Feed aggregator

The first autonomous logging machine rumbled down a Swedish forest path and scanned for stacked logs to transport. It then scooped them up with a crane and loaded them onto its trailer. A new study of the truck-size robot, called a forwarder, suggests it could help forest workers with at least some deadly jobs. Source: SciAm “It’s the first trial for us to see that the machine we built is perhaps capable of doing what we were dreaming it could do,” said Pedro La Hera, a roboticist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and lead author of the study, published in the Journal of Field Robotics. Logging jobs are often demanding, requiring operators to multitask and endure nearly constant vibration while operating logging vehicles. Fatigued foresters don’t always pay attention to other foliage in the area, the researchers say, and can damage the ecosystems around them. Logging is also dangerous; in the US, it has one of the highest fatality rates of any industry. Roboticists, software engineers and forestry scholars in Sweden set out to automate some onerous logging tasks. They used GPS to set a path in a clear-cut area and equipped the vehicle with a computer vision system to help it identify, pick up and release cut logs. The predetermined task sequence demonstrates how, in a controlled environment, a machine with little to no human oversight could operate. “It’s definitely an advancement,” said Thomas Douglass, a logger who owns Thomas Logging and Forestry in Guilford, Maine. “I, along with other contractors in this area, have problems getting help working in the woods, so I can see why at least making the forwarder an automated process would be helpful.” For now, these vehicles’ use may be limited to Sweden, where nearly all forests are managed for commercial logging, paths are well identified, and satellites provide information on logged areas. Loggers in the US, in contrast, harvest trees both in plantations and in natural stands where self-piloted machinery would face more challenges. Still, the research highlights aspects of autonomous machinery that are worth developing further, says Dalia Abbas, a forester who has investigated the effects of logging operations in environmentally sensitive areas. Eventually, Ms Abbas says, she “would definitely hope that it takes into account the fuller range of where it’s operating, whether it includes wildlife, other contaminants or bugs that come with the logs to avoid any infestations, and its sensitivity to the terrain.” Since the experiments took place, engineers have already improved the machine’s manoeuvring capabilities. The researchers are also pursuing other autonomous efforts such as planting seedlings. Although logging may always need human oversight, automating certain steps could make the process safer and more efficient, benefiting both workers and the environment, La Hera says. The paper Exploring the feasibility of autonomous forestry operations: Results from the first experimental unmanned machine can be downloaded at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/rob.22300

Metsä Group has completed a transaction in which the ownership in the group’s Russian subsidiaries Metsä Svir LLC, Metsä Forest St. Petersburg LLC, Metsä Forest Podporozhye LLC and Metsä Board Rus LLC has transferred to VLP Group. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the transaction. Metsä Group no longer holds any assets in Russia. Source: Timberbiz VLP Group operates in forestry and forest industry mainly in Vologda region, Russia. Metsä Group held a minority ownership in VLP Group during 2003–2017. In 2022 Metsä Group stopped its business operations in Russia, including the operations of the Svir sawmill, wood procurement and paperboard sales. VLP is a major company in the forestry industry working mainly in the Vologda region and has had an association with Metsa in the past.

Japanese companies, NYK Line, NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding and British renewable energy business, Drax have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop both the world’s first biomass-fuelled ship (bioship) and the technology that could power it. Source: Timberbiz Biomass is playing a growing role in Japan’s transition from fossil fuel power generation to low carbon and renewable electricity, and the country’s demand for biomass pellets, sourced primarily from North America and composed of sawmill and forestry residues, is increasing. Drax produces biomass pellets in both the US South and Canada. The company has a longstanding relationship with NBP which transports its pellets to Japan. These pellets are currently shipped through smaller handy size bulkers, which, due to the limited size of their fuel tanks, have proved challenging to switch to lower emission fuels, such as ammonia. Through the MoU, which was signed at the British Embassy in Tokyo, the companies will initially conduct research to develop the new shipping technology, an on-board biomass fuel plant, which would be required to power a bioship. The four companies are exploring how other renewable technologies could be used to reduce both the emissions and fuel costs of shipping biomass. The biomass fuel plant would use a gasifier to combust biomass at high temperatures and create and contain gases including carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. These gases would then be used to power a generator which could propel the bioship and also provide a proportion of its internal power. The installation of a biomass fuel plant could see a 22% reduction in well-to-wake carbon emissions in bioships when compared to using fossil fuels. If this development is successful, the companies will jointly study the possibility of building a bioship by the end of 2029. “This initiative is part of NYK’s long-term target of net-zero emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) by 2050 for the NYK Group’s oceangoing businesses,” Shinichi Yanagisawa, Executive Officer of NYK Line, said. “The NYK Group is committed to providing its expertise in low-carbon and decarbonised maritime transportation as per this MOU and will utilize the knowledge gained in this research and development to promote initiatives related to various energy-saving technologies. Through our strength in high-quality transportation services, we will continue to co-create value for society with our partners.”  

International demand for pruned logs from New Zealand is the highest ever seen by a forest manager with 30 years of experience in the sector. Source: RNZ John Turkington owns John Turkington Forestry – a Manawatū company that plants, manages, harvests and markets radiata pine, says he cannot understand why forest owners do not prune plantation forests. For 15 years China had been a strong market for low-value, unpruned logs, but that was not the case now and was unlikely to be in the future, he said. “Things are fundamentally changed in my view, in China. And this is where we are going to be at,” Turkington said. “The crashes are getting closer and closer together and the range of prices is becoming more and more marked. “So, you used to have a fluctuation around a NZ$20 spread, now it’s more like NZ$60 (between the high and low prices).” Export log prices are at an eight-year low and many harvesting gangs are currently without work. The stable growth area is with pruned logs, according to Turkington. “Pruned logs per tonne is sort of sitting firmly at NZ$200 or north of NZ$200, it depends where it is sold to,” he said. “Whereas the A grade, which is the predominant diet in China, is sitting in the early NZ$100s.” The added bonus with pruned logs was they were turned into product and then sent offshore so the “value add happens in NZ, which is another bonus”. Mr Turkington admitted that sheep and beef farmers with sizeable wood lots at present were not going to have available funds to prune the trees, especially when the payback was 15 or 20 years away. But he added: “They could plant fewer trees and make sure they prune them”. “There’s always been a market for pruned logs and there’s been relative stability over an extended period of time. “But if you go back the last three or four years, the price has increased and the differential between the pruned logs and the unpruned logs is getting greater.” He said while he was not a sawmill owner, the demand must be there, or they would not keep putting the price up or keep ordering pruned logs if they were able to fill their files.

Upgraded operations are well underway at Whakatane Mill Limited’s paperboard mill on New Zealand’s North Island following the businesses official grand re-opening celebrated in March. Source: Timberbiz The initial months of the year were spent installing new state-of-the-art machinery, as well as upgrading its facilities, and since its re-opening WML is now fully equipped to service its local and global customer chain with premium quality board products. Customers from across the globe attended the in-person event alongside numerous local and government officials, such as Minister of Manufacturing and Small Business, Andrew Bayly and Local MP Dana Kirkpatrick. Representing more than mere upgrades to facilities, over NZ$100m worth of private funding has been poured into the business, ensuring the growth and prosperity of both the mill and the local Whakatane community for years to come. On the day of the grand re-opening, guests were invited to take a tour through the mill to view the new machinery upgrades which will enable WML to produce an additional 50,000 tonnes of premium folding box boards, along with improved environmental and energy systems to further embed the business’ long-term success. The upgrade seeks to increase WML’s total production capacity of up to 200,000 tonnes of premium folding box board in the future.  WML is the only folding box board producer in the Australian/New Zealand geography. The grand re-opening event is a stark contrast to the uncertain future that the business faced only three years ago where an unfortunate closure was looming over WML. Since acquiring the business, the new owners have invested significantly in the mill’s capabilities, committing to its successful future and the continued prosperity of Whakatane’s local economy. Executive Chairman of Whakatane Mill Limited Ian Halliday, conveyed the immense pride he had in re-opening the business, setting its course for a fruitful future. “Looking back to when we first acquired the mill, and to where the business is at now, it’s incredibly fulfilling,” Mr Halliday said. “We have invested heavily in upgrading the business as we always believed in its potential, and to see it now come to fruition is truly rewarding. As the largest private employer in Whakatane, with 80 years of exporting history, we are proud to see the mill step forth into its next evolution. “We want to thank our team, commercial partners and local contractors who have helped with the upgrade, along with our customers who continue to partner with us. We remain committed to further advancements, ensuring a bright future for our business and community alike,” he said.  

The Gottstein Trust is the national educational trust of Australia’s forest and forest products industry. The purpose of the Trust is to create opportunities for people to acquire knowledge that will promote the interests of the Australian industries which grow and use sustainably managed forest resources. Source: Timberbiz Through its annual awarding of Scholarships, Fellowship and Skills Development grants, the Trust provides financial assistance for individuals across the forest and forest products industry. The aim of the Trust is to support individuals to gain knowledge and skills as well as developing domestic and international networks in ways that also advance our industry. The Trust also runs well-established Wood Science and Forest Science courses. The Trust is governed and administered by up to eight trustees, operating in a voluntary capacity, who have significant experience in the Australian forest and forest products industry. Expressions of Interest are sought from experienced forest and forest products industry members to join the Board of Trustees. Some or all of the following skills would be well regarded: A capacity to promote and champion the Trust and its endeavours. Experience in governance. An awareness of industry research needs and emerging issues. Education or training experience. Fundraising, legal or communications expertise. Further information about the Trust can be accessed at www.gottsteintrust.org The Trust Deed is available under the ‘About Us’ section of the website. If you would like to contribute to the important work that the Gottstein Trust undertakes, we welcome your Expression of Interest.  For further information and a discussion about the Trustee roles, please contact Suzette Weeding, Chair of the Gottstein Trust on 0439-384-736. Please forward your Expression of Interest consisting of a brief letter and CV, to team@gottsteintrust.org by midnight 20 May 2024.

Government spending cuts have forced Scion, the dedicated Crown research institute charged with growing forestry exports, to propose shedding a significant number of scientists. Source: Timberbiz Scion which is headquartered in Rotorua, New Zealand has told staff that 30 jobs or around 10% of its workforce may go. This impacts scientists, technicians and support staff. Most are based in Rotorua. The decision follows proposed job losses of scientists, researchers and others at Callaghan Innovation and NIWA. “Cutting the very agency that is helping to grow such a valuable exporter earner and employer is just more dumb stuff from this government,” said Fleur Fitzsimons Assistant Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. “This again shows how little the Government understands how science is key to our future prosperity and ensuring we can adapt to challenges like climate change. “Forestry is our third largest primary export earner and employs tens of thousands in regions around New Zealand – it makes no sense for a government focused on economic growth and regional economic development to undermine such a critical agency. “Scion is all about the productivity of forestry – helping grow higher value trees, improving land management, researching more efficient harvesting practices and the impacts of climate change on forests. “How come that is no longer a priority? Do forest owners and wood processors agree with this downsizing? “This again shows how the Government has made a choice for tax cuts to trump investing in public services which grow the economy and support New Zealanders.”

Housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing the nation. Efforts to tackle labour shortages stemming from apprentices leaving the construction industry prematurely and regulatory barriers impeding access to skilled international tradespeople are useful, but they alone will not address the broader labour shortages impacting the construction industry’s ability to build new homes and other infrastructure. Source: Timberbiz The Federal Budget has taken into account the need for skilled workers in the construction and housing sector, and so the Government will provide $88.8m for 20,000 additional Fee-Free TAFE and VET places in construction-relevant courses. The Government will also provide $1.8m for streamlined skills assessments for 1,900 migrants in the housing construction industry. Australian Constructors Association CEO Jon Davies says there are many factors that discourage people from joining construction in the first place and simply treating the symptoms with short-term measures to plug the skills gap will not suffice. “Long-term solutions are needed, and the government’s Future Made policy presents a chance to make significant productivity gains through Modern methods of construction,” said Mr Davies. “Modern methods of construction (MMC) could revolutionise how projects are built, shifting more work to factories. This form of construction is far more productive as it is standardised, takes place in controlled environments and is not subject to site-based risks such as inclement weather. It creates more opportunities for skilled workers in safer environments with increased opportunities for flexible work hours.” MMC also aligns seamlessly with Australia’s ambitions for net-zero emissions. By reducing waste and minimising reliance on fossil fuels, MMC presents a pathway toward decarbonising the construction industry and meeting global emission targets. “The problem is, MMC isn’t widely used due to the significant investment required but government support could change that,” argues Mr Davies. “By optimising project designs for manufacture and assembly and by standardising components of schools, hospitals, metro stations, bridges and other types of infrastructure across jurisdictions, a viable market will be created to support private sector investment in MMC manufacturing facilities. This investment could be accelerated by matched investment from State and Federal governments and by underwriting demand in the short term. “Given the scale of operations required to maximise efficiency, MMC manufacturing facilities would ideally be located in regional areas between major population centres thus providing secure skilled employment opportunities in areas that need them the most.” The potential economic returns are substantial. Closing the productivity gap between construction and other industries could boost the economy by $56 billion annually. This could fund essential services like the NDIS and build new schools and hospitals nationwide. “Investing in MMC might not be as glamorous as other industries, but it’s vital. It could transform the sector, making it more diverse, sustainable and efficient. This would ensure the country gets the infrastructure it needs, when it needs it, and at an affordable cost.”

The nation’s forestry and timber industry can help build 50,000 much needed new homes annually with climate friendly timber and wood, but we need a strong and stable construction sector to achieve that, according to Australian Forest Products Association CEO Diana Hallam. Source: Timberbiz Today’s Federal Budget revealed a $6.2 billion spend for new housing, this adds to the $11 billion housing measures already announced. “In the five years from this July, we aim to build 1.2 million of them. Our goal is ambitious but achievable, if we all work together and if we all do our bit,” Dr Chalmers said in his budget speech. “[The] $6.2 billion in new investments mean our $32 billion Home for Australia plan will clear local infrastructure bottlenecks, provide more housing for students, fund more social and affordable housing, and we will also deliver better transport for better access to suburbs, cities and regions.” Included in the investment is an extra $1 billion for the states and territories to deliver new housing infrastructure and almost $89 million for construction workforce training. Data from AFPA and Master Builders Australia (MBA) shows from the height of the COVID pandemic until early 2024, domestic timber sales have fallen more than 500,000m³ – meaning industry has capacity for 50,000 more homes annually. This is extremely significant given MBA has forecast Australia will fall 110,000 homes short of the Federal Government’s 1.2 million homes target by 2029. “Industry has product on the shelf ready to construct the new and climate friendly homes of tomorrow and capacity to produce more, but we need a range of different actions to get the housing construction sector moving so we can realise our goal. With the right economic conditions and regulatory settings, we can make it happen,” Ms Hallam said. A range of different actions are needed to help realise 50,000 extra homes, including: De-risking finance for building new homes Cutting red tape for building approvals to encourage more timber in construction Relocation stamp duty exemptions Encouraging greater take-up of modular and prefabricated timber dwellings with specifications that allow for economic builds and faster building approvals Providing measures to workforce capacity including, incentivised apprenticeship programs, immigration visas and upskilling/retraining current workforces “When it comes to timber, it’s not a materials supply issue,” Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn said. “The timber industry has signalled it has product ready to meet housing construction needs, with annual capacity for an extra 50,000 new homes. “We will continue to work with the Federal Government on ensuring policy levers are pulling in the right direction to ensure the industry and its supply chains are in the best possible position to achieve the Housing Accord targets,” Ms Wawn said.

Next year’s Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards will mark the culmination of newly implemented changes informed by the valuable feedback from sponsors, attendees, and award nominators from our previous events. Source: Timberbiz As part of the changes the nomination process will be streamlined, and partnerships forged with local organisations to enhance the experience for all stakeholders. In addition to these enhancements, the committee is also exploring avenues to further elevate the recognition of nominees and winners, particularly through the esteemed Legend Award. “By continually refining our approach, we aim to ensure that every deserving individual receives the acknowledgment they rightly deserve,” committee chairman Adrian Flowers said. “As we embark on this exciting journey, we would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors, suppliers and regional representatives for their unwavering support. Without the sponsorship team, the awards night would not be possible – our success is a direct result of industry backing,” he said. “As we look forward to the next chapter, the GTTIA Committee remains dedicated to fostering growth and ensuring that the awards continue to serve as a flagship event for the region’s timber sector.” Since its inception, the GTTIA has evolved into a platform that not only celebrates the achievements of nominees and winners but also highlights the diverse industries within the timber sector. Mr Flowers said that by shining a spotlight on the myriad job opportunities and career pathways available, the awards played a pivotal role in inspiring future generations and fostering innovation. Furthermore, the GTTIA served as a testament to the timber industry’s positive impact on environmental sustainability, carbon emissions reduction, and the integration of transformative technologies. The 2025 awards night has been scheduled for October.