Friday Offcuts – 20 October 2006
The Chilean economy expanded at 5.5 percent during the second quarter of 2006 and at 4.9 percent in the first quarter. The economic growth forecasted for the whole year is 5 percent. Total exports during the first quarter reached US$25.8 billion, which represents an increase of 39 % compared to the same period in 2005. Bilateral trade between Chile and the United States during the first semester of 2006 grew 33 % compared to the same period in 2005. What is interesting is that bilateral trade has grown 130 % since the first quarter of 2003, the last year before the Free Trade Agreement between Chile and the United States came into force. As a wake up call for exporters in this part of the world, much closer to home it has just been reported that Japan and Chile have agreed on an FTA framework after only seven months of negotiations. It is projected that this agreement would abolish tariffs on 92% of both countries' exports over 10 years. The agreement is expected to take effect early next year. Duty on lumber will be abolished after the FTA comes into effect while those for plywood and laminated lumber were excluded and might be negotiated later. Fibreboard and particleboard duties may be excluded or their duty eliminated after five and ten years, respectively. Wood chip, Japan's main import product from Chile (69% of Chilean exports), is also duty free. The New Zealand Government is currently exploring ways to develop closer economic ties and development of an Economic Partnership with Japan (see www.scoop.co.nz). Remember, for those involved in kiln drying and who will be attending the three yearly update on new drying tools and technologies, DryTech 2006, TODAY is the last day for earlybird registrations for the series - see story 2 below. Subscribe a friend
This week we have for you:
CHH forestry interests sold
Graeme Hart has sold the bulk of Carter Holt Harvey's forests to the world's largest specialist manager of forest investments, North American group Hancock Natural Resource Group. Hancock is owned by Canada's Manulife Financial Corp, with its timber management unit, Hancock Timber Resource Group, based in Boston.
Superheated steam vacuum drying shows promise
Vacuum drying is an established technology worldwide but is only an emerging technology in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, outside the research kiln recently installed by DPI&F, there are only four vacuum kilns being used operationally for drying hardwood species. Vacuum drying overseas has shown that the technology can significantly reduce drying times and costs and produce better grade recoveries on more difficult to dry timbers compared to conventional drying.
United front being made against methyl bromide
The formation of a stakeholder group aimed at protecting forestry exports represents a major step towards phasing out the use of methyl bromide as a quarantine treatment. Known as STIMBR (Stakeholders in Methyl Bromide Reduction), the purpose of this initiative is to develop and promote a research strategy to provide alternative treatments and ultimately save money for the sector.
FITEC leader to change industries
""After nine years as Chief Executive of New Zealand's forestry ITO, FITEC, John Blakey has signalled his departure from the forestry industry. Mr Blakey is moving to a key strategic human resources position in the dairy industry from later this month."
NZ Taxpayers face hefty Kyoto bill
New Zealand taxpayers face a bill for their obligations under the Kyoto Protocol 1000 times more in total value than the amount of election over-spending by political parties identified this week by the Controller and Auditor-General, according to Bryan Leyland, of Auckland, chairman of the economic panel of the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition. He was commenting on news that the Treasury has made an upward revision of New Zealand's Kyoto liability to NZ$656 million.
Japan's hardwood chip imports unchanged
Japan's total woodchip import volume declined 1.6% to 7 million bone-dry metric tonnes (bdmt) in the first half of 2006, compared with the same period in 2005, according to Robert Flynn, Director, International Timber RISI. Hardwood chips were unchanged at 5.73 million bdmt (82% of imports) while softwood chips fell 8.4% to 1.27 million bdmt. Average landed prices for woodchips in Japan were 3.2% higher for hardwood chips and 2% up for softwood chips. Japan's main hardwood chip suppliers were Australia (up 3.5% to 1.87 million bdmt of hardwood chips), South Africa (down 13.4% to 1.4 million bdmt) and Chile (up 11% to under 1 million bdmt, mainly eucalyptus chips). Uruguay was emerging as an important supplier of woodchips (notably eucalyptus E. globulus).Source: ITTO TTM Report 16-30 September 2006
Low oil prices crimp Ethanol
In September a CNN financial writer reported that, with the sudden drop off in oil prices, investor enthusiasm for ethanol has cooled considerably. This has left some to wonder what expectations for stability a biomass-based energy policy can expect in the long run, although reporter Grace Wong admits that some of the cancelled initial public offerings may be due to broader economic conditions, rather than to the sudden availability of competing fuels. The stock price of Pacific Ethanol (the company which has had some press, since Bill Gates owns a stake in it) has declined from US$44.50 to US$15 since May, for instance - although even so, it's up 40% for the year. Source: FRA Bulletin - September 28, 2006
NZ log exports increase, pulp export volumes drop
The volume of logs and poles exported during the June 2006 quarter according to information released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry increased 47.8 percent, to 1.4 million cubic metres, restoring export volumes to levels seen in the December 2005 quarter. Logs and poles exports for the June 2006 quarter were valued at NZ$142 million, up 53.5 percent on the March 2006 quarter, and up 27.0 percent on the June 2005 quarter.
Confusion over Australian Standard for Finger Jointing
Strong debate occurred in the Australian market in September over the interpretation of changes to the Australian Standard AS5086 for finger joints in structural products. The disagreement centres on the interpretation of whether or not a painted finish warrants acceptance as a Service Class 3 product or not. An explanatory note is being developed for circulation to end users, while further clarification is sought from the Standards Committee. Source: NZTE marketnewzealand.com
Joint venture formed to serve the wood treatment industry
Rohm and Haas Company and Chemical Specialties, Inc. (CSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Rockwood Holdings, Inc. have announced plans to form a joint venture company to provide a range of advanced wood treatment technologies and services to the global wood treatment industry. The new company will bring together the wood biocides business of Rohm and Haas and the wood protection chemicals business of CSI.
IFA top Australian forester Award
A Western Australian forester has been awarded a prestigious national medal for forestry. The President of the Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA), Dr Peter Volker RPF, announced this week that forester Jack Bradshaw has been awarded the 2006 NW Jolly Medal. In making the announcement on behalf of the IFA Board of Directors, Dr Volker said "Jack Bradshaw has made a very significant contribution to forestry. He has been widely published in the scientific and popular journals. His work in inventory, planning and silviculture has been innovative and backed by solid science. His work has been widely recognised by his peers and the general community. Jack Bradshaw has also devoted his efforts to formal and informal education of the community about forestry. In this regard he has also made a significant contribution to the profession of forestry". Jack Bradshaw was also awarded the Institute's Western Australian Forester of the Year award in 2005. The Medal will be presented at a Dinner in Western Australia later this year.
Rayonier NZ gets FSC certification
Rayonier New Zealand has achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for Matariki Forests estate in the Lower North Island, Otago and Southland, effective 3 October 2006. Rayonier is the manager for Matariki Forests. FSC Certification of Matariki's forests in these three regions has been built on the ISO14001 framework which Rayonier has applied to the estate it manages in New Zealand and in Tasmania. "We have sought and obtained FSC certification following feedback from our customers in these regions and are pleased that they will now be in a position to take advantage of any marketing and sales opportunities that FSC certification presents" commented Rob van Rossen, Rayonier's General Manager, Southern Region.
Stora Enso names new chief executive
Finnish-Swedish forestry company Stora Enso on Tuesday appointed Jouko Karvinen new chief executive of the group with an estimated 46,000 employees and operations in 40 countries. Karvinen, formerly chief executive of Philips Medical Systems Division, will assume his new post after the annual general meeting next March when he formally succeeds outgoing chief executive Jukka Harmala. Stora Enso reported turnover of 13.2 billion euros (US16.5 billion dollars) last year.
Taiwanese own world's largest furniture factories
According to Chen Qiu of the Taiwan Furniture Manufacturers Association, 300 members of the association distributed across Asia have an aggregate annual output of above US$15 billion, more than any other country in the world. Mr. Qiu affirmed that Taiwanese manufacturers accounted for about 50% of China's furniture exports of US$14 billion and 90% of Vietnamese US$1 billion furniture exports in 2005. Taiwan furniture exports were around $1.3 billion that year. Most of the furniture manufactured by Taiwanese firms was shipped to the USA. Mr. Qiu added that Taiwan held a share of one-sixth of the US furniture market estimated at US$60 billion and accounted for above 20% of the European market in 2005. Taiwan's Taisheng Furniture Company in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province is the largest wooden furniture factory in the world, exporting 30,000 sets of furniture in 3,000 containers a month to the USA.Source: ITTO TTM Report 16-30 September 2006
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...and one to end the week on...the best patients
Five surgeons from big cities are discussing who makes the best patients to operate on. And on that note, have a great weekend. Cheers. We welcome comments and contributions on Friday Offcuts. For details on advertising for positions within the forest products industry or for products and services, either within the weekly newsletter or on this web page, please contact us.
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