Launch of inaugural AFWI highlights report [AU]Friday 21 Aug 2026
$100 million timber fibre innovation program backs forests, housing and Australian manufacturing. Just over two years after its launch, Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) has backed 39 research and innovation projects worth more than $67 million across Australia’s forest and wood products sector. The national institute, supported by a $100 million Australian Government investment, has brought together more than 100 industry and research partners and over 300 people across Australia, including growers, processors, manufacturers, Indigenous enterprises, government agencies and researchers. Its progress is detailed in the AFWI Highlights Report 2024–2026, launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP, at the Australian Forest Products Association’s National Forestry Day event at Parliament House. Since its official launch in March 2024, AFWI has invested about $29 million in research and innovation projects, supported by a further $38 million in partner contributions. Minister Collins said AFWI had made strong progress in its first two years. “AFWI has made strong progress in just over two years, with its investments already translating into practical outcomes across Australia’s forest and wood products sector,” Minister Collins said. “I congratulate everyone involved and look forward to hearing more about the impacts being delivered and the further opportunities this national capability can unlock for industry, regions and communities.” AFWI CEO and Executive Director Dr Joseph Lawrence said the report showed how quickly AFWI had grown from a new initiative into a national research and innovation network. “In just over two years, AFWI has grown from a new national initiative into a substantial industry-led innovation network operating across Australia,” Dr Lawrence said. “We are bringing together industry, research and government to tackle key challenges: healthier and more productive forests, getting more value from Australian fibre, developing new bioeconomy opportunities and helping unlock manufactured timber housing at scale.” AFWI’s work is structured around four pillars: Healthier Forests, Maximising Fibre, Climate Solutions and Housing Innovation. Projects span forest productivity and resilience, biosecurity and climate adaptation, low-carbon fuels and bioproducts, engineered timber products, advanced manufacturing and new approaches to timber construction. AFWI is also rebuilding Australia’s long-term forest and wood products research capability through three Research Centres, hosted by the University of Melbourne, the University of the Sunshine Coast and the University of Tasmania. Across the portfolio, more than 90 early-career researchers are developing expertise while working directly with industry on practical challenges and pathways to adoption. More >> Source & image credit: Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI)  | ||
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