Forest Products Industry

Spanish police have arrested five members of a drugs gang, several Dutch nationals among them, during a raid in the Catalan city of Reus on Sunday, Spanish media reported. Source: Dutch News The gang, whose members come from Albania, Lithuania and the Netherlands, had hit upon a “very sophisticated method” to hide the drugs by impregnating 16 tonnes of wood pellets used as fuel for wood burning stoves with liquid cocaine, local paper Diari de Tarragona said. Police discovered that the pellets, which had entered the country legally from South America to Spain in sea containers, were stored for three months to “cool off” before being taken to a place where the drugs were extracted. The premises had been watched for months when a lorry with a foreign number plate arrived to pick up a load of pellets and police sprang into action. In all, 920 bags of pellets, each weighing 18 kilos, were found. The gang also had a space to package, seal and store the drugs, which were then transported across Europe. Police also impounded five kilos of MDMA, two hydraulic presses, a lorry and luxury car.

Since 1991, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has published a comprehensive report on the social, economic and environmental state of Canada’s forests. The theme of the 2023 edition of The State of Canada’s Forests is relationships for resiliency. Source: Timberbiz The document underscores the need for climate action and the benefits of sustainable forest management, while drawing attention to the interconnections between people, nature and the long-term sustainability of Canada’s diverse forest-based values. Among the stories featured in NRCan’s 2023 report: how Canada manages its forests for diverse values through the principles of sustainable forest management how “community forests” help sustain multiple values at multiple scales in increasingly uncertain landscapes how sustainable forest management sequesters carbon and helps mitigate climate change how forests help protect healthy aquatic ecosystems and Canada’s drinking water, and how forest disturbances and climate change affect our drinking water supply and quality the diverse people working across the forest sector supply chain, from forest regeneration and the production of various forest products to the development of new knowledge to help sustainably manage our forests “In 2022–2023, Natural Resources Canada continued to deliver on its mandate to improve the lives of Canadians while ensuring that our country’s natural resources are managed sustainably, competitively and inclusively,” writes the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “This report summarizes many of these initiatives, and it highlights the department’s efforts to ensure economic growth, create good jobs in every region of the country, and improve the lives and livelihoods of all Canadians.” To learn about the challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s forests and forest products sector, read The State of Canada’s Forests: Annual Report 2023 here.  

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way to make a popular pain reliever and other valuable products from plants instead of petroleum. Source: Timberbiz Building on a previously patented method for producing paracetamol, the discovery promises a greener path to one of the world’s most widely used medicines and other chemicals. More importantly, it could provide new revenue streams to make cellulosic biofuels derived from non-food plant fibres cost competitive with fossil fuels. “We did the R&D to scale it and make it realizable,” says Steven Karlen, a staff scientist at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Centre who led the research published recently in the journal ChemSusChem. Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is one of the most widely used pharmaceuticals, with a global market value of about US$130 million a year. Since it was introduced in the early 1900s, the drug has traditionally been made from derivatives of coal tar or petroleum. In 2019, Mr Karlen and UW–Madison biochemistry professor John Ralph showed how it could be made instead from a compound in poplar trees using a well-known chemical reaction. Now Mr Karlen’s team has improved the process for making paracetamol as well as other drugs, pigments, textiles, and biodegradable plastics with a cumulative market value of more than US$1.5 billion, a portfolio of products that he says could support dozens of small biorefineries feeding into larger hubs without saturating the market. The process is available for commercial licensing through the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the non-profit organization that commercializes university discoveries to support ongoing research. The paracetamol molecule is made of a six-carbon benzene ring with two chemical groups attached. Poplar trees produce a similar compound called p-hydroxybenzoate (pHB) in lignin, the part of the cell wall that binds plant sugars together and provides structure. Lignin is chock full of valuable aromatic compounds that could replace many petrochemicals and provide biorefineries with additional revenue streams to make plant-based fuels cost competitive. The challenge is breaking down the complex and irregular chain of molecules into useful components. It turns out pHB is relatively easy to break off with chemical treatment, but while the initial discovery showed it was chemically possible to turn it into paracetamol, Mr Karlen says that process didn’t convert enough of the raw material into the final product. Research scientist Vitaliy Tymokhin discovered that treating poplar biomass with a different and typically cheaper method converted nearly all the pHB into another chemical that can then be converted into paracetamol or a less valuable molecule with other applications. “You can make dyes like black ink, polymers which can be used in textiles or material application, convert it to adhesives or into stuff like that,” Mr Karlen says. “It’s got a huge market and big value.” By recycling the unreacted product back through in a continuous reactor, the scientists successfully converted 90% of the raw material into paracetamol, which they extracted using a method that’s cheaper than traditional purification techniques. Karlen says it should be possible to dial the yield up to 99%. The process is primarily water based, relies on green solvents, and is continuous rather than a batch reaction, which makes it ideal for industrial applications. “As I’m chopping the tree up, it can feed right into a reactor that pulls out the benzamide,” Mr Karlen says. “So, you’re never stopping. As fast as your trucks can come in and fill that hopper, you can keep processing.”

Spanning four decades and featuring domestic and internationally significant work, Dr Brian Richardson’s career was acknowledged when Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard presented him with the Minister’s Biosecurity Award at the New Zealand Biosecurity Awards dinner at the Beehive. Source: Timberbiz The award recognises outstanding contributions to New Zealand biosecurity over at least 10 years. Dr Richardson, a principal scientist in Scion’s Plant Protection Physics and Chemistry team, has worked at Scion since 1983 and research during his 41-year career has focused on forest protection, particularly in the areas of biosecurity and pest management. His expertise in pesticide application has been applied to pest eradication operations and more recently to the problem of wilding conifers, where his aerial spraying guidelines now underpin the Wilding Conifer Control Program. Dr Richardson also helped eradicate invasive insects including the painted apple moth, white-spotted tussock moth, and southern saltmarsh mosquito. Successful invasions of these pests could have crippled New Zealand’s horticulture and forestry exports. What keeps many people in science, Dr Richardson says, is a sense of curiosity. “That sense of discovery is really exciting, but for me, it’s adding value. Seeing something you do of use to someone. That motivates me. Working with teams has always been a big part of it too,” he said. “Anything I’ve achieved has been with the support and partnership of others who I feel all share in this award. Sadly, some of those who helped me on my career journey are no longer with us, but I will still acknowledge their contributions.” He also remembers some challenging and successful projects that became career highlights. “I think some have shared common characteristics. They’ve been complex problems with clear goals or challenges for the science to overcome. They’ve involved partnerships between policymakers, the science teams and people managing operations. We’ve worked closely together as a team and that’s really key to success,” he said. “There’s a lot of satisfaction in science that is immediately of value and can be used by people making decisions.” Dr Richardson has also collaborated internationally, such as with the US Forest Service on the development of spray modelling systems to quantify pesticide drift and efficacy. This work was recognised with a technology transfer award from the USDA Forest Service in 1996. He has contributed to technical advisory groups convened to address significant biosecurity incursions such as the brown marmorated stink bug and been involved in sector-wide initiatives like the Forest Biosecurity Council and as a board member on research programmes, including Better Border Biosecurity, BioProtection Research Centre, and Frontline Biosecurity. Scion chief executive Dr Julian Elder says it is great to see a lifetime’s achievements be recognised. “As Brian said in his acceptance speech it is a huge reflection on all the people he has worked with over the years. It is also great to see Scion and the critical work the Crown Research Institutes do for New Zealand being acknowledged.” Forest Owners Association chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says Richardson’s recognition is well deserved. “It’s really important for scientists in the forest industry to be recognised.  Scientists generally, and those who work in the forest industry in particular, tend to be overlooked when awards are handed out.” “So, recognition through a Ministerial Award is tremendous news.” “That Brian’s work is in biosecurity is also noteworthy. Keeping pests and pathogens out of our production forests, native trees and gardens is vital, but usually the more successful we are the less newsworthy it is.” The award is the latest in a list of Dr Richardson’s achievements including the NZ Institute of Forestry ‘Forester of the Year’ Award in 2015, a Science New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and New Zealand Plant Protection Medal in 2022.

The prospect of a “looming” balcony crisis in Victorian homes has raised concerns, but proactive measures can be taken to assess and address potential structural issues before they escalate. Timely inspections, maintenance, and necessary repairs can help mitigate risks and ensure the safety and longevity of these properties. Source: Timberbiz “Analysing the timber species and waterproofing systems used could be a crucial step in understanding why these issues are occurring, especially if the buildings are around 10 years old,” said Professor Tripti Singh, Director of the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life. Timber is a safe, durable, and predictable material to work with but like anything else, it requires ongoing maintenance. Some are saying that defective balconies are the biggest concern for buildings constructed in the last 15 years, but homeowners can prevent this sort of damage by taking proactive steps to maintain their balconies and other timber home elements. If you are looking to purchase a home or already own a home with a balcony, inspections are a great first step. Knowing the state of the balcony and what materials have been used arms you with the necessary knowledge to maintain your property. Inspections can help identify construction quality and design flaws so that you and your builder can plan the appropriate course of action for your balcony and decking concerns. Balconies and decks constructed prior to provisions introduced into the National Construction Code (NCC) may not meet current safety standards, as these provisions weren’t in place to mandate construction. However, with the implementation of the NCC provisions, decks designed and built to adhere to these provisions are considered to meet safe service life standards when properly maintained. From design to installation, timber is a durable and sustainable choice when correctly specified and constructed. Choosing a knowledgeable builder who knows the ins and outs of waterproofing and timber construction can provide you the reassurance you need to trust your balcony or raised decking system will last. From recommended timber species, termite protection and weather protection to sub-deck supports, builders can find all the details they need on domestic timber deck design from WoodSolutions. Timber professionals know that choosing the right timber species for each project is key to a long-lasting build. If you want to do some research of your own, you can download the SpeciesSolutions app to research timber species for any home project. Preventative measures such as coating systems (paints, stains), preservative and on-going maintenance assure your timber balcony can survive the elements. Waterproofing and maintaining that barrier is key to keeping your balcony in shape. If the damage has already occurred and you need to know what to do next, download the guide to learn about the Impact and Assessment of Moisture-affected Timber-framed Construction. The WoodSolutions guide on Domestic Timber Deck Design that, when used alongside modern design and construction techniques, is a best practice guide and tool that can assists tradespeople in delivering a safe and durable balcony or deck. Homeowners should regularly inspect and maintain balconies and decks made from timber to ensure structural integrity and safety. Timber is susceptible to weathering and damage over time, posing potential hazards if left unchecked. Regular inspections and maintenance, including sealing, staining, and repairing any damage, can prolong the lifespan of the structure and prevent accidents or costly repairs in the future. Find out more about timber durability, installation, inspection in the Domestic Timber Deck Design guide at https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/publications/domestic-timber-deck-design-0

Diversity Council Australia (DCA) has awarded John Deere Australia and New Zealand Inclusive Employer Status for 2023-24, in recognition of the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Source: Timberbiz To celebrate Inclusion at Work Week, DCA announced the 82 employers to earn a place on the list, with John Deere joining a small number of companies to receive the recognition three times, having been included in 2021-22 and 2022-23. To make the list, participants must prove their commitment to diversity and inclusion by having employees complete an in-depth survey to map the state of inclusion in their workplace and produce results that exceed national benchmarks on a series of key measures. John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, said achieving Inclusive Employer Status for the third year in a row was a proud moment. “Each year, this assessment has provided us with valuable insight on where to focus our efforts to ensure we offer an inclusive workplace for everyone,” he said. “An inclusive workplace is not the result of the actions of one, but the actions of many.” As Head of People and Culture at John Deere Australia and New Zealand, Camilla Kelly has led the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) journey. “DEI is multi-layered, requiring time, dedication, and a holistic approach to fully understand its complexities,” Ms Kelly said. “It can challenge deeply held beliefs and raise difficult questions. It’s not about checkboxes or quotas, but rather it’s interwoven in everything we do and everything we want to be. “We have taken the time and energy to expand knowledge across the company, not just talk. “Our policies, talent selection criteria and workplace practices have been updated, including introducing industry-leading gender-neutral parental leave. “We’ve also worked on developing leadership capabilities and implementing DEI frameworks that empower everyone to lead initiatives that move the needle on DEI.” John Deere’s Australia Aftermarket team recently led such an initiative, holding an event at the Brisbane office to celebrate World Inclusion Day. Staff were encouraged to share their personal stories, food from their cultural backgrounds, and discuss perspectives on what inclusion means to them. “Inclusion is all about creating a work environment where everyone feels respected,” Aftermarket Marketing & Communications Specialist, Laura Pozniak-Elphick, said. “You should feel like you can bring your true self to work every day, and John Deere really embraces that. “While your colleagues always try to be their most professional selves, it’s important to remember they are individuals with families and lives outside work. Someone could be smiling on the outside but struggling on the inside, so we just need to be mindful of each other and be as kind and inclusive as possible. “If your corporate values are rooted in diversity and inclusion, that extends to your ability to recruit the best people, which ultimately elevates your whole business. I think there’s also a halo effect where if a company is a good corporate citizen, they’re more likely to be offering their products and services in the best possible way.” With innovation as one of John Deere’s key values, Ms Kelly said diversity and inclusion was paramount to the company’s success. “As a smart industrial company, we need both diverse talent and an inclusive culture to develop this competitive advantage,” she said. “Fostering genuine, sustained diversity in the workplace takes many years and a genuine heartfelt commitment from all staff. It’s important that business leaders take charge to lead and empower other staff to follow.”