Friday Offcuts – 21 March 2025
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Offcuts.WoodTECH 2025 wrapped up its event series in Melbourne this week, attracting a record 430 industry delegates, 30 international exhibitors, and nearly all major Australasian producers. A big thanks to everyone who made it a success! In this week’s news, the Australian Forest Products Association is intensifying its federal election campaign, launching key initiatives to counter misinformation and advocate for industry support. Meanwhile, as we mark the International Day of Forests, New Zealand’s forestry sector continues to highlight its environmental and economic contributions—from sustainable land use initiatives to expanding trade with India. On the innovation front, Forest & Wood Products Australia has introduced a new industry standard for recycled timber, reinforcing sustainability and quality assurance. At the same time, New Zealand is taking a significant step toward a low-emissions future with its first large-scale biomass torrefaction facility. Elsewhere, the forestry sector is advancing in mechanised planting, AI-driven forest monitoring, and carbon credit opportunities for Māori landowners. We also cover the realities behind recent U.S. timber policy proposals, and the latest efforts to improve Australia’s log haulage safety standards. Read these and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts.
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This week we have for you:
AFPA launches next stages of Australian Timber
This week, the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has
launched the next stages of its 2025 Federal Election Campaign,
following the release of our comprehensive Australian Timber.
Australia’s Future Election Policy Platform in
February – which outlines what our national forestry sector and
supply chain requires, to realise its potential for our national
economy, consumers, jobs, the environment and fighting climate change,
AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said today.“The AFPA team has been busy promoting our Platform, which includes key policy and funding requests, to policy and decision makers across all sides of federal politics over the past few weeks. It’s now time to launch the next stages of our campaign to support our Platform,” Diana Hallam said. AFPA is launching:
“The Billboards running ahead of the Federal Election show the importance of the timber and forestry industry for homes. They have been placed in strategic locations to maximise public and political awareness of the importance of the full supply chain of Australia’s forestry sector. “AFPA will continue to execute our Federal Election campaign ahead of polling day and work to get all sides of federal politics committed to our Platform,” Diana Hallam concluded. Source & image credit: AFPA Celebrating how forests support sustainable food production
This year, the International Day of Forests 2025 is themed
"Forests and Food", recognising the fundamental role of forests for food
production and livelihoods.Forests are a mainstay of the New Zealand way of life and natural environment, supporting our livelihoods and lifestyles. Globally, forests not only provide food, fuel, income and jobs, but also improve waterways and support biodiversity. These are only a few reasons to spend a moment on Friday 21 March, International Day of Forests, acknowledging the critical role of our forests. New Zealand has over 9.7 million hectares of forests – exotic and native – covering 38% of the land. Whether you live in rural or suburban areas or city centres, trees are part of peoples’ everyday lives. "Trees are not just part of a major industry in New Zealand, they are also a critical part of our wider landscape and production systems. They are essential for environmental sustainability because they help to protect against erosion and to maintain soil and water quality,” says Belinda Miller, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service. “I encourage everyone to take a moment and reflect on the value our forests add to our communities, culture, biodiversity, local economies and everyday lives and activities.” Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service works to promote and grow New Zealand’s forestry sector and ensure the sector’s ongoing sustainability. The agency’s vision is for a future where forestry’s full potential is unlocked for New Zealand’s economy and environment. This includes growing the economic value of the forestry and wood processing sector, helping New Zealand meet emissions reduction targets, and strengthening sector resilience through climate change adaption and sustainable land use. We partner with local government, NGOs, and rural communities to achieve this.” says Belinda. A good example of this is Land for Life, a collaboration with farmers and farming communities in Hawke’s Bay. An important agricultural hub, Hawke’s Bay experiences high rates of soil erosion. Land for Life supports farmers to plant appropriate tree species in the right places to slow erosion, improve freshwater quality and build resilient farms.” “The hugely successful Hill Country Erosion Programme provides funding support in 4-year blocks to regional erosion-control projects. Beginning in July 2023, the funding is helping to protect over 21,000 hectares of erosion-prone farmland.” Loss of productive land through erosion has a significant impact on the environment, and the economy. Erosion and its effects in hill country areas alone are estimated to cost New Zealand's economy $100 million to $150 million a year – forests help reduce these losses. Another successful programme partnering with food producers and communities is Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service working jointly with Beef + Lamb New Zealand to run workshops and events that support landowners to integrate trees into their farming system. “Trees support livestock by providing shelter, windbreaks, shade, feed during drought or feed shortages, and also can provide alternative income streams or support financial succession planning.” “The Growing Native Forests initiative focuses on landowners wanting greater success establishing native plantings. Native ecosystems have many benefits including mitigating erosion, enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, and supporting native wildlife habitats. “This Friday 21 March let’s join other countries in celebrating the International Day of Forests while considering some of the unique and special aspects of New Zealand’s landscape and ecosystem. Together, we can ensure our forests continue to be enjoyed by future generations.” If you would like to learn more about planting trees go to canopy.govt.nz. Source & image credit: Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service  FWPA - New industry standard to support recycled timber
Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is dedicated to driving
industry progress, working together with members and key stakeholders to
create, publish and support standards that meet the industry’s
ever-changing needs.In response to industry demand for clearer, more practical guidelines, FWPA established a dedicated Standards Development Program led by FWPA’s National Codes & Standards Manager, Boris Iskra. This initiative ensures that industry-owned standards are developed with direct input from those who use them, improving efficiency, alignment with industry needs, and responsiveness to emerging challenges. At the heart of this collaborative effort is the Industry Standards Reference Panel (SRP), a diverse group of experts representing key industry voices. The SRP provides essential guidance and oversight, ensuring that FWPA’s standards are robust, practical, and beneficial across the supply chain. Through strategic collaboration and sustained efforts, FWPA has laid a strong foundation and built important momentum for this critical work to advance industry standards. In line with FWPA’s Strategic Plan 2023-2028, this initiative aims to develop enhanced building standards and codes that support the increased use of wood products. FWPA is committed to publishing at least two industry-owned standards per year while continuing to contribute to existing Australian Standards and collaborating with national timber and built environment committees. Launch of FWPA Industry Standard G02 – A Milestone for Recycled Timber FWPA is proud to announce the launch of FWPA Standard G02 – Recycled Timber: Visually Graded Decorative Products , the first national standard of its kind. This standard provides guidelines for visually grading recycled hardwood timber used in decorative applications, setting a critical framework for assessing and grading these materials. The result of industry funded research, and developed in collaboration with industry associations, recycled timber stakeholders, and user representatives, G02 has undergone public comment, review and refinement based on practical application as part of the formal consultation process. “The industry has long sought greater clarity around recycled timber grading to further support the use of recycled timber products in the built environment, and G02 delivers just that. We are excited to see this standard adopted and look forward to launching further industry-led standards that positively impact our industry.” Boris Iskra, National Codes & Standards Manager. Industry Benefits of FWPA Industry Standard G02
More >> Source: FWPA  New Zealand’s first large-scale biomass torrefaction facility
The New Zealand Government welcomes the announcement of a
groundbreaking initiative to establish the country’s first large-scale biomass torrefaction facility in the Central North Island.
This facility, developed by Carbona, represents a significant
step in New Zealand’s transition to a sustainable, low-emissions
energy future while supporting regional economic growth and job
creation.With an annual production capacity of 180,000 tonnes per annum of torrefied biomass, the facility will play a crucial role in helping New Zealand achieve its climate commitments, including net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Discussions are underway with Genesis Energy to assess the commercial viability of supplying biomass for Huntly Power Station as an alternative to coal. Once operational, the torrefaction facility is expected to create between 110 and 130 full-time jobs, delivering substantial economic benefits to regional New Zealand. The project’s ownership structure includes local Iwi, wood processing businesses, and international investors, reinforcing its strong local and global backing. “Torrefied biomass is a potential game-changer for New Zealand’s energy sector and industrial heat consumers,” says David McGregor, Director at Carbona. “Offering a 30% higher energy density than traditional white wood pellets, torrefied biomass is ideally suited for use in existing coal-fired boilers due to its lower volatile content and hydrophobic properties, allowing for outdoor storage and improved handling.” Carbona has partnered with two leading Austrian technology providers, Polytechnik and Andritz. Together Andritz and Polytechnik have recently commissioned a 60,000 tonne per annum torrefaction facility at the Joensuu Biocoal facility in Finland. Polytechnik and Andritz are already active in New Zealand, bringing proven experience to support this landmark project. In addition to domestic applications, the facility opens doors to global export opportunities. International demand for torrefied biomass is rapidly expanding, with Japan alone forecasting demand between 15 and 20 million tonnes per annum. Carbona estimates that sustainable demand within New Zealand could exceed 1 million tonnes per annum, presenting a significant opportunity for future expansion. The project is set to begin its design phase in mid-2025, with construction commencing in early 2026. Product commissioning is expected by late 2027, leading to commercial deliveries starting in early 2028. “Once operational, the facility will contribute an estimated 439,000 tCO2e per year in carbon savings, making a tangible impact on New Zealand’s emissions reduction targets,” adds McGregor. “This initiative underscores New Zealand’s leadership in renewable energy innovation and strengthens the country’s position as a provider of sustainable fuel alternatives for both domestic and international markets.” More >> Source: Carbona via Bioenergy Association Image credit: Carbona Australian Log Haulage Industry Code of Practice consultation
The NHVR is seeking public feedback on the draft Log
Haulage Industry Code of Practice. Feedback should be
provided to codes@nhvr.gov.au by
Friday 18 April 2025.The Log Haulage Industry Code of Practice is a practical guide that assists parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) for forest log haulage to comply with their primary duty and other obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). It does this by identifying hazards to public risk and proposes controls that can be implemented to eliminate or minimise risk. The code isn’t just for log haulage contractors. CoR parties in this sector include businesses that own or manage forests; harvest contractors who cut and stockpile logs; centralised dispatching businesses; harvest or transport contractors who load truck; and mills and other businesses that receive logs. Under the HVNL, CoR parties have existing obligations to ensure safety. The Log Haulage code does not create new obligations, but it provides information that guides parties about how to fulfil their broad primary duty. It identifies hazards and risks in log haulage and describes control measures which can be used to eliminate or minimise public risk. It is not obligatory for a CoR party to implement the controls recommended in a registered code. So long as they are doing what is reasonably practicable to ensure safety, it doesn’t matter how they do it. However, if a party ignores hazards and risks that are identified in a registered code, or fails to implement available controls, then a court can refer to a registered code as evidence of what the party should have known. A party’s state of knowledge is one element of an assessment of whether they have done what is reasonably practicable. Why we’re consulting Feedback direct from industry ensures that the code of practice is comprehensive, up to date, and useful to its target audience. Background The code was developed with the assistance of the Australian Forest Products Association and the Australian Forest Contractors Association and has been graciously supported by the expertise of a wide range of industry and other stakeholders who were consulted throughout the development of the draft. How is it registered? Consultation on the draft code is open for 8 weeks. Following the consultation period, feedback on the draft code will be considered and the code assessed for registration by a panel comprising members with experience in a range of disciplines, including both NHVR staff and external experts. The assessment panel must determine whether the code complies with the NHVR’s published guidelines, with or without further changes. If the panel is satisfied that the code meets the requirements, it makes a recommendation to the NHVR that the code should be registered. More >> Source & image credit: NHVR  Future NZ timber trade with India takes a positive step forward
Signing of a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) for forestry
between New Zealand and India as part of the Prime Minister’s
delegation visit to India this week is welcomed by the Wood Processors
and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA).‘As we look at rebuilding our forestry exports to India, it is important that we develop strong relationships with key Indian agencies’ said Mark Ross, Chief Executive of the WPMA ‘Connecting on values and demonstrating a clear focus on mutually beneficial areas of interest will be critical to the Indian Government opening the door to a longer-term trading relationship in forestry products, such as timber and lumber, with New Zealand.’ In contrast to what should be happening, New Zealand wood and forest product exports to India have decreased from a high of $326 million in 2019 to an estimated $76.5 million in 2024. Although export opportunities remain for a range of timber and lumber products, the bulk of the export volume and receipts have previously been driven by India’s demand for New Zealand logs. “With a recent ruling from the Indian government stipulating that federal housing schemes include ‘a greater mix’ of wood, there are new opportunities opening, for example, in the Indian residential market for our sustainable wood products,” says Ross, ‘Under brand New Zealand we have a leading story to tell as to the value our timber and lumber products have in addressing climate change and sustainability challenges, which reflects the direction of the Indian government’. The MOC lays the groundwork for co-operation on areas such as sustainable forest management, research and innovation, capacity building, and certification. WPMA look forward to seeing the opportunities raised within the Memorandum of Cooperation take shape as a means of further developing our future export of timber and lumber products to India. Source: WPMA FSC launches the FSC Brand Hub
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is thrilled to announce the
launch of the FSC Brand Hub, a user-centric platform designed to
streamline trademark management, marketing resources, and brand assets
for all FSC stakeholders.Developed with input from users around the world, the FSC Brand Hub is tailored to the needs of certificate holders, promotional licence holders, certification bodies, and other FSC partners. This new platform replaces the legacy system, offering an improved, modernised experience that is:
FSC will also host a webinar to introduce the Brand Hub, including how to navigate the platform, customise assets, and make the most of this exciting new resource. More >> Source & image credit: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) .jpg) New insights into mechanised planting productivityForme Consulting Group, in collaboration with Pan Pac Forest Products, and with support from the Precision Silviculture Programme, studied the machine productivity of the PlantmaX. The study looked at planting efficiency, downtime and utilisation through time and motion studies.A short report on the findings is available showing the potential and has led to a better understanding of PlantmaX’s limitations across our more rugged, broken terrain with short runs in NZ. As a result, we are now working on an adaption of the planting kit (area adapt to a new base machine highlighted in yellow), which we will share as the project develops.  Source: Precision Silviculture New Zealand (via LinkedIn) Using a 'kitchen sink' approach to forest hydrology research
The five-year Forest Flows
programme has improved our understanding of what is happening
to the water in New Zealand’s forest soils – and has helped
us answer pressing community questions. The programme, which
ended in June 2024, created and used cutting-edge technology to capture
more than 390 million data points across nine sites around New Zealand.
Long held myths around water and pine forests were able to be busted, with the results from Forest Flows. Being in the right place at the right time, one of the research sites in Mahurangi, just north of Auckland, was also able to capture what happened to the water during the extreme rainfall events in 2023. This world leading research captured the attention of NASA, a joint feasibility study on satellite monitoring of soil moisture in the Far North was completed in 2024 using methods developed in Forest Flows. Scion senior scientist and programme leader Dean Meason is really proud of what the programme achieved, "spreading the word further, that's the next challenge" he says. This research was funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour Fund. Extended monitoring and data collection at Forest Flows sites is ongoing and supported by Forest Growers Levy Trust and the forestry industry. More >> Source & image credit: Scion  Carbon credit deal to provide windfall for Māori landowners
An isolated Māori Land Trust in the central North Island has
sealed a groundbreaking carbon credit deal, securing millions for its
4000 owners and tens of thousands of beneficiaries.The innovative leasing deal creates new income streams and unlocks multi-million-dollar earnings. Ngāporo Waimarino Forest Trust, based in the Ruapehu district, has struck a 10-year carbon credit leasing arrangement with forestry developer Tāmata Hauhā. The deal leases secured carbon credits from just under half of the Trust’s forests in the Waimarino, Raetihi and Manganui-o-te-Ao area to Tāmata Hauhā, which then on-sells the credits through the Emissions Trading Scheme. More >> Source & image credit: Local Democracy Reporting via 1news KTU scientists develop advanced forest monitoring systems
“Forests are among the most important ecosystems in nature,
constantly evolving, yet their monitoring is often delayed,” says
Rytis Maskeliūnas, a professor at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU).
Climate change, pests, and human activity are transforming forests
faster than we can track them – some changes become apparent only
when the damage is already irreversible.KTU researchers are proposing innovative technological solutions: an innovative forest regeneration model and a sound analysis system that can predict forest conditions and detect environmental changes in real time. Forest management today is increasingly challenged by environmental changes that have intensified in recent years. “Forests, especially in regions like Lithuania, are highly sensitive to rising winter temperatures. A combination of factors is causing trees to weaken, making them more vulnerable to pests,” says Maskeliūnas. According to the scientist, traditional monitoring methods such as foresters’ visual inspections or trap-based monitoring are no longer sufficient. “We will never have enough people to continuously observe what is happening in forests,” he explains. To improve forest protection, KTU researchers have employed artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis. These technologies enable not only real-time forest monitoring but also predictive analysis, allowing early intervention in response to environmental changes. Spruce trees are particularly affected by climate change One key solution is the forest regeneration dynamics model, which forecasts how forests will grow and change over time. The model tracks tree age groups and calculates probabilities for tree transitions from one age group to another by analysing growth and mortality rates. Head of the Real time computer center (RLKSC), data analysis expert, Prof. Robertas Damaševičius, identifies core advantages of the model: it can identify which tree species are best suited to different environments and where they should be planted. “It can assist in planning mixed forest replanting to enhance resilience against climate change, as well as predict where and when certain species might become more vulnerable to pests, enabling preventive measures. This tool supports forest conservation, biodiversity maintenance, and ecosystem services by optimising funding allocation and compensation for forest owners,” says Maskeliūnas. The model is based on advanced statistical methods. The Markov chain model calculates how a forest transitions from one state to another, based on current conditions and probabilistic growth and mortality rates. “This allows us to predict how many young trees will survive or die due to diseases or pests, helping to make more informed forest management decisions,” explains KTU’s Faculty of Informatics professor. Additionally, a multidirectional time series decomposition distinguishes long-term trends in forest growth from seasonal changes or unexpected environmental factors such as droughts or pest outbreaks. Combining these methods provides a more comprehensive view of forest ecosystems, allowing for more accurate forecasting under different environmental conditions. The model has also been applied to assess Lithuania’s forest situation, revealing that spruce trees are particularly affected by climate change, becoming increasingly vulnerable due to longer dry periods in summer and warmer winters. “Spruce trees, although they grow rapidly in young forests, experience higher mortality rates in later life stages. This is linked to reduced resistance to environmental stress,” says Maskeliūnas. More >> Source & image credit: KTU  White House executive orders vs reality on timber
The US president recently suggested that domestic lumber production could be significantly increased by opening federal lands to logging. This move, he argued, would reduce US dependence on lumber imports from Canada and Europe. However, like many executive orders and policy directives from Washington, D.C., the gap between political rhetoric and real-world feasibility is substantial. At first glance, tapping into federal timber resources might seem like a logical solution to increase log supply for domestic sawmills. However, the reality is far more complicated. A combination of declining forestry expertise, legal challenges, labor shortages, infrastructure limitations, and lack of private investment incentives makes this an unrealistic path to reduce lumber imports to the US. 1) Federal Forest Management Has Lost Expertise Most federally owned forests in the U.S. are located in the western states—Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Montana. Logging on these lands was drastically reduced during the Clinton administration, leading to a significant decline in forestry expertise within the US Forest Service (USFS). Today, the USFS lacks critical capabilities in forest management, silviculture, environmentally responsible timber harvesting, road construction, timber sales, and log market dynamics. Rebuilding this knowledge base would be a long and costly process, requiring years of training and recruitment before the agency could effectively oversee a large-scale increase in logging. The ongoing reduction in staffing across most government agencies further compounds this challenge. 2) Legal Barriers Could Delay or Halt Logging Even if the president issued executive orders to increase logging on federal lands, any proposed harvests would likely face prolonged legal battles from environmental groups. These lawsuits could delay or completely block timber harvesting, making it a lengthy and uncertain endeavor before any logs could reach the forest industry. Without predictable policies, timber companies and investors are unlikely to commit resources to expanding operations. More >> Source: GWT Insights from Global Wood Trends Nowa Nowa businesses awarded Forestry Transition Fund grants
The Allan Labor Government is backing businesses in Nowa Nowa
and surrounds to reach their full potential, making sure they have the
tools they need to generate new jobs and economic growth for the
community.Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today announced $320,000 of Forestry Transition Fund grants have been awarded to AvaGrow Farms, the Nowa Nowa General Store and Post Office and LCT Auto. AvaGrow Farms in the Wairewa Valley is known for its high-quality vegetable production and will use a $165,666 grant to build a high-care post-harvest facility, which will include a hydro vacuum cooler, a cool room, a water storage tank and a power upgrade. When finished it is expected to create three new full-time jobs including a Post Harvest Coordinator, a Logistics Coordinator and a Quality Control Manager. Adding more flair to the region’s growing tourism market, the Nowa Nowa General Store and Post Office will use a $150,000 grant to renovate its existing premises to include a customer service area, a visitor information section, and indoor and outdoor dining. The expansion is also expected to create one full-time and two part-time positions. The projects align with the Nowa Nowa Futures Local Development Strategy to build the area’s long-term economy. The Labor Government has invested over $5.4 million in East Gippsland and the surrounding area through the Forestry Transition Program, which is supporting local businesses and the community to design and implement their Local Development Strategy. This funding is in addition to providing businesses with compensation and supporting hundreds of workers through the Worker Support Program. A $20,000 employment incentive payment is also available for businesses that hire ex-native timber workers. Round Two of the Transition Fund is currently open for interested business and organisations looking to create new jobs in communities impacted by the end of native timber harvesting. More >> Source: Premier of Victoria Image credit: Visit East Gippsland Jobs
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... and one to end the week on... extending the St Paddy's theme
Visiting The Doctor 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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