Friday Offcuts – 12 September 2025
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week’s edition of Friday Offcuts.New Zealand’s log market remains under pressure, with weak domestic demand, rising costs, and the closure of the Eves Valley Sawmill. At the same time, new data shows injury claims in the country’s road freight sector have fallen by 35% since 2018 - a welcome improvement in industry safety. Across the Tasman the Great Koala National Park in New South Wales has dominated headlines. Forestry Australia has criticised the plan as lacking a science-based approach, arguing that koala conservation requires active management rather than park declarations. The Australian Forest Contractors Association has also warned of more than 750 job losses and significant impacts on regional communities. Looking ahead, New Zealand will host the Bioeconomy Innovations Conference in October, connecting global leaders to accelerate sustainable wood-based products. Meanwhile, climate change is set to further intensify wildfire risk, pine plantations may help restore native forests in New Zealand, and South Australia’s forestry sector faces a new biosecurity threat. Read these stories and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts.
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This week we have for you:
Koala Park ignores the science, risks worse outcomes
Forestry Australia, the nation’s leading body representing
forest scientists, managers and growers, expresses its dismay at the New
South Wales State Government’s decision to create a Great Koala
National Park without a clear, science-led plan to deliver
measurable outcomes and avoid negative flow on consequences.“The Great Koala National Park makes a headline, not a science-led plan. By sidelining the complementary role of actively managed state forests, the Government has missed the chance to maximise outcomes for koalas and communities,” said Dr Michelle Freeman, President of Forestry Australia. Dr Freeman said simply declaring a national park does not guarantee biodiversity conservation or the long-term survival of koalas. “Science-based, adaptive forest management across all tenures is essential to maintaining healthy forests, adapting to climate change, and conserving biodiversity,” Dr Freeman said. “The State Government’s decision risks repeating past mistakes where a shift away from active and adaptive management has led to declines in native species, including koalas.” Recent research highlights that koala populations in NSW state forests remain high and stable, thanks to thoughtful regulated management. In contrast, examples like Booderee National Park, where potoroos and bandicoots became locally extinct, and the Pilliga Forest, where koala numbers declined after conversion to conservation reserves, demonstrate that passive management can fail wildlife and ecosystems. These lessons must inform the management of the Great Koala National Park if it is to succeed. Dr Freeman added that well-managed state forests already deliver multiple public benefits additional to those possible in national parks, including ecotourism, diverse recreation, timber and non-timber products, while maintaining biodiversity and access for all. “This decision, will have far-reaching cultural, social and economic consequences, with no guarantees for biodiversity.” Forestry Australia calls on the NSW Government to:
More >> Source: Forestry Australia Further reading:
Where will the new jobs come from?
The NSW Government’s decision to create a huge Great Koala
National Park will mean 300 people lose their jobs. In reality more than
750 jobs will be directly affected, and the government does not have a
credible plan for new employment options.CEO of the Australian Forest Contractors Association, Tim Lester, said World Bank data shows that every dollar generated by forestry multiplies 2.5 times through the economy. The economic analysis commissioned by the NSW Government showed the average worker in forestry has 2.5 times the earnings of hospitality. “Forestry workers are integral in their communities. The money they earn is spent in local businesses, their kids go to the local schools, they volunteer for community groups. Like a supermarket in a shopping mall, a forestry workforce pulls in and facilitates a broader economic and community life in rural and regional areas” Tim Lester said. “The decision to create a park is not just affecting the stated 300 workers and their families, or the 450 next affected. The impacts are multiplied and will change the dynamics of whole towns across the region. This decision immediately wipes out 40% of the timber supply from the north coast, an industry that employs 5,700 people and generates $1.8 billion. You can’t strip back that volume and not expect any impact on other businesses and jobs. Where are all the new tourists going to come from? And why will they behave differently to every other National Park visitor by supporting small town services such as mechanics, solicitors and accountants? The promise of an economic boon for locals and businesses is a mirage but the loss of $730 million will be keenly felt. State forests are managed for forest health and a balance of uses between conservation, recreation and sustainable timber production. It has been a successful model for more than a century. The new park will not protect koalas from any actual threats and risks doing the opposite. But the impacts on workers, families and affected communities are very real and well known. “We are extremely disappointed that the NSW Government has chosen to ignore the considered input of its own expert panel, which could have secured a win-win outcome. Our towns and communities will pay the price,” Tim Lester concluded. Source: AFCA  New Zealand log market August review
The domestic demand for logs and sawn timber remains very
subdued, especially for structural grade. In the domestic market, New
Zealand sawmills continue to face pressure from rising operational
costs. Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) is closing its Nelson operation
to consolidate production in the North Island.At Wharf Gate (AWG) prices for export logs had an un-forecasted 8 NZD per JASm3 increase. This increase was more due to exchange rate and ocean freight cost fluctuations than any market improvement in China. Log demand in China has increased to around 55,000 m³ per day, with stable softwood log inventories showing a modest month-on-month decrease of approximately 4%. Demand from India remains soft as the country looks forward to increasing economic activity after Diwali. There is also a lot of uncertainty with the US tariffs. Fortunately, log volumes from New Zealand remains below normal levels, helping to balance log supply and demand. The PF Olsen Log Price Index increased to $120. This is $1 above the two-year average and $1 below the five-year average. Domestic Log Market Carter Holt Harvey has proposed closing its Eves Valley Sawmill
near Nelson and consolidating production at Kawerau. The proposal was
communicated on 20–21 August, with formal consultation running to
1 September and a final decision signalled for 4 September. Local
leaders describe a “huge” regional impact, reflecting Eves
Valley’s long-standing presence and scale. The mill processes
approximately 250,000 tonnes of timber annually, primarily serving South
Island framing markets. It is estimated Eves Valley produces roughly 5%
of the country’s total sawn volume.
The move is symptomatic of a broader malaise in the domestic forestry sector: residential building remains subdued, with dwelling consents slipping and the 12-month housing pipeline well below its 2022 peak. This has dampened demand for framing and appearance-grade timber. Processors also face elevated operating costs and global uncertainties—including currency volatility, shipping disruptions, and shifting trade dynamics, that are squeezing margins. Export Log Markets - China CFR prices for A-grade logs remain in the range of USD 113–117 per JASm³ for August vessel arrivals. Log demand in China has increased slightly over the last month to around 55,000 m³ per day. Log demand is expected to increase as economic activity increases as temperatures drop when China heads into Autumn. Log supply from New Zealand remains below normal levels so softwood log inventories have decreased slightly and now sit at approximately 2.6 million m³. The Caixin China General Manufacturing PMI slipped into contraction in July, falling to 49.5, down from 50.4 in June—a surprise reversal that dashed hopes of sustained momentum. Output shrank for the second consecutive month, dragged down by weakening export orders amid enduring global trade uncertainty. Although purchasing activity rebounded slightly after two months of decline, and input costs edged upward for the first time in five months, selling prices continued to fall, reflecting intensified competition. Business sentiment improved modestly yet remained muted compared to its long-term average. The CNY has strengthened about 1.15% against the USD which provides more buying power to Chinese log buyers. More >> Source: PF Olsen 
NZ hosts global Bioeconomy Innovations conference
Forestry Resources Drive Sustainable Breakthroughs in the
Bioeconomy. New Zealand is set to take centre stage in the global move towards a sustainable bioeconomy, leveraging its forest resources to spearhead innovation and international collaboration. The upcoming Bioeconomy Innovations Conference, organised by Innovatek Limited, will connect science leaders, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs from around the world—offering both in-person and virtual access to a truly international audience. With forest industry giants like Stora Enso and VTT investing in the development of bio-based technologies, the opportunities for replacing fossil-fuel-derived products with sustainable wood-fibre alternatives have never been greater. The Bioeconomy Science Institute, alongside dynamic startups in New Zealand and Europe, is driving research and commercialisation of these cutting-edge processes. “Forestry resources are key to unlocking new high-value chemical processes and products, extending far beyond traditional uses of wood energy,” said John Stulen, Director at Innovatek. “Our industry is already making strides in turning previously underutilised forest residues into valuable products. The next step is to add value through advanced bioeconomy technologies.” The Bioeconomy Innovations Conference, scheduled for late October, aims to accelerate commercialisation and foster international partnerships. Gordon Thomson, conference organiser at Innovatek Limited, anticipates strong engagement from global innovators and stakeholders eager to explore New Zealand’s leadership in this space. International participants are encouraged to register their interest, by contacting Gordon Thomson at Gordon.thomson@innovatek.co.nz or connecting via LinkedIn for further details. Click here for more information about the Bioeconomy Innovations Conference and opportunities to participate, or reach out directly to the organiser. Source & image credit: Innovatek .jpg) SnapSTAT: Welcome decline in road freight transport injuries Transporting New Zealand is welcoming a decline in road freight transport workplace injuries, saying it shows industry commitment to health and safety improvements. ACC data shows that annual injury claims have fallen by 35 per cent between 2018 and 2025. Source: Transporting.nz
Fighting wild fires in an era of climate change
From California to the Mediterranean, and now even in the far
north of Europe, wildfires are increasingly making headlines.
The growing vulnerability of regions once considered low-risk
underscores the urgent need for action—and the development of
innovative firefighting technologies. While wildfires are nothing new, experts warn that climate change has fundamentally altered their frequency, intensity, and the risks they pose to communities worldwide. The number of wildfires is predicted to increase by 50 per cent by the end of the century as a result of the climate crisis and changes in land use, according to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Norwegian environmental centre GRID-Arendal entitled Spreading like Wildfire. Marko Hassinen, a specialist in forest fire research and an entrepreneur at Fire and Rescue Innovation Finland Ltd., states that fires are igniting more rapidly and spreading to areas that were previously somewhat protected. “Climate change doesn’t simply mean that it gets warmer, and we get more fires,” explains Hassinen. “It creates longer, hotter, and drier periods, which drastically increase the likelihood of ignition and make wildfires harder to control.” In countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Greece, summers already bring daily reports of devastating blazes. But northern nations, traditionally shielded by shorter warm seasons and lush greenery, are now also experiencing extended dry spells. This means the wildfire window is getting longer, and the fires more dangerous, even in places once considered low risk. “In the future, forest fires may ignite more quickly and spread into areas that were previously relatively safe,” Hassinen explains. Hose cartridge is a game-changer for firefighting. More >> Source: Forest News / Finnish Forest Association Image credit: Marko Hassinen  Giant pine scale threatens SA forestry industry
South Australia's $3 billion forestry industry says a pest that
kills pine trees and is spread by humans needs to be eradicated.
Giant pine scale was found in pine trees in the north-eastern
Adelaide suburbs of Hope Valley and Highbury in 2023.The pest sucks the sap of pine trees, causing branch dieback and eventually killing the tree. So far, it has been recorded at the Hope Valley Reservoir, Elliston Reserve, Silverlake Reserve, the aqueduct reserve in Highbury and a business at Holden Hill. The state government said nearly 1,400 trees had been cleared, with more trees set to be felled this year after further outbreaks at the reservoir and the Highbury Aqueduct Reserve. Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven said so far, the outbreak had been contained to the north-eastern suburbs. "We have had to remove a number of trees, but of course the plan is, as always, to get that balance right," she said. More >> Source: ABC News Image credit: South Australian Government Indigenous forest restoration via pine plantations research
A new study by ecologist Meg Graeme for Tāne's Tree Trust and
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) shows that pine plantations across
erosion-prone hill country in Tairāwhiti already host an understory that
is 98% native species - dominated by kawakawa, māhoe,
hangehange and coprosmas.The study sampled 45 plots across 24 radiata pine stands, analysing how factors such as stand age, canopy density, seed source proximity, and browsing pressure influence native understory regeneration. It found older, more open pine stands support richer, more diverse native growth and higher carbon storage. But without pest control and strong native seed sources, big canopy trees may struggle to establish - leaving gaps filled by shrubs or wilding pines. The good news? Pine plantations may act as “nurse crops” that help bring back permanent native forests. Successful transition to mature native forest will require active management of these stands across tens of thousands of hectares that cannot be sustainably harvested. Key interventions required include: (a) pest control to allow seedlings to reach canopy height; (b) ensuring access to diverse native seed sources; and (c) thinning or modifying pine canopies to accelerate succession. These measures will be essential not only for biodiversity recovery but also for soil stabilisation, climate resilience, carbon sequestration, and reducing downstream impacts on communities and ecosystems. More >> Source: Tāne's Tree Trust (via LinkedIn)  CLT Toolbox rebrands as SPEC Toolbox after rapid growth
SPEC Toolbox, a leading design platform for mass timber,
announced this week its rebranding from CLT Toolbox. This
evolution is a key step forward for users and partners, broadening the
scope of technical problems the platform is engineered to solve to
provide digital tooling to the industry that makes it easier to specify
modern, innovative products. SPEC Toolbox has been deeply committed to eliminating the technical barriers for broader mass timber products for quite some time. The platform originally focused on Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), has grown to include eight product categories and the new brand reflects its expanded mission. The product expansion now provides tooling for Glulam, LVL, light-frame construction, screws, hangers, and brackets, with an acoustics module to be released soon. This approach of eliminating technical barriers for specifiers is resonating within the industry, with the platform boasting over 5,000 user signups globally and partnerships with 30 major product suppliers. "Our mission is simple: to make innovation easy to specify," said Adam Jones, CEO of SPEC Toolbox. "Product manufacturers drive innovation for the industry, and passionate engineers every day are seeking solutions for their projects that challenge the norm. CLT & the Mass Timber Industry is an embodiment of this innovation, and I experienced this myself both as a supplier at XLam and a specifier at WSP." For engineers, the platform eliminates the need to build significant spreadsheets that can take hundreds of hours or to rummage through disparate supply chain data found in PDFs. SPEC Toolbox removes the technical barriers to product specification, scaling engineering capacity and giving designers the confidence to specify the materials of the future. This directly addresses the challenge that innovation is often hard to specify, fulfilling the company's mission to make it easy. "Now, with SPEC Toolbox, we are giving designers the confidence to specify the materials of the future and enabling a much-needed shift towards more sustainable and cost-efficient construction and putting incredible manufacturer solutions right into the hands of engineers,” said Adam. This approach is resonating within the industry, with the platform boasting over 5,000 user signups globally and partnerships with 30 major product suppliers. The platform's success has been driven by its diverse and talented founding team, including:
Source & image credit: SPEC Toolbox  More than 400 forestry groups urge Trump to act
More than 400 associations, businesses, and landowners representing the
forest products sector have signed a joint letter to President
Donald J. Trump urging immediate action to address an escalating
crisis threatening America’s timber supply, rural economies, and
energy security.The effort, led by the Forest Landowners Association, the American Biomass Energy Association, and the American Loggers Council, underscores the urgency of stabilizing the American forest sector and its access to markets in the face of mounting mill closures, devastating natural disasters, and unfair foreign trade practices. The letter follows President Trump’s March 1st Executive Order directing federal agencies to boost domestic timber and wood product production. Signatories warn that without decisive action, the nation risks losing its forestland base, critical markets, and millions of jobs that depend on a healthy forestry value chain. The coalition calls on the Administration to advance four immediate solutions:
More >> Source: Forest Landowners  Oji Holdings to acquire Austria's leading biorefinery
Oji Holdings Corporation and TowerBrook Capital Partners have
reached agreement for the sale of AustroCel Hallein, one of
Europe’s most advanced biorefineries and a zero-waste, circular
economy pioneer.Based near Salzburg, Austria, AustroCel is one of Europe’s leading carbon converters: taking sustainably sourced forestry by-products and extracting the full value of wood to produce advanced biofuels, bio-based performance chemical products and biomaterials. With manufacturing and R&D at a single integrated site, the business serves a global customer base and has over 300 employees. During TowerBrook’s ownership period and under the leadership of Wolfram Kalt, CEO, AustroCel made significant long-term investments for the future, building a highly differentiated biorefining platform, pioneering market best practice in the pursuit of a zero-waste model and maximising profitable growth and sustainability. The business has been a consistent innovator during this period, launching and scaling next generation bioethanol production in 2021 and in the last year bringing to market a highly innovative agricultural hydrogel – a biodegradable natural polymer which significantly reduces irrigation requirements and supports growers as they seek to address the ongoing challenges of climate change. Looking to the future, AustroCel is well positioned to continue to build its product offering with the potential to add sustainably sourced e-methanol to its portfolio based on inhouse biogenic CO2 capacity. Patrick Verschelde, Chairman of AustroCel and Senior Advisor to TowerBrook, commented: “AustroCel sits at the heart of the circular economy, offering a model for sustainable investment and a template for the future potential of the wood products industry. This is a perfect fit for Oji, which shares the same values and vision for sustainable growth; I am delighted that the two business have come together.” Wolfram Kalt, CEO of AustroCel, added, “We are grateful for TowerBrook’s commitment, investment and vision during their ownership. Our teams are proud to have transformed AustroCel into what is today – a highly innovative biorefinery. We look forward to the future and our partnership with Oji which offers many opportunities for continued growth.” The completion of the acquisition is subject to relevant approvals. More >> Source & image credit: AustroCel Editor's note: International investors prove wood-for-chemicals is new way forward - The Oji Holdings purchase of Austrocel is another example of how bioeconomy innovators are setting the new direction for new products to come from lignin and other wood components. To find out more, register to attend the inaugural New Zealand Bioeconomy Innovations Conference 2025.  Sodra’s Varo sawmill invests in AI-driven scanning technology
Södra’s sawmill in Värö, Sweden, is
the first in the industry to adopt a new, enhanced scanning solution
that enables strength grading of timber with even greater precision.
This investment allows Södra to make better use of each
tree and strengthen its competitiveness in the market.The new technology, Goldeneye Transverse SE from MiCROTEC, offers four-sided scanning at record speeds of up to 240 boards per minute and performs strength grading in accordance with EN 14081. The system includes MiCROTEC’s patented Reduced Shadow Chain Conveyor, which minimizes shadowed areas in the image data. Södra is the first to use this solution for certified strength grading. This investment is part of Södra’s long-term commitment to innovation, digitalization and sustainable development in the wood industry. “This investment is at the absolute forefront of scanning equipment for sawn and planed wood products. It will increase our efficiency with improved quality assurance, enabling us to produce competitive products for the market,” says Kerstin Jonasson, Sawmill Manager at Södra Wood Värö. AI-powered scanning improves sorting and reduces waste in production Goldeneye Transverse SE is known for its precision and efficiency, making it an ideal choice for Södra. With this technology, Södra can accurately scan and analyze more product characteristics using an AI solution. The pith detection function enables classification according to ALS/NGR standards without the need for additional equipment such as end cut or end camera. AI is also used to reconstruct parts of board images that are obscured by conveyor chains using an inpainting function. Combined with Microtec’s Reduced Shadow Chain Conveyor, this enables gap-free scanning without the need for extra hardware. By combining advanced image analysis with AI technology, Södra strengthens its ability to use raw materials more resource-efficiently – with less waste and higher quality in the final product. “The new technology offers major benefits for the work environment in terms of dust and noise, as we can eliminate an additional end cut in the sorting line. We look forward to a long-term value-creating partnership with Microtec. Goldeneye Transverse will give us better quality outcomes and more quality-assured sorting,” concludes Kerstin Jonasson. The project is being carried out in collaboration with L.O.A.B and installation is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2025. Source & image credit: Södra Burnie’s former pulp mill to become new e-fuels facility
HIF Global, the world’s leading e-Fuels company, has
announced that it plans to locate the HIF Tasmania e-Fuels Facility at
the former Burnie Paper Mill site in South Burnie. The move
will bring new life to one of the region’s most significant
industrial sites, returning long-term employment to the community while
supporting Tasmania’s ambition to be a leader in renewable energy.
The facility is expected to produce more than 200,000 tonnes of e- Methanol per year, create several hundred construction jobs and approximately 200 permanent jobs during operations. HIF Tasmania was first announced in July 2022, with plans to locate the facility on a sustainable forestry plantation at Hampshire, 30km south of Burnie. After significant project engineering and design work and site review, HIF concluded that the former Pulp Mill site will provide better opportunities for cost-saving modularisation and port access, making it a more ideal location for this pioneering e-Fuels infrastructure. Ignacio Hernandez, CEO of HIF Asia Pacific, said: “ Burnie’s industrial heritage and deepwater port make the old Pulp Mill site the ideal location. Relocating here allows us to bring employment back to this historic site while enabling efficient delivery of large equipment and sustainable use of local resources, such as recycled wastewater from Round Hill Sewage Treatment Plant.” “We are especially keen to hear from as many people as possible over the coming months so that we can build their feedback into our design. Very soon we will advertise community events where local people can come and ask us questions.” Ian Jones, President of Business North West, said: “The Pulp site is hugely significant to Burnie and has sat idle and rusting for far too long. I have followed the progress of this project very closely over the last three years and believe this is a golden opportunity for the town to be at the forefront of a new, emerging industry.” HIF Asia Pacific will submit a formal Notice of Intent to the Tasmanian Environmental Protection Agency in the coming weeks, with a Development Application to follow in 2026. Operations could commence as soon as 2030. E-Fuels are made using renewable electricity to power electrolysers that separate hydrogen from water. The hydrogen is then combined with recycled carbon dioxide from plantation residues to create e-Methanol, a synthetic fuel that can be used in shipping or converted into e-Fuels for aviation, cars, and trucks. More >> Source and image credit: HIF Global  Jobs
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