Article archive

EU imports of tropical logs pick up pace in third quarter

Posted on by GWMI Admin

After a downturn in 2017, the quantity of EU imports of tropical logs recovered ground in the first nine months of 2018. Imports of 86,400 MT during the first months this year were 14% greater than the same period in 2017.

The value of tropical logs imported by the EU also increased, by 8% to €43.4 million. As with sawnwood, EU imports of tropical logs picked up in the third quarter of 2018 after a relatively slow start to the year.

EU imports of tropical logs increased from Congo, the leading supplier, rising 6% to 21,200 MT in the first nine months of 2018. There was also a significant increase in EU log imports from DRC (+37% to 16,300 MT), CAR (+83% to 15,800 MT), Liberia (+69% to 5,500 MT), and Guyana (+90% to 1,200 MT).

These gains offset declining imports from Angola, from around 5,000 MT in the first nine months of 2018 to negligible levels this year. Imports from Equatorial Guinea (5,900 MT) and Suriname (1,200 MT) were at a similar level to last year.

Most of the gain in EU imports of tropical logs in the first nine months of 2018 was concentrated in France (+24% to 31,200 MT) and Belgium (+33% to 23,200 MT).

Imports of tropical logs were slow in Portugal in the first half of 2018 but increased in the third quarter. In total, in the first nine months of 2018, Portugal imported 14,900 MT of tropical logs, 4% more than the same period last year.

China regained share of US plywood market

Posted on by GWMI Admin

US imports of hardwood plywood fell by 9% in September with an across-the-board decline in both volume and value, the exception was China.

Import volumes from China increased 29% in September, slowing a prolonged slide. Yet, hardwood plywood imports from China still trail 2017 imports by more than 75% year-to-date.

Meanwhile, imports from Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia all fell in September, yet those countries are all well ahead in for the year as they capitalise on the lost trade from China.

Due to rising prices, the value of plywood imports are up by 6% at US$1.4 billion year-to-date even though the volume of hardwood plywood imported is down by 13%.

Veneer imports continue to advance despite September dip

US Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics show that while monthly US imports of tropical hardwood veneer plunged by over one-third in September, they were still more than 40% higher than those of September 2017.

Year-to-date imports are outpacing 2017 by 42%.

The September drop was fueled by the yearly seasonal decline in imports from Italy, which is the largest supplier of hardwood veneer for the US. Despite the monthly drop, Italian imports remain up 28% for the year. Chinese imports are up by 66% even after a somewhat smaller September decline.

ENplus certification for wood pellets to launch its revision process

Posted on by GWMI Admin

The European Pellet Council (EPC), governing body of the ENplus® certification for wood pellets, has announced the launch of a revision process for the scheme’s procedures and requirements. This third revision in the scheme’s history will factor in stakeholders’ feedback, as well as the latest scientific data and its own certification management experience, EPC says.

The appointment of an Advisory Committee is an important step in this revision process. Composed of wood pellet stakeholders, the Committee will discuss the key issues to be addressed during the revision and reach a consensus on the draft documentation. The Committee will include representatives of governing and certification bodies, certified companies and end-user organisations. The call for applications is open until 7 December to all representatives willing to accompany and contribute to the revision process.

A public consultation, held in May-June 2019, will constitute another important step of the process. It will present every actor on the pellet market with an opportunity to comment on the draft documentation elaborated in collaboration with the Advisory Committee. Before that, comments and remarks can be sent via an online form until the end of 2018.

The revised version of the ENplus® procedure and requirements is expected to enter into force by the end of 2019.

The framework document setting out the rules for the development of the ENplus®documentation and the Terms of References for this project are both available on the ENplus® website.

Launched internationally in 2011, ENplus® certifies today nearly 900 companies in 45 countries across the globe. with a projected 10 million tonnes of certified pellets produced in 2018.

US softwood lumber prices keep on rising

Posted on by GWMI Admin

A mostly measured sales pace was reported across the most of US framing lumber species last week. Modest upward momentum from activity in previous weeks carried over in some cases, but soft spots developed as well.
Seasonal slowing was at the heart of the lackluster pace, with wet and wintry weather a factor in some regions. Timing was also a factor, as buyers kept a close eye on year-end inventory levels. Amid modest ups and a few downs, the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price edged up $1, to $343.

Week
Nov 30		 Last Week
Nov 21		 Year Ago
2017
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* $343 $342 $436
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price 346 351 478
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes 413 410 547
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) 280 280 460
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L 394 391 448
KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L 340 332 490
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L 785 780 730
* Weighted average of 15 key items

Random Lengths Panel Market Report

Structural panel prices faded amid lackadaisical trading. Numerous OSB producers had loads available for quick shipment, and they listened for counters to sell volume. Buyers lacked urgency, citing a seasonal slowdown and sufficient inventories for the time of year. Early trading was steady in Southern Pine plywood markets, but sales were elusive in the latter half of the week. Western Fir plywood buyers lacked urgency following the long holiday weekend. Activity was uneven at best for most mills.

(f.o.b. mill prices) This Week
Nov 30		 Last Week
Nov 21		 Year Ago
2017
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* $377 $383 $433
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood 360-390 360-390 405-470
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood 365-395 365-395 410-475
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood 354 357 442
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board 230 245 315
*Weighted average of 11 key items

 

Prices of wood pellets in Central Europe on the rise

Posted on by GWMI Admin

Wood pellets prices of Austria, Germany and Switzerland (DACH region) were increasingly converging in November.
While the relatively high prices in Switzerland increased by 2%, German prices saw an increase of 6.6% coming from a lower price level. Pellet customers in Germany pay on average € 254.36 / t, for 6 tons purchases. This corresponds to a price per kilo of 25.44 cents.
In November, the end-user price for ENplus A1 wood pellets in Austria increased by 1.4% compared to October. On average, one kilogram costs 24.31 cents per kg (delivery quantity 6t). Pellets are 4.4% more expensive than in November 2017.
Prices for wood pellets in Switzerland also rose slightly in November. The average price of wood pellets increased by 1.2% to 367.6 CHF/t from October to November. Depending on the delivery quantity, the price varies by between just under 356 CHF / t (8t) and over 380 CHF/t (3t). The prices of the individual quantity classes also differ only slightly from the previous year's prices.
As wood pellets depend on weather conditions, due to the relatively cold beginning of December, it seems that for the remaining period of the year prices are expected to further increase.

UK will limit the use of cross-laminated timber in construction

Posted on by GWMI Admin

The UK government is banning combustible materials on new high-rise homes, revealing that it will limit the use of cross-laminated timber in construction, states the country's Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government in its press release published on the UK government official website. 

Regulations have been laid in Parliament on November 29, 2018 which will give legal effect to the combustible materials ban announced in the summer. The ban means combustible materials will not be permitted on the external walls of new buildings over 18 metres containing flats, as well as new hospitals, residential care premises, dormitories in boarding schools and student accommodation over 18 metres.

Schools over 18 metres which are built as part of the government’s centrally delivered build programmes will also not use combustible materials, in line with the terms of the ban, in the external wall.

Moreover, the detailed report of the UK Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government under the title "Impact Assessment: Ban on combustible materials in external wall systems" states that "there is a growing number of buildings above 18m in height using engineered timber as part of their structure. Engineered timber offers an alternative to traditional methods of construction in buildings within the scope of the policy. It is therefore likely to slow down the use of engineered timber in future development in the medium to long term".

Engineered timber includes cross-laminated timber (CLT).

China: No more log fumigation at Taicang Port

Posted on by GWMI Admin

It has been reported that Taicang Port is considering a ban on fumigating North American logs because of the risk of water pollution. If implemented this could further limit the supply of North American logs to China.

Supplies from North America have fallen in recent months as a result of trade friction between China and the US. Log imports through Taicang Port from Canada and the US fell slightly in the first three quarters of 2018 and it is predicted that the impact of the fumigation ban at Taicang Port will further impact imports.

In the first three quarters of 2018 log imports through Taicang Port were about 5.64 million cubic metres. Of the total, 39% were from New Zealand, 32% from Canada and the US, 11% from the Russia Federation with the balance from Australia, Uruguay, Japan and Spain.

EU tropical timber imports recover some lost ground in the third quarter

Posted on by GWMI Admin

EU imports of tropical wood products dipped sharply in 2017 and started this year very slowly but recovered some lost ground in the second and third quarters.

Chart 1 shows twelve monthly rolling total imports (to iron out seasonal fluctuations) into the EU of all tropical wood products listed in HS Chapter 44 (excluding fuelwood, wood waste and chips).

It shows that the 12-month rolling total import peaked at 2.17 million metric tonnes (MT) in September 2016, slipped to a low of 1.94 million MT in March, but had recovered to 2.02 million MT by September 2018.

In total, the EU imported 1.58 million MT of tropical wood products in the first nine months of 2018, 3.4% more than the same period in 2017. The total value of EU imports of tropical wood products in the January to September 2018 period was €1.66 billion, 1% more than the same period in 2017.

Although there have been gains in EU imports of tropical sawnwood, charcoal, mouldings, joinery products and logs this year, these have been offset by a decline in imports of tropical plywood, veneers, flooring, and other tertiary products.

West Fraser to reduce lumber production by 25 million bf due to production curtailments

Posted on by GWMI Admin

West Fraser announced it will implement temporary production curtailments over the holiday period at four of its British Columbia sawmills.

The company’s operations in Chasm, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and Chetwynd are all affected by the decision.

Ted Seraphim, CEO of West Fraser, commented:

“Challenging lumber markets and high log costs coupled with log supply constraints have necessitated this difficult decision.”

According to the announcement, the curtailments are expected to reduce SPF lumber production by approximately 25 million board feet in 2018.

423 million m3 of wood harvested from worldwide FSC certified forests

Posted on by GWMI Admin

A recent analysis across FSC forest management audit reports revealed that approximately 423 million cubic meters of wood are harvested per year in FSC-certified forests around the world.

This represents 22,6% of the global industrial roundwood production.

This number represents the maximum volume of FSC-certified wood which is potentially available across the globe. A margin of uncertainty of +/- 5% has to be considered.

Compared to the FAO wood production data from 2016, this volume corresponds to:

  • 22,6% of global industrial roundwood production (all roundwood excluding fuel wood); and
  • 11,3% of global roundwood production (which includes industrial roundwood and fuel wood).

To measure FSC-certified wood volumes, data from the most recent public reports of all 1509 independently verified forest management certificates were analyzed in 2017. Of these reports, 1138 reported volumes on a voluntary basis and in a non-standardized way. An estimate was made for the remaining 371 certificates. Overall, the reports covered an area of just under 200 million hectares of forests.

“The 200 million hectares of FSC-certified forests in the world correspond to approximately 17% of the world’s production forests, an area the size of 200 million football fields,” says Jeremy Harrison, Chief Marketing Officer at FSC International. “Not only does FSC ensure the highest standards of sustainable forest management, but this new indication of the volume share of production shows that FSC certification is becoming an important factor in global forest products markets.”

An infographic displaying the results of this analysis is available here.

Vietnam’s wood products exports to set new record in 2018

Posted on by GWMI Admin

Vietnam’s forestry product export is expected to reach 9.3 billion USD this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VAF).

The administration reported that the export of forestry projects was estimated at 8.49 billion USD in the past 11 months, up 16.6 percent annually and accounting for 23.42 percent of the total agro-forestry-fishery exports.

The sector’s trade surplus was estimated at nearly 6.4 billion USD during the period.

Major markets include the US, Japan, the European Union, China and the Republic of Korea, making up nearly 87.33 percent of the total.

In November alone, around 21,000ha of forests were exploited, equivalent to 1.51 million cu.m. Since early this year, the figure has been estimated at 17 million cu.m, or 92 percent of the yearly plan, up about 4 percent year-on-year.

During the 11-month period, the import of wood and wooden furniture reached 2.1 billion USD, up 6.17 percent annually, mostly from China, the US, Cambodia and Thailand.

According to the VAF, the result was attributable to the restructuring of forestry sector over the past five years.

In the near future, the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement will help Vietnam expand export markets, improve legal regulations on forest management and deal will illegal wood exploitation and trade, contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s wood processing for export.

The agreement will positively benefit Vietnam in socio-economic and environment terms, contributing to stepping up Vietnam’s export of wood and wooden furniture to markets outside the European Union such as the US, Japan and Australia, thus achieving the goal of earning 12-13 billion USD from wood exports by 2020.

US and China agree to suspend new trade tariffs

Posted on by GWMI Admin

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have agreed to halt new trade tariffs for 90 days to allow for talks.

At a post-G20 summit meeting in Buenos Aires, Mr Trump agreed not to boost tariffs on $200bn (£157bn) of Chinese goods from 10% to 25% on 1 January, BBC reported.

China will buy a "very substantial" amount of agricultural, industrial and energy products, the BBC says.

Meanwhile, Beijing says the two sides agreed to open up their markets.

Mr Trump and Mr Xi held a "highly successful meeting", the White House says in a statement.

It says the US tariffs on Chinese goods will remain unchanged for 90 days, but warns: "If at the end of this period of time, the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent."

The US says China agreed to "purchase a not yet agreed upon, but very substantial, amount of agricultural, energy, industrial, and other products from the United States to reduce the trade imbalance between our two countries".

Both sides also pledged to "immediately begin negotiations on structural changes with respect to forced technology transfer, intellectual property protection, non-tariff barriers, cyber intrusions and cyber theft", the White House says.

Full list of wood products which were affected by the US tariffs:

  • 4401.10.00 Fuel wood, in logs, in billets, in twigs, in faggots or similar forms
  • 4401.21.00 Coniferous wood in chips or particles
  • 4401.22.00 Nonconiferous wood in chips or particles
  • 4401.31.00 Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, pellets
  • 4401.39.20 Artificial fire logs, composed of wax and sawdust, with or without added materials
  • 4401.39.40 Sawdust and wood waste and scrap, excluding pellets or artificial logs, nesoi
  • 4402.10.00 Wood charcoal (including shell or nut charcoal), whether or not agglomerated, of bamboo
  • 4402.90.00 Wood charcoal (including shell or nut charcoal), whether or not agglomerated, other than of bamboo
  • 4403.10.00 Wood in the rough whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, treated with paint, stain, creosote or other preservatives
  • 4403.20.00 Coniferous wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood or roughly squared, not treated with preservatives
  • 4403.41.00 Wood in the rough/roughly squared,of Dark Red Meranti,Light Red Meranti and Meranti Bakau,not treated with paint/stain/cresote/other preserv
  • 4403.49.01 Wood in the rough/roughly squared, of other tropical wood, not treated with paint/stain/creosote/other preserv
  • 4403.91.00 Oak wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, not treated with preservatives
  • 4403.92.00 Beech wood in the rough, not treated with preservatives
  • 4403.99.00 Wood in the rough, nesoi
  • 4404.10.00 Coniferous wood, roughly shaped into poles, pickets, stakes, sticks and other forms, to be finished into specific articles or products
  • 4404.20.00 Nonconiferous wood, roughly shaped into poles, pickets, stakes, sticks and other forms, to be finished into specific articles or products
  • 4405.00.00 Wood wool (excelsior); wood flour
  • 4406.10.00 Railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, not impregnated
  • 4406.90.00 Railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood, impregnated
  • 4407.10.01 Coniferous wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness exceeding 6 mm 4407.21.00 Dark Red Meranti, Light Red Meranti and other specified tropical woods, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.22.00 Okoume, Obeche, Sapelli and other specified tropical woods, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.25.00 Dark Red Meranti, Light Red Meranti and Meranti Bakau wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.26.00 White Lauan, White Meranti, White Seraya, Yellow Meranta and Alan wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.27.00 Sapelli wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.28.00 Iroko wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.29.01 Tropical wood specified in chapter 44 subheading note 1, nesoi, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.91.00 Oak wood, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.92.00 Beech wood, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.93.00 Maple wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.94.00 Cherry wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.95.00 Ash wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4407.99.01 Nonconiferous woods, nesoi, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, over 6 mm thick
  • 4408.10.01 Coniferous veneer sheets and sheets for plywood & coniferous wood sawn/sliced/peeled not over 6 mm thick
  • 4408.31.01 Dark Red Meranti, Light Red Meranti and Meranti Bakau veneer sheets and sheets for plywood and other wood sawn/sliced/peeled, n/o 6 mm thick
  • 4408.39.02 Other tropical wood veneer sheets and sheets for plywood, and wood sawn/sliced/peeled n/o 6 mm thick
  • 4408.90.01 Nontropical nonconiferous veneer sheets and sheets for plywood and other wood sawn/sliced/peeled, not over 6 mm thick
  • 4409.10.05 Coniferous wood continuously shaped along any of its ends, whether or not also continuously shaped along any its edges or faces
  • 4409.10.10 Coniferous wood siding continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces but not on its ends 4409.10.20 Coniferous wood flooring continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces but not on its ends 4409.10.40 Standard wood moldings of pine (Pinus spp.) continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces but not on its ends
  • 4409.10.45 Standard coniferous wood moldings, other than of pine, continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces but not on its ends
  • 4409.10.50 Coniferous wood moldings, other than standard type, continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces but not on its ends
  • 4409.10.60 Coniferous wood dowel rods, plain, continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces but not on its ends
  • 4409.10.65 Coniferous wood dowel rod, sanded/grooved/otherwise advanced in condition, continuously shaped along any of edges or faces but not its ends
  • 4409.10.90 Coniferous wood, other than siding, flooring, moldings or dowel rod, continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces but not on its ends
  • 4409.21.05 Nonconiferous wood (bamboo) continuously shaped along any of its ends, wether or not also continuously shaped along any its edges or faces
  • 4409.21.90 Bamboo, other than continuously shaped along any of its ends
  • 4409.22.05 Nonconiferous tropical wood continuously shaped along any ends, whether or not also continuously shaped along any edges or faces
  • 4409.22.10 Nonconiferous tropical wood siding, whether or not continuously shaped along its edges or faces but not its ends
  • 4409.22.25 Nonconiferous tropical wood flooring, whether or not continuously shaped along its edges or faces but not its ends
  • 4409.22.40 Nonconiferous tropical wood standard moldings, whether or not continuously shaped along its edges or faces but not its ends
  • 4409.22.50 Other nonconiferous tropical wood moldings, whether or not continuously shaped along its edges or faces but not its ends
  • 4409.22.60 Plain nonconiferous tropical wood dowel rods, whether or not continuously shaped along its edges or faces but not its ends
  • 4409.22.65 Nonconif. tropical wood dowel rods, sanded/grooved/otherwise advanced in condition, whether or not continuous. along edges or faces but not ends
  • 4409.29.06 Other nonconiferous wood, continuously shaped along any ends, whether or not also continuously shaped along any edges or faces
  • 4409.29.11 Other nonconiferous wood siding, whether or not continuously shaped along its edges or faces but not its ends
  • 4409.29.26 Other nonconiferous wood flooring, whether or not continuously shaped along its edges or faces but not its ends
  • 4409.29.41 Other nonconiferous standard wood moldings, whether or not continuously shaped along its edges or faces but not its ends
  • 4409.29.51 Other nonconiferous wood moldings, whether or not continuously shaped along its edges or faces but not its ends
  • 4409.29.61 Plain other nonconif. wood dowel rods, whether or not continuously shaped along edges or faces but not ends
  • 4409.29.66 Other nonconif. wood dowel rods, sanded/grooved/otherwise advanced in condition, whether or not continuously shaped along edges or faces but not ends
  • 4409.29.91 Other nonconiferous wood, whether or not continuously shaped along its edges or faces but not its ends 4410.11.00 Waferboard, including oriented strand board, of wood
  • 4410.12.00 Oriented strand board and waferboard, of wood, unworked or not further worked than sanded
  • 4410.19.00 Particle board and similar board of wood, other than waferboard
  • 4410.90.00 Particle board and similar board of ligneous materials other than wood
  • 4411.12.10 MDF , <= 5mm thick, not mechanically worked or surface covered
  • 4411.12.20 MDF, <= 5mm thick, for construction, laminated
  • 4411.12.30 MDF , <= 5mm thick, for construction, not laminated, nesoi
  • 4411.12.60 Fiberboard of a density over 0.5 g/cm3 but not over 0.8 g/cm3, not mechanically worked surface covered (Except for oil treatment)
  • 4411.12.90 MDF, <= 5mm thick, not for construction, nesoi
  • 4411.13.10 MDF, >5mm but <= 9 mm thick, not mechanically worked or surface covered
  • 4411.13.20 MDF, >5mm but <= 9 mm thick,, for construction, laminated
  • 4411.13.30 MDF , >5mm but <= 9 mm thick, for construction, not laminated, nesoi
  • 4411.13.60 Fiberboard of a density over 0.5 g/cm3 but not over 0.8 g/cm3, not mechanically worked surface covered(except for oil treatment)
  • 4411.13.90 MDF, >5mm but <= 9 mm thick, not for construction, nesoi
  • 4411.14.10 Fiberboard of a thickness exceeding 9 mm, not mechanically worked or surface covered
  • 4411.14.20 Fiberboard of a thickness exceeding 9 mm, edgeworked continuously, laminated, for construction uses 4411.14.30 Fiberboard of a thickness exceeding 9 mm , tongued, grooved or rabbetted continuously, for construction uses, nesoi
  • 4411.14.60 Fiberboard of a thickness exceeding 9 mm, not mechanically worked surface covered (except for oil treatment)
  • 4411.14.90 Fiberboard nesoi,of a thickness exceeding 9 mm
  • 4411.92.10 Fiberboard of a density exceeding 0.8 g/cm3, not mechanically worked or surface covered
  • 4411.92.20 Fiberboard
  • 4411.92.30 Fiberboard, of a density exceeding 0.8 g/cm3, mechanically edged-worked, for construction uses 4411.92.40 Fiberboard nesoi, density exceeding 0.8 g/cm3
  • 4411.93.10 Fiberboard, not MDF, of a density >0.5 but <=0.8 g/cm3, not mechanically worked or surface covered 4411.93.20 Fiberboard, not MDF, of a density >0.5 but <=0.8 g/cm3, edgeworked continuously, laminated, for construction uses
  • 4411.93.30 Fiberboard, not MDF, of a density >0.5 but <=0.8 g/cm3, tongued, grooved or rabbetted continuously, for construction, nesoi
  • 4411.93.60 Fiberboard of a density over 0.5 g/cm3 but not over 0.8 g/cm3, not mechanically worked surface covered (Except for oil)
  • 4411.93.90 Fiberboard, not MDF, of a density >0.5 but <=0.8 g/cm3, nesoi
  • 4411.94.00 Fiberboard of a density exceeding 0.35 g/cm3 but not exceeding 0.5 g/cm3, not mechanically worked or surface covered
  • 4412.10.05 Plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood, of bamboo
  • 4412.10.90 Veneered panels and similar laminated wood, of bamboo, other than plywood
  • 4412.31.06 Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, tropical wood outer ply, birch face ply, not surface covered beyond clear/transparent
  • 4412.31.26 Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, tropical wood outer ply, Spanish cedar or walnut face ply, not surface covered beyond clear/transparent
  • 4412.31.41 Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, with specified tropical wood outer ply, with face ply nesoi, not surface covered beyond clear/transparent
  • 4412.31.52 Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, tropical wood nesoi at least one outer ply, with face ply nesoi, not surface covered beyond clear/transparent
  • 4412.31.61 Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, with certain specified tropical wood outer ply, surface covered beyond clear or transparent
  • 4412.31.92 Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, tropical wood nesoi at least one outer ply, surface covered beyond clear or transparent
  • 4412.32.06 Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, outer ply of nonconiferous wood, birch face ply, not surface covered beyond clear/transparent
  • 4412.32.26 Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, outer ply nonconiferous wood, face ply Spanish ceder or walnut, not surface covered beyond clear/transparent
  • 4412.32.32 Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, outerply of nonconiferous wood nesoi, face ply nesoi, not surface covered beyond clear/transparent
  • 4412.32.57 Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, outerply of nonconiferous wood nesoi, face ply nesoi, surface covered beyond clear/transparent
  • 4412.39.10 Plywood of wood sheets, n/o 6 mm thick each, with outer plies of coniferous wood, face ply of Parana pine, not or clear surface covered
  • 4412.39.30 Plywood of wood sheets, n/o 6 mm thick each, with outer plies of coniferous wood, European red pine face ply, not or clear surface covered
  • 4412.39.40 Plywood of wood sheets, n/o 6 mm thick each, with outer plies of coniferous wood, with face ply nesoi, not or clear surface covered
  • 4412.39.50 Plywood of wood sheets, n/o 6 mm thick each, with outer plies of coniferous wood, nesoi, surface covered, nesoi
  • 4412.94.10 Plywood nesoi, at least one nonconiferous outer ply, not surface-covered beyond clear/transparent, face ply of birch
  • 4412.94.31 Blockboard etc.: plywood nesoi, at least one nonconifer outer ply, not surface-covered beyond clear/transparent, not w/face ply of birch
  • 4412.94.41 Blockboard etc: plywood nesoi, at least one nonconiferous outer ply, surface covered other than clear or transparent
  • 4412.94.51 Blockboard etc: veneered panels and similar laminated wood w/ at least one nonconiferous outer ply, nesois
  • 4412.94.60 Blockboard etc: plywood nesoi,other outer plies,not surf.-cov. Beyond clear/transp., face ply Parana pine 4412.94.70 Blockboard etc: plywood nesoi, other outer plies,not surf.-cov. Beyond clear/transp.,face ply Europe red pine
  • 4412.94.80 Blockboard etc: plywood nesoi,other outer plies,not surface-covered beyond clear/transparent, face ply nesoi
  • 4412.94.90 Blockboard etc: plywood nesoi, other outer plies, surface covered other than clear or transparent 4412.94.95 Blockboard etc: veneered panels and similar laminated wood nesoi, other outer plies
  • 4412.99.06 Plywood nesoi,veneered panel & similar laminated wood w/nonconiferous outer ply, at least one layer of particle board
  • 4412.99.10 Not blockboard: plywood at least 1 outer ply of nonconif wood, nesoi, with a face ply of birch, not surface covered or clear/transparent
  • 4412.99.31 Not blockboard: plywood nesoi, at least 1 nonconiferous outer ply, not surface-covered beyond clear/transparent, not w/face ply of birch
  • 4412.99.41 Not blockboard: plywood nesoi, at least 1 nonconiferous outer ply, surface covered other than clear or transparent
  • 4412.99.51 Not blockboard: veneered panels and similar laminated wood w/ at least 1 nonconiferous outer ply, nesoi 4412.99.57 Not blockboard: plywood/veneered panel/sim. Laminated wood nesoi, at least 1 nonconiferous outer ply,at least 1 layer of particle board
  • 4412.99.60 Not blockboard:plywood nesoi,at least 1 nonconiferous outer ply, no particle board,not surf.-cov. Beyond clear/transp., face ply Parana pine
  • 4412.99.70 Not blockboard: plywood nesoi, at least 1 non conif outer ply,no particle board,not surf.-cov. Beyond clear/transp.,face ply Europe red pine
  • 4412.99.80 Not blockboard:plywood nesoi, at least 1 non conif outer ply, no particle board,not surface-covered beyond clear/transparent, face ply nesoi
  • 4412.99.90 Not blockboard: plywood, veneer panels and similar laminated wood, at least 1 nonconiferous outer ply, nesoi
  • 4412.99.95 Not blockboard: veneered panels and similar laminated wood, nesoi, at least 1 nonconiferous outer ply, no particle board, nesoi
  • 4413.00.00 Densified wood, in blocks, plates, strips or profile shapes
  • 4415.10.30 Packing boxes and cases of wood with solid sides, lids and bottoms
  • 4415.10.60 Wooden containers designed for use in the harvesting of fruits and vegetables
  • 4415.10.90 Wood cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings nesoi; cable-drums of wood
  • 4415.20.40 Wooden pallets, box-pallets and other load boards designed for use in the harvesting of fruits and vegetables
  • 4415.20.80 Wooden pallets, box-pallets and other load boards, other than designed for use in the harvesting of fruits and vegetables
  • 4416.00.30 Wooden casks, barrels and hogsheads
  • 4416.00.60 Wooden staves and hoops; tight barrelheads of softwood
  • 4416.00.90 Wooden vats, tubs and other coopers' products and parts thereof
  • 4417.00.60 Wooden brush backs
  • 4417.00.80 Wooden tools, tool bodies, tool handles, broom or brush bodies and handles nesoi; wooden boot or shoe lasts and trees
  • 4418.10.00 Wooden windows, French-windows and their frames
  • 4418.20.40 French doors of wood
  • 4418.20.80 Doors of wood, other than French doors
  • 4418.40.00 Wooden formwork (shuttering) for concrete constructional work
  • 4418.50.00 Wooden shingles and shakes
  • 4418.60.00 Builders' joinery and carpentry of wood, Posts and Beams
  • 4418.73.10 Assembled flooring panels of bamboo, for mosaic floors, solid
  • 4418.73.20 Assembled flooring panels of bamboo, for mosaic floors other than solid, having a face ply more than 6mm in thickness
  • 4418.73.30 Assembled flooring panels of bamboo, for mosaic floors other than solid, having a face ply less than or equal to 6 mm in thickness
  • 4418.73.40 Assembled flooring panels of bamboo, other than for mosaic, multilayer, having a face ply more than 6mm in thickness
  • 4418.73.60 Assembled flooring panels of bamboo, other than mosaic, multilayer, having a face ply <=equal to 6mm in thickness, of unidirectional bamboo
  • 4418.73.70 Assembled flooring panels of bamboo, other than for mosaic, multilayer, having a face ply <= 6mm in thickness, not of unidirectional bamboo
  • 4418.73.90 Assembled flooring panels of bamboo, other than for mosaic or multilayer, nesoi
  • 4418.74.10 Assembled wood flooring panels, other than of bamboo, for mosaic floors, solid
  • 4418.74.20 Assembled wood flooring panels, other than of bamboo, for mosaic floors other than solid, having a face ply more than 6 mm in thickness
  • 4418.74.90 Assembled wood flooring panels, other than of bamboo, for mosaic floors other than solid, having a face ply less than or equal to 6 mm in thickness
  • 4418.75.40 Assembled wood flooring panels, other than of bamboo, other than for mosaic, multilayer, having a face ply more than 6 mm in thickness
  • 4418.75.70 Assembled wood flooring panels, other than of bamboo, other than for mosaic, multilayer, having a face ply less than or equal to 6 mm in thickness
  • 4418.79.01 Assembled wood flooring panels, other than of bamboo, other than for mosaic or multilayer
  • 4418.91.10 Builders' joinery and carpentry of wood, of bamboo, drilled or notched lumber studs
  • 4418.91.90 Builders' joinery and carpentry of wood, of bamboo, other than drilled or notched lumber studs 4418.99.10 Builders' joinery and carpentry of wood, of wood other than of bamboo, drilled or notched lumber studs 4418.99.90 Builders' joinery and carpentry of wood, of wood other than of bamboo, other than drilled or notched lumber studs
  • 4420.90.45 Wooden jewelry boxes, silverware chests, microscope, tool or utensil cases, similar boxes, cases and chests, not lined with textile fabrics
  • 4420.90.65 Wooden jewelry boxes, silverware chests, microscope, tool or utensil cases, similar boxes, cases and chests, lined with textile fabrics
  • 4420.90.80 Wood marquetry and inlaid wood; wooden articles of furniture, nesoi
  • 4421.91.10 Plain wood dowel pins of bamboo
  • 4421.91.20 Wood dowel pins of bamboo, sanded, grooved or otherwise advanced in condition
  • 4421.91.70 Pickets, palings, posts and rails of bamboo, sawn; assembled fence sections of bamboo
  • 4421.91.93 Theatrical, ballet and operatic scenery and properties, including sets, of bamboo
  • 4421.91.94 Edge-glued lumber of bamboo
  • 4421.91.97 Other articles, nesoi, of bamboo, incl pencil slats, burial caskets, gates for confining children or pets 4421.99.10 Plain coniferous wood dowel pins
  • 4421.99.15 Plain wood dowel pins, other than of coniferous wood or of bamboo
  • 4421.99.20 Wood dowel pins of wood other than of bamboo, the foregoing sanded, grooved or otherwise advanced in condition
  • 4421.99.70 Pickets, palings, posts and rails, sawn, of wood other than of bamboo; assembled fence sections of wood other than of bamboo
  • 4421.99.93 Theatrical, ballet and operatic scenery and properties, including sets, of wood other than of bamboo
  • 4421.99.94 Edge-glued lumber of wood other than of bamboo
  • 4421.99.97 Other articles, nesoi, of wood other than of bamboo, incl pencil slats, burial caskets, gates for confining children or pets

Woodworking machines

  • 8465.20.10 Machine centers for sawing, planing, milling, molding, grinding, sanding, polishing, drilling or mortising 8465.20.50 Machine centers for bending or assembling
  • 8465.20.80 Machine centers, nesoi
  • 8465.91.00 Sawing machines for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard material

Wooden Furniture

  • 9401.52.00 Bamboo seats
  • 9401.53.00 Rattan seat
  • Seats nesoi, of cane, osier, similar materials o/than bamboo or rattan
  • 9401.61.20 Chairs nesoi, w/teak frames, upholstered
  • 9401.61.40 Chairs nesoi, w/wooden frames (o/than teak), upholstered
  • 9401.61.60 Seats (o/than chairs) nesoi, w/wooden frames, upholstered
  • 9401.69.20 Seats nesoi, of bent-wood
  • 9401.69.40 Chairs nesoi, w/teak frames, not upholstered
  • 9401.69.60 Chairs nesoi, w/wooden frames (o/than teak), not upholstered
  • 9401.69.80 Seats (o/than chairs) nesoi, w/wooden frames, not upholstered
  • 9401.90.40 Parts of seats (o/than of 9402) nesoi, of wood
  • 9403.30.80 Furniture (o/than seats) of wood (o/than bentwood) nesoi, of a kind used in offices
  • 9403.40.40 Furniture (o/than seats) of bent-wood nesoi, of a kind used in the kitchen
  • 9403.40.60 Furniture (o/than seats) of wood (o/than bentwood) nesoi, of a kind used in the kitchen & design. for motor vehicle use
  • 9403.40.90 Furniture (o/than seats) of wood (o/than bentwood) nesoi, of a kind used in the kitchen & not design. for motor vehicl. use
  • 9403.50.40 Furniture (o/than seats) of bentwood nesoi, of a kind used in the bedroom
  • 9403.50.60 Furniture (o/than seats) of wood (o/than bentwood), of a kind used in the bedroom & designed for motor vehicle use
  • 9403.50.90 Furniture (o/than seats) of wood (o/than bentwood), of a kind used in the bedroom & not designed for motor vehicle use
  • 9403.60.40 Furniture (o/than seats & o/than of 9402) of bentwood nesoi
  • 9403.60.80 Furniture (o/than seats & o/than of 9402) of wooden (o/than bentwood) nesoi
  • 9403.82.00 Bamboo furniture and parts
  • 9403.83.00 Rattan furniture and parts 9403.89.30 Furniture (o/than seats) of cane, osier, or similar materials o/than bamboo or rattan
  • 9403.89.60 Furniture (o/than seats & o/than of 9402) of materials nesoi
  • 9403.90.10 Parts of furniture (o/than seats), for furniture of a kind used for motor vehicles
  • 9403.90.25 Parts of furniture (o/than seats), of cane, osier, bamboo or similar materials
  • 9403.90.70 Parts of furniture (o/than seats or o/than of 9402), of wood
  • 9406.10.00 Prefabricated buildings of wood

New 157,000 t/a torrefied wood pellet plant to be build in Estonia

Posted on by GWMI Admin

Baltania OÜ has awarded Pöyry with an assignment for Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) services for the new torrefied pellet plant project in Vägari, Estonia. The assignment includes project management, basic engineering, procurement and site supervision services. 

This project is a step forward in energy transition from fossil fuels to bio-coal made from renewable biomass. For this purpose, Baltania has brought together the best parties to build a commercial, industrial scale torrefied pellet plant using the latest state-of-the-art technology.

"Pöyry is delighted to support Baltania with this important and challenging project in Estonia. It is one of the first industrial size torrefied pellet production plants in the world and by far the largest one, and we are proud to be their partner in this demanding project," says Ilkka Heikkilä, Pöyry's Regional Director for Thermal Power.

"We bring together two parties:  CEG and Pöyry to execute this torrefied pellet plant project in Estonia. CEG delivers superior torrefaction technology and Pöyry is the chosen partner for its expertise in engineering, procurement, construction and management of biomass energy projects," says Mika Hassinen, CEO of Baltania OÜ.

The construction of this new production plant is expected to be completed during Q1/2020 and when in full operation it will produce 157,000 t/a of torrefied pellets made of sustainable biomass sourced from forestry wastes and by-products of wood processing industry.

Torrefaction is a thermochemical process applied to biomass which transforms it into a homogeneous fuel (bio-coal) with remarkably superior handling, energy density, water resistance and grindability properties that make it comparable with fossil coal and a sustainable replacement of fossil coal in power generation plants and other processes. The torrefaction process is based on CEG technology which offers a number of novel features. CEG's torrefaction process converts biomass into torrefied pellets and biochar utilising its proprietary torrefaction reactor.  The torrefied products are produced with no net thermal energy imported from non-renewable systems.

Rising wood pellet prices in Austria

Posted on by GWMI Admin

In November, the end-user price for ENplus A1 wood pellets in Austria increased slightly compared to October.
On average, one kilogram costs 24.31 cents per kg (delivery quantity 6t). This is 1.4% more than in October and 4.4% more than in November 2017.
The pellet price index PPI06 stands at 136.72 points.
Pellets in bags cost € 4.11 per 15 kg bag (order quantity: one pallet) or 27.38 cents / kg.

  • Year-to-year change: + 3.4%
  • Monthly change: + 1.2%

Pellets for commercial use (delivery quantity: 17t) currently cost 208.36 € / t. The monthly difference is also 1.6 % more. The year-on-year price increase is 4.4%.

Finland: Roundwood prices on the rise in October

Posted on by GWMI Admin

In October, the stumpage price for pine logs in Finland was EUR 61.8 per cubic metre,  and the price for spruce logs was EUR 65.7 per cubic metre.
The stumpage price for pine pulpwood was EUR 18.3 per cubic metre, while the price for spruce pulpwood was EUR 20.7 per cubic metre. The stumpage price level rose a bit compared to the previous month.
The roadside price for Finnish pine pulpwood was  EUR 32.0 per cubic metre. The price for spruce pulpwood was EUR 34.4 per cubic metre and for birch pulpwood 32.8 EUR per cubic metre. Delivery sales are typically dominated by pulpwood.
The roundwood trade statistics are based on the wood prices written into wood trade contracts between buyers and sellers. Other additional pricing components and forest services connected to wood trade are not included in the wood price statistics.
Roundwood trade was very active in October. Forest industry procured 6.28  million cubic metres roundwood from non-industrial, private forests.

Rougier to sell Rougier Sylvaco Panneaux to French Malvaux Group

Posted on by GWMI Admin

The Rougier Group entered into exclusive negotiations with the Malvaux Group to sell 100% of the Rougier Sylvaco Panneaux’s capital to the Malvaux Group. The transaction is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2018, after receiving the regulatory authorizations required.

According to the announcement, the strategic choice to divest Rougier Sylvaco Panneaux is in line with the Rougier Group’s desire to simplify and geographically realign its portfolio of activities in order to benefit from new capacities for bouncing back.

The alliance between Rougier Sylvaco Panneaux and the Malvaux Group follows on from an initial commercial partnership set up in 2016 in the Paris Region. Their business combination will enable them to further strengthen their presence for the distribution of timber and plywood products for a broad client base of specialist merchants and industrial firms operating in a very wide range of areas.

In addition to a rich and extensive range of products, Rougier Sylvaco Panneaux will provide the Malvaux Group with its recognized technical and commercial expertise, its environmentally-responsible procurement expertise, its permanent stock of over 30,000m3 and its complete logistics infrastructure with three strategic depots in Caen, Paris and Sète.

Malvaux Group is the leading French manufacturer of rare and exotic wood panels and technical plywood, with a view to selling its subsidiary Rougier Sylvaco Panneaux, specialized in importing and distributing timber and plywood from all origins in France.

After further strengthening its development division with the acquisition of Navi Line, ST Bois, Amoris, Barbeau then Griffon in 2017, the Malvaux Group is further strengthening its position as a leading industrial operator and distributor for decorative and plywood panels with this latest announcement.

After consulting with the employee representatives, this operation remains subject to the final agreements being signed, planned for before the end of 2018.

Lumber prices in the US continue to rise

Posted on by GWMI Admin

Framing lumber prices in the US carried some upward momentum last week, and the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price posted at $2 gain.
Traders digested recent purchases and kept new orders to a minimum. Year-end inventory taxes were a factor, while many traders sensed that they could cover near-term needs with little trouble.

This Week
Nov 21		 Last Week
Nov 16		 Year Ago
2017
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* $342 $340 $438
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price 351 347 489
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes 410 403 555
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) 280 280 458
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L 391 391 438
KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L 332 330 490
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L 780 780 730
* Weighted average of 15 key items

Random Lengths Panel Market Report

The holiday-shortened week sapped energy from structural panel trading. Sales of OSB lacked urgency, and prices were unchanged in most producing regions. A number of buyers in the U.S. had filtered out of their offices by Wednesday morning. A dearth of activity followed steady early-week sales in Southern Pine plywood. After a quiet start, western Fir plywood trading picked up Tuesday, as traders covered near-term needs before heading out for the holiday. Volumes were not heavy.

(f.o.b. mill prices) This Week
Nov 21		 Last Week
Nov 16		 Year Ago
2017
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* $383 $385 $451
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood 360-390 360-390 415-485
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood 365-395 365-395 420-490
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood 357 358 447
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board 245 245 355
*Weighted average of 11 key items

 

British Columbia’s largest forestry delegation to visit China, Japan and South Korea at the end of 2018

Posted on by GWMI Admin

Doug Donaldson, B.C. Forests/Rural Development Minister, is taking a large forestry-sector delegation to three Asian countries this season. The move comes as an intention to expand exports beyond the suddenly slowing American market.

Donaldson, whose portfolio also includes Lands and Natural Resources Operations, will visit South Korea, Japan and China Dec. 5 -15 with a group of officials from more than 40 companies, research institutions, unions and trade associations. The number of entities represented by the delegation in last year’s trade mission (to China and Japan) was around 30, according to Business in Vancouver.

Donaldson led a forestry-sector delegation to Asia last year too, but this year's edition will include a large First Nations component. The Minister said that is very necessary for B.C. to put First Nations communities in direct contact with potential customers in East Asia, since most of these communities’ lumber businesses lack the scale to reach Asia by themselves.

“We’ve consistently had conversations with First Nations communities around tenure and processing more wood locally, so it just makes sense for those First Nations who are interested in growing their economies to have representation on this trip,” Donaldson said. “The major licensees can often establish their own connections - although they do find it worth their while to come along on this trade mission, as well - but there’s a significant contingent of people who represent licensees that aren’t as large, and this trip helps open doors and and make the connections.”

At the moment, China, Japan and South Korea are the most important wood-product export markets for B.C. and make about 29% of the province's current wood-product exports, although each presents a distinct opportunity for local companies.

Until the summer of 2018, the province has been on a major bull market in terms of lumber exports. After this, the drop in lumber prices in the US removed the insulation between B.C.’s forestry industry and the softwood lumber duties imposed by the United States.

As Business in Vancouver reported, prices in the American market for lumber fell from US$600 per 1,000 board feet to US$300 this month. Moreover, a striking timber supply in B.C. due partially to wildfires contributed to a slowdown.

This slowdown resulted in West Fraser Timber Co. cutting shifts at sawmills in Quesnel and Fraser Lake and laying off 135 workers. West Fraser estimates the adjustment will take 13% out of the company’s B.C. production.

“There are certain things that government can do to ensure we have jobs in rural communities that depend on forestry, and there are areas where it’s difficult to exert influence on as a government - global markets on lumber prices, for instance,” Donaldson said. “But this trade mission is one example of something where the B.C. government has a very legitimate and importance role, and we are acting on it to make sure that there will continue to be rural jobs in forestry.”

The German parquet industry sees great opportunities in the Chinese market

Posted on by GWMI Admin

During the first three quarters of 2018, the sales of German parquet fell by 5% year-on-year, reaching a value of 7.3 million m2. 

The decline has weakened slightly over the course of the year, said the chairman of the Association of the German Parquet Industry, Michael Schmid, at the autumn meeting of the Association in Rosenheim.

Moreover, the parquet industry has to compete with new products, such as designer flooring, imports and rising commodity prices, especially in oak.

Yet, the Solid Parquet product division increased its sales by 4.7%, to 1.16 million m2. In particular, mosaic parquet went up by 7.5%, while solid wood flooring fell by 2.6%.

The Multilayered Parquet division lost 6.0% to a sales volume of 6.09 million m2. Three-ply parquet fell sharply at -13.2%. Two-layer parquet lost 4.4% and three-ply plank flooring 3.1%, while the smallest area of ​​double-layer planks increased by 8.1% to 162,401 m2.

Higher commodity prices have been reflected in higher product prices, so that the turnover of the parquet branch remained almost stable with a decline of only 0.6% and after three quarters stands at 206 million euros.

Schmid still sees no end to the expansion of the oak in parquet. Still heavily brushed structures and natural surfaces are in demand. These are difficult to implement with other types of wood. While domestic production is declining, the share of merchandise is increasing. Among other things, this is due to the fact that the German manufacturers increasingly produce abroad.

Schmid said that the trends towards design flooring are still uncertain, a thing which makes it difficult for the parquet sector.

The German parquet manufacturers see hope on the export market, because while the German market is weakening, the other European countries seem to recover. Also, the current US tariff policy could also result in new export opportunities.

"The export is more important than ever for the German parquet manufacturers", explains Michael Schmid.

This is most evident in China, according to Schmid, who recently accepted the invitation of the Chinese Timber Trade and Import Association and made a speech at the Chinese Global Wood Floor Conference.

"The Chinese market is increasingly asking for German products and the German market is increasingly asking for Chinese products," said Schmid.

Although German parquet in China is 2-3 times as expensive as that of its Chinese production, the market potential for German parquet in China is huge and may be fueled by the tariff dispute between China and the United States.

Egger starts construction of its first US particleboard plant

Posted on by GWMI Admin

Austrian wood-based panel manufacturer Egger has started construction on its first U.S. particleboard manufacturing plant here in Davidson County, N.C.

Construction began after the company received an air quality permit from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

The facility, which will employ as many as 400 over the next six years, is expected to open in 2020, allowing Egger to better serve its customers in North America, including architects, designers and wholesalers as well as customers in the residential furniture industry.

The company earlier this year broke ground on its corporate office building in Lexington, which is expected to be complete in early 2019. It will house the company’s North American office staff and serve as the base for all plant operations.

The company has already hired 50 workers and also has kicked off an apprentice training program with Davidson County Community College.

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