During August 2016, the price of wood pellets in Germany reached EUR 222.54/tonne. The price decreased by 0.1%, compared to July and by 4% compared to August 2015. Continue reading "Wood pellets' price in Germany keeps its stability this summer"
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Wood pellets’ price in Germany keeps its stability this summer
During August 2016, the price of wood pellets in Germany reached EUR 222.54/tonne. The price decreased by 0.1%, compared to July and by 4% compared to August 2015. Continue reading "Wood pellets’ price in Germany keeps its stability this summer"
Boise Cascade to take downtime at two Oregon plywood mills
FSC to disassociate from BILT and its Malaysian subsidiary SFI
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has announced that it has disassociated from Ballarpur Industries Limited (BILT) and the subsidiary company Sabah Forest Industries (SFI).
According to a FSC press release, this decision comes after a lengthy review process of the conclusions by an independent complaints panel that conducted a thorough investigation into the complaint filed by Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) in March 2015. The complaint alleged that SFI refused to uphold the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Core Conventions on Freedom of Association (Convention No. 87) and Collective Bargaining (Convention No. 98).
The independent complaints panel concluded that there was clear and convincing evidence that SFI was not complying with both principles, leading to a decision on the case by the FSC International Board of Directors. In its assessment, the Board of Directors required BILT and SFI to submit an action plan and a progress report on recommended corrective measures no later than 24 June 2016, a deadline that was further extended to 30 June at BILT’s request.
Failure to submit both the action plan and progress report, as well as show a clear and significant commitment to fulfill the recommended corrective measures, have prompted the decision to disassociate, despite FSC allowing ample time for both companies to implement these actions.
The FSC Policy for Association requires certificate holders to comply with ILO Core Conventions. Non-compliance is a violation of the FSC Policy for Association and prompts a review by an independent complaints panel and, when necessary, disassociation by the International Board of Directors.
Ballarpur Industries Limited (BILT) is a flagship of the US$4 bn Avantha Group and India's largest manufacturer of writing and printing (W&P) paper. The current chairman of the company is Gautam Thapar, who succeeded his late uncle L.M. Thapar.
BILT's subsidiaries include Sabah Forest Industries (SFI), Malaysia's largest pulp and paper company, and BILT Tree Tech Limited (BTTL), which runs BILT's farm forestry programme in several states in India.
BILT has six manufacturing units across India, which give the company geographic coverage over most of the domestic market. BILT has a dominant share of the high-end coated paper segment in India. The company accounts for over 50% of the coated wood-free paper market, an impressive 85% of the bond paper market and nearly 45% of the hi-bright Maplitho market, besides being India's largest exporter of coated paper.
Forecast: Japanese wood demand expected to rise this year
Japan’s Forestry Agency has recently held a meeting for revising the wood demand for 2016. There is a reported increase as compared to last year, both for domestic and imported products. Continue reading "Forecast: Japanese wood demand expected to rise this year"
Indonesia: Moratorium on land clearing for palm oil to impact log supply
UK construction industry enters recession
For the first time in the last 4 years, the UK construction returned to recession. Soon after the Brexit vote, the British economy might encounter a serious slowdown. Continue reading "UK construction industry enters recession"
European softwood logs & lumber exports to China still on an upward trend
Despite the fact that China's economy has slowed down in recent time, the construction sector is still on an upward trend, and thus the need for wood is still high.
In recent years, the European sawmills, though not the main exporters to China, have tried to establish themselves as important customers for the Chinese market. This trend is expected to be increasing in the following years.
Softwood logs exported from the EU countries to China have increased a lot during the first half of 2016, as compared to the same period last year. Also, the softwood lumber exports have risen in value by 35% during the mentioned period.
The softwood logs exports to China amounted to a value of EUR 22,3 million, 46% up as compared to the first half of 2015. Exports from Lithuania and Latvia boosted by 180% and 140% respectively, while the logs exported from Denmark and Estonia reached amounts of EUR 3,49 million and EUR 3,91 million respectively.
Moreover, softwood lumber exports from the EU to China increased by 35%, to EUR 182 million, from EUR 134 million in the first half of 2015.
Yet, exports from Germany decreased by -23%, while Austria and Spain delivered 89% and 78% more softwood lumber to China. Finland and Sweden also grew their lumber exports to China, by 75% and 16%, respectively.
|
TOP 10 Exporting Countries Softwood logs exported to China from... (in EUR ); HS Code: 440320 |
H1/2015 | H1/2016 | Change in % | |||
|
15,316,470 | 22,389,800 | 46 % | |||
|
3,089,730 | 4,430,090 | 43 % | |||
|
2,167,440 | 3,921,980 | 81 % | |||
|
1,265,500 | 3,541,040 | 180 % | |||
|
1,732,010 | 3,498,910 | 102 % | |||
|
632,220 | 1,518,540 | 140 % | |||
|
6,429,570 | 5,479,240 | -15 % | |||
| TOTAL | 15,316,470 | 22,389,800 | 46 % |
|
TOP 10 Exporting Countries Softwood Lumber exported to China from... (in EUR ); HS Code: 440710 |
H1/2015 | H1/2016 | Change in % | |||
|
134,359,350 | 182,018,379 | 35 % | |||
|
54,126,280 | 94,946,488 | 75 % | |||
|
53,192,151 | 61,473,871 | 16 % | |||
|
15,153,260 | 11,671,930 | -23 % | |||
|
2,227,820 | 4,208,400 | 89 % | |||
|
1,277,180 | 2,277,350 | 78 % | |||
|
8,382,660 | 7,440,340 | -11 % | |||
| TOTAL | 134,359,350 | 182,018,379 | 35 % |
European softwood logs & lumber exports to China still on an upward trend
Despite the fact that China's economy has slowed down in recent time, the construction sector is still on an upward trend, and thus the need for wood is still high.
In recent years, the European sawmills, though not the main exporters to China, have tried to establish themselves as important customers for the Chinese market. This trend is expected to be increasing in the following years.
Softwood logs exported from the EU countries to China have increased a lot during the first half of 2016, as compared to the same period last year. Also, the softwood lumber exports have risen in value by 35% during the mentioned period.
The softwood logs exports to China amounted to a value of EUR 22,3 million, 46% up as compared to the first half of 2015. Exports from Lithuania and Latvia boosted by 180% and 140% respectively, while the logs exported from Denmark and Estonia reached amounts of EUR 3,49 million and EUR 3,91 million respectively.
Moreover, softwood lumber exports from the EU to China increased by 35%, to EUR 182 million, from EUR 134 million in the first half of 2015.
Yet, exports from Germany decreased by -23%, while Austria and Spain delivered 89% and 78% more softwood lumber to China. Finland and Sweden also grew their lumber exports to China, by 75% and 16%, respectively.
|
TOP 10 Exporting Countries Softwood logs exported to China from... (in EUR ); HS Code: 440320 |
H1/2015 | H1/2016 | Change in % | |||
|
15,316,470 | 22,389,800 | 46 % | |||
|
3,089,730 | 4,430,090 | 43 % | |||
|
2,167,440 | 3,921,980 | 81 % | |||
|
1,265,500 | 3,541,040 | 180 % | |||
|
1,732,010 | 3,498,910 | 102 % | |||
|
632,220 | 1,518,540 | 140 % | |||
|
6,429,570 | 5,479,240 | -15 % | |||
| TOTAL | 15,316,470 | 22,389,800 | 46 % |
|
TOP 10 Exporting Countries Softwood Lumber exported to China from... (in EUR ); HS Code: 440710 |
H1/2015 | H1/2016 | Change in % | |||
|
134,359,350 | 182,018,379 | 35 % | |||
|
54,126,280 | 94,946,488 | 75 % | |||
|
53,192,151 | 61,473,871 | 16 % | |||
|
15,153,260 | 11,671,930 | -23 % | |||
|
2,227,820 | 4,208,400 | 89 % | |||
|
1,277,180 | 2,277,350 | 78 % | |||
|
8,382,660 | 7,440,340 | -11 % | |||
| TOTAL | 134,359,350 | 182,018,379 | 35 % |
Drax Biomass receives first SBP certification for its wood pellet production
Drax Biomass received the first Sustainable Biomass Partnership (SBP) certificates issued by SCS Global Services, a leading global third-party certifier, on Aug. 2 for its Morehouse BioEnergy and Amite BioEnergy wood pellet manufacturing facilities. Continue reading "Drax Biomass receives first SBP certification for its wood pellet production"
Higher US plywood and wood flooring imports from China
US hardwood plywood imports grew 27% in May following four months of declines. Year-to-date import volumes were up 3% from May 2015 but the value of imports fell 5%. A total of 268,735 cu.m. was imported in May, worth US$159 million.
A recovery in US plywood imports from China was mainly responsible for the growth in May. Imports from China jumped 55% from the previous month to 157,103 cu.m. Canadian shipments to the US also increased while imports from Indonesia declined to 21,779 cu.m. (-7%).
China increases share of hardwood moulding imports
May US hardwood moulding imports grew 7% year on year to US$15.9 million and year-to-date imports are slightly higher (1%) than in 2015.
The largest jump was in imports from China, which increased 37% to US$4.8 million however, year-to-date imports from China remain below 2015 levels.
Hardwood moulding imports from Brazil were almost unchanged in May. Imports from Malaysia fell 40% month-on-month, but were well above levels in 2015.
Hardwood flooring imports lower than in 2015
Wood flooring imports increased significantly in May, but compared on a year-to-date basis up to May 2015, imports were only 1% up for assembled flooring panels. Hardwood flooring imports declined 16% year-to-date compared to the same time last year.
Thailand and Indonesia shipped more assembled flooring panels this year. For hardwood flooring China saw the largest gain, both month-on-month and year-to-date. In May this year imports from China were worth US$904,146, followed by Indonesia (US$751,153) and Malaysia (US$692,110).
Source: ITTO
UPM plans to invest US$ 4 billion in a second pulp mill in Uruguay
UPM has recently announced it will invest US $4 billion in a new pulp mill in Uruguay. The new plant will probably be built on the coast of river Negro, while there are 3 companies in Uruguay fighting for the project. Continue reading "UPM plans to invest US$ 4 billion in a second pulp mill in Uruguay"
Kährs Group reports solid 2Q/2016
Net sales of the Swedish wood flooring manufacturer Kährs for the period April-June 2016 amounted to SEK 755 million (III-VI 2015: 681 million), an increase of 11 per cent compared with the same period in 2015. Continued solid growth in the Nordics and Europe segments, combined with a strong increase in sales in the Resilient Global segment contributed to the performance during the quarter. Continue reading "Kährs Group reports solid 2Q/2016"
No sign yet of Brexit contagion
There is also no sign yet of any significant contagion from the Brexit vote in other European markets. The Markit Flash Eurozone Manufacturing PMI came in at 51.9 in July, down from 52.8 in June but only slightly below market expectations of 52.
Although Eurozone export growth slowed in part due to lower sales to the UK this was offset by increased export orders to other markets due to the weaker euro Continue reading "No sign yet of Brexit contagion"
Lumber prices in the US start descending path
Framing lumber prices didn’t change so much as compared to the first week of August. Producers kept the quotes at previous levels, hoping to sustain the order files. Buyers on all levels agreed to the current prices. The extended run-up in prices is traced to the fall of 2015, which kept most buyers concerned about downside risk. Continue reading "Lumber prices in the US start descending path"
China- now a major Finnish pine lumber importer
Finland’s pine exports reached EUR 650 million in January-May 2016, a 10% increase over the same period of last year. According to data provided by the Finnish Customs, the average price for pine decreased by nearly 6% over 2015.
Mainly due to lower prices of pine and spruce price fluctuations, North Africa (except Egypt) and the Middle East market growth have been slow, thus reducing the pine price by 10%. Also, due to the British retreat from the EU and the uncertainty regarding the British investments, the pine softwood lumber exports to the UK plunged by 20%. Continue reading "China- now a major Finnish pine lumber importer"
Ghana: Encouraging May wood products export figures
The export of Ghana’s wood products in May 2016 yielded euro 18,755,766 from a volume of 33,348 cu.m which represents an increases of 37% in value and 23% in volume compared to exports in May 2015.
In terms of species the top were teak, rosewood, wawa, papao/apa and ceiba and exports went to 39 different markets with the top 5 being India, China, Vietnam, United States of America and Germany.
Wood product exports to African countries included plywood (overland transport), sliced veneer, air and kiln dry sawnwood, rotary veneer and mouldings. Major destinations included Egypt, South Africa, Morocco; with the ECOWAS sub-region market taking the largest share of 16,490 cu.m valued at euro 4.92million.
Despite the better export performance in May, Ghana’s overland wood exports during the first 5 months of the year suffered some setback as sliced veneer, sawnwood and plywood exports were down year on year.
Plywood exports were particularly badly down. Nigeria, which had been the leading importer of Ghana’s plywood, slipped to the second ranked importer after Niger, with Burkina Faso and Togo ranked 3rd and 4th.
The drop in Nigeria’s plywood import has been attributed to the foreign exchange controls introduced by Nigeria’s Central Bank.
In the first 5 months the major market destination for Ghana’s wood products were; Asia/Far East 113,671cu.m (71%); Europe 18,972 cu.m (12%); Africa 19,786 cu.m (12%); America 5,510 cu.m (3%) and Middle East countries 2,953 cu.m (2%).
Roundwood prices in Estonia mostly down in June
The prices for roundwood in Estonia decreased during June 2016, as compared to the same month of 2015.
Of the pulpwood assortments, the price for birch decreased the most, by -15.39%, reaching EUR 23.37/m3. Spruce and firewood prices decreased too, by -4.24% and -6.92%, respectively. The prices for pine and aspen were the only ones to go up, by 2.69% and 5.13%, respectively, amounting EUR 22.94/m3 and EUR 17.00/m3. Continue reading "Roundwood prices in Estonia mostly down in June"
Germany: Prices for wood products lower than last year
The German producer price index for wood products in August shows an increasing number of products whose price has fallen below the previous year's level. This is the case for more than half of the listed products (See table below). Back in July, a significant downward trend in prices was observed. In August this trend seems to continue, though at a slower pace. Continue reading "Germany: Prices for wood products lower than last year"
Indian gurjan plywood facing tough competition
Indian plywood manufactured by small and medium sized plants in the so-called ‘unorganised plywood sector’ is facing tough competition from products manufactured by larger mills. Continue reading "Indian gurjan plywood facing tough competition"
