Friday Offcuts – 27 June 2025
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Offcuts.We lead with the European Space Agency’s new Biomass satellite, which has returned its first “spectacular” images - offering an unprecedented look into global forest canopies and carbon storage. In New Zealand, Scion has secured new funding for wildfire and water research in partnership with NASA, researchers are exploring how waste bark could be turned into cancer- fighting drugs, and there’s a call for public submissions on proposed ETS reforms. In Australia, a new national standard for recycled structural timber marks progress toward a more circular construction economy. At the same time, the decision to end eradication efforts for the Polyphagous Shot-hole Borer has raised alarm, and growing bushfire risks in Victoria are sounding fresh warnings. Other highlights include viral safety videos from Safetree, new training initiatives, major funding for AI fire detection, and robotics reshaping prefab housing. Read these and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts.
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This week we have for you:
Satellite returns striking first images of forests
ESA has revealed the first stunning images from its
groundbreaking Biomass satellite mission – marking a
major leap forward in our ability to understand how Earth’s
forests are changing and exactly how they contribute to the global
carbon cycle. But these inaugural glimpses go beyond forests.
Remarkably, the satellite is already showing potential to unlock new
insights into some of Earth’s most extreme environments.Biomass – an Earth Explorer research mission developed within ESA’s FutureEO programme – was launch less than two months ago. This new mission is, therefore, still in the process of being commissioned, but its first set of images are stunning none the less. ESA’s Biomass Project Manager, Michael Fehringer, commented, “As is routine, we’re still in the commissioning phase, fine-tuning the satellite to ensure it delivers the highest quality data for scientists to accurately determine how much carbon is stored in the world’s forests. “Biomass is equipped with novel space technology, so we’ve been closely monitoring its performance in orbit, and we’re very pleased to report that everything is functioning smoothly, and its first images are nothing short of spectacular – and they’re only a mere glimpse of what is still to come. ” Biomass is the first satellite to carry a P-band synthetic aperture radar, its signal capable of penetrating forest canopies to measure woody biomass – trunks, branches and stems. These measurements serve as a proxy for carbon storage, the assessment of which is the mission’s primary objective. While it settles into its life in orbit, ESA’s pioneering Biomass mission is already returning data. The satellite, its instrument and systems are still being calibrated so these first data cannot yet be used to quantify carbon or support scientific advances, but they do show that Biomass is well on track to achieving its goals. ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli, said, “Looking at these first images, it’s clear to see that our Earth Explorer Biomass satellite is set to deliver on its promise. “We fully expect that this new mission will provide a groundbreaking leap in our ability to understand Earth's forests – combining cutting-edge radar technology with the scientific excellence that will unlock vital insights into carbon storage, climate change, and the health of our planet’s precious forest ecosystems.” The true strength of the Biomass mission lies not in identifying features from a single image, but in its unique sampling technique and ability to combine multiple observations of the same area to reveal forest height and biomass. This enables scientists to accurately quantify forest carbon stocks and better understand the role of tropical forests in the global carbon cycle. More >> Source & image credit: The European Space Agency New national standard for recycled structural timber
Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is pleased to
announce the release of FWPA Standard G01: Recycled Timber –
Visually Graded for Structural Purposes, the first national
guideline designed specifically for the visual grading of recycled
hardwood timber for structural applications.Through close engagement with industry, recyclers, engineers, and government, this Standard supports the use of more wood products in construction and lays the groundwork to assist with Australia’s transition to circular construction by ensuring the safe and reliable use of structural recycled timber. It complements existing standards for new sawn timber, while addressing the unique characteristics of reclaimed materials — such as signs of previous use (e.g., bolt holes, notches), ageing, features, and variations in appearance and performance. Nationally consistent grading criteria This standard provides clear, nationally consistent grading criteria tailored to recycled structural timber. It promotes detailed communication between suppliers and purchasers, encourages sample inspections, and enables market confidence in recycled products through a quality assurance framework. The grades defined under this Standard are unique to recycled timber and should be used independently of existing standards (e.g., AS 2082 and AS 3818 series). Supporting circularity “This standard reflects FWPA’s commitment to supporting circularity and environmental responsibility across the timber industry,” said Boris Iskra, National Codes & Standards Manager at FWPA. “By providing a consistent approach to grading recycled hardwood, we’re giving industry the confidence to produce recycled structural timber and specifier’s confidence to use this material in structural applications. It’s a milestone in the broader effort to unlock the full potential of timber reuse in Australia.” The launch of FWPA Standard G01 follows the earlier publication of FWPA Standard G02: Recycled Timber – Visually Graded Decorative Products, which provides visual grading guidance for recycled hardwood used in non-structural and decorative applications. Like G01, the G02 standard was developed with input from a diverse group of stakeholders and includes both mandatory and advisory provisions to account for the distinct characteristics of recycled timber. Together, Standards G01 and G02 form a coordinated framework for the responsible reuse of hardwood timber, addressing both structural and aesthetic applications. They empower industry participants to make informed decisions that reduce waste, support sustainability, and build confidence in using recycled timber products. Industry representatives have welcomed the release of FWPA Standard G01 “This Standard fills a critical gap for builders and engineers seeking to incorporate recycled hardwood in structural projects,” said Michael Kennedy, CEO of Kennedy’s Timber. “It offers the clarity and confidence we need to promote more sustainable building choices.” More >> Source & image credit: FWPA  Scion funding for NASA water & wildfire research
Two Scion programmes have received a second round of government
funding for collaborative research with the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) - aimed at increasing water flow
and wildfire knowledge and preparedness in New Zealand.The $2.35 million from the government’s Catalyst fund will enable Scion to undertake three-year research programmes into observing water flows through forests and investigating wildfire and drought risks. Both programmes are based on feasibility studies completed thanks to the first stage of Catalyst funding. The water flows research builds on results from Scion’s MBIE-funded Forest Flows programme, which researched forest hydrology in study sites around New Zealand, including an 1800ha catchment in Northland’s Te Hiku Forest. The new programme, a collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, will focus on the Aupōuri Peninsula’s Te Hiku region (Northland). It will use data from multiple NASA satellite missions to generate a new way to accurately measure water use for different land uses and how it varies across the region. The programme will also monitor how water moves across the region above and below ground. Scion research lead Dean Meason says this research could provide new insights for freshwater management at scales previously not thought possible. “This gives us the opportunity to address concerns about water use and availability and increase understanding of water use and water flow throughout Te Hiku.” The wildfire and drought risk study aims to build a publicly accessible near-real-time fuel moisture and fuel type system. Programme lead and Scion fire ecologist Shana Gross says accurate data on the moisture content within living vegetation can provide information on how fire could spread through vegetation and identify areas where insects and disease pose a risk to drought-stressed vegetation. “This can lead to more accurate wildfire predictions improving warning systems and reducing economic and environmental loss due to wildfire and drought.” Scion is partnering with NASA’s Ames Research Center, the Australian National University, the US Forest Service, Fire and Emergency NZ and the University of Canterbury on this programme. Both research programmes will now collect field and remotely sensed data to build models for development of the near-real-time systems. The partnership with NASA on both programmes gives Scion’s teams access to state-of-the art technology and expertise to develop their research and build partnerships with a world leader in space research and help with solutions to climate change driven challenges. More >> Source & image credit: Scion  ‘White flag’ on Polyphagous Shot-hole borer eradication
Australia’s forest industries are disappointed the Commonwealth and State governments have given up trying to eradicate the insidious Polyphagous Shot-hole borer (PSHB), a tiny, imported beetle with the potential to destroy Australian forests and devastate our forestry industry, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said today.The National Management Group (NMG) met on Wednesday and determined it was no longer feasible to eradicate the pest – and a transition to management will now be finalised. “We’re disappointed that governments have effectively accepted the PSHB is here and here to stay. The likelihood it spreads from metropolitan Perth to other parts of the country has increased as a consequence of the decision to move from an eradication to a management strategy,” Diana Hallam said. The risk this beetle poses to trees in forestry operations, national parks, reserves and even backyards is immense and the cost borne by our industry and other stakeholders, like local councils, to prevent its spread and manage its risk will, unfortunately, likely increase. “We know in South Africa and California, where PSHB has already established itself, the losses and cost of management are in the billions of dollars across local governments, horticulture, forestry and the environment through tree deaths or increased management costs," said Diana Hallam. “Despite our disappointment, we do welcome the Western Australian Government’s commitment of $26.5 million towards the PSHB response in the State’s Budget." AFPA will continue to work with our industry and other stakeholders on the impact of the NMG’s decision and protecting forestry operations from the PSHB moving forward. More >> Source: AFPA Image credit: WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Empowering the next generation of foresters & architects
A new wave of innovation is sweeping through some of Aotearoa New
Zealand’s most future-focused academic programmes. From digital
fabrication in architecture to industry exposure and creative problem-solving in forestry, students at the University of Auckland and across
the country are gaining hands-on experiences that align with real-world
challenges and opportunities.Transforming Architectural Education: A CNC Router for the Future At the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning, a major leap forward has been made thanks to the generous support of the WIDE Trust. A $67,000 grant has enabled the purchase of a state-of-the-art CNC router, radically upgrading the School’s digital fabrication capabilities. Why It Matters Digital fabrication is now a cornerstone of architectural practice. Until recently, students relied on a CNC machine purchased in 2010, valuable for its time but outdated by today’s standards. The new machine, with a fourth axis and automatic tool changer, allows for faster, more accurate, and complex fabrication, capabilities essential to preparing students for careers in a competitive, tech-driven industry. Over the next decade, more than 1,200 students will benefit from this equipment across key areas of study:
“This is more than just a technical investment, it’s a critical bridge between architectural education and the real-world expectations of the industry,” said a representative from the WIDE Trust. Preparing Forestry Students for Industry Leadership: NZIF Conference 2025 Meanwhile, in the forestry sector, the focus is on building strong professional pathways for students. A business case has been submitted to support forestry students attending the 2025 NZIF Conference in Napier from 26–28 June. This premier industry event will expose students to leading-edge research, technology, and policy, alongside field trips and direct access to professionals.
Igniting Innovation in Forestry: The 2025 Youth Micro Innovation Challenge Innovation doesn’t stop at exposure. The 2025 Youth Micro Innovation Challenge is calling on the next generation of forestry professionals to step forward with fresh, technology-inspired ideas that tackle real industry challenges. Why It Matters New forestry graduates and students are digital natives, and their perspectives are crucial for solving complex issues like diversifying commercial forestry, developing alternative species, and improving public perceptions. The challenge provides funding, mentorship, and prototype development to bring their ideas to life through the existing Micro Innovation ecosystem. Benefits
With backing from industry, education providers, and a proven digital platform, the initiative is already changing how the forestry sector supports innovation. Conclusion: Investing in Innovation is Investing in Our Future Whether it's a CNC router powering architectural experimentation or forestry students stepping into national industry conversations and innovation challenges, one thing is clear: investing in education and student-led innovation creates lasting impact. By equipping students with cutting-edge tools, meaningful experiences, and platforms to share their ideas, we’re not only preparing them for successful careers, we’re empowering them to shape the future of their industries. The future of Aotearoa’s built and natural environments depends on these emerging leaders. Thanks to forward-thinking supporters like the WIDE Trust and the growing Micro Innovation network, that future is already being built. More >> Source & image credit: WIDE Trust  New Safetree manual felling videos a hit
 NZ monthly export report - June 2025
Over the last month export log prices have remained stable but at lower levels than preferred. This continuance of same old is good news in the context of prices in the market have stopped falling. Across the mix of supply and demand there are signs both India and China have bottomed out and now showing signs of recovery with talk of lifts in selling prices for August settlements.Importantly, this time of year is a time of normal cyclical lows. By comparison the export market price indicator, A grade, is the highest it has been, compared to the last 4 years. This then suggests there are likely to be better times ahead, ignoring of course the many current abnormal world factors that might impachttps://www.laurieforestry.co.nz/news/monthly-reports-june-2025/t the softwood fibre supply chain. An unhinged Donald Trump being of course one of them. There are some exciting things happening in the market as well as some useful statistics emerging about forests on the planet and just how well poised NZ is to capture the upside. NZ is on the cusp of a Free Trade Agreement with India. This would have two net impacts. Firstly, the dropping of the current tariff would add US$6 – 7 per m3 to the value of our Radiata pine logs. Secondly, a cuhttps://www.laurieforestry.co.nz/news/monthly-reports-june-2025/rrent supply source from Uruguay would not compete with NZ logs without tariffs, immediately adding 2 additional shipments per month of sales to this rapidly growing trade destination. Canada’s harvest, predominantly Lodgepole pine has shrunk from 90mil m3 pa to 35 mil in 5 years as a consequence of bark beetle infestation. Many sawmilling companies are relocating to the Pacific Northwest, harvesting and producing for the US market. This has seen PNW log exports to China slow to a trickle. European Spruce exports to China have slowed to less than 100,000 m3 of logs per month from 600,000m3. Commentary suggests even the current volumes will eventually cease as Germany, primarily, runs out of forest to harvest due to the same bark beetle that is eating its way through Canada forests. Spain, including the Basque Country, has lost in excess of 50,000 hectares of their softwood forest since 2018 due to pathogens, primarily Lecanosticata acicola. This pathogen poses a very real threat to NZ softwood forests, with our biosecurity settings undergoing a major review as a consequence. China has faced major challenges but is emerging as a much stronger economy than some of its critics have suggested. Indeed, China has just reported a Q1 trade surplus of $US165bil. Compare this with the US trade deficit Q1 – $US425.5bil. Sorry Donald, it isn’t working! China has been consistently using about 60,000 m3 per day of our wonderful Radiata pine logs when things were supposed to be dire. This then tells us there is a very real every day usage requirement, with its foundation being the China middle class population. More >> Source: Laurie Forestry Turning bark into biopharmaceuticals
Although a casual observer just sees the bark on a tree, a lumber expert
might envision the potential for boards inside, thinking of the bark
largely as waste. In many cases, bark does turn into waste in the
logging industry.That’s lots of waste, because bark can account for up to 15% of a tree’s weight, and “only a fraction of this is currently being utilised, primarily for landscaping or for energy; the rest is left at the harvest or handling site to naturally decompose,” according to Sumanth Ranganathan, Dr.-Ing, a biochemical engineer at Scion, a research institute in Rotorua, New Zealand, and his colleagues. For some trees, though, that wasted bark is a potential treasure-trove of biopharmaceuticals, from anti-inflammatories to cancer-fighting drugs. In a commercial forest in New Zealand, more than 90% of the trees are Monterey pines (Pinus radiata), which are known for fast growth, sometimes as much as two meters in a year. Each year, the country’s logging industry produces about 2.5 million metric tons of bark. Ranganathan’s team envisions feeding that into a bark-based biorefinery. More >> Source: GEN .jpg) Leadership transition at FSC ANZ
The Forest Stewardship Council® Australia and New Zealand
(FSC ANZ) is pleased to announce the appointment of James Felton-Taylor
as the new Chair of its Board of Directors, following the
conclusion of Jon Dee’s second successful term in the role. The
appointment was made in accordance with the FSC ANZ Constitution at the
first Board meeting following the Annual General Meeting.James Felton-Taylor is a long-standing advocate for responsible forest management. As the owner and Managing Director of Australian Sustainable Timbers (AST), he leads the first company in Australia to achieve FSC certification for native forest operations. Based on the North Coast of New South Wales, AST is known for its commitment to regenerative forestry and the sustainable use of private native forests. With a background in environmental science, farm forestry, and remnant vegetation management, James brings deep operational insight and values-driven leadership to the role. He is actively involved across AST’s operations, from management planning to harvesting and timber marketing, and oversees a group scheme of FSC-certified private forests. “James brings a valuable combination of technical expertise, business leadership, and on-the-ground insight into what responsible forestry looks like in practice,” said Melanie Robertson, CEO of FSC ANZ. “His appointment reflects our continued focus on impact, integrity and regional relevance.” FSC ANZ also extends its sincere thanks to Jon Dee, who has served as Chair since 2021. A passionate advocate for sustainability, Jon has guided the organisation through a period of strategic growth and brought clarity and strong values to Board decision-making. “Jon’s contribution to FSC ANZ cannot be overstated. His values-driven leadership and steady support for the team have had a lasting impact. We’re pleased he’ll continue to share his insight and energy as a member of the Board,” said Robertson. James Felton-Taylor’s appointment comes at a significant time for FSC ANZ, as the organisation is poised to commence the development of its new five-year strategy later this year, planning the strategic pathway of the organisation for the medium term. “Under Jon Dee’s Chairmanship, the Board has successfully stabilised FSC ANZ both financially and organisationally,” said Felton-Taylor. “I’m looking forward to building on that foundation with the Board in the development of the new strategy to extend FSC’s reach and impact across Australia and New Zealand.” Felton-Taylor expressed confidence that the new strategic plan will further consolidate FSC ANZ's work on strengthening responsible forestry in across Australia and New Zealand, which is supported by a growing network of members, certificate holders, and promotional licence holders committed to sustainable forest management. More >> Source & image credit: About FSC Australia and New Zealand Victorian's mountain ash forests a time bomb
Vast tracts of Victoria's alpine forests are one major bushfire
away from oblivion, according to a growing number of
scientists. Alpine ash, a tall eucalypt, is most vulnerable to fire
because it takes at least 20 years to produce seed."There's probably about 80,000 hectares which is young forest currently and will be young forest for the next decade or so," University of Melbourne scientist Tom Fairman said. Dr Fairman, a future fire risk analyst at the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, has calculated that in the past two decades, half of the state's mountain forests have been ravaged by bushfire. More >> Source: ABC Image credit: Bob Beale / Wikipedia Australian bushfire detection startup raised A$68m
A US startup used extensively by Australian authorities to detect
bushfires has raised A$68 million in Series B funding. The round
for Pano AI included an undisclosed level of secondary share sales, with
the surveillance platform claiming to have raised A$138m in its five-year-old lifetime.New investor Giant Ventures led the raise, supported by Liberty Mutual Strategic Ventures and Tokio Marine Future Fund, as well as existing backers Congruent Ventures, Initialized Capital and Salesforce Ventures. The new cash will go to deployment of its AI-powered bushfire detection hardware and intelligence software. Pano AI was cofounded by expat Australian Arvind Satyam and US supply chain expert Sonia Kastner in mid-2020 following the devastating 2019-20 summer fires that scorched at nation, killing 33 people. More >> Source: Startup Daily Image Credit: Pano AI Have your say on the ETS
The Environment Committee has called for submissions on the
Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme—Forestry
Conversion) Amendment Bill.Currently, the Emissions Trading Scheme creates an incentive to convert land used for pastoral agriculture to production and permanent forestry. The bill would limit whole-farm conversions to exotic forestry with the aim of protecting productive land for agricultural purposes. This bill is available online from the ‘Related links’ panel. What do you need to know?
If you have any questions about your submission or the submission process, please contact the Committee Staff through the website. More >> Source: NZ Parliament  How robots are taking prefabricated housing construction
Behind the three-storey rolling doors of its prototype factory in Delta,
a Canadian company is fine-tuning an approach to prefabricated
construction that it believes could be key to solving the housing
crisis.Intelligent City is using massive industrial robots and advanced techniques in mass-timber construction to produce complete floor and exterior wall sections for a nine-storey apartment building that will be assembled in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke. In the middle of the factory, a pair of automated machines on parallel tracks engage in a precisely choreographed dance to the tune of detailed digitised plans, laying down layers of glue and nailing elements together to assemble floor panels. More >> Source: Vancouver Sun Image credit: Intelligent City Jobs
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and one to end the week on... International pineapple day
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