Friday Offcuts – 13 March 2026

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Welcome to this week’s issue of Friday Offcuts.

We begin with energy security, as governments and researchers respond to global uncertainty. The Middle East conflict has prompted New Zealand to establish a ministerial group to monitor fuel supply risks, while new analysis highlights Australia’s potential to produce low-carbon liquid fuels from forestry residues and agricultural waste. Wood energy is also examined as a locally sourced hedge against volatile LNG markets and wider energy disruptions.

Technology and innovation also feature strongly. WoodTECH 2026, running in Rotorua and Brisbane this June, will showcase the latest advances in AI, robotics and digital optimisation for sawmills. Hyne Timber’s Tumbarumba operation demonstrates how robotics and optical grading systems are improving safety and efficiency, alongside new research into bio-based forest resins.

We also cover upgrades to New Zealand’s National Exotic Forest Description, revisions to Australia’s FSC Controlled Wood risk assessment, and fresh signals from the ANZ Truckometer. Finally, Minecraft is helping introduce forestry to the next generation, as the sector also marks International Women’s Day.

Read these stories and more in this week’s issue of Friday Offcuts.

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Ministerial group to oversee fuel security

The NZ Government’s newly established Ministerial Economic Security and Supply Chains Group met for the first time this week to discuss New Zealand’s situation and potential next steps on fuel security in response to the Middle East conflict.

The group of senior ministers has been convened to provide strategic oversight and co-ordinated leadership to agencies to ensure a quick and effective response to any potential disruptions to petrol, diesel, and jet fuel supplies, as well as other key supply chains. The meeting brought together ministers responsible for energy, transport, trade, economic security and internal affairs, as well as well as agency chief executives.

“This group has been established with the purpose of strengthening whole-of-government co-ordination and providing clear direction during this period of heightened risk resulting from the Middle East conflict,” Minister for Finance and Economic Growth Nicola Willis, says.

“I have made the Government’s expectations to agencies very clear. This is a fast-moving situation and New Zealand needs to be prepared for all scenarios. Whether or not they come to pass, our economy depends on ministers having full, accurate facts in order to make significant decisions, if necessary.

“Our role as a ministerial group is to provide strategic direction during any potential disruptions, enabling swift, evidence-based decisions to protect essential services, support industry, and maintain public confidence.”

As Associate Minister for Energy, Minister Shane Jones is responsible for fuel security. At the meeting, ministers were briefed on a decision made to support the recommendation of the International Energy Agency (IEA) to release oil reserves.

“We have not yet determined how we will do this but the Government will ensure that the impact on Kiwis is minimised. We should not overlook the fact that we are making a small but significant contribution to protecting global economies and helping to ease the oil price and supply issues around the world,” Mr Jones says.

Currently, ministers were advised that fuel companies in New Zealand are reporting no significant supply chain issues and that fuel stock levels, both onshore and in transit to New Zealand, remain strong.

By establishing this ministerial group, the Government is taking proactive steps to safeguard fuel supplies, support economic continuity, and enhance New Zealand’s resilience in the face of global volatility,” Mr Jones says

“New Zealanders should be reassured that we are monitoring this very, very closely. When we receive information, we will share that information. If circumstances change, we will swiftly notify the public. There is no need for panic or over-reaction.”

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Source: NZ Government


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Energy resilience: Australia’s alternative fuel opportunities

Sharp fluctuations in the global oil and gas industry underscore the value of a resilient and diverse energy system. Against this backdrop, low carbon liquid fuels offer practical pathways for hard-to-abate, hydrocarbon dependent sectors like aviation, shipping and heavy industry.

Speaking ahead of this month’s London event, Renewable Fuels Summit, Dr Daniel Roberts, who leads CSIRO’s Energy Technologies Research Program, says the motivations behind low-carbon liquid fuels – or LCLF - are an enduring catalyst for change.

“When we talk about sustainable aviation fuels or low carbon liquid fuels, there are really two drivers,” he says. “One is emissions reduction. The other is fuel security. These have motivated alternative fuels research and energy independence ambitions for a very long time.”

Beyond electrification: tackling the hardest emissions

Electric vehicles tend to dominate public discussion about alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels and the related emissions and energy security aspects. “They have an important role to play in their use cases, and we’re seeing that uptake,” Dr Roberts says. “EVs are definitely a good news story.”

But when CSIRO looks at the emissions profile of heavy industry and transport, the biggest challenges lie elsewhere. “It’s the aviation fuel, it’s the international marine shipping fuel, it’s the diesel used at remote mine sites and farms,” he says. “These are big impact areas that move, grow and sustain our economy and where electrification is unlikely to be able to do the heavy lifting, so we're looking at ways of supporting the transition to lower carbon versions.”

In many cases there are renewable pathways to hydrocarbon fuels, in some cases – especially in shipping – non-carbon fuels such as ammonia also have an important role to play.

Two pathways to low-carbon liquid fuels

At the heart of this work are two broad pathways for producing low-carbon liquid fuels in Australia.

The first is Power-to-Liquid (PtL), or e-fuels: synthetic fuels made by combining hydrogen with captured carbon dioxide. “Hydrogen plus CO₂, plus the magic of chemical engineering, equals jet fuel, methanol or diesel,” explained Dr Roberts who represents CSIRO on the Australian Jet Zero Council. “There are also established pathways here where hydrogen plus nitrogen from the air makes ammonia, a zero-carbon potential with particular relevance to the shipping industry.”

The second pathway, which Dr Roberts believes can deliver impact sooner, is biogenic fuels: converting biomass and waste into liquid fuels. “That’s going to be ready much sooner and get us traction in the space quickly,” he says. “And we’re going to need all of these pathways – and more – if we’re going to meet the volumes of demand.”

Australia’s opportunity, Dr Roberts suggests, lies in its diverse feedstocks. Forestry residues, agricultural waste, weeds, woody biomass and even urban waste streams could all play a role, while also potentially addressing land management challenges such as dryland salinity. “It’s about recognising the value in our waste streams,” he says. “We have the opportunity domestically to build on existing technologies and make something really useful out of waste.”

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Source & image credit: CSIRO


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WoodTECH 2026: Showcasing the next wave of innovation

As the wood processing sector enters a new era of automation and digital integration, the long-running WoodTECH series continues to serve as a key platform for mill innovation and operational improvement. Recognised as the Southern Hemisphere’s leading event for sawmilling and wood processing technology, WoodTECH 2026 will be held in Rotorua, New Zealand (18–19 June) and Brisbane, Australia (23–24 June).

Industry insight with regional focus

The 2026 series, themed “Sawmilling & Wood Processing Innovations: Improving Productivity & Advancing Operations,” will showcase the latest developments in AI, robotics, automation, and digital mill optimisation. With a strong focus on the Australasian sector, the programme addresses the operational realities facing regional mills, delivering practical strategies to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability across operations of all sizes.

Expert speakers & industry networking

Following the release of the full 2026 programme, WoodTECH will feature more than 25 international specialists and local industry leaders.
  • In Rotorua, Tony Johnston of Wood Engineering Technology will present on “zero light” manufacturing and optimised engineered lumber production.
  • In Brisbane, Ian Blanden of Forest & Wood Products Australia will lead a session examining the high-value transition of Bluegum into glulam products.
Practical technology & business outcomes

Alongside the conference programme, WoodTECH 2026 will feature live technology demonstrations and practical sessions focused on modern equipment and software solutions. These sessions provide mill managers, engineers, and operations leaders with the opportunity to explore new technologies first-hand and assess process improvements that support smarter capital investment and long-term operational performance.

Registration & industry participation

Registrations are now open, with early bird rates and group discounts available for companies looking to upskill their teams. With more than 30 international exhibitors and solution providers confirmed, the event also provides valuable opportunities for industry networking and collaboration.

Further details, including the full programme and registration information, are available on the event website.

Source & image credit: FIEA



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Exotic Forestry Description improvements move ahead

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is taking a major step toward improving New Zealand’s exotic forestry data system, announcing a new partnership with Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao to support the upgrade of the National Exotic Forest Description (NEFD).

“The planned improvements will ensure the NEFD remains fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving data environment and continues to provide accurate and consistent information about the country’s exotic forest estate, whilst reducing survey burden on forest owners,” says Debbie Ward, Director Forestry Insights, MPI.

The NEFD is a key annual dataset that outlines plantation forest area by species, age, and location. Its insights support wood supply forecasting, climate reporting, policy development, and investment planning across the forestry sector.

“Transitioning the collection of the exotic forest description data for the NEFD to a spatially enabled system will reduce reporting pressure on forest owners and survey participants while improving the precision and depth of national forestry insights,” Ms Ward says. “By moving from traditional survey-based reporting to spatial data analysis, the improved process will deliver more timely and higher quality information to government, industry, and researchers, strengthening evidence-based decision making.”

MPI has contracted Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao to deliver core components of the NEFD. “Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao brings specialist expertise in remote sensing, forestry science, and spatial analytics, supported by its Forest Insights model, which uses advanced spatial imagery interpretation to describe forest characteristics with greater accuracy.”

Michael Watt, Portfolio Leader-Digital Forests, Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao, says the upgrade represents a significant milestone for the sector. “New Zealand has long been a leader in forestry innovation. By embedding advanced remote sensing and spatial analytics into the NEFD, we are building a next-generation forest information system that reflects the scale and sophistication of today’s data environment,” Dr Watt says.

Alongside this project, MPI is also reviewing intentions and forest management details of the NEFD to ensure the modernised system continues to meet the needs of participants and the wider forestry sector. Further updates will be provided as the programme progresses.

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Source: Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service



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Hyne Timber embracing robotics

Hyne Timber’s world-class operations at its Tumbarumba sawmill, in southwest NSW, are being driven by innovation and cutting-edge robotics. During a recent AFPA visit to the state-of-the-art sawmill, Hyne’s impressive, fully-automated timber sorting and packing production unit – using sawmill robotics – was showcased.

As part of an industry world first, the sorting and stacking process of graded timber is done by optical recognition and robotics of on-the-fly grading markings, featured on individual pieces of timber.

As explained during the AFPA tour by Hyne’s Tumbarumba site lead Kristina Kaminski, the main objective of this ground-breaking project was “safety-first” and to eliminate injuries to human staff from manual handling, sorting and stacking timber.

“We want to put our people’s safety first and this was a wonderful way of achieving this,” Ms Kaminski said.

In 2001, Hyne purchased the mill on the western side of the Snowy Mountains, which marked the company’s single biggest investment, and a key decision to move into the southern markets. Following a number of upgrades in recent years, the high-tech mill processes more than 500,000 cubic metres of log a year, or the equivalent of about 16,600 timber-framed homes.

Similar to Hyne’s Tuan Mill in Queensland, there is no log waste at its Tumbarumba mill. With a circular economy focus, all by-products generated are either used as biofuel to heat the mill’s heat plant, and sold to local customers, such as Visy’s operation in nearby Tumut.

Following a series of devastating bushfires, in 2024 Hyne opened a new 4700 square metre storage facility at the site to protect timber from extreme weather.

The facility was supported with funding by the Australian and NSW Governments, as part of a commitment to building stronger, more resilient regional economies. The large-scale storage facility can store up to 4000 cubic metres of timber, known as ‘Rough Sawn, Kiln Dried’ (RSKD) material.

Hyne also has a strong commitment to supporting local communities. The company established the Hyne Community Trust, which is unique to the Tumbarumba region and to date, has contributed almost one million dollars. The trust supports community projects, individually valued at over $10,000 and has provided local infrastructure upgrades, as well as life-saving equipment to the local SES and fire services.

AFPA sincerely thanks Hyne for hosting our group tour earlier this year, which provided invaluable insights into the company’s operations, investments and innovations.

Source: APFA
Image credit: Hyne Timber




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SnapSTAT - The ANZ Truckometer


As 2026 has started with uncertainty over business growth, we thought you’d like to see an example of a solid GDP leading indicator.

The ANZ Truckometer is a New Zealand-based economic indicator that uses real-time traffic data from 20-30 state highway sites to measure traffic flows, providing a rapid, high-frequency snapshot of economic activity. It consists of two main indices: the Heavy Traffic Index, which correlates strongly with current GDP (real-time production), and the Light Traffic Index, which acts as a leading indicator, providing a roughly six-month head start on GDP trends.

 





More: https://www.anz.co.nz/about-us/economic-markets-research/truckometer/

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Wood Energy: NZ’s strategic hedge against global instability

Volatility in global LNG markets and renewed instability across the Middle East are driving sharp increases in international fuel prices and raising real concerns about New Zealand’s future energy costs for business. With LNG spot prices spiking and shipping routes facing disruption, New Zealand’s reliance on imported fuels is becoming an increasingly expensive strategic risk.

Brian Cox executive officer of the Bioenergy Associations says, “the solution is already in our backyard: wood energy, a proven, renewable fuel that is significantly cheaper and far more stable in price than imported gas”.

Wood Energy: Lower Cost, Lower Risk

New Zealand’s wood fuel sector—built on forestry residues, processing offcuts, and sustainably managed plantations—now delivers some of the lowest cost heat energy in the country. Across industrial users, wood energy typically sits well below the predicted cost of LNG, and unlike global fuels, wood energy pricing is local, predictable, and insulated from geopolitical shocks.

Key advantages include:
  • Lower delivered energy cost — wood fuels consistently undercut LNG on a $/GJ basis, at around $16/Gj, even before carbon pricing. LNG is likely to cost $40-$80/GJ retail.
  • Price stability — Because wood energy is from residues of the existing wood industry domestic biomass supply chains avoid the extreme volatility seen in global gas markets.
  • No new infrastructure needs to be built – the infrastructure for growing and recovery the biomass resource is already provided by the forestry and wood processing activities.
  • NZ Energy security — wood energy production is local, renewable, and not exposed to international conflict or shipping disruption. Every region can provide biomass.
  • Regional economic value — revenue and jobs stay in New Zealand’s, wood manufacturing, engineering, forestry and transport sectors.
A Strategic Hedge in an Uncertain World

With LNG markets tightening and Middle East tensions escalating, New Zealand faces rising exposure to global energy shocks. Wood energy offers a practical, scalable “made in NZ” hedge—providing firm, 24x7 dispatchable heat for industry at a materially lower cost than imported fuels.

The sector is ready to expand. With targeted investment and clear policy settings, New Zealand can accelerate the shift from fossil fuels to domestic bioenergy, strengthening both economic resilience and climate performance.

A Call for Action

As global instability grows, New Zealand must prioritise energy options that are affordable, reliable, and under our control. Wood energy meets all three tests. It is time to recognise it not just as a renewable fuel, but as a strategic economic advantage.

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Source: Bioenergy Association of New Zealand



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Australia to update its Controlled Wood NRA

FSC International has launched the revision of the Australian Controlled Wood National Risk Assessment (NRA), first published in 2019. The NRA evaluates the risks associated with sourcing timber and forest products from non-FSC-certified forests and establishes mitigation measures to address identified risks.

The revision is being undertaken following the release of the updated FSC Risk Assessment Framework in 2024. The framework aligns with recently revised FSC policies and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements, strengthening FSC’s approach to risk assessment and deforestation in a changing regulatory and market environment.

Key changes introduced in the updated Framework include expanding the risk categories from five to 12 and increasing the number of Indicators from 32 to 64. Most of the new Indicators represent a more detailed breakdown of existing Indicators, while seven Indicators address new areas of risk.

FSC International has engaged the Australian consulting firm Gandan Yarnings to oversee the revision of the NRA. At Gandan Yarnings, Tim McBride will manage the process, assisted by Tolita Davis-Angeles and Kevin Haylock. The project is supported by FSC ANZ and will be developed according to the timeline below.

Timeline for the revision of the FSC NRA for Australia:
  • February 2026: Provide a report to FSC International assessing the need to update the 2019 NRA (completed).
  • March 2026: Submit Draft 1 of the revised NRA to FSC International for review.
  • June-July 2026 (30 days): Undertake public consultation on Draft 1 of the revised NRA.
  • August 2026: Submit the consultation report and Draft 2 of the revised NRA to FSC International for review.
  • September 2026: Submit the final draft of the revised NRA to FSC International for review.
  • December 2026: Submit the final revised NRA to FSC International for approval.
For questions or comments about the revision work, please contact Gandan Yarnings. More information on the technical framework can be found through FSC Risk Assessments, or by contacting FSC ANZ’s Senior Policy Manager, Stefan Jensen.

Source: FSC ANZ
Image credit: © FSC ANZ / Andreas Weiss




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Female foresters grow as Australia’s gender gap narrows

Forestry Australia is balancing the scales this International Women’s Day (8 March 2026) and is proud to reveal 50% of its senior leadership are now female, including Dr Michelle Freeman, President, a Vice President, Dr Lyndall Bull and CEO, whilst female membership has also climbed more than 10% over the last five years alone.

That is according to Jacquie Martin, Forestry Australia’s CEO, who revealed that women are now playing an increasing role in the future management of Australia’s forests and the science that underpins it. Those figures reflect something Forestry Australia has worked hard to build: a profession that is becoming more attractive, more inclusive and more reflective of the communities it serves.

“We are seeing real change in the pipeline. More women are joining the profession, moving into leadership, and shaping the future of how we manage and value our forests. That matters not just for equity. It matters for the quality of decisions being made and the long-term sustainability of the sector.”

“Whilst we celebrate these achievements, we also acknowledge there is still more work to be done to create an environment where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive, and that includes women, people from non-English speaking backgrounds and First Nations People.”

Balancing the scales

That’s why Forestry Australia is fully behind this year’s theme, Balance the Scales, which calls for concrete action to dismantle the structural barriers that hold women back from equal opportunity, representation and leadership across every profession.

“For forestry, that means continuing to invest in mentoring and leadership pathways and building organisations where individuals at every career stage feel genuinely welcome. And that means taking deliberate action, empowering supporting allies and creating cultures where diversity and broader perspectives can thrive.”

Martin will chair a panel discussion at the University of Sunshine Coast Forest Research Institute on Monday, joined by Dr Lyndall Bull, Charlotte Raven, Dr Leanda Garvie and Kelly Stewart. According to Professor Mark Brown, UniSC Forest Research Institute Director, the day is an ideal opportunity to recognise the full contribution of women to advancing forest science.

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the remarkable contributions women are making across every part of forestry research and practice. When we bring diverse voices, experiences and perspectives to the table, we strengthen not only our research institutions but also the forests and communities we serve,” Professor Brown said.

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Source & image credit: Forestry Australia


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Building the Future: Minecraft in NZ Forestry

An immersive learning experience. Forestry Minecraft World isn’t just a game, it’s a complete educational tool developed with funding from the WIDE Trust. The resource includes a Forestry Minecraft Guide Book for teachers and a series of modular challenges for students. These challenges are designed to be completed in the classroom, helping students explore the plantation forest cycle while developing problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.

Once fully developed, Forestry Minecraft World will feature four interactive modules, each representing a key stage in the plantation forest cycle:
  • Sapling World: Learn about tree growth, forest planning, and the science behind sustainable planting.
  • Logging World: Explore how trees are safely harvested and transported.
  • Sawmill World: Discover the processes that turn logs into timber and other wood products.
  • Building with Wood World: See how wood is used in construction and manufacturing, linking classroom subjects to real-world applications.
Connecting classroom Learning to real-world forestry

Erica Kinder, Chief Executive of Discover Forestry New Zealand, says the initiative goes beyond Minecraft:

“Upon completion of Forestry Minecraft World, the plan is to follow up with a more comprehensive suite of teacher resources that can be downloaded and used across curriculum-based subjects at secondary schools. Case studies and forestry examples will be aligned with subjects such as geography, maths, biology, and chemistry, making it easy for teachers and students to see how what they learn in the classroom connects to real forestry workplaces.”

This approach ensures that students can see the practical applications of their studies while learning about a sector that is vital to New Zealand’s economy and sustainable development.

Why WIDE Trust support matters

The WIDE Trust is committed to supporting educational initiatives that develop future forestry and wood industry professionals. By funding Forestry Minecraft World, the Trust is helping students engage with the sector in a meaningful way, sparking interest in potential careers while enhancing their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

The current classroom trials allow teachers to provide feedback and help refine the resource. Once finalised, Forestry Minecraft World and its supporting materials will be made widely available to secondary schools across New Zealand, giving students everywhere the opportunity to experience the forest lifecycle in an interactive and curriculum-aligned way.

Inspiring the next generation of forestry professionals

Through initiatives like Forestry Minecraft World, the WIDE Trust and Discover Forestry New Zealand are showing students the connection between classroom learning and real-world careers. By making forestry accessible, engaging, and relevant, this project inspires students to explore the science, innovation, and sustainability at the heart of New Zealand’s forestry and wood industries.

With support from the WIDE Trust, Discover Forestry New Zealand is launching an innovative new learning resource designed to bring forestry to life for secondary school students. This term, Forestry Minecraft World is being trialled in high schools around New Zealand, combining hands-on learning with digital engagement to introduce students to the forestry industry in a fun and interactive way.

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Source & image credit: WIDE Trust



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Forest-based resins challenge fossil materials

Researchers at the University of Oulu have developed new high-performance bio-based resins that can replace conventional oil-based materials in composite products — without compromising strength, cost, or industrial scalability.

As composite materials continue to play a critical role in renewable energy, transportation, marine industries and construction, biobased resins may become a driver of sustainable industrial production.

The new epoxy and polyester resins, produced from biomass-derived platform chemicals, match or even outperform their fossil-based counterparts. The raw materials are sourced from abundant forestry and agricultural side streams such as sawdust and straw — transforming what was once waste into advanced materials for demanding applications.

Polyester resins are widely used in fiberglass composite structures such as boats and caravans. Epoxy resins, meanwhile, are essential in adhesives and high-performance composites found in sports equipment and industrial components.

According to Doctoral Researcher Mikko Salonen, the results are striking: “The biomass-based polyester resin we developed shows up to 76% higher tensile strength than a commercial fossil-based polyester resin.” The findings demonstrate that bio-based thermoset resins can achieve technical performance equal to or exceeding today’s materials.

“Bio-based resins will not have a significant price difference compared to fossil resins,” says Senior Research Fellow Juha Heiskanen. “Once bio-based platform chemicals are produced, they can be processed using existing chemical industry production lines.”

Beyond performance and price, the new resins offer a critical sustainability advantage: chemical recyclability.

Unlike conventional composite materials — such as those used in wind turbine blades — which are notoriously difficult to recycle, the new materials can be chemically broken down and reused as raw materials. This opens a pathway toward circular composite manufacturing.

From forest and field sidestreams to high-value materials

The key building blocks — including hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural — are derived from cellulose and hemicellulose found in lignocellulosic biomass in forestry and agricultural side streams provide a plentiful and renewable feedstock in many countries.

While the forest industry has traditionally focused on pulp production, new technologies now enable broader utilisation of biomass components such as lignin. Integrating chemical industry processes with forest-based raw materials may create entirely new bioeconomy value chains.

“Upgrading bio-based raw materials into high-performance materials and products offers a significant opportunity to expand the bioeconomy,” says Heiskanen, who leads a seven-member research team developing biomass-based materials. Three patents have already been filed, and the team is currently seeking partners to move into pilot-scale production.

Furthermore, with less than two percent of global oil reserves located within the EU, expanding the use of bio-based materials is also strategically important for Europe. Biomass-based resins offer a way to strengthen material self-sufficiency while advancing climate and circular economy goals.

The epoxy resin results were published in February 2026 in the study Circular composite materials: Biomass-based furan epoxies with high-performance and closed-loop recyclability. The research involved collaborators from Italy and Sweden and was carried out under the Business Finland-funded FurBio flagship project

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Source & image credit: University of Oulu


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Australian is importing more prefabricated buildings

Australia’s imports of prefabricated and modular buildings lifted to a record AUDFob326.4 million year-ended November 2025.

Although imports were up for the three categories recorded by the ABS, the big lift was recorded for steel and other non-wood prefabricated buildings. This largest import category saw imports rise AUD51 million or 28.9% year-on-year, to a record AUDFob227.3 million.

Australian Imports of Prefabricated Buildings: Jan ’18 – Nov ’25 (AUD Million)

Australian Imports of Prefabricated Buildings: Jan ’18 
– Nov ’25 (AUD Million)
Source: ABS & IndustryEdge

Importantly, the import data does not distinguish between industrial and commercial buildings and dwellings. The short version of the formal descriptors can be found here, on the Border Force website, under the 9406 Prefabricated Buildings classifications, and the longer versions are contained in the monthly ABS data series.

Examination of the types of buildings reported under the largest category – 9406.90.00.04 – ‘Prefab. – Steel & Other (Except Wood) or ‘Other’ shows a diverse range of commercial and industrial buildings being imported. There is no information on the value of dwelling imports contained in this category.

The identifiable types of Steel & Other prefab building imports include: Cold rooms; Spray Booths; Operating Theatres; Carports; Greenhouses; Interpreter Booths; ‘Pod’ Offices; Observatory Domes; Vaults; Laundries; Showers; Kitchens; Bathrooms; and Workshops.

Inevitably, most interest will be in the relatively small category of prefabricated wooden building imports. The value of Prefabricated Wooden building imports lifted AUD5.5 million or 31.0% to AUDFob23.3 million over the year-ended November 2025.

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Source & image credit: FWPA



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A key reason 84% of fleets are investing in safety tech

The ‘Mobilizing the Future of Fleets Report: 2026 Risk and Exoneration Edition’ uncovered that a third (34%) of fleets reported being impacted by fraudulent motor claims. 77% of respondents also agreed that increasing litigation and legal costs are now a global concern, made evident by the rise of fleet insurance premiums (Risk Strategies[1]), with umbrella liability coverage increasing from 10% to 30%, and auto liability from 10% to 20%.

The role of telematics is evolving and taking on a more strategic purpose in fleet organisations, moving solely from a tool used for cost control and improvements, to an extremely powerful, proactive risk prevention and management solution,” said Alain Samaha, Chief Executive Officer, Teletrac Navman.

“A high percentage of fleet safety incidents are caused by third parties and other external factors, and video telematics is now the most powerful tool to provide irrefutable, contextual evidence that protects people, preserves reputations, and stabilizes margins.”

Teletrac Navman’s research found that modern fleets are also taking a considered and layered approach to risk management, with 56% utilising five or more technologies and 74% partnering telematics with dashcams – this combination providing fleets with the full context around driving events, combining performance metrics, video evidence and location data to create a complete, defensible picture when incidents occur, and for meaningful, proactive driver training.

Accordingly, since implementing safety technology 85% of fleets have reported being able to counter the general rise in insurance premiums, with 65% recording premium decreases. Nearly three-quarters (70%) of respondents reported that combining cameras with telematics data drastically reduced the time needed to process accident claims, indicating that integrated evidence is transforming disputes into clear outcomes.

“This is a moment for fleet leaders to make a positive, strategic shift,” added Samaha. “Treat safety tech as a long‑term asset: invest in platforms that scale, embed evidence into everyday workflows and fraud protection, and use outcomes to renegotiate insurance and drive operational change. Do this, and safety becomes a competitive differentiator – not just a line on a budget, but a foundation for resilience and growth.”

Source & image credit: Teletract Navman



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And one to end the week on... Short and sweet

A husband sends a text to his wife

Honey, I got hit by a car outside of the office. Tina brought me to the hospital. They have been taking tests and doing x-rays. The blow to my head is very bad, may be serious. Also, I have 3 broken ribs, a broken arm, a compound fracture on my left leg and they may have to amputate the right foot.

Wife's Response: Who's Tina?



One for parents of arguing children

The "who's Christine" joke refers to a parenting tactic used to immediately stop children from fighting by introducing an imaginary, chaotic third party.

Here are the details of the joke:
  • The Scenario: When children are fighting (e.g., over toys), a parent yells, "Thanks, Christine!" and walks out of the room.
  • The Result: The sudden, absurd, and unrelated comment causes the children to stop fighting immediately in confusion, often asking each other "Who's Christine?".


One to tell your children

Did you know... people in Dubai don’t like the Flintstone’s... but people in Abu Dhabi do!



...and remember... It's Friday the 13th - avoid ladders, black cats and ridiculous superstitions.




And on that note, enjoy your weekend. Cheers.

Ken Wilson
Editor, Friday Offcuts
www.fridayoffcuts.com


This week's extended issue, along with back issues, can be viewed at www.fridayoffcuts.com

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