Friday Offcuts – 14 February 2025
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Offcuts.This week, AFPA launched its Federal Election policy platform, Australian Timber. Australia’s Future, highlighting how Australian-grown timber can help tackle the housing crisis while strengthening sovereign capability and sustainability. The document is concise, impactful, and well worth a read. Major developments are underway in local timber production, with Millari Group acquiring JUKEN Gisborne to boost LVL and plywood supply, while Norske Skog sells Tasmania’s Boyer Mill to local developers. In New Zealand, regulatory changes are on the horizon. The Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking industry feedback on legal harvest assurance, while the Education Department considers significant reforms to workplace learning. Meanwhile, applications are open for the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, offering a valuable opportunity for emerging industry leaders. On the tech front, researchers from New Zealand and Australia have made exciting strides in AI and 3D laser scanning for forest management. While their study focused on mapping New Zealand’s radiata pine forests, the technology holds clear benefits for Australian plantations as well. And finally, with just a month to go, WoodTECH 2025 is nearing a sellout at both its Rotorua and Melbourne venues. If you’re planning to attend, now’s the time to secure your seat! Read these and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts.
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This week we have for you:
Australian Timber. Australia’s Future
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has launched its
Federal Election policy platform aimed at illustrating the role
Australian timber can play addressing the current housing crisis and
supplying our nation’s future housing needs, the importance of
securing the future of Australian grown and recycled timber and wood-fibre to enhance our sovereign capability, and promoting healthy and
sustainable native and plantation forestry to provide Australians with
the timber they need and fight climate change.AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said, “I’m proud to launch Australian Timber. Australia’s Future. This document lays the groundwork for what the full supply chain of Australia’s forestry sector needs to thrive and I encourage all political parties to commit to the platform’s requests in full.” A summary of the policy requests under our three themes includes: Meeting Australia’s future housing needs and solving the current housing crisis
“We strongly welcome and acknowledge the industry support provided by recent Federal Governments, Oppositions, other political parties and independents over recent years. We need a continued partnership with government and policymakers to make the most out of our world leading forest industry here in Australia. “AFPA will advocate strongly for our platform ahead of the Federal Election and we look forward to positive conversations with all sides of politics,” Diana Hallam concluded. Source: AFPA AI for remote forestry management
New Zealand and Flinders University experts have deployed
artificial intelligence and 3D laser scanning to accurately map planted
pine (radiata) forests for most of NZ’s North Island.The results, which distinguish planted large estates, small woodlots and newly established stands as young as three years old, showcase a new way of using remote sensing with other technology to reveal forest growth and update growth information. This approach is just as relevant for Australia, where radiata pine is also widely grown, says Dr Grant Pearse, Senior Lecturer in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Flinders University. “In New Zealand, where radiata pine plantations dominate the forestry sector, the current national forest description lacks spatially explicit information and struggles to capture data on small-scale forests,” says Dr Pearse, from the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia. “We combined deep learning-based forest mapping using high-resolution aerial imagery with regional airborne laser scanning data to map all planted forest and estimate key attributes.” The spatially explicit forest description provides wall-to-wall information on forest extent, age, and volume for all sizes of forest. This facilitates stratification by key variables for wood supply forecasting, harvest planning, and infrastructure investment decisions – applications equally valuable for other forestry industries. The research, with New Zealand timber industry researchers from Rotorua, Christchurch and Auckland, was carried out on planted forests in the Gisborne region, which has publicly available aerial imagery and airborne laser scanning data. This region is particularly significant as it was severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023, which caused widespread landslides and forest debris flows. For such vulnerable terrain, knowing exactly where forests are located in the landscape, their age and condition is key to managing the risks of harvesting operations on the region’s steep slopes. “We propose satellite-based harvest detection and digital photogrammetry to continuously update the initial forest description. This methodology enables near real-time monitoring of planted forests at all scales and is adaptable to other regions with similar data availability,” researchers say in a new article. Along with the economic importance of NZ’s 1.8 million hectares of radiata pine forestry for export timber and fibre, these planted forests are a key part of the country’s emission trading scheme and are expected to play a significant role in achieving the government’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050. The forest map derived from artificial intelligence can be viewed at: www.forestinsights.nz In South Australia, plantation estates covering about 40,000 hectares support a $3 billion industry and employ 18,000 people as well as construction, manufacturing, tourism and regional communities. The article. ‘Developing a forest description from remote sensing: Insights from New Zealand’ (2024) by Grant D Pearse (Flinders University), Sadeepa Jayathunga, Nicolò Camarretta, Melanie E Palmer, Benjamin SC Steer, Michael S Watt (all Scion), Pete Watt and Andrew Holdaway (both Indufor Asia Pacific) has been published in the journal Science of Remote Sensing. Source: Flinders University Photo: Grant Pearse  Millari Group to acquire 100% of JUKEN Gisborne, NZ
Millari Group Australia is set to start producing LVL, Plywood,
and Timber for the Australian Timber Industry, after recently
agreeing to acquire the 25-ha JUKEN Gisborne facilities in New Zealand,
to be rebranded as Millari NZ. Settlement is currently expected to occur
later this month.The Gisborne manufacturing facility is located on the North Island of New Zealand at Gisborne and specialises in producing LVL, Plywood and Structural Radiata pine products. With a perfect mix of Engineered products and solid pine framing, the mill will be an asset best suited to ease the burden on businesses in Australia, which have been forced to rely on imported products due to the lack of local manufacturing. True Blue Timber, which has been supplying high-quality and reliable imported products to Australia’s leading wholesalers, will now be driving local LVL and timber production for the Australian industry with the Millari NZ facilities. With a significant investment over the next three years to increase the current capacities, Millari NZ plans to establish direct LVL, Plywood and Sawmill production for the Australian industry, including LVL E14, E13, E10, and LVL Formwork; structural and non-structural plywood panels and MGP and F-graded Radiaita pine, and H2, H3 and H4-treated pine. Millari NZ will ship LVL, Plywood and Sawmill products with AS/NZS standards directly to Australia's Eastern Coast, significantly decreasing Australia's timber industry's dependence on imports from Europe and Asia. Owner and CEO, Ryan Yari says; “Our Millari NZ facility in Gisborne will be on track to increase the output capacity of LVL, Plywood and timber production over the next few years as we invest in new machinery and technology for the 35,000m2 factory. With these exciting facilities alongside our True Blue Timber operations, we will continue to offer the Australian industry a reputable and reliable ongoing source of high-quality EWP (engineered wood products) and timber products and deliver them directly with quick turnarounds.” Since closing in March 2024, the Millari NZ Gisborne facility will re-open in the coming months, providing jobs and opportunities to the Gisborne community of 38,000 people. Yari continues; “JNL Gisborne has been the cornerstone of the community for many years, and it will be Millari Group's pleasure to restore it to its former glory. The Millari Group team is excited about the new challenge ahead and looks forward to being a part of the Gisborne community for many years to come”. Millari Group Australia includes True Blue Timber, True Blue LVL, and True Blue Plywood, and Millari NZ supplies FSC 100% timber products to Australia’s leading Timber and Hardware retailers. For more information visit https://truebluetimber. Source & image credit: Millari Group Australia  Norske Skog to sell Boyer mill in Tasmania
Norske Skog has entered into agreement with Boyer Capital Pty Ltd, to
sell the Boyer mill at an enterprise value of approximately NOK 190
million (AU$27 million). The transaction is expected to be completed
during the first quarter of 2025.“We are very pleased to conclude our orderly exit from Australasia with the divestment of the Boyer mill. The discussions with David Marriner and Boyer Capital have been ongoing for some time and we believe they represent the ideal owner to both continue the production of publication paper and develop the industrial site for future activities. Norske Skog will now focus fully on the successful ramp-up of containerboard production at the Golbey mill and completing the BCTMP study at the Saugbrugs mill”, said Geir Drangsland, CEO of Norske Skog. “The Boyer mill has been part of the Norske Skog group for 25 years and we wish to thank everyone for their support and contribution to the mill during this time. We now look forward to continue our operations under new ownership, and to work closely with our new owners to explore future opportunities at the mill site”, said Patrick Dooley, Managing Director of Norske Skog Boyer. The Norske Skog Boyer mill is situated in Tasmania and has a production capacity of 150 000 tonnes of newsprint and 135 000 tonnes of LWC magazine paper. The site has a total area of 565 hectares, offering significant opportunities for future developments, and good access to raw materials and logistics infrastructure. The mill has approximately 300 skilled and experienced employees. The Boyer mill has contributed an annual average of approximately NOK 60 million in EBITDA to Norske Skog in the period from 2022 to 2024. “We see significant potential to expand and diversify the industrial activities at the Boyer mill for the benefit of its employees and the local community. In dialogue with mill management and representatives of the Boyer workforce we have been very impressed with their knowledge and commitment to the business. We are therefore excited to start a new chapter for the mill”, said David Marriner, Director of Boyer Capital Pty Ltd. The sale follows a broad and structured process over a period of more than two years. The sale strengthens Norske Skog’s balance sheet and liquidity position towards ongoing strategic projects. Following the sale, Norske Skog will have four mills, all situated in Europe, with a total combined capacity of 760 000 tonnes of containerboard, 840 000 tonnes of newsprint, 200 000 tonnes of SC magazine paper, and 265 000 tonnes of LWC magazine paper. More >> Source & image credit: Norske Skog Extra: Tasmanian Government welcomes investment in Boyer Mill Grow as a leader with Kellogg in 2025If you are passionate about developing as a leader of change, as someone who contributes to the forestry industry and community, then the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme is designed for you.The Kellogg Programme runs for 18 days in-person and is spread over six months, making it easier to fit in around work and family commitments.  Recent Kellogg Programme graduates and programme delivery team Kellogg gives you the strategic, leadership and critical thinking skills to grow as a leader. You’ll form life-long connections with leaders from industries across food and fibre and you’ll build the confidence you need to take the next step in your career. Programme Two runs 24 June – 28 November 2025.
Click here to register your interest or to apply. Source: Rural Leaders  FEA update: China Softwood log inventoriesChina’s Softwood Log Inventories at Ocean Ports – FEA industry sources in China report that softwood log inventories at the country’s main ocean ports totalled 2.85 million m³ on January 18th, 2025, up 10% (+267,000 m³) from late December, as follows:
 The market was quiet in January, and production mills showed noticeably less enthusiasm for stocking up on logs before the holiday season, given the cautious outlook on post-Spring Festival consumption demand. As a result, wholesale market prices for North American logs and European spruce logs remained stable, while prices for radiata pine logs saw a slight fluctuation of RMB 10/m3 in Taicang and Lanshan. In terms of overall sales, the average daily sales volume was 55,667 m3 over the first three weeks in January, compared to 57,875 m3 in January 2024.  For more information on FEA’s China Bulletin where this data is reported monthly, please visit our website, or contact Matt Robertson at mrobertson@getfea.com Source: FEA  MPI’s public consultation on legal harvest assurance ending
In November 2024, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) launched a
public consultation on operational details for legal harvest assurance.
Public consultation closes on 26 February 2025.The industry is invited to provide feedback on the proposals set out in the discussion document ‘New Zealand’s Legal Harvest Assurance System - Consultation on operational detail for the legal harvest assurance system’. Feedback is important. You may like to tell us how these proposals may affect you, your business, or your organisation’s role in the forestry and wood processing sector. How to make a submission The consultation documents and how to make a submission are available on the MPI website. We appreciate your support with this process. If you have any questions, email mpi.forestry@mpi.govt.nz. If you would like to continue to receive updates about legal harvest assurance, subscribe here: Gisborne has a new plan for forestry and farming land
Tens of thousands of hectares of Gisborne’s forestry and
farming land will need to be planted with vegetation to remedy
the region’s "wicked problem" of vulnerable and eroding land.Gisborne has been hit with 16 extreme weather events since 2017, with woody debris and slash consistently clogging the region’s waterways. In the past 20 months, tens of millions of dollars have been spent on funding for woody debris clean-up. During an open district council workshop on "resilient land use" last Thursday, councillors discussed a report detailing its operations and what it had been doing since Cyclone Gabrielle in February, 2023. Mayor Rehette Stoltz said the council had 28 actions working towards the "wicked problem" of the region’s vulnerable and eroding land. Among the 28 are plans for Overlay 3B – a process under the Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan in which the region’s worst eroding pastoral farming and plantation forestry land would be planted with permanent vegetation cover. More >> Source: 1news CMI response to carbon farming issues raised in Australia
Many of the carbon farming issues raised in nine newspapers over
the weekend have been the subject of intense scrutiny and reform over
the last two years, a process that needs to continue but
progress and commitment should be recognised, said the Carbon Market
Institute (CMI).“Issues raised in these articles should and are being considered seriously by CMI and government regulators, and CMI will continue to work to address these and other issues. That said, the articles do have internal contradictions including saying the industry is both over and under regulated,” said CMI CEO John Connor. “Carbon farming is a relatively new industry providing, as partially noted in the articles, a range of climate, social and environmental benefits. Like other land sector industries, carbon farming needs to address social licence and stakeholder relation challenges. “CMI, whose over 140 members include project developers but also conservation, Indigenous and other industry stakeholders, has been working to support best practice in addition to supporting integrity and method reforms in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) framework.” This includes working on a recent study coordinated by six council areas in a South-West Queensland (SWQ) region briefly referred to in the online not print version. This report revealed that the rapid expansion of carbon farming in the region in the early days of the ACCU scheme has left a legacy social license impact not necessarily reflective of current practices or realities. It provides important insight into challenges around appropriate use of land in the regions and managing the impacts of subsequent land use changes. The SWQ report’s quantitative data shows that the economic benefits have outweighed any disbenefits to-date and farmers reported a broad range of improvements over the past decade, however there is clearly more work required to quantify these benefits on a larger scale. The report highlights strong participation levels and a growing appetite to engage with projects, but there is clearly a need for better knowledge sharing to ensure landholders have all the information they need to form informed views and make informed decisions. More >> Source: Carbon Market Institute Feedback needed on big changes to NZ's workplace learning
The NZ Government is seeking feedback on changes to vocational
education that will significantly change how people learn on the
job. These changes could impact training and career options
across all industries.There are two models of work-based learning under consultation. One model was called Option ‘B’ in 2024’s Redesign of the Vocational Education and Training System consultation. Following feedback from that consultation, a new work-based learning model was developed. This consultation is about choosing between the new model and the Option B model previously consulted on. These models are now called ‘Collaborative’ and ‘Independent’ respectively. The forestry industry's views on these models are critically important. Individuals are strongly encouraged to consider the options proposed and submit their views. The consultation document and information on making submissions can be found here. The consultation document and a document outlining the similarities and differences between the Collaborative and Independent models and the current model are attached to this email. Consultation runs from 27 January until 5pm on Friday 21 February. Please note any questions and submissions should be sent to vocationaleducation.reforms@ Following consideration of feedback, the Government will decide which model of work-based learning to progress. Your organisation’s views on these models will inform the Government’s decision on which one best supports work-based learning. Source and image credit: Ministry of Education SnapSTAT - We're closer to China than you might thinkHere's a statistic that might surprise you - Both Kiwis and Chinese people have a high trust in others in their society
Source: Our World in Data More >> Stora Enso achieves milestone in carbon reduction
By the end of 2024, Stora Enso achieved a 53% reduction in Scope
1 and 2 emissions, surpassing the target of a 50% reduction by
2030 from the 2019 base year. This milestone reflects the
Group's long-term commitment to proactive decarbonisation efforts.
In 2021, Stora Enso set its ambition to align with the 1.5-degree scenario of the Paris Agreement with a target of absolute Scope 1 and 2 emission reduction by 50% by 2030 from the 2019 base year. The 53% reduction by the end of 2024 is mainly attributed to mitigation measures, such as fuel switches and improvements in energy efficiency, and the impact from site closures. While Stora Enso acknowledges this progress, the Group's target is to maintain this level until 2030 and explore opportunities to further improve. “I am pleased to share this progress on our path towards net zero as part of our long-term commitment to sustainability. Through driving efficiency in the way we work, we are able to reduce our climate impact and support our customers achieve their climate ambitions,” says Hans Sohlström, President and CEO, Stora Enso. Stora Enso’s science-based target also includes a 50% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030 from the 2019 base year. “For Scope 3, which includes indirect emissions from our value chain, we are actively engaging and partnering with our suppliers and customers to pursue the same level of decarbonisation despite its greater complexities,” says Toby Croucher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Stora Enso. Further details on Stora Enso’s sustainability performance in 2024 will be presented in the Annual Report to be published on 13 February, 2025. More >> Source & image credit: Stora Enso  Finland's forest industry to make data public for the first time
This year, environmental impact data on Finnish forest industry
products will be expanded within the global Ecoinvent life cycle
database, with statistical information on forest management.
The representation of the early stages of a product’s
life cycle increases companies’, researchers’, decision-makers', and
ultimately consumers’ knowledge about wood-based
products.Finnish forest industry companies have been assessing the environmental impacts of their products since the previous decade. Data has been collected from raw material cultivation and transportation through to the manufacturing, use, recycling, and end-of-life of forest industry products. Now, this information is being enriched with statistical data on the early stages of these products' life cycles. “This marks an important milestone. The new data significantly enhances the information available on Finnish forest industry products, benefiting not only the industry itself but also its diverse stakeholders all around the world. Environmental impact data helps the industry develop while also providing consumers and other stakeholders with greater transparency to support sustainable consumption decisions,” summarises Katriina Valkeapää, Senior Adviser, Product Policy at the Finnish Forest Industries Federation. With this update, Ecoinvent users will gain access to environmental impact data covering Finnish seedling production, forest site preparation, the maintenance of forest roads, and more. The data set also includes information on forest thinning, regeneration felling, and energy wood procurement, extending to log truck loading and wood chipping for energy use. More >> Source & image credit: Finnish Forest Industries Jobs
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... and one to end the week on... a man goes into a doctor's office
A man goes into a doctor's office feeling a little ill. And on that note, enjoy your weekend. Cheers.  Brand PartnersOur Partners & Sponsors Friday Offcuts is made possible through the generous support of the following companies.
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