpet by Foumani Persian Gallery respectively. Nexus rugs snatched the Best Collection Modern award for Jazz Collection. The Spanish Design Collection by Ariana Rugs Inc. won the Spanish Design Collection Traditional award, whereas the prestigious award of Best Innovation was received by Jan Kath Design GmbH for Tagged.

EFI has released a new multimedia video on European forests. Called “European Forests: Central to the World We Live in”, it gives an overall picture of Europe’s most versatile ecological infrastructure, tracing a path from south to north and from west to east. As we tour around Europe, we ask why forests continue to be so important to each region, even in the 21st century.

But forests face risks. They face threats caused by climate change, such as drought and storms, and we also have to tread a delicate balancing line between the need for more biomass for energy and maintaining biodiversity.

With our video, we hope to encourage people to work together to overcome the urgent challenges and threats from climate change, and connect research and policy makers to ensure that our forests remain the jewel in the crown of Europe’s environment.

The video can be viewed from the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MaKKKdoLc2g

In Vietnam, forests have been under state stewardship for a long time. Degradation of forest resources under state management together with the high costs of forest protection has led to increased involvement of local people in forest management. Since the early 1990s, the Government of Vietnam (GOV) has been promoting the allocation of forest rights to local people as the foundation for development of community forest management (CFM). The initiative, known as Forest Land Allocation (FLA), has been undertaken in various parts of the country, with mixed results. This raises an important question: how can forestland allocation be improved so that community forestry can both support local livelihoods and provide environmental protection?

With funding from the British Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the School of International Development at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and RECOFTC – The Center for People and Forests, a small initiative on “Property Reforms and Forest Rights in Vietnam” was undertaken. The initiative aims to identify key issues influencing the success or failure of community forestry in various parts of the country and to discuss implications for policies on forest management and rural development.
The document at hand is a product of a group of carefully selected researchers, policy experts, and practitioners seeking to share their experiences and viewpoints based on previous or on-going work. It is by no means a comprehensive discussion of all the issues related to community forest management in Vietnam. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the issues brought up by the authors in the document will shed light on some of the important aspects of community forest management in Vietnam and can serve as the starting point for further development of community forest management in the new context in Vietnam.
Source:RECOFTC





 

"UK Oak Doors", a British company specialised in the design and manufacture of solid oak doors for internal and external use have decided to source only PEFC certified oak. The company prioritised ethical concerns over business considerations.

The decision was largely driven by Managing Director Nick Lines who commented, "I did not wish to be part of anything that was contributing to depleting global levels of standing forest. At the time we were under considerable pressure from our suppliers to accept oak from very dubious sources in China and Russia."

As well as helping to secure customer loyalty, the decision to only source PEFC-certified oak has much wider ramifications for Europe's oak forests. Coveted for its properties and beauty, European oak is today under growing pressure. A slow-growing timber, oak trees can take 80-120 years to reach maturity. As demand increases, this is compromising the forests and the trees. Shorter growing periods mean that the trees are being harvested younger resulting in smaller trees, lower density wood and gradual depletion of the oak forests. It is also contributing to driving up the price of oak wood.

By choosing to source PEFC-certified European oak wood, UK Oak Doors is contributing to the longevity of the forests and the sustainability of the oak wood supply. Long-term, this will protect UK Oak Doors' core business and contribute towards protecting Europe's oak forest heritage.

Its time to announce the winners of our Christmas Lucky Draw winners! We are indeed overwhelmed by the huge response we have received!

We are pleased to declare Mr. Gero Bauer of Weinig Asia and Mr. Fabian Heiliger of Jowat, Germany as the winners. A gift is awaiting to reach each of them.

Our heartiest congratulations to both of them.We would like to thank the others as well for being so enthusiastic and participating in this lucky draw.

The participation period of this lucky draw was during the last days of December and the winners are selected randomly from the all entries. The winners are also notified personally by emails.Winners will be given away the prizes once they reply back to their notifications.

The European market for tropical hardwood plywood faces numerous challenges. Prices for existing landed stocks are under downward pressure as consumption is slow in the winter season and, with the European economic situation so fragile, few importers are expecting a significant rise in sales next year.

However, rising production costs in SE Asia mean that shippers either have to raise prices – currently very difficult in an unreceptive market - or to cut costs. Many are choosing the latter course and this risks compromising on quality.

Chinese manufacturers have been the major beneficiaries of these trends. Their ability to offer low prices, combined with the willingness of many importers to buy on price not quality, has meant that China has continued to gain market share in Europe this year.

Source: ITTO

The Association of German Parquet Industry gave an overview on history of wood flooring. Chairman of the Association of German Parquet Industry (vdp), Michael Schmid explains, the term "floor" is used colloquially often associated with places or events with a historical or cultural background."This is partly due to the estimated quality everywhere and the other on the elegant appearance of real wood floor - and has been for many centuries".

Wood floors have been popular in Europe since the middle ages. Around the 13th Century rough planks laid side by side, and later planed planks from softwoods such as fir, spruce or pine were used for flooring. Parquet, as we know it today, decorative flooring began its journey in the 16th century. At that time, rough wooden floors were nailed on differently coloured boxes made of wood. Widespread appreciation led to escalated demand which made way for imports of stronger and more tropical woods with new shades from distant countries. This kind of parquet was extremely costly thus associated with nobility and could be found adorning the palaces of monarchs. With the emergence of elaborate parquetry in 17th Century, the floor became an integral part of interior design, but it continued to be restricted to the wealthy upper class.

Industrialization of Parquet
Witht he industrial revolution in the 19th century parquet flooring made way into homes of commoners. "With the advent of sawmills and the development of more modern processing techniques, the flooring industry made a shift away from wide planks toward smaller staffs," said Schmid. Parquet was now being installed with thin steel nails and improved adhesives.

Over the years a lot have changed except certain things including use of oils for surface treatment. In addition, many hardwood flooring manufacturers carve for visually antique, to bring the spirit of historical time with a new look to our own four walls.

Lightweight construction is defining the trends in furniture manufacture. Highlighting this trend again is Interessengemeinschaft Leichtbau e.V. (igeL) at ZOW Bad Salzuflen in 2012 between 6 and 9 February 2011 in hall 22.1. The joint igeL stand will be located near the ZOW Premium Club. BASF, Egger, Elka, Hettich, Leitz, Leuco, Makers, Moralt, Swap, Thermopal and Vomo as well as the OWL lightweight construction campaign, a specific igeL project, will be among the exhibitors in the individually designed area. 

IgeL is an East Westphalia-based network of more than 100 members from universities, trade associations and business. The network includes numerous pioneers working in various projects to continually advance lightweight construction. Their aim is to move into the future markets; and this means working on new materials, design approaches and technical processes. The igeL lightweight construction community of interest brings together and promotes scientific and development technology skills. The initiative is based locally at the heart of the East Westphalia furniture cluster. ZOW as an event has been an active supporter and  promoter of the idea of lightweight construction for many years.

Lightweight construction solutions in the furniture and interiors industry aren't just attractive because of their reduced transport, energy and packaging costs. This form of construction greatly increases value along the entire value-added chain with its intelligent engineering. Manufacturers are developing new wood composites, which offer a high level of stability in spite of their light weight. In turn these new, wood-based board materials prompt the development of new bonding techniques such as screw connections, gluing or plug connections. Other interesting aspects include progressive miniaturisation of components such as fittings and the integration of technology. Hollow lightweight construction boards provide practical space for constructions which can be hidden from sight in the furniture. This distinctively changes the design and functionality of furniture and gives customers new reasons to purchase them.

The pioneers of lightweight construction will be showcasing the design solutions of tomorrow at ZOW in Bad Salzuflen, enabling ZOW to once again underline its importance as an effective innovation platform for the furniture and interiors industry.

A recent report by Erik Hoffner for National Geographic states that behind the green forest products industry in Sweden lies an unsustainable forest management. Earlier this year the Swedish Forest Agency revealed a study showing that over a third of all the recent cutting activities (37 percent) violated the tenets of the official forestry model by prioritizing production over conservation.

Restrictive federal regulations on logging were replaced in 1993 by an act requiring that every logging operation balance production with conservation, allowing companies to police themselves and operate under the act’s “freedom with responsibility” framework.

NGOs like Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and biologists like Ulf Swensson, affirmed the highest pace of cutting. Up to 95 percent of the trees were harvested for lumber, paper, and fuel incurring heavy equipment damage to formerly wild forests, which are often replanted with long rows of single species of trees.

The replacement of natural forests with tree farms is a disaster for biodiversity adding up to country’s list of threatened and endangered species.

Hopeful part is that the citizens are awake to need on conservation and are training each other to become biodiversity sleuths, nosing out forest tracts that are key to biodiversity by identifying rare species and alerting authorities and forestry companies alike before the harvesters crank up.

Some activities implored to be wary of forests products in the country even those certified for sustainability which are mere greenwash.

Source: National Geographic

The first Sustainability Conference -Light Composite Materials, SMC/BMC for a Sustainable Future is being organised by from January 26-27, 2012 by European Alliance for SMC/BMC will be organizing in collaboration with EuCIA, the Brussels based leading Association of the Composites Industry. The two days conference will take place in Brussels at Van der Valk Airport Hotel.

This conference will be a platform for industry members such as SMC/BMC value chain, composites industry, composites related industries and public sector to come together and share expert knowledge on topics including environmental aspects of SMC/BMC during the life cycle of a product, European legislation, recycling, sustainability & profitability for business, LCA, market challenges & tools driving sustainability of composites industry and many other more.

 The first Light Composite Materials for a Sustainable Future Conference will emphasise on sustainability of SMC/BMC based products. The European composites industry understands the importance of a sustainable business and has embarked on the sustainability quest.  The Conference will be a combination of a highly quality programme and a unique business environment to reach high level players in the composite value chain.

A QR code or Quick Response code is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. Recently, the system has become more popular than ever. It has almost become obvious in all the brochures and advertisement materials (print/digital) even in our industry. The technology has become widely popular in Asia and gaining momentum in USA and European countries as well. QR codes are now used over a much wider range of applications, including commercial tracking, entertainment and transport ticketing, product marketing and in-store product labeling.
Created by Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994 to track vehicles during the manufacturing process, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. It was designed to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.
The information encoded can be made up of four standardized kinds of data (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, Kanji), or by supported extensions virtually any kind of data.
Many of these applications target mobile-phone users.  Users may receive text, add a vCard contact to their device, open a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), or compose an e-mail or text message after scanning QR codes. They can generate and print their own QR codes for others to scan and use by visiting one of several pay or free QR code-generating sites or apps. Google has a popular API to generate QR codes, and apps for scanning QR codes can be found on nearly all smartphone devices.
QR codes storing addresses and Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) may appear in magazines, on signs, on buses, on business cards, or on almost any object about which users might need information. Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application can scan the image of the QR code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the telephone's browser. QR Codes may also be linked to a location to track where a code has been scanned. Either the application that scans the QR Code retrieves the geo information by using GPS and cell tower triangulation (aGPS) or the URL encoded in the QR Code itself is associated with a location.
According to one study, 14 million mobile users scanned a QR code or a barcode from USA in the month of June, 2011.
Skyline, a renowned company working in exhibition display, tested QR codes at EXHIBITOR2011 in March 2011.  They arranged six QR codes in two booths.  Each QR code was a link to a YouTube video about the specific Skyline display system the QR code was on.  Below each QR code was the headline, “View the Movie” to give them a reason to scan them.  We linked to YouTube movies, expecting YouTube to have the fewest issues streaming the videos. Though the report was not too exciting for the company, still it seemed to be a breaking experience nonetheless.
•    Use QR code on your trade show graphics where they can be seen and easily scanned
•    There should be a reason to scan the QR code, such as “Get more info” or “Sign up for our newsletter” or “See the movie” or “Scan to enter contest,” and then link to a show-specific landing page or a webpage that has the great content you promised and is optimized for mobile devices
As every other technology, there’s a shady side in the use of QR code as well. Malicious QR codes combined with a permissive reader can put a computer's contents and user's privacy at risk. They are easily created and may be affixed over legitimate QR codes.
Risks include linking to dangerous websites with browser exploits, enabling the microphone/camera/GPS and then streaming those feeds to a remote server, analysis of sensitive data (passwords, files, contacts, transactions), and sending email/SMS/IM messages or DDOS packets as part of a botnet, corrupting privacy settings, stealing identity, and even containing malicious logic themselves such as JavaScript or a virus. These actions may occur in the background while the user only sees the reader opening a seemingly harmless webpage.

In the Yangtze River Delta, China’s largest wood processing hub, companies are starting to ask questions about the source and the legality of the millions of cubic meters – and hundreds of millions of dollars worth – of wood they import annually from all corners of the globe.

Among those imports, Lu Weiguan, CEO of Anxin Flooring, is very pleased to be finding more Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood to make his floorboards. Mr. Lu is equally happy to see his government working with trading partners to promote trade in responsibly sourced wood products, creating new opportunities for responsible businesses like his.

If you are standing on a wooden floor, or sitting at a wooden table, chances are they have passed through China. Often called ‘the world’s workshop’, China sits at a critical link in the global timber products supply chain. In 2009, timber imports reached a historic high of 113 million cubic meters, up 22 percent from the previous year. Approximately half of that volume left the country as manufactured products the same year, valued at over 27.3 billion US dollars.1 In spite of recent financial troubles in major markets, China’s trade in this sector has remained robust and will likely continue to be, due in part to growing demand for wood products at home. This makes China a critically important partner in efforts to expand responsible forest management across Asia and the Pacific, and globally.

In 2008, the Responsible Asia Forestry and Trade (RAFT) program began its work to help mobilize China’s enormous influence in support of globally responsible forestry and transparent trade. This includes: promoting policies that drive responsible forestry at home and abroad; strengthening the business response to increasing demands for legal and sustainable products and increasing collaboration with neighbors and trading partners to improve forest management practices across the region

Source: Responsible Asia Forestry and Trade (RAFT)

The European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA) launched the Recycling & Sustainability Platform of the European Composites Industry. The launch followed the General Assembly meeting of the European Composite Recycling Services Company (ECRC).

The Platform is a Sector Group organized under the EuCIA umbrella whose members are actively involved in the manufacturing of composites and meeting the demands of various industrial sectors contributing to the competitiveness of the EU and providing jobs and skills. The Platform members will work towards assessing and showing that composites are recyclable and contribute to a sustainable environment.

In June this year, the three leading Brussels based organisations, EuPC, EuCIA and ECRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to lead collaboration on recycling and sustainability of COMPOSITES industry at the European level. Alisa De Backer, EuCIA General Manager, noted that: “Composites are recyclable and sustainable. Various projects and studies have been carried out by the industry across Europe over the years and now we are in the position to show our progress. The combination of high properties of composites and their green credentials must be a winning formula for the future of our sector. Nevertheless, as an industry we need to get together and enforce our message to our suppliers and EU legislators. Being a sustainable industry is a challenging process, but we aim to address it under the new Platform. For this initiative to be a success, the full support of the industry is mandatory”.

Volker Fritz, EuCIA President noted that: “The new Platform is open to all players in the composites and composites related value chain. Industry collaboration on sustainability is key .For the next period, we will be identifying main priorities and opportunities for the business. Another objective of the Platform is to support and educate industry across Europe on how to manage sustainability, what are the recycling options, how to set waste management in place and facilitate access to information and to the right contacts across Europe”.

The next meeting of the Platform will take place during the first quarter of 2012.

Source: EuCIA

The Italian Trade Commission and Confindustria Ceramica, the Association of Italian Ceramics, has announced an official call for entries for the 2012 Ceramics of Italy tile competition. The competition recognizes the outstanding work of North American architects and designers who have featured Italian ceramic tiles in their institutional, residential or commercial/hospitality projects.

For the 2012 tile competition, entrants are invited to submit domestic and international new or renovated projects completed between January 2007 and January 2012. A judging panel of design experts will critique the projects based on their creativity, functionality and aesthetic appeal. The official criterion for the jury includes: overall design of the project; innovative use of tile; tile design; quality of installation; degree that tile enhances the setting; and the project’s sustainable attributes. Winners will be announced at the Ceramics of Italy press conference during Coverings, held in Orlando, FL, from April 17 to 20.

Wood & Panel has come alive on YouTube. The highest circulation woodworking magazine is now accessible through the most frequented video sharing website, YouTube. Enjoy the freehand reading of the magazine from www.youtube.com/woodandpanel .

Recent statements by local NGOs claim that the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS), which is endorsed by PEFC, does not sufficiently protect ‘high conservation value forests’ and ‘primeval forests’.  “PEFC has strict requirements concerning the protection of ecologically important forest areas,” said Mr. Gunneberg.  “The Australian Forestry Standard has achieved endorsement by PEFC and meets our requirements.”

Safeguarding the biodiversity values that forests provide is at the heart of PEFC’s approach to sustainable forest management, Ben Gunneberg, Secretary General of PEFC International, said in a statement . “Responsible forestry must ensure that the benefits that forests provide are maintained and enhanced, that our children can enjoy the same or more forest values that we enjoy today.”

PEFC’s requires all standards to be developed at national level in consensus-driven, multi-stakeholder processes and subject to a national public consultation.

To achieve endorsement (or re-endorsement) by PEFC, national standards must submit to a comprehensive and thorough assessment process, including independent evaluation and public consultation. A full final report of this process is then made publicly available. The endorsement is normally limited to five years only and requires national standards to be revised in order to be eligible for re-endorsement.

“We are committed to investigate any potential non-compliance, yet any such investigation can only take place based on evidence. The claims made by the NGOs have unfortunately so far not been backed up by any such evidence,” said Ben Gunneberg. “We are therefore confident that forests managed in compliance with the AFS standard are sustainable, safeguarding biodiversity values and balancing environmental, social and economic interests.”

 

Source: PEFC

Almost the entire world has suspended to the jovial season of Christmas and in preparing to welcome the New Year. Fun, music, food, laughter; together they make a festive season. Oh! the most important one, GIFTS!

When we have a lovely skill with us, why don't we curve out Christmas and New Year gifts for our friends and family out of the beauty of wood?

I lack imagination when it comes to designs using tools but I'm sure there are number of people who are blessed enough to make a gift all by themselves using the beauty, lustre and the energy of wood. If you have any such ideas where you can work wonders with wood, share with us. Indeed it's an innovative and impressive idea when the reindeers are nearer! 

A third supplementary budget was approved in late November reports the JLR. Japan’s Forestry Agency secured a budget of Yen 317.5 bil. far larger than the initial budget request of Yen 270 billion. The increase is due to a three year extension of the fund for revitalization of the forests.
Funds are provided to subsidise the supply of domestic forest thinning for processing and use in the rehabilitation of quake damaged areas. Funds are also provided for the building of logging roads for more efficient harvesting. The JLR says additional works to be financed from the budget include, clarification of forest boundaries, provision of harvesting machines, subsidies for log extraction, assistance for construction of additional wood processing facilities and work to dispose of biomass from the quake hit areas.

The focus of the budget is restoration of quake damaged areas and as such the previous emphasis on promoting domestic wood use in public buildings and support for the wider use of domestic timber is not emphasised in this budget.

The JLR reports that an amount of Yen 11.2 bil. is provided in the budget for restoration of damaged wood processing plants.
Funds have also been allocated to investigate the extent of radiation contamination from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant and as well as for decontamination of the forest but, as yet, there appears to be no available technology for this.

Source: ITTO

Myanmar’s Central Statistical Organisation data reports the export of logs from January to December in 2010 as 237,100 cubic tons of teak and 681,500 cubic tons of hardwoods. The figures for the period January to
September 2011 are 185,400 tons of teak and 572,400 tons of hardwoods.

Figures compiled by CIFOR for the year 2010 showed China bought 0.4 million cu.m of logs valued at US$ 0.14 billion CIF and 0.1 million cu.m of sawnwood valued at US$0.05 billion CIF from Myanmar. India’s imports were stated at 0.8 million cu.m of logs valued at US$0.31 billion CIF.

Source: ITTO

This year, the trade fair motto of GERA Leuchten – the high-end lamps and lighting systems development partner and manufacturer – draws on the topic of emotional room lighting and focuses on the theme of “radiance”. On the basis of its exhibited products, the company is once again presenting the impressive impact of unusual lighting concepts integrated into furniture. The GERA Leuchten lamps and lighting systems give furniture a special radiance, hence further complementing and upgrading the furniture designs. Light in furniture places the spotlight on high-impact and emotional aspects of interior design and increasingly caters to the needs and demands of design-oriented consumers.

At this year’s ZOW trade fair, GERA Leuchten will once again be presenting a broad range of lighting systems and lamps, also including two product further developments. Visitors can further expect variation of the 2010 re-edition of the GERA Lighting System 4 in the form of a brightly-illuminated panel shelf. This installation-friendly glass shelf is lighter and more stable than comparable products available on the market. Equipped with individually-controllable LED technology, the GERA Lighting System 4 also provides non-glare, bright and white illumination of cabinets and work surfaces or bathes them in alternating mood colours lighting.

And the GERA Light Wall – already unveiled as a prototype – for use in kitchen niches has been subjected to a redesign. The light source is installed in the upper section of the Light Wall and gently and evenly radiates downwards, ensuring that the work area is ideally illuminated without blinding the user in any way.

The first comprehensive consolidated international market study on the fast-growing bio-based plastics sector has been launched. To date there has been no coherent and fundamental survey of the worldwide bio-based plastics market. As long as this fundamental data is missing, uncertainty and confusion will hamper the growth of the global bio-based plastic market. There is thus a need for a comprehensive and robust worldwide market study. Many stakeholders also require reliable and detailed information.

During the initial phase from August to the end of November 2011, all interested companies, institutes, associations and other stakeholders were invited to sign up early, become a partner of the study and be part of its advisory board. More than 20 stakeholders provided the initial funding. They include:

Bayer MaterialScience, Borealis Polyolefine, Braskem, DSM, European Bioplastics, Fischer, Ford, Omya, Plastics Europe, PURAC, Roquette, SABIC, Sofiproteol,  Sulzer,  Tereos Syral and Veolia among others.

A kick-off meeting involving nova-Institute’s experienced market researchers and co-operating international bioplastic experts on 22nd November in Berlin got the market study under way. It is due to be completed by the end of 2012. The first meeting of the advisory board will take place in mid January 2012.

One of the study’s main aims is to compile a list of all worldwide producers of bio-based plastics and to set up a corresponding database for later online access. The study will cover all kind of bio-based polymers and plastics (biodegradable and durable, thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers) such as starch blends, PLA, PHA/PHB, PBS, CA, Bio-PE, Bio-PDO and many more, including the main bio-based building blocks.

“Furniture Manufacturing & Supply China 2012” (FMC China 2012), “FMC Premium 2012” and the first ever “FFC 2012” will staged at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) from 11 to 14 September, concurrently with “Furniture China 2012” at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).

The 2011 edition of the fair staged at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) for the first time was declared a success. FMC attracted nearly 745 domestic and overseas exhibitors from 40 countries and regions, and 30,327 trade buyers from 30 provinces and 111 countries and regions. 4,521 overseas visitors came to China for the FMC exhibition, which was an increase of 12% compared to previous year. The quantity and quality of visitors has improved significantly.

FMC China 2012 will use 4 Halls of SWEECC. Cabinet & Wardrobe Fittings/Furniture Lightings will be added as a new exhibit category. The total exhibition area will be 71,000 sqm and FMC China 2012 is expected to attract 850 exhibitors and 35,000 trade buyers.

The category of FMC China 2012 is more professional. Four halls are located on three floors of SWEECC. Hall 1 is dedicated to Woodworking Machinery & Tools. Hall 2 for FMC Premium will be slotted for Office Furniture Supplies & Gas Spring / Furniture Coatings & Chemicals. Hall 3 will exhibit Furniture Hardware & Fittings. Hall 4 will display Furniture Fabric Exhibition
 
 

The Dutch forestry service will increase logging by 50 percent to compensate for radical cabinet budget cuts.

The measure comes in response to cabinet plans to scrap most government subsidies for nature conservation. The exact percentage will be announced later this month but the forestry service’s budget is expected to be cut by about 40 percent.

The quantity of wood taken from Dutch forests will increase from four to six cubic metres per hectare and is expected to generate additional income of about three million euros a year

The forestry service says additional logging will not lead to deforestation. The service says trees grow fast enough to make up for the additional logging, which is also said to be conducive to forest rejuvenation. The Netherlands currently has 90,000 hectares of forest, 54,000 of which is used as production forest in addition to recreational and nature conservation purposes.

Additional logging is just one of a series of measures under consideration by the forestry service. Other plans include offering ‘green meeting arrangements’ to businessmen, exclusive field trips and supplying bio mass to power plants.

Forest Ecology Professor Jan den Ouden says the forestry service’s plans are both responsible and logical. He argues that additional logging will not harm the forests or biodiversity. Forests have always served as a wood supply and not just as a back drop to recreation. Additional logging could also increase the supply of domestically produced timber.

The Foundation Critical Forest Management is opposed to the increase in logging and says the forestry service should let nature run its course. A forest which is left alone will automatically rejuvenate itself as trees are blown over in storms or killed by diseases.

Source: Radio Netherlands Worldwide

The 14th International Exhibition on Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Manufacturing Equipment (WMF 2012) and The 14th International Exhibition on Furniture Accessories, Materials and Wood Products (FAM 2012) is all slated to be held at New China International Exhibition Center (NCIEC), Beijing, China from March 12-15, 2012 at a sprawling area of 60,000 sqm.

The fair this year promises flourishing prospect for the door industry. China's 12th Five Year Plan mentioned that in next 5 years (2011-2015), there will be 36 million indemnificatory houses built in China, and the coverage reaches around 20 per cent opening up avenues for the door industry which has exhibited an average annual growth rate of 25 per cent.
 
More than 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions collaborating with 7 pavilions will be showcasing at the  material, machinery and equipment to the professional buyers of door industry. Exhibits include logs, panel board, hardware, semi-finished wood products, chemicals, decoration materials, other furniture accessories, other materials; wood processing machinery, furniture manufacturing machinery, panel board manufacturing machinery, knife and blade, machinery accessories, hand tools, grinder, measuring equipment, materials handling equipment; building construction, interior decoration, software, etc.    

Par-ky is proud to launch its new corporate identity during the Domotex 2012 exhibition. The new logo with baseline, “friendly floors’, is in line with the corporate values of Decospan, the group behind Par-ky. The main characteristics of these floors are that they are environmentally Friendly which means that it provides maximum wood yield by using a 0.6 mm top layer. It is FSC certified wood or certified by their own ‘Pure Wood’ charter.

Par-ky doesn’t add urea formaldehyde during its production process. Only the natural content is present so these are health friendly too.

As Par-ky uses the uniclic jointing system, the floors are extremely easy to install and repair. The floors are also extremely easy to maintain thanks to the high quality lacquer we use.

Next to the standard collection, Par-ky can offer around 160 wood species in its different collections. The company can make custom made colors as from 500m². Par-ky will be introducing its new ‘trendy oak’ collection at Domotex. Next to some new colors, Par-ky made special designs out of heat treated oak. Heat treating gives the oak a brown warm tone similar to the smoking technique but based on heat instead of ammoniac.

Par-ky has increased the amount of SKU’s in its oak collection to 30. Every color will be available in our 4 collections: PRO, LOUNGE, SOUND and DELUXE CONCEPT ROOM

Despite shrinking demand, the situation of tungsten prices and availability is still tense. Tungsten is the main constituent of hard metals, which are one of the key materials for the production of cutting edges for tools used in several operations and machining processes in the wood and furniture industry, reports eumabois.

In October, the price of the most popular tungsten-based commercial product (ammonium paratungstate, APT) was around 450 dollars per metric ton (mtu). At half 2010, such price was in the range of 250 dollars. The current cooling of global economy has granted a short rest to tools manufacturers, with stable prices for a few months now. “However, this positive signal should not reduce our level of attention to the difficult situation of raw material markets,” said Paul Oertli, President of Eumabois Toolgroup. “As a result of reduced export by Chinese suppliers, prices are still at critical levels despite a slight reduction of demand from many tools manufacturers,” Oertli added.

In October, the “British Geological Survey” placed tungsten at number one in the list of elements ranked by unreliability of supplies in 2011.
 
“In 2012, we expect a still difficult market scenario. Chinese suppliers dominating the sector will focus on tungsten as strategic metal also in the future. Other raw material sources will not help relieve tension in the short and medium term," said Dr. Andreas Bock, President of Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG, Austria, one of the few European suppliers of tungsten and related carbides.

The annual meeting between the Japan Lumber Importers Association (JLIA), the Japan Federation of Plywood Manufacturers Association, the Indonesia Plywood Association and the Malaysian Plywood Manufacturers Association was recently concluded in Jakarta. The focus of the meeting, reports the Japan Lumber Reports (JLR), was the rapidly growing supply of plywood from China and concerns for the quality and supply capacity of Chinese plywood manufacturers.

Representatives from Malaysia requested Japanese importers of Chinese made plywood to apply the same quality, environmental and sustainability concerns which Japanese importers have been asking of Malaysian and Indonesian plywood suppliers

On this issue representatives from Japan mentioned that Chinese made plywood has had quality problems and that sometimes even JAS stamped products were below the required standard for JAS.

The meeting heard, says the JLR that log supplies in producer countries had been an issue for this year. Firstly because of floods and then drought which made river transport difficult. It was a combination of these factors which has pushed up log prices said participants at the meeting.

The meeting was informed that the number of plywood mills in Indonesia had dropped to less than 30 from the peak of 130. The newly established mills were mainly in Java and use plantation logs reports the JLR.

Source: ITTO

Furniture Manufacturing & Supply China 2012 (FMC China 2012) and FMC Premium 2012 alongwith the first ever “FFC 2012” will be staged at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) from 11 to 14 September, 2012 concurrently with “Furniture China 2012” at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).

The 2011edition of FMC exhibition was staged at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) for the first time was declared a great success. It attracted around 745 domestic and overseas exhibitors from 40 countries and regions, and 30,327 trade buyers from 30 provinces and 111 countries and regions. Nearly, 4,521 overseas visitors attended the FMC exhibition, which was an increase of 12 percent compared to last year.

FMC China 2012 will use 4 Halls of SWEECC. Cabinet & Wardrobe Fittings/Furniture Lightings will be added as a new exhibit category. The total exhibition area will be 71,000 sqm and FMC China 2012 is expected to attract 850 exhibitors and 35,000 trade buyers.

Hall 1 on first floor will be kept registered for Woodworking Machinery and Tools, hall 2 for FMC Premium will have Office Furniture Supplies & Gas Spring / Furniture Coatings & Chemicals on display. Hall 3 on the second floor will be booked for Furniture Raw Materials & Components Area with Six Theme Sections. Hall 4 on the Underground Floor will exhibit Furniture fabric.

Main attraction of the 2012 edition will be upholstered furniture which has gained limelight in the furniture industry. Because of its stylish, comfortable, energy-saving features, upholstered furniture attracts the attention of people. Therefore, the related “Furniture Fabric Exhibition 2012 (FFC 2012)” under FMC fair has been presented to all of the visitors in 2012.

The private research and consultant nova-Institute, based in Huerth (Germany), and the French Competitiveness Cluster Industries and Agro-Resources (IAR) in Laon (France) have signed up partnership agreement involving services, to develop a bio-based economy, to provide their subscribers additional benefits and to provide potential customers with the best available bio-based solutions on the fast-growing market in bio-based materials.

The International Business Directory for Innovative Bio-based Plastics and Composites (iBIB) published by nova-Institute and bioplastics MAGAZINE is an established feature of the market. The 2011 issue presents 70 leading producers of bio-based materials, as well as associations and research institutes with their products and services. It is distributed in book, PDF and database form to more than 30,000 potential clients worldwide. Over 100 subscribers are expected for the new issue. Make sure right now that you are in the forthcoming iBIB2012!

The Agrobiobase developed by the IAR cluster is the showcase of bio-based products. This website currently lists more than 200 biochemicals and biomaterials available internationally. Access to the biomaterial database is free and, with 100 hits daily, customers can find detailed information about every bio-based material including bio-based plastics, natural fibres and bio-composites. IAR will start charging suppliers for listing their products in 2012.

The partnership agreement offers subscribers greater visibility:
Subscribers to both iBIB and Agrobiobase will be automatically cross-linked between the two and will receive furthermore a discount on their subscription (immediately for iBIB and from 2012 for Agrobiobase).
Potential customers can easily switch from the iBIB business directory (full description of raw material suppliers, producers of bio-based materials and relevant associations and research institutes) to Agrobiobase (detailed information about their bio-based materials), and vice versa.

Nova-Institute and bioplastics MAGAZINE, publisher of the iBIB, are looking forward to a fruitful partnership with IAR’s Agrobiobase that should support solid and sustainable growth in the bio-based economy through easier access to the best international bio-based solutions.

The United States has reportedly pledged US$450 million for an environmental and climate change cooperation programme with Indonesia.
The money will be utilised to fund projects for the promotion of environmentally sustainable economic growth, strengthening climate change policies, conservation of tropical forests, protecting coastal communities and fisheries as well as the Low Emission Development Strategies (SOLUSI) project to improve air quality.

The US will, reportedly, assist Indonesia to implement a “Green Prosperity Project” at a cost of US$332.5 million, which will support environmentally sustainable economic growth through the enhancement and management of Indonesian forests, peat lands and other natural resources as well as the development of renewable energy.

In addition, the US will provide US$6.9 million to match funding from Norway for the new Indonesian Climate
Change Centre (ICCC), which will deploy and provide the mapping and monitoring of carbon-rich peat lands and tropical forests, with expertise to be provided by the US Forest Service.

The aim is to provide Indonesia with the best available scientists and policy analysts on key strategies and decision making from the US to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Concerning the conservation of Indonesia’s tropical forests, the US and Indonesia had earlier signed a second Tropical Forest Conservation Act Agreement (TFCA) in September. This provides for a debt-for-nature swap of US$28.5 million in order to support tropical forest conservation in Indonesia.

Source:ITTO

The Forest Market Report 2011 by Savills and UPM Tilhill, launched in London on 29 November and Edinburgh on 30 November, says forestry, which is often seen as a safe investment in uncertain times, is proving an excellent option during the on-going financial crisis. The sector’s performance in the past 12 months has been exceptional looking at the stagnant economic situation throughout. Woodlands have become an important diversifier for any investment portfolio. As a medium to long-term investment, forest prices are low risk and generally not susceptible to short-term fluctuations.

George McRobbie, Forestry Operations Director for UPM Tilhill, said: “We recorded a surge in forest values with an average of £4,650 per stocked hectare being attained, the highest level since our survey started and 34 per cent (£1,174) up on 2010. This is equivalent to an annualised increase of 13.7 per cent since 2003.”

Jonathan Henson, Director for Rural Savills, added: “Demand for forestry remains high. IHT considerations, Capital Gains Tax exemption and tax advantages on income derived from timber have always attracted buyers, as do the opportunities for enjoyment, sport and leisure. However, the sector’s green credentials are becoming an increasingly important driver for buyer demand, particularly in the light of both UK and Scottish government’s renewable energy targets.”

The IPD UK Forestry Index shows a return of 20 per cent for the year to December 2010 and the Forestry Commission indices show the coniferous standing timber sales price up by over 70 per cent in the five years to September 2011. The current levels of growth have taken place in spite of an ailing construction sector. Looking to the longer term, as economies start to recover and development activity increases, demand for timber both as a fuel and construction material can only increase.

In October 2011, exports of wood products (except pulp and paper) fell 8 percent compared to levels in October 2010, from US$ 213.7 million to US$ 196.8 million.

October pine sawnwood exports increased 20percent in value compared to the same month last year, from US$ 12.9 million to US$ 15.5 million. In terms of volume, exports increased 19percent, from 57,000 cu.m to 68,000 cu.m over the period.

Exports of tropical sawnwood declined slightly in October, from 45,100 cu.m in October 2010 to 45,000 cu.m in October 2011. There was a sharper drop in terms of value however, from US$ 21.6 million this October compared to US$ 23.8 million in October 2010.

Pine plywood exports fell 15percent in value in October 2011 compared to the same month of 2010, from US$ 28.6 million to US$ 24.2 million. The volume exported slid 21percent during the same period, from 80,800 cu.m to 63,800 cu.m.

Exports of tropical plywood recorded a sharp drop from 6,900 cu.m in October 2010 to 5,700 cu.m in October 2011, (a 17percent decrease). In value, a 10.3 percent decrease was registered, declining from US$ 3.9 million to US$ 3.5 million.

As for wooden furniture, the exported value dropped from US$ 48.6 million in October 2010 to US$ 44.3 million in October 2011, representing a 9 percent decline year on year.

Source: ITTO

The following table provides more detailed information on recent trends in EU imports of wood furniture from outside the region.

It highlights that after the significant decline in the value of imports in 2009, imports of wood furniture rebounded strongly by 17 percent in 2010 to reach nearly €5.8 billion.

EU wood furniture imports rose strongly last year from China (+28 percent), Vietnam (+15 percent), Indonesia (+15 percent), Malaysia (+10 percent), Thailand (+10 percent) and India (+15 percent). This strong rebound in imports was evident in all the major EU consuming countries including the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain. EU 25 Furniture Imports.

However, as austerity has begun to bite and other signs of economic strain have emerged in Europe during 2011, EU imports of wood furniture have weakened again in 2011. In the first 6 months of the year, the value of imports fell by 11 percent.

Imports were down from all the major supply countries including China (-11 percent), Vietnam (-8 percent), Indonesia (- 20 percent), Malaysia (-21 percent) and Brazil (-24 percent). As with the upturn, the downturn has been almost universal across all EU Member States.

Unfortunately the trade data does not allow for any reliable separation of furniture into exterior and interior products. In the past, tropical countries have dominated markets for weather-resistant exterior furniture products, while temperate countries have dominated markets for interior furniture products where diversity of look and grain is more important.

This simple division has been breaking down rapidly. Tropical countries like Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia have increasingly diversified into interior furniture products. This trend has been driven by a combination of tightening supply and rising prices for tropical hardwoods and the competitiveness of South East Asian countries able to draw on relatively low labour costs and traditional wood-working skills.

Originally, most interior products supplied to Europe by South East Asian countries were based on local plantation timbers, notably rubberwood. However, these countries are now importing increasing volumes of temperate hardwoods, from both Europe and the United States, for manufacture and re-export of interior furniture

Source: ITTO

Wood & Panel Europe has launched its mobile-compatible site for its readers to stay in touch 24/7. Our magzine has been formatted to fit the fast data access requirement of the smart phones and tablets making it accessible to the users on the go. Wood & Panel Europe can now be accessed through  any smart phone, including iPhone, iPad, and Android and tablet PCs as well by navigating to our website www.woodandpanel.com

Our readers can now stay updated on latest news and information from the industry, no matter where they are from our website. The new updated website also enable smart phones and tablet users to download latest and archive issues of our magazines.

More than 90 per cent of the bedroom and dining room furniture exhibited at the High Point Market used solid wood or veneer according to the trade association Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers. The High Point Market is North America’s largest furnishing industry trade show, where the annual Furniture Styles and Material Use Survey was carried out American cherry is the leading species used in bedrooms, dining rooms, home offices and in entertainment cabinets, followed by American walnut and red oak. Mahogany was in fourth place with high levels of use in all types of furniture surveyed.

The survey results do not show what species were included in the “mahogany” category, but the relatively
high use percentages indicate that it includes species such as khaya.

Other tropical and subtropical species did not see much use at the show, with the exception of plantation species such as rubberwood and acacia, as well as wenge. The use of materials other than wood, including painted and overlayed wood, decreased from 12-14 per cent in 2010 to less than 10 per cent this year.

Source: ITTO

On the venue of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Woodshow, we had a chance to speak to Walid Farghal, Director General, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions regarding the event the inaugurated under the banner of Woodshow and the other related industry issues.

WPE: What will be your comment on the show?
Walid Farghal: As an organiser, this is the first1st edition to happen in Abu Dhabi and it’s a very close and special market, if you want to enter this market, you have to be here and understand the market. People here are very stable financially; Abu Dhabi was not neither affected by the criseis of 2008, nor is it now. They are focused on the construction to make Abu Dhabi a complete city. To comment on the show, the exhibitors should be happy rather than the visitors. We did conducted sufficient an effective marketing campaign. Regional visitors came and that should served the purpose of the exhibitors.

WPE: So you were not expecting too many international visitors much?
WF: Most of the international visitors would be interested in the number of visitors, 20 exhibitors would be disappointing for them. But for the exhibitors, they should be content as they can come into contact with the regional, potential exclusive buyers. It depends on the exhibitor how he is going to market his product. People don’t hesitate to pay here, it’s a price-possessed market, unlike Dubai or Sharjah or even other Mid-east markets. Here people look for medium and high- quality products in reasonable price. I know that there will be complains will be that the exhibition is very small, compared to what we had planned, but this is the 1st edition and for almost any exhibition the inaugural edition works like this, if not less. We will work on their feedback and depending on the outcome we will decide the further course. I am quite optimistic of about the future of the show and the potential of this market. It’s not like Dubai, it’s different, as it’s the hub of Dubai. Even in a crisies Dubai is progressing in business. But Abu Dhabi is a consumering market. The volume of business generated from Abu Dhabi Woodshow will reflect on the market of Abu Dhabi.

The largest democracy, second most populous and the ninth biggest economy in the world, India is in the fast track to reach the top. The recently held India International Furniture Fair was another beacon in the bait. India’s first furniture fair that, was truly organizsed in an international scale, met with brought together the industry veterans who could fathom the b2b agenda of the event and could find out the ways through which the industry can really gain the momentum and thus, earn the maximum revenues.

Followed by the sudden boom in automation, Indian SMEs are now preparing to install high-end applications to their craftwork skills.

What The Architects Are Planning

If you speak to the young Indian architects, it is evident that they still prefer working with regional craftsmen over the costly automated mass production systems. But at the same time adhering to the mass production requirements and client’s preferences they are ready to adapt to the changing scenario. “Craftsmanship will become get restricted to niche projects and automation will devour the industry even in India in few years’ time,”, says Kalhan Mattoo, Director, Planet 3 Studios.

More industry production, ready-to-use products are in demand. For most corporate time-bound projects furniture components are outsourced. Kalhan says, “everywhere around the country we have projects, ranging from high-end luxurious villas to comparably budget designs. We are using latest LEDs to enhance the commercial lighting.”

He further elaborates: “India is a huge and vibrant market. The design fraternity is developing rapidly than anywhere else in the world. The consciousness awareness is growing. Ten years before ago furniture manufacturing was fFevicol manufacturing, whereas, now there are at least 10-15 magazines competing in the industry and people are becoming more conscious. Indian economy is holding in a secured position even at in the worst world economy scenario, so we always can always keep our fingers crossed.”

To read further download the latest issue of Wood & Panel Europe from our website woodandpanel.com

The member associations of Eumabois are now 14.Holz-Handwerk and Internationale Holzmesse has joined the World Exhibitions Network.

Last 28 October, Valencia hosted the Annual general meeting of Eumabois, the European federation that gathers thirteen national associations representing the leading woodworking machinery and tools manufacturers.

The assembly – summoned during Fimma-Maderalia – had a very committing agenda. After thanking the management of the Spanish association Afemma for hospitality and greeting all participants, Eumabois president Franz-Josef Buetfering welcomed the new delegates Ivano Coral and Erich Zeller, representing the Italian and Swiss association respectively. The latter has also become a member of the Eumabois board, as a substitute for Niels Erik Lundvig.
The Eumabois president then announced the further expansion of the federation to the Ukraine association Uwma, represented in Valencia by its president Vasyl Masyuk. With this new entry, there are now 14 associations sitting at the table of the European federation.

There are new entries also in the exhibitions calendar of Eumabois. As you know, the federation has always been committed to avoiding the useless proliferation of events in the industry, sponsoring only the exhibitions that comply with specific requirements. As from today, the World Exhibitions Network of Eumabois includes two more events, namely Holz-Handwerk in Nuremberg (Germany) and Internationale Holzmesse in Klagenfurt (Austria).

Buetfering read his report, which traditionally opens the works of the annual assembly. “Let me say that, today more than ever, we have to believe in what we do”, he said. “The industry needs vision, planning capacity, forward-looking attitude. We are well aware that we have to be very practical right now, close to daily facts, but I personally think that the duty of an association like Eumabois is also to look ahead, to expand the scope of its action to avoid missing the big picture. So, my invitation to all of us is to pay great attention to what is all around here and now, hic et nunc, as well as not to give up the capacity to believe in feelings and sensations, to create emotions that represent the true meaning of being entrepreneurs.”

Buetfering could not avoid mentioning the economic situation of the industry which, despite moderate recovery in 2010 and early 2011, has certainly not brought woodworking technology companies back to pre-crisis levels; however, some satisfaction must be expressed for a specific figure, namely that “… out of 7 billion Euro turnover achieved by the global technology trade in 2010, as much as 56.2 percent was generated by Eumabois member companies”.
A few remarks on exhibitions: from the liveliness of the recent Wood Processing Machinery and Intermob in Istanbul to great expectations for the upcoming Holz-Handwerk/Fensterbau in Nuremberg, (“… a biennial event acquiring ever increasing importance year after year”, Buetfering commented), without forgetting Xylexpo. “Italian colleagues are working hard to confirm the role of the next event as the most important exhibition in even-numbered years”, a commitment shared by Eumabois, which once again confirmed its full support to the Milan exhibition.

Buetfering closed his speech with a few significant hints and topics for discussion and in-depth analysis. “Technology is changing and woodworking machinery will be different: “greener” from any point of view, capable of consuming 30 percent less energy with the same efficiency standards. They will be more and more flexible, with increasingly higher automation levels: the automated or “one man factory” is a popular concept, not just a dream for the future. Technology will require smaller investments, solutions will take up less space, they will be built with standard constructions using equally standard and highly industrialized aggregates, but still capable of delivering the desired result to users. High-end technology will move down to improve low-end systems: plants can already be operated by anyone through a simple touchscreen. Maybe we should focus attention specifically on this aspect, on these machines that will no longer require joiners or experts of wood and wood-based materials, but rather simple technicians who can press a button. Maybe we still don’t realize the impact of this change...”.

Many issues were dealt with in the Eumabois president’s speech, and even more in the subsequent debate: from Tool Group activities to working programs for specific technical issues (Tool Group, Iso Standardization, Machinery Directive – Tc 142, Ontario Pre start and Safety review, Quebec standards), particularly relevant for European manufacturers.

China’s total forest products trade amounted to USUS$61.92 billion in first three quarters of this year, up 25 per cent over the same period last year. Of the total, imports were valued at USUS$30.36 billion (plus 36%); exports were USUS$31.56 billion, (plus 17%). The balance of trade was USUS$1,195 million, down 74% from the same period last year.
 
Imports
China imported 32 million cu. m of logs during the period January to September 2011 at a value of US$6, 268 million, up 25 percent in volume and 39 percent in value over the same period last year.

Some 16 million cu. m of sawnwood were imported in the first three quarters of 2011, valued at US$4,229 million, a rise of 53 percent in volume and 54 percent in value from the same period last year.

Around 139,000 cu. m of plywood were imported in first three quarters of 2011 valued at US$86.42 million down 8 percent in volume and up 6 percent in value from the same period last year. China imported 158,200 tonnes of fibreboard in first three quarters of 2011 valued at US$81.88 million, down 25 percent in volume and 14 percent in value from last year. A total of 273,500 tonnes of particleboard were imported during the same period valued at US$ 94.25 million, up 7 percent in volume and up 14 percent in value from same period last year.

China imported some 95,900 tones of veneer valued at US$85.70 million during the first three quarters a 55 percent rise in volume and a 30 percent rise in value from the same period last year.


Exports
China exported 7.25 million cu.m of plywood in first three quarters of 2011 valued at US$3,243 million and this represented a rise of 28 percent in volume and 28 percent in value over the same period last year. Around 1.8 million tonnes of fibreboard were exported in the first three quarters of the year and these were valued at US$1,030.29 million, up 21 percent in volume and 21 percent in value from the same period last year. China exported some 94, 800 tonnes of particleboard from January to September 2011, valued at US$ 40.26 million, up 25 percent in volume and 38 percent in value from the same period last year.

China exported some 297,300 tonnes of solid wood flooring in first three quarters of 2011 valued at US$465.24 million, down 9 percent in volume and 7 percent in value from the same period last year.

A total of 42, 900 cu.m of sawnwood was exported from in the first three quarters of 2011 and this was valued at US$ 280.35 million, up 3 percent in volume and 9 percent in value from the same period last year.

China exported some 136,000 tonnes of veneer in this period valued at US$ 207.8 million, up 65 percent in volume and 33 percent in value from the same period in 2010.

The Indonesian Industry Ministry is widely expected to phase out the export of raw rattan over a three years period commencing early 2012 in a bid to revive the local rattan industry. A decision on this is expected in December 2011.The Ministry had earlier submitted recommendations tithe Trade Ministry for a new rattan export regulation, including a three-year export ban and a transition period.

The debate on a rattan export moratorium gained momentum over the past few months as the 2009 Trade Ministry regulations on rattan export quota expired in August this year.

The previous regulations allowed for the export of a total of 35,000 tons of washed and sulphurised rattan of 4 to16mm in diameter. It also stipulated that exports of semi finished rattan such as sega and irit were permissible as long as rattan producers produced a written commitment that they have supplied rattan to the local industry. Nevertheless, the rattan furniture industries and associations regarded the regulations as ineffective in assuring an adequate supply of raw rattan to meet the demands of the local industry.

Rattan exporters counter-claimed that the local industry could not absorb the large volume of raw rattan produced by Indonesian rattan producers. The Industry Ministry estimated that local industry could absorb up to 63,000 tons of semi-finished rattan. Indonesia is the world’s largest rattan producer accounting for some 80% of worldwide production. Indonesia also exported 33,033 tons of semi-finished rattan, valued atUS$32.32 million, while exporting 4,275 tons of rattan furniture worth US$16.09 million in 2010, according to data provided by the Industry Ministry.

Source: ITTO

Exports of Malaysian made furniture products are likely to be between RM7 billion to RM7.5 billion this year compared with RM7.95 billion last year says the Malaysian Furniture Entrepreneurs Association (MFEA). The association had projected a 15 per cent drop in exports to RM6.8 billion earlier this year.

From January to August this year, the value of furniture exports from Malaysia stood at RM4.9 billion, a decline of 7.9 per cent compared with RM5.3 billion for the same period last year. However, demand in the second quarter improved with exports to Japan, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia picking up.

Exports to Japan increased to RM554 million during the January-August period compared with RM433 million in the same period last year. This performance elevated Japan to the second largest market for MFEA members; contributing about 8.9 perc ent or RM709 million out of a total of RM7.9 5 billion export revenue in 2010. Furniture exports to India also improved to RM171 million during the same eight months compared withRM137 million previously. Exports to the US also improved considerably.

Exports to Saudi Arabia grew to RM101 million in the first eight months compared with RM88 million a year earlier, while exports to Russia improved to RM51 million up from RM43 million previously.

The weakening of the Malaysian currency against the US dollar by 3 - 5 percent in the third quarter of this year contributed to the increase in exports.

Source: ITTO

Italy will be hosting the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition at the Milano Convention Centre, Milano from June 18-22, 2012. This premier event will be the congregating point for the entire biomass industry, organise meetings and forge contacts. It will provide a platform to reach all the major aspects of the biomass from research, industry to markets. The event will also bring biomass scientists and engineers from the industry in the industrial exhibition.

Head of Bioenergy System Technology, Dr.-Ing. B. Krautkremer explained, “the tasks of the biomass community include finding solutions to overcome the competition between the different methods of utilization, identifying conversion paths with the highest degree of sustainability and bringing together bioenergy concepts with other renewable energies. These tasks, in their full spectrum, also will be reflected in the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition and its motto: “Setting the course for a biobased economy”.

The variety of topics during the event is described as manifold, “leading to the horizontal approach of the Conference, which is typical for the biomass sector and essential for finding concepts with a holistic background". The Bioenergy industry needs dedicated events with a high degree of thematical profundity. The horizontal concept of the Conference will be complemented with topics such as “Biogas Upgrading and Grid Injection”, “Biogas goes Europe”, “Biowaste to Energy” and “Bioenergy in Smart Grids”.

The 3rd International Technical Conference on Laminates under the aegis of ILMA (Indian Laminates Manufacturers Association) will be held from February 17-18, 2012 in Goa, India. The last edition held this year in Ahmedabad from February 25-27 was declared a huge success. It was attended by more than 180 participants from Austria, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, The Netherlands and USA.

Many of the attendees were representatives of 96 companies from laminate manufacturing and raw materials supply sector. The conference is a platform to promote the Indian industry and attract international participation besides, introduce new and modern technology, equipment, materials and tools for the development of the Indian laminates industry, forge new contacts and create awareness towards advance developments.

This Technical Conference will provide a unique opportunity to the domestic as well as to the worldwide decorative and various laminates industries to understand the process of making high quality, environment friendly and cost efficient laminate sheets.

The forest fibre industry of Europe published a roadmap at the European Paper Week event. The document presents how the bioeconomy is shaping the future, influenced by products, innovations, technological and political developments.

Federation of Finnish Forest Industry informed that Europe's fibre-based industry to stay at the heart of the bio-based economy – and remain there also in 2050. The wood-fibre-derived products of the forest industry provide a solution to many global environmental and climate challenges, in addition to which they contribute to the realisation of the envisioned low-carbon economy of 2050.

The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) drafted the Roadmap 2050 to a low-carbon bio-economy in response to a corresponding EU Commission roadmap that focuses on a low-carbon economy. In the background is the EU's target to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

The forest fibre industry's existing expertise in forestry, recycling and knowledge of the characteristics of wood provide it with a competitive advantage, which enables it to act as a frontrunner of the low-carbon, bioeconomy-based society of 2050.

European Paper Week takes place in Brussels this week. It is Europe's biggest event for the pulp and paper industry.

Source: FFFI

PEFC’s stakeholder Dialogue held in Montreux, Switzerland on 10 November 2011 attracted almost 100 stakeholders from every corner of the world. The international speakers addressed a range of topics including life cycle assessment, carbon footprint, forestry standards, and innovative forest products and services. The consortium was attended by representatives from private sector including the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), The Sustainability Consortium, and consulting firms including Quantis and BioIntelligence Services

 “Shifting our economy to a green economy will require a radical transformation throughout all aspects of our society,” Sten Nilsson during his keynote address at last week’s annual PEFC Stakeholder Dialogue emphasized the need of green economy and the prospect to achieve it. Green economy could be achieved through radical transformation throughout all aspects of the society, he elaborated, “With the forest sector’s reliance on renewable resources, it is uniquely placed above competing sectors to lead this transformation. But we need to do better at demonstrating forest solutions in greening the economy and advancing the innovation in our sector.”

The attendees discussed the positive attributes of the forest sector, and strived to deliver a stronger understanding of the broader sustainability agenda that responsible corporations are striving towards. The event aimed to space out the disconnect between the spheres of the society a part of which is concerned and investing towards a sustainable forest management and those who are pre-occupied with a broader range of sustainability issues spanning water, carbon, health, social justice and natural resources.

Maintaining healthy forests creates positive impacts to all facets of the society contributing to different aspects of sustainability. The dialogue re-enforced that all stakeholders need to work together to distribute this message and improve the recognition of forests and forest products within our society’s pursuit of sustainability.

Tools such as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) which helps in carbon and water footprinting were discussed. These tools keep companies aware of their carbon footprints during product design and production phases. These tools also present opportunities to communicate the sustainability credentials of a product to consumers.

Ben Gunneberg, PEFC International said the sourcing of sustainable forest products is an essential part of exercising corporate responsibility, but it should be ensured that such actions are rewarded within the tools companies are utilising to measure and mitigate their sustainability impact. Moreover, we need to position forest issues as overarching to many sustainability issues, through forests’ provision of multiple values and benefits to society. We need to find new means for communicating this, and the momentum behind establishing a green economy may offer such opportunity.

Three Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event are being organised by TRADA in Scotland at the Grangemouth Manor Hotel, Grangemouth from 29th – 30th November 2011 to meet the specific needs of architects, engineers and the timber sector.

The first of the three events for engineers and will take place from 6.30 – 9.00pm on the 29th November 2011. The event will include talks on, ‘Eurocode 5 and harmonised standards: supply chain perspective’ – focusing on test standards and the methodology clients need to test against, as well as the opportunities presented by CE marking. A case study on the Murray Grove town house will examine the design detailing of the building. The event includes buffet dinner.

The event on the 30th November 9.30 – 12 noon is for timber buyers and suppliers. David Payne of BM TRADA Certification will address CE marking, the pending Construction Products Regulation and its implications for the industry. Dr Andrew Pitman will follow with a talk on ‘Product Innovations’ touching on modified wood products, carbon measurement, and end uses for wood waste.

On the evening of the 30th November, 5.30 – 8.00pm, Mark Williams of HRI Architects will talk about The Forestry Commission’s office in Inverness. Key design factors include multiple species of locally sourced timber building elements, grey water recycling, natural ventilation, innovation timber treatment and preservation systems and wood fuel heating. This will be followed by a technical presentation on ‘Wood for design’ by Dr Pitman. The event includes buffet dinner.

Wood energy in the future can be most important source of bio-energy and address the growing demands for a potentially carbon neutral supply of the energy. A report from Collaborative Partnership on Forests released in the International Year of Forests claim that if managed benevolently forests can play a vital role to respond to future bio-energy demands.

“Sustainable, well managed forests can contribute to a switch-over to a greener economy and renewable energy systems with a low impact on climate and environment’, says Niel Elers Koch, President of the International Union of Forest Research Organisation (IUFRO) on the Future role of Bioenergy from Tree Biomass in Europe, held from 6-11 November 2011 in Vienna, Austria.

CPF has suggested some pertinent measures that could help in achieving bio-energy from sustainable managed forests.

Increasing demand for wood as source of energy: Wood should be promoted as a source to tackle global energy demand. New opportunities for the efficient use of wood for multiple purposes may also arise from innovations in biotechnologies for the production of renewable and cost-efficient bio-products and such as bioplastics, biofuels, biochemicals and other biomaterials. Rolf Björheden of the Swedish Forestry Research Institute states that the increased demand for wood as a source of ebergy must be balanced witht he other needs such as conserving biodiversity, storing carbon and the needs of conventional forest industries.

Development of regionally adapted technologies and methods for increased, economic, yet sustainable production and harest of forest biomass for different needs is essential", the IUFRO Task Force Coordinator concludes. In   many  parts  of  the  world,  policy  makers  have  committed  to  a  stronger  use  of  bioenergy. For example, the European countries have agreed to achieve a 20 per cent share of renewable energy by 2020.

Need for accurate information: Wood energy is often being traded on informal markets. Therefore, it is difficult to assess its real contribution to national energy supply and consumption and its current and potential future removals from forests. In some countries, only 20 per cent of the current wood energy consumption is being reported by official statistics.

The Joint UNECE/FAO Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) assists countries  in  accounting  for  these  volumes  and  it  helps  keeping  track of the fast progress of wood 2energy  production and consumption. It also facilitates cross‐sectoral communication and understanding between energy and forestry. 

Ensure energy security in developing countries: Agroforestry, growing trees on farms,  is  one  way  of  meeting  local  needs  for  fuel  and,  at  the  same time,  taking  pressure  off  forests  and  woodlands.  In  developing  countries,  much  of  the  wood  for cooking  and  heating  is  grown  on  farms.  According  to  the  World  Agroforestry  Centre  that  is promoting  the  integration  of  trees  into  farming  systems,  half  the  firewood  burned  in  Thailand, more  than  three‐quarters  of  the  firewood  in  Indonesia,  Java,  Pakistan,  the  Philippines,  Sri  Lanka and Vietnam, and four‐fifths of the firewood burned in Kerala, India, is cut from farmland and other non‐forest areas. In humid Eastern and Central African countries – Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, in particular trees grown in home gardens meet most household needs for fuel and timber. In many cash‐crop systems, trees grown for shade also eventually provide wood, for example, the silky oak grown in tea plantations in Kenya.

Need to understand impacts: Increasing demand for forest biomass may capitalize on the immense global potential for forest restoration. New nalyses show that more than two billion hectares of the world’s deforested and degraded landscapes equivalent to half the size of Asia offer opportunities for restoration. This hold potential for the expansion of forest biomass for bioenergy but also for carbon capture as a means to combat climate change.

Currently, the use of fuel wood and charcoal is a driver of deforestation and landscape degradation in many developing countries. To make fuel wood a source of sustainable and potentially carbon neutral energy in those countries requires major efforts and investments. This could and should become a major element in developing countries' climate change mitigation policies, such as those evolving under the Forest Investment Program (FIP) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Source: ITTO

According to latest figures from industry peak body timber industry in Australia, which supplies the bulk of wood used in commercial and domestic buildings is going through tough conditions.

Australian Forest and Wood Products Australia chief executive David Pollard said that the figures confirmed the difficult trading conditions for Australian wood products manufacturers. These would soon be further adversely affected by the introduction of the carbon tax.

According to the March and June quarters 2011 Australian Forest and Wood Products Statistics report forest product imports rose by 5 per cent to $4.4 billion in 2010-11, particularly wood-based panels and sawn wood imports, up 16 per cent and 10 per cent respectively. Over the same period, exports rose by 9.4 per cent to $2.47 billion, still maintaining Australia's $2 billion trade deficit in wood products. Hardwood woodchip exports were up, mainly plantation fibre from Western Australia and Victoria, while roundwood exports rebounded in value by 43 per cent. New plantation rates decreased, falling by 72 per cent since 2006-07 to 21,000 hectares. New housing construction activity dropped 14 per cent in 2010-11.

Dr Pollard said ''When combined with increased imports of processed products, decreased plantation establishment and the looming carbon tax implications, we have a very difficult trading environment for Australian wood product manufacturing”.

Dr Pollard said the government's Clean Energy Future would do little for commercial forest growers. ''Despite the industry being in the business of creating low emissions intensive materials and sustainably managing forests, the government has ignored the industry's feedback in developing its climate policies,'' he said.

The AFPA urged the government to link this assistance to the actions of competitor countries as they set carbon policies, but this was largely ignored.

Dr Pollard said manufacturers of solid and reconstituted wood products would receive no assistance and would suffer a serious erosion of competitiveness.

''Secondly, it will be very difficult for any commercial plantation forestry operation to be recognised in the Carbon Farming Initiative because the constraints placed on for-harvest plantation projects are far stricter than on any other activity,'' he said. ''This is despite Australia's tree plantations already contributing 20 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent towards Australia's Kyoto target.''

Instead of recognising these home-grown carbon stores, Australia would import about 100 million tonnes of carbon credits from overseas by 2020 to meet our emissions reduction target, he said.

Source: theage.com.au

TRADA is encouraging the growth of wood fuel by revising its construction briefing. In a release it said that the new briefing is a review of government policies, regulations and financial incentives, to provide an overview of the main policy drivers and financial incentives that currently exist and are set to be introduced.

The briefing highlights the main environmental concern of the UK including carbon emissions. As per the Carbon Change Act 2008, a carbon emission is targeted to be reduced by 80 per cent as compared with 1990 levels by 2050 and 34 per cent by 2020. This would require an enormous reduction in heat and energy consumption from fossil fuels, as well as tremendous growth in renewable energy and a contribution from nuclear power. Encouraging renewable energy such as wood fuel will aid in achieving this target. 

Wood fuel is relatively favourably priced than major fuel types like gas and oil; however, upfront capital costs are typically much higher. Promoting wood fuel requires positive intervention in terms of policies and incentives.

The Construction Briefing covers;
•    Government policies on renewable heat and energy generation
•    Incentives through planning requirements and guidance
•    Incentives through building codes and regulations
•    Altering the economics of renewable energy

The government in China has launched a series of policies that promises to fuel the economic development and accelerate the momentum in the forestry industry. 2012 Beijing International Modern Forestry Equipment Expo (BIMF 2012) & 2012 Beijing International Landscaping Expo (BILE 2012) comes right at the time the industry will be at its peak enabling the host and the visitors to make out of the economy. The two fairs will be held at the New China International Expo Center (NCIEC), Beijing, P. R. China from March 12-15, 2012. The fairs will be staged concurrently with The 14th International Exhibition on Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Manufacturing Equipment (WMF 2012) & The 14th International Exhibition on Furniture Accessories, Materials and Wood Products (FAM 2012).

In 2010, the output value of forestry industry was over RMB 2 trillion, reaching RMB 2.28 trillion. The leading enterprises are stronger than ever and the sector is working on improving the products and industrialisation management.

Quality exhibition has been a magnet for leading enterprises. The industry has shown immense support for the fair. The two fairs are touted to be spread over 6,500 sqm with 300 renowned exhibitors. Many exhibitors have already booked their space to display environmental friendly and innovative technological equipments.

Beijing Forestry University (hosted by the Ministry of Education in China and State Forestry Administration, P.R. China) and Harbin Forestry Machinery Research Institute of the State Forestry Administration, PR China (the social responsible unit under national research institute) have joined as exhibitors in BIMF 2012 & BILE 2012 as well, to showcase the advanced technological products.

2012 Beijing International Modern Forestry Equipment Expo (BIMF 2012) & 2012 Beijing International Landscaping Expo (BILE 2012) are organized by China National Forestry Machinery Association, Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd; co-organized by China National Forestry Machinery Association - Committee of Garden Machinery, China National Forestry Machinery Association - Committee of Small Outdoor Machinery and Tools, China National Forestry Machinery Association - Committee of Forestry Machinery, China National Forestry Machinery Association - Committee of Timber Harvesting and Transportation Machinery, China National Forestry Society - Committee of Forestry Machinery and Beijing Yazhan Exhibition Services Ltd.

Keynote theme for the DOMOTEX 2012 is declared. The fair will present the latest and upcoming in flooring trends and fashions under the subject “Customised Living” from 14 to 17 January 2012. Organised by Deutsche Messe, DOMOTEX will be a platform for business and flooring lifestyle, a combination the overall industry seeks. Around 1,400 exhibitors from over 60 nations are expected to be present at the fair exhibiting their latest collections and design developments. Flooring possibilities are endless and the fair will be a showcase of varied range of products for retail and commercial sector from hand-knotted and machine-made carpets, parquet and laminated flooring through to textile and resilient floor coverings. With a host of exhibitors from number of countries the visitors can actually see and compare their products, all in one platform.

Besides exhibitors, the fair will be attended by a number of professional visitors, 63 percent of whom are from foreign countries. Visitors list comprise of architects, interior designers, skilled tradesmen and wholesalers and retailers of furniture and interior furnishings. Deutsche Messe Management Board member Dr. Andreas Gruchow said, “All indications are that it's going to be a great success. The global market leaders will be out in force, plus there's the hotly anticipated premiere of the Wood Flooring Summit, a new, improved site layout and a range of new online services. With features like these, our exhibitors know they will be in pole position for new business."

DOMOTEX 2012 will also feature special displays, speaking events and panel discussion on interior décor and design that will yield new ideas and insights for visitors. The fair is continuing its Souk Deluxe partnership with renowned carpet designer Jan Kath, and will feature the new Wood Flooring Summit with its strong focus on product design.

Wood Flooring Summit: The Wood Flooring Summit puts hard flooring at center stage at DOMOTEX . Dr. Gruchow applauds the summit as a promising first class showcase. The summit will be attended by manufacturers like Amorim, Barlinek, Bauwerk, Berry Floor, Classen, Egger, Faus, Hamberger, Kaindl, Kährs, Kronotex, Margaritelli, MeisterWerke, Parador, Spanolux/Balterio, Tarkett and Unilin/QuickStep. They will display a diverse range of parquet and laminate flooring products.

Customized Living: The theme of the fair in the upcoming edition is “Customised Living”. Personalisation being one of the latest trends in the coming season and flooring is not deprived of the possibilities of endeavour in this regard. Many companies are providing their customers with options to choose from a rich palette of off-the-rack materials, colors and formats and let them customized their products. Dr. Gruchow explains the choice of theme. "Increasingly, our human desire for greater individuality and self-realization is finding direct expression in the design of our own four walls." The theme symbolizes the leading design trends among the carpets, textile and resilient floor coverings and parquet and laminated flooring products that will be on display at the fair.

Timberinvestments.co in its website informs about the first ever UK Timber Industry Manifesto which was issued by Wood for Good, an organisation promoting and creating awareness about benefits of wood as a building material. The manifesto purposes the UK government to adopt a ‘Wood First’ rule which would ensure consideration of wood as a potential primary building material in all government funded projects. 

The document suggests that the ‘wood first rule will help the government cut on its expenditure while ensure sustainability as wood has some of the most effective insulation properties and it reduces labour costs as well. Wood for Good has backed its proposal with support of examples such as production of steel, bricks and concrete, traditional building materials that enlighten on the ecological benefits of timber use over such materials for construction purposes. Consumption of energy in concrete production is 24 times that of timber and concrete production releases 14 kg carbon dioxide is released per cubic metre. If these materials are replaced with timber the environment will save on 0.9 tons of carbon dioxide per cubic meter. Insulation properties of sustainable timber are better than steel, bricks and concrete which prevent leakage of fire through walls. Insulation properties of wood are five times better than  concrete, 10 times better than brick and 350 times better than steel.

Wood for good has cited instances where local government of various countries have already adopted such policies which give priorities to wood over other materials for construction. British Columbia introduced the ‘Wood first Act’ in 2009 for government projects such as schools, sports centre or libraries. A government initiative in New Zealand specifies use of wood as the preferred building material in all government funded projects of up to four floors in height. In USA too, this year in June, the administration officially termed wood as a green building material. USDA secretary, Tom Vilscak issued a quota which entails amount of timber to be present in each building and instructs US Forest service to use wood in new building construction. European Country, France too has a law "Grenelle de l'environnement", implemented in 2009 which encourages the use of wood in construction. Construction sector in France which had to use a minimum of 2dcm³ of wood per m² built, this quota is now being raised to 20dcm³/m².

These reasons are enough to make the UK government contemplate on introducing the ‘Wood First’ rule. However, endorsement a construction material by a government during tough economic times requires contemplation as other industry faces competitive risks. 

 This rule besides, ensuring sustainability in building construction encourage timber investments as well. timberinvestments.co explains in an ecological benefits of timber investments with the help of an independent study by AHEC which establishes that each tree planted lends to carbon dioxide absorption in the environment which offsets the emissions from harvesting, processing and transporting timber.

The website suggests that the rule can be effective if local governments in UK instead of the federal government implement the rule at regional level where timber investments can make for a major market providing employment to those who lost jobs in the industries which would be affected by the rule. Pressure from lobbyists, unions and capitalists forces in the region will also not be as significant as at the national level.

Wood for Good, suggests that ‘Wood First’ rule should be adopted by local governments to avoid backlash at the national level. This would lessen the harmful risk of economies favouring the consumers and the environment. Besides this the industry experts should also be willing to provide a framework of implementing such a "wood first" rule in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

Paolo Zanibon, general manager of Xylexpo, the biennial international exhibition of woodworking technology and furniture industry supplies declared that Xylexpo 2012 will keep its promise. The 2012 edition of Xylexpo will be held from 8-12 May 2012, in the Milan Exhibition Center Fieramilano-Rho. The global economic situation might be improving but the industry is still facing difficulties. However, the “exhibitor registrations for the next Xylexpo are encouraging and, so far”. The fair might achieve an area of 45 thousand square meters, which is 15-20 percent more space than in the previous edition. He added that the next edition will be very concrete and will not fail to show their strong determination to “guide” the market and to be its truthful interpreter.

The economic situations in the industry were improving but somehow later in the year slowdown of orders led to a discourse. The situation is full of ups and downs, with excellent results in the first six months of the year, followed by a new phase of slowdown. Zanibon said, “We know very well the next few months might be vital for our show. The trust of big German groups and many small, medium and large Italian and international businesses is proving that Xylexpo’s leadership is intact. That’s what our contacts say and the evidence from our strong daily marketing and promotion activity”.

Dario Corbetta manager of Xylexpo who launched the next edition of the fair at a press conference in Valencia, during Fimma-Maderalia along with Zanibon, the Acimall President Ambrogio Delachi and the marketing said, the latest figures for the first half of the year is positive. Aggregated European export has grown by 34.1 percent compared to the same period of previous year. In detail, Italy and Germany, the leading European suppliers, have increased their foreign sales by 28 and 27 percent respectively. The overall result was also supported by Spain and the Czech Republic, with growth rates above 50 percent. He added. “If the financial crisis that exploded last summer had not stopped the trend out of recession, at the end of the year we could have recorded consistent growth across the European and global industry of woodworking equipment and tools. We will have to wait for January-October figures to have a clearer view of the situation, but in any case, we can suppose that a positive result in 2011 is more than achievable, though maybe not so impressive”.

Stand allocation at the fairs already started a few weeks ago. Halls 1 and 3 will be dedicated to secondary panel processing. Solid wood machining will be featured in hall 2, where the trend of registrations is in line with 2010, and most areas have already been allocated. Hall 4 will include everything that fits into the definition of “first operation”. It’s 40 thousand square meters in total, one-third taken by international exhibitors, with organizers ready to open all the halls that will be necessary, as they have already been booked from FieraMilano.

Many brands will be part of the fair in the next edition including, Artiglio, Barberan, Homag Group, Biele, Bongioanni, Primultini, Storti, Angelo Cremona, Corali, Centauro, Weinig Group, Ima, Stromab, Comec, Coral, Costa Levigatrici, Cursal, Essetre, Freud, Imal/Pal, Siempelkamp, Imas, Imeas, Incomac, Heeseman Leuco, Leitz, Metalworld, Solidea, Maurimacchine, Makor, Paoletti, Pneumax, Italpresse, Ormamacchine, Termolegno, Wintersteiger, Griggio, Vitap, Schelling, Process, Otto Martin, Albricci, Bacci, Holz-Her, Spanevello, Omgatech, Pade, Greda and many more.

Dario Corbetta, marketing manager of Xylexpo said. “Our exhibition will be the ideal place to meet the widest offer, to compare solutions and to understand what the global technology industry can provide.

Xylexpo 2012 will be held during Tew-Technology Exhibition Week, featuring the most important technology shows including Plast (the international exhibition for plastics and rubber industries), Fluidtrans Compomac (the biennial international exhibition for fluid power technology and mechatronics) and Mechanical Power Transmission & Motion Control (the international biennial exhibition for mechanical power transmissions, motion control and mechatronics that will end on May 11).

On 28th of October Yokohama-based International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) celebrated its 25 years of its establishment in Yokohama, Japan.  A commemorative symposium was held on the event which became a reason for high level officials from Japan and other countries to gather at a place and share their views and experience.

The symposium named “Celebrating a Quarter Century of ITTO and Japan Sustaining Tropical Forests” was carried out in collaboration with the City of Yokohama, the Japan Forestry Agency, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese Committee for the International Year of the Forest. Around 200 members attended the symposium, being audience to the speakers from member countries of the organisation who spoke about the success of the organisation in promoting sustainable forest management in the tropics, its history and evolution, examples of its current work program and prospects for its future development.

Yokohama Mayor Fumiko Hayashi went all praises about ITTO in her opening speech where she expressed her pride in hosting “the only UN treaty-based organization headquartered in Japan.” The event highlighted the important role that tropical forests play in the global environment and on-going changes in markets for tropical forest products and services.

Over the years, ITTO has supported the sustainable management of tropical forests and the sustainable trade of tropical forest products and in aid with the government of Japan, the City of Yokohama and other donors, funded over 1000 projects worth over $350 million. In addition to the symposium, the Organization actively participated in the Yokohama International Festa on October 22-23. ITTO has also worked with several tropical countries on commemorative events to mark its anniversary during the year, including Brazil.

Hettich is launching Kitchen Concept 2015, a platform to forecast kitchen and home trends in 2015.Started in 1999 Kitchen Concept has stood testimony for the industry of Hettich’s involvement, innovation and contribution towards strengthening it and delivering better products.   2015 edition will be a one stop spot for the industry offering the best from various spectra. It aims to provide kitchen furniture and white-goods manufacturers with inspiration for taking the kitchen forward as the hub of the home. As explained the company itself the latest edition of the Kitchen Concept stands for:

In terms of design, Kitchen Concept 2015 interprets the kitchen as the hub of the home. It is integrated in the home environment rather than claiming to be the centre of attention. It is the essentials that count, with the technology – appliances, sinks and taps – disappearing behind fascias when they’re not needed. Hardware ideas for flush-fitting fronts generate new architectural options: On demand, they are electrically retracted and, in doing so, free up the work surface. An extremely shallow sink discreetly blends into the forward-pointing kitchen landscape and reduces the consumption of water. Retracting faucets underpin the trend of reducing kitchen design to what's needed without compromising on function.

As a focus of home living, Kitchen Concept 2015 is also synonymous with a positive feeling for life. This is where convenience plays a central part. Drawers and pot-and-pan drawers that can be opened from both sides provide access to contents no matter which side of the work centre the user is standing. Electrical appliances are also set to provide greater convenience: Meanwhile, separately controllable drawers in the dishwasher can be opened from both sides, thereby making cooking with friends even more of a pleasure.

From the aspect of ergonomics, Kitchen Concept 2015 shows height adjustable wall units. Control panels on the base unit provide the capability of raising and lowering cabinet elements independently of each other, ergonomically moving cabinet contents to a level that best suits the user. As such, the kitchen is increasingly fitting in with those using it. Older people, in particular, are becoming the yardstick for product design.

In the future, multimedia networking will do much to boost convenience because in the Kitchen Concept 2015, different electrical appliances communicate with each other. The touch screen in the hob or large screen in the kitchen front can be used, for example, to display oven temperature and remaining cooking time. On top of this, Internet, television as well as other building services are operated and controlled from a central point.

On the second day of the first edition of the Abu Dhabi Woodshow, we got the opportunity to talk to Director General Mr. Walid Farghal. Keeping in mind its fist edition and the conservative market of Abu Dhabi, Mr. Farghal considers the event as a success, though a few exhibitors might not agree with him.
He says, as the companies participating here want to penetrate the market and explore the possibilities in Abu Dhabi, they should be happy as they are getting the opportunity to talk to the locals in the business. However, the third and last day will be the deciding factor for the fair. Based on the feedback from the exhibitors, the course of the next edition will be decided, he comments.  He seemed to be overwhelmed by the responses from the recently held Cairo Woodshow. Besides the fairs he has shared his views on other issues as well. To know more about the conversation, wait for our Nov-Dec isssue.

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London design festival witnessed a wonderful display of a three dimensional latticework spiral, specially commissioned by AHEC for the ninth edition of the festival, made completely from American red oak by Cowley Timberwork and engineered by Arup. It will remain on display at the Victoria & Albert museum until October 15, 2011.
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry, threw the spotlight on the endearing beauty and strong qualities of American red oak through the Amanda Levete Architects (AL_A) design master piece - ‘Timber Wave’ - during the London Design Festival (LDF) September 17- 25, 2011 across London.
Arup is widely known as the creative force at the heart of many of the world's most promising projects in the built environment and has provided structural engineering from concept stage to construction for 'Timber Wave,’ It was made from 20 m3 of 1” thick American red oak boards donated by several members of AHEC. The collaboration has ended in a stunning, self-supporting 12m three-dimensional latticework spiral, built from oil-treated American red oak. Arup suggested the idea of a series of simple, tied-together, trussed arches and turning the straight chords and braces of the truss into miniature waves themselves at the same time.
Following a series of comparative tests, it was revealed that American red oak has twice the structural strength of comparative softwoods, and the data gathered was utilized by Arup to design the members., ‘Timber Wave’ displays a complex structural design, originating from varying geometry and presented with the curved nature of the members and the strong properties of timber. In the words of  David Venables, AHEC Director for the European region,  “The overwhelming response that we have received for ‘Timber Wave’ signifies that this is the best time for American red oak, an abundant yet underused hardwood species, to stand out and showcase its strengths, literally and metaphorically,”
 ‘Timber Wave’ ably shows the warm tones of red oak and provides the necessary contrast to the light colored stone of V & A’s arched entrance. Visitors and pedestrians passing by the area will be mesmerized to notice ‘Timber Wave’s’ grand presence.
According to AHEC, the structural performance of American red oak for ‘Timber Wave’ exceeded all expectations. The excellent strength proved worthy for its weight and enabled the design to be as delicate and efficient as possible. Observers have remarked that the complex three-dimensional geometry and use of material with strength characteristics that vary naturally with orientation have made ‘Timber Wave’ highly challenging to analyze structurally and design-wise.

FSC's annual market survey for 2010 has been released on the world wide web. One of the key market research tools, the survey is one of the principal ways that FSC gains information about market trends and requirements. The findings help inform further market research and supports FSC's strategies on priority initiatives to grow and strenthen the FSC system.

The 2010 survey was executed in 13 languages, and includes respondents from 3500 companies in more than 29 countries. FSC Director General Andre de Freitas said "The results of the survey help shape our market strategies and identify the most immediate priorities. The findings also inform further market research and market support initiatives..."

Schattdecor's sttendance at the ZOW Istanbul lived up to their expectations, their Export Manager for South Europe Andreas Bruckbauer and Sales manager for Turkey Erhan Kara expressed satisfaction with the show. As per the release, their stand was visited by almost all the Turkish customers to the fair. The unexpected foreign visitors to the fair added to the experience. Many of the 18,000 trade visitors came from Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Greece, Ukraine and Syria.

Visiting the Schattdecor stall were the former Director General of Forests in Turkey, Osman Kahveci and General Manager of the forestry products company Kastamonu Entegre A.Ş, Osman Aksoy.

The company's demonstration of digital inkjet printing with decors from its Digital VISIONS collection and its new trend concept received much appreciation from the visitors. While new Smartfoil and Post foil surfaces with a three-dimensional look or feel in the Real and 3D product lines were the subject of many enquiries. The decors Rijeka Oak (in Smartfoil 3D) and Nancy Elm as an accomplished example of a Smartfoil Real decor kept the visitors impressed visitors with their synchronous interplay of tactile and visual effects.

Two new furniture decors in the form of Santana Oak and Larix were found to be particularly convincing.

Santana Oak, a very natural-looking and subtly rustic decor, offers fine pores and attractive detailing in the form of tiny knots and elegant long cathedrals. Oak is a top trend theme this year, and the attractive grain of Santana Oak makes the decor ideal for a wide range of applications.

Larix, a mainly straightgrain pine decor, offers only a hint of movement yet makes an arresting 3D effect thanks to accomplished reproduction of wire-brushed surface treatment. Finely balanced in colouration, the decor reflects the trend towards striking decors that lend themselves to production with matching textured press plates.