Issue 152

6479

AFS/01-10-01 www.forestrystandard.org.au

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issue 152 | 22.11.10 | Page 1

Quizzing shift to plantations Industry forum asks: is it viable?

By JIM BOWDEN

THE viability of a transition to forest plantations will be questioned by industry and political leaders at a landmark forum in Tasmania on December 1.

The forum, motivated by a ‘peace deal’ between industry, unions and environmentalists that could see a cessation of native forest logging in the state and an expansion of plantations, will bring together national and international speakers with backgrounds in science, industry, communities

Plant trees now .. to reduce predicted shortfalls in timber supply.

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Innovation out front at EWPAA conference

and conservation.

The talks have been organised by the National Association of Forest Industries and the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania – two of the signatories to the Tasmanian statement of principles agreement.

Both organisations believe the forum is essential as the industry moves to the next stage of a new agreement for the Tasmanian forest industry and the repercussions this will Cont Page 3

issue 152 | 22.11.10 | Page 1

industry news

Vic timber industry has nothing to fear from Brumby talks The Victorian Association of Forest Industries, representing the interests of the Victorian timber Industry

Victorian Association of Forest Industries Level 2, 2 Market Street Melbourne 3000 Tel: +61 3 9611 9000 Fax: +61 3 9611 9011 Email: info@vafi.org.au Web: www.vafi.org.au

Page 2 | issue 152 | 22.11.10

THE timber industry has nothing to fear from a Victorian Labor Party policy that calls for talks on the future of forestry in Victoria, chief executive of VAFI Philip Dalidakis says.

He said if the Brumby government was re-elected at the November 27 poll, the industry would welcome the opportunity to enter into a constructive discussion concerning the future of both native and plantation forestry in Victoria.

“These discussions should recognise the significant social, economic and environmental benefits provided by both the plantation and native forest industry to the community,” Mr Dalidakis said.

Premier John Brumby has announced that a future Labor Government would establish a high level “Tasmanian-style” stakeholder forum to discuss the future of the timber and forest products industry in Victoria.

“Let’s be clear, our position is that the proposed talks should not be seen as a vehicle to close down the native or plantation forestry industry, but rather ensure the long-term future of the industry,” Mr Dalidakis said.

“While the discussions that occurred in Tasmania may act as a model, it must be recognised that there are significant differences between how the industry operates there and in Victoria.

Mr Dalidakis also welcomed the potential involvement of other stakeholders, such as Environment Victoria, WWF and Greenpeace, as well as the CMFEU and Timber Communities Australia.

“We believe all relevant stakeholders should be involved

Philip Dalidakis .. welcomes forest industry forum.

to provide these discussions with the social licence they will require to be effective,” Mr Dalidakis said.

However, he expressed concern that some groups who had continually and wilfully misled the public about the positive role of the native and plantation forestry industry may request participation in the talks.

Mr Dalidakis said the Coalition’s decision to preference the antiprosperity Greens last would help protect Victoria’s 24,000 forestry jobs.

The Greens had championed a range of policies that if enacted would destabilise the Victorian economy and lead to significant increases in unemployment.

“Since the party’s inception, the Greens have held a range of views that are fundamentally anti-industry, anti-prosperity and anti-employment,” Mr Dalidakis said.

“The Greens policy on forestry is contradictory and dangerous.

They have announced their intention to end native forestry in Victoria, claiming that the entire timber and paper product needs can be met by plantations.

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industry news

Plantation estate mostly short rotation hardwoods Tide turns: no longer a log surplus

From Page 1

have for mainland states.

‘Outside’ speakers include Dr Manuel C. Touza Vázquez, a visiting expert from Spain, who will share his experiences with Eucalyptus globulus for solid wood products, and Rod McInnes, chief executive of Timber Queensland, who will outline the fallout from the closure of the state’s western hardwood sawmills and the new focus on plantations.

Meanwhile, the chief executive of Australia’s largest private plantation forestry company has sounded warnings on a shrinking plantation estate, “a significant shortfall which can have a long-term devastating

The future for forest plantations .. Linda Sewell, chief executive, HVP Plantations, confers with Dr Harry Greaves, HG Consulting, Melbourne, Rene de Vries, NZ-based EWPAA president, and Simon Dorries, general manager, EWPAA, Brisbane, during the EWPAA annual conference on the Gold Coast.

impact on the nation’s forest industry if not addressed”.

Speaking at the EWPAA national conference on the Gold Coast last week, Linda Sewell of HVP

Plantations, said the tide was turning; there was no longer a surplus of logs.

“In fact, it’s quite the opposite,” she said. “I would hazard a guess that more than 90% of the national estate is already committed to customers under medium to long-term supply contracts.”

Want more logs? “Sorry there are no more,” says Ms Sewell.

“You will need to wait 30 years and I’m talking specifically about long rotation softwood logs.”

‘The tide is turning; there is no longer a surplus of logs’ - Linda Sewell

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Although the national plantation estate had been growing, this had been predominantly in short rotation hardwoods, driven from the MIS sector, she said.

“But the growth was too fast, forcing companies to put trees in the ground where they shouldn’t be. The result is a large percentage of this new area won’t be replanted back into trees once it is harvested.

“The growth was not sustainable

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Cont Page 7

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issue 152 | 22.11.10 | Page 3

industry news

PEFC endorses forest certification declaration at Rio assembly event THE PEFC has endorsed the Rio Forest Certification Declaration, which contains 10 principles intended to guide the future development of sustainable forest management and forest certification around the world.

The declaration, signed at the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification general assembly events in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last week, emphasised the challenge of safeguarding the environmental, social and economic benefits that the world’s forests provide.

The Rio event was attended by the chairman of Australian

William Street .. collaboration needed among all forest stakeholders.

Forestry Standard Ltd Geoff Gorrie, chief executive Kayt Watts and Dr Hans Drielsma, AFS director and PEFC International board member.

“While the forest certification movement can certainly be proud of the achievements of the past 20 years, we realise it is mainly forest owners in developed countries that benefit from certification,” PEFC International chairman William Street said.

“Much of the certified area is located in the Northern Hemisphere, and it remains challenging to provide access to forest certification especially

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Page 4 | issue 152 | 22.11.10

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to locally-controlled forests in tropical countries, managed by families and communities that depend on their resources for their livelihoods.”

Mr Street said forest certification was one of the most important voluntary mechanisms promoting sustainable forest management, yet there were significant barriers for forest managers in developing countries, such as a lack of capacity to undergo certification audits and maintain operations to a certification standard.

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events

WHAT’S ON?

NOVEMBER 2010

22-24: ForestTECH 2010 Tools & Technologies to Improve Forest Planning & Operations, Albury, NSW. Tools and technologies to improve forest planning and operations. Albury, NSW. www. foresttechevents.com 24: TPAA annual general meeting. New Bay Hotel, Brighton, Melbourne. Includes TPAA technical committee and TPAA council meetings. Contact Doug Howick (03) 9596 8155. Email: doug@tpaa.com.au 22-26: PMA market group outward mission to India.

23: Engineered Timber Products: Building an Innovative, Sustainable Future. Understand how engineered timber products enable you to do more with less. Victoria Park Function Venue, Herston, Brisbane 3.306 pm. To register visit www. timberqueensland.com.au/events

DECEMBER 2010 1: Forest industry forum, Hobart.

Boardwalk Gallery, Wrest Point, Sandy Road, Sandy Bay. 9am5pm. The National Association of Forest Industries and the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania are jointly hosting a forum to discuss the issues to be considered as the industry moves to the next stage of a new agreement for the Tasmanian forest industry, and the repercussions for mainland states. Local, national and international speakers with science, industry, community and conservation backgrounds will provide an international and domestic perspective of the situation facing the forest industry in Tasmania. Speakers include Bryan Green, Tasmanian

Resources Minister (in concert with other political leaders0; Dr. Manuel C. Touza Vázquez (‘Dr Bluegum’), a visiting expert from Spain who will share his experiences with Eucalyptus globulus for solid wood products; and Rod McInnes, CEO, Timber Queensland. Speakers from other states will provide their perspectives. Free event – places limited. Contact NAFI on (02) 6285 3833. Email: enquiries@nafi.com.au 1: AFCA annual general meeting, Melbourne. Preceded by board of directors meeting.

9-10: Bioenergy Australia 2010 conference, Sydney. Preceding technical tour December 8. Visit: www.bioenergyaustralia.org

2011

with a focus on growing trees for sawlogs and firewood - will host the expo at the Huntly plantation, north of Bendigo. Some trees (all hardwoods) within the Huntly plantation that need to be thinned will be available for demonstration purposes. Contact: Mal Brown, Northern United Forestry Group.

Tel: (03) 54352588. Mob:: 0419 108 817.

MAY 25: Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA) and New Zealand Institute of Forestry Conference (ANZIF 2011). Auckland NZ. Theme: ‘Pacific Forestry’. Visist:: www.anzifconference.co.nz 30-June 3: LIGNA Hannover Wood Fair.

25-June 4: LIGNA industry tour (Germany, Italy, Austria).

FEBRUARY

SEPTEMBER

2-4: ATFA Flooring and Finishes Expo. Sydney Exhibition Centre. Contact: Australilan Timber Flooring Association (07) 5492 8696. Visit: www. flooringandfinishes.com.au

5-7: NZ Forest Industries Expo 2011. Venue: Rotorua Energy Events Centre, Rotorua. Forest industry leaders and companies from across the world are booking their tickets to participate in the expo (FI2011) in and make the most of the 2011 Rugby World Cup while they’re there. Exhibition sites have already been booked by a number of NZ and Australian companies, and inquiries being received from Canada, China, Vietnam and Austria. The expo will showcase the best that Rotorua, the wider Bay of Plenty region and the rest of New Zealand has to offer when it comes to forestry and wood products. Contact: Dell Bawden. Tel: +64 73627865. Mob: +64 274745485. Email: office@bawden.co.nz Website site: fi2010.co.nz

14-18: Wood Science Course, University of Melbourne and CSIRO, Melbourne. Contact Silvia Pongracic on 0418 764 954 or visit www.gottsteintrust.org

APRIL 8: South Eastern Australia 2011 Farm Forestry and Firewood Expo. City of Greater Bendigo’s Huntly plantation, north of Bendigo.

8: South Eastern Australia 2011 Farm Forestry and Firewood Expo, Bendigo, Vic. City of Greater Bendigo’s Huntly plantation, north of Bendigo. NORTHERN United Forestry Group (NUFG) - a not-for-profit community group

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SUSTAINABLE. RESPONSIBLE. The National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) is striving for an ecologically sustainable Australian society achieved through dynamic, internationally competitive forest industries.

NAFI’s mission is to represent the interests of members by promoting the environmental sustainability and the prosperity of Australian forest industries.

National Association of Forest Industries Ltd (Est. 1987) PO Box 239, Deakin ACT 2600 Tel: (02) 6285 3833.

Fax: (02) 6285 3855 Web: www.nafi.com.au

issue 152 | 22.11.10 | Page 5

industry news

Timber Queensland appoints new board Cypress sawmiller new chairman THE general manager of Australia’s largest cypress sawmill Sean Gribble was elected chairman of Timber Queensland at the recent annual general meeting in Brisbane.

Formerly deputy chair, Mr Gribble succeeds John McNamara, managing director of Hyne, who takes the deputy position.

Mr Gribble manages NK Collins Industries based at Toowoomba, a family concern that has been operating for more than 40 years and controls five sawmills in the heart of the western cypress industry.

NK Collins has diversified into the export market and supplies cypress products to the US, New Zealand, Brazil, southeast Asia and Japan.

Bob Ryder, divisional manager, frames and trusses, Dale and Meyers, resigned from the TQ board and Curly Tatnell, managing director, Dale and Meyers, and Chris Hay, general manager, Northside Trusses and Frames were appointed new directors.

Other directors elected at the AGM included Warwick Temby, executive director, Housing Industry Association, Doug Simms, managing director Ravenshoe Timbers, director Simms Veneer and Sawmills and director Gordonvale Sawmills, Craig Neale, facility manager, Carter Holt Harvey

Sean Gribble .. cypress trail blazer.

Timber Queensland deputy chair .. John McNamara.

Woodproducts, Caboolture, Robert Tapiolas, director, Parkside Building Supplies and director Tropical Homes, and Skene Finlayson, director Finlayson Timber and Hardware and director, Yarraman Pine.

editorial inquiries tel:

Page 6 | issue 152 | 22.11.10

+61 3256 1779

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Domestic housing demand requires an additional 430,000 cub m of logs a year From Page 3

with multiple large company receiverships over the last 18 months and no hope of the MIS market being anything other than ‘niche’ going forward.”

Ms Sewell said despite the 2020 Vision, the large amount of capital raised by way of MIS and the almost doubling of the plantation estate from 1 million ha in 1994 to 2 million ha in 2008, there had been little change in the area of softwood plantings.

“The reality is that only a very small portion of the land base is in plantation – only 4.5% of the land area is in forests and of that, only 5% is in plantation,” she said.

“And on top of that, the plantation area has only increased by 130,000 ha in 14 years – less than 10,000 ha a year. An estate size of about 100,000 ha is needed to support an internationally competitive, regional integrated processing industry.”

Ahead of the Tasmanian forum on plantations transfer viability, Ms Sewell sounded a cautionary note: “It is almost impossible to get an acceptable return on building a greenfield plantation, given rising land values. Log prices simply can’t keep pace with inflation, let alone land prices.”

Ms Sewell says whatever investment has been raised by the industry has been channelled towards shorter rotation bluegums.

“It is very hard for longrun plantations to be as attractive to its shorter rotation counterparts.

“And every year the national estate shrinks a little more through a raft of environmental or planning issues. HVP Plantations loses area every year to compulsory acquisitions by local government, increased

buffer zones for environmental protection and urban encroachment.

“We need to be planting trees – now – if we are to reduce the shortfall predicted in 2040.”

Ms Sewell said housing stock deficiency built up due to low construction levels in recent years, was now equivalent to about one year’s demand.

“A recent Goldman Sachs report listed the deficit at 250,000 houses,” she said. “At the current population growth

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rate of 2%, domestic demand requires an additional 430,000 cub m of log equivalent per annum which is not available from existing plantations.

“With increasing population, increased house sizes and changing demographics, this steady increase in demand is projected to continue with a projected shortfall of 1-2.5 million cub m per annum by 2040.”

Ms Sewell says it has always been difficult to attract

investment in long-rotation plantations. There is a long lead time between investment and return – usually 30 years – and you need substantial scale to be efficient.

Also, the long rotation length can lead to greater risk from disease, wind and more recently, fire.

Rod McInnes .. the Queensland scenario.

Cont Page 9

issue 152 | 22.11.10 | Page 7

abare report

Forest Industry FORUM Wednesday, 1 December 2010

HOBART Hosted by NAFI and FIAT

EVENT DETAILS

THE VIABILITY OF AN INDUSTRY TRANSITION TO TREE PLANTATIONS.

DATE/TIME 9.00am - 5.00pm Wednesday, 1 December 2010 VE NUE Boardwalk Gallery Wrest Point, Hobart*

The recent signing of the ‘Tasmanian Statement of Principles to Lead to an Agreement’ has raised many questions in the community about the viability of an industry transition to a predominantly plantation base.

410 Sandy Bay Road Sandy Bay, Tasmania

Speakers and panel sessions will be used to provide international

*Special accommodation rates available

and domestic perspectives of the situation facing the forest

RS VP by 24 Nov em ber 2 01 0 Email: enquiries@nafi.com.au Phone: (02) 6285 3833 Please include name, phone

industry in Tasmania.

Leaders in the political, industry and

scientific spheres, including: 

Dr. Manuel C. Touza Vázquez – ‘Dr Bluegum’; a visiting expert

number and organisation (if

from Spain who will share his in experiences with Eucalyptus

applicable)

globulus for solid wood products; and

CO S T FREE (places limited)

Page 8 | issue 152 | 22.11.10



Rod McInnes, CEO of Timber Queensland; speaking about the Queensland transition.

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industry news

Ludwig promises are ‘torture’ for forest contractors From Page 2

“However, they have made it clear their support for the future expansion of plantation forestry is far from assured.”

Meanwhile, federal Coalition spokesman for forestry Senator Richard Colbeck has criticised forestry minister Joe Ludwig for refusing to provide details on a promised $20 million for Tasmanian forest contractors.

In senate question time, Mr Ludwig failed to provide any guarantees on a date for the announcement of the opening of the fund; whether the funds would be subject to GST, income or company tax; and whether the government would take its administration costs out of the promised $20 million.

Senator Colbeck said there could be no further excuses for delaying the assistance for forest contractors and their employees.

“Ninety days have passed since

the government committed to this policy – an apparent copy of the Coalition’s election policy,” Senator Colbeck said.

‘Senator Ludwig’s statements to forest contractors are like a Chinese water torture’ Senator Richard Colbeck “Sixty-five days have passed since Joe Ludwig became forestry minister and 57days have passed since he met with representatives of the forest contractors and their employees in Hobart.

“Senator Ludwig’s statements to forest contractors are like a Chinese water torture.

“The minister claims consultation has held up the program, yet forest contractors advise me they have provided the government with everything it needed some time ago.”

Visionary leaders needed From Page 7

“Even if we can solve the investment issues, a substantial increase in the national plantation estate will also require access to large tracts of land and access to water.

“Perhaps our focus should be to expand those regions already well established as industry centres. We don’t have the collective resources and energy to expand everywhere. Let’s focus our efforts to create some regions of industry excellence with appropriate investment and infrastructure.”

Ms Sewell said she remained

hopeful that government-led forums now in place would find a way for both government and industry to collectively solve the problems. But it would require a new investment model, quite possibly with government support; a whole of government commitment to growing the estate given the environmental, water and planning considerations; and a visionary set of industry leaders who are prepared to work on the longer term in parallel to the short-term achievement of results.

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The Publisher is therefore indemnified against all actions, suits, claims or damages resulting from content on this e news. Content cannot be reproduced without the prior consent of the Publisher- Custom Publishing Group.

issue 152 | 22.11.10 | Page 9

INDUSTRY NEWS

IFA members must be heard in latest round of industry forums PROFESSIONAL foresters must be included in the round of approaching forums in Tasmania and Victoria to provide the balanced knowhow between plantations and native forests.

Victorian premier John Brumby has announced ‘Tasmanian-style’ peace talks between loggers, unions and environmentalists and a forum of industry and political leaders gets under way in Hobart on December 5.

“It is important that the groups that participate in the talks are collectively representative of the whole forest industry,” the chief executive of the Institute of Foresters of Australia Cassandra Spencer said.

“Most importantly, the people who manage Australia’s land should be included in the forums.

“Many people may not realise that professional foresters are the ones who know how the balance between native forests and plantations work; they are neither loggers nor environmentalists.

“These guys and girls are the ones who can tell you what effects a plantation or native

Cassandra Spencer .. professional foresters must have their say.

forest will have on water catchment areas and they are the ones who know what areas are suitable for wood production and which areas are not.

“They know this because it’s their job to know it – this is what they do for a living.”

Ms Spencer said future talks would benefit from having a group that can represent the broad ranging users of the industry. The IFA was representative of professional forest managers who worked on all sides of the fence, from conservation and production in native forests to plantations.

“IFA members know the best

way to sustainably manage the forest estate.”

Ms Spencer said Australia was forest rich with 8 ha of forest per person compared to the global average of 0.6 ha per person.

“If we cannot use our own forests we have to unfairly draw on other countries to fill our needs which would be a pretty impractical thing to do,” she said. “Why shouldn’t Australia responsibly manage its own wood supply? Professional foresters know how it’s done and they should to be at the table to find the best way to make this happen.”

Members of the IFA provide policy and strategic planning, commercial and technical

development which cannot be provided by other disciplines.

They also provide alternative insights to competing land uses such as agriculture, conservation and mining.

Through extensive multidisciplinary education, foresters have valuable capacity to innovate effective low cost solutions often overlooked by less broadly trained and experienced personnel.

Ms Spencer added: “Let’s take forestry off the election trail. If the talks are needed they will go ahead regardless of who gets voted in. Let’s get on with responsibly growing Australia’s forests and gaining from the benefits that come from them.”

Hardboards closes at Ipswich ESTABLISHED more than 50 years ago, Queensland raw materials processor Australian Hardboards Ltd will close its Ipswich manufacturing facility next month.

The company manufactures 100% natural thin hardboards utilising sawmill waste and uses water, heat and pressure to make a natural hardboard product

free from formaldehyde.

Australian Hardboards executive chairman Louis Niederer said several issues had contributed to the closure, including the high Australian dollar and the loss of a recent contract.

He said the company is working to find new jobs for the staff of 140 people.

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Page 10 | issue 152 | 22.11.10

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industry news

EWPs that tick ALL the boxes Engineered wood products manufactured

by EWPAA member companies top the list At the signing of the Rio Forest Certification Declaration in Brazil are Kayt Watts, chief executive of AFS Ltd, Geoff Gorrie, AFS chairman, and Hans Drielsma, director.

Living in harmony with forests

From Page 4

barriers requires collaboration among all forest stakeholders, forest certification systems, CSD major groups, and governments,” Mr Street emphasised.

“While activities by different stakeholders are usually driven by the same objective of promoting sustainable forest management, they may have detrimental effects if they don’t consider their overall, global impact.

“The linkage between deforestation and poverty is

strong, compelling, and in need of specific attention by all forest stakeholders. The same is true for the linkage between deforestation, climate change and loss of biodiversity.”

Mr Street added: “By recognising the importance of inter-relationships and beginning the process of codifying them into forest certification standards that have been proven to make a real difference on the ground, we can achieve our vision of people living in harmony with forests as well as managing them sustainably.”

Crane Group buys Hudson BUILDING services group Crane Distribution has purchased Hudson Building Supplies, a company built on five generations of the Hudson family in Sydney.

Hudson’s long and illustrious history began when William Henry Hudson set up the business in 1846, just six years after the transportation of convicts to New South Wales had ceased.

Hudson chief executive John Simon will assist with the integration of the businesses over the next few months, and will leave Hudson on February 4 next year when the management role will pass to Michael Jorgenson, general

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“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have led the Hudson team over the past four years, during which time we have transformed the business into a successful and profitable supplier to the trade segment,” Mr Simon said.

“Hudson is now in the best shape that it has ever been, and is excellently positioned to grow and prosper under new ownership.”

Mr Simon thanked all suppliers, customers and industry colleagues for their support during his tenure at Hudson.

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issue 152 | 22.11.10 | Page 11

industry news

Experienced industry team drives AFS DIRECTORS on the new board of the Australian Forestry Standard Ltd were elected at the annual general meeting in Melbourne on November 5.

Profiles of new and returned directors shows

wide knowledge and long experience in the forest industry will drive AFSL through the next 12 months.

Geoff Gorrie. AFSL chairman, is former deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. He has a long history in agricultural and trade policy as well as natural resource management.

Michael John Bullen is chief executive of Sydney Catchment Authority. This experience builds on his 24 years of forest management experience at operational and policy level.

Wayne Hammond is human resources and management systems manager at WA Plantation Resources and has worked for more than 25 years in the IT&C industry as a business analyst, project manager and information systems manager and has attained the status of certified member of the Australian Computer Society.

Page 12 | issue 152 | 22.11.10

David Pollards is chief executive of VicForests. Since joining as inaugural CEO in 2004, he has commercialised Victorian native forestry operations, ensured the design and implementation of a web-based auction system for the sale of timber, taken over harvest and haulage operations from private operators, placed all harvest and haul work on an open tender basis and ensured the training and upskilling of all staff.

Travis Wacey is policy research officer, CFMEU forestry products division. His responsibilities include providing strategic analysis and timely advice on political and industrial developments relevant to the union’s membership and liaising, negotiating and consulting with stakeholders and organisations that influence regional, national and international forest policy.

Dr Hans Drielsma is executive general manager of Forestry Tasmania, where he has responsibility for resources, planning, environmental management and forest research. He is a director on the PEFC Council and was recently appointed a director on the Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry Council.

Ian Tyson has been national sales and marketing manager at Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia since October 2006. He works on building a culture of accountability, professionalism and speed to the market.

Robert Lowe is the head of marketing (family care) at Kimberly-Clark Australia and is responsible for the marketing management of KCA’s leading paper product brands.

Jodie Mason is a principal consultant for URS Australia Pty Ltd and has 18 years’ professional experience in forest management, environmental management system development and implementation, and environmental, systems and certification auditing. She has worked in operational forest planning, road construction, fire management, harvesting and regeneration roles in both native forest management and hardwood plantation sectors.

Malcolm Tonkin is general manager, stewardship and risk for HVP Plantations. He has 35 years’ experience in public and private forest management in both native forests and plantations. Current responsibilities include ensuring the maintenance of company forest certification.

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wood preservation

Multi-treatment plant ‘treats the untreatable’ to standard and better A NEAR-Brisbane timber treatment plant has revolutionised methods of wood preservation using seven different compounds and three purpose-built pressure cylinders.

Using brave new technology, itreat Timbers Pty Ltd at Narangba just off the north coast highway, is able to treat timbers previously considered untreatable.

“These timbers, in every case so far, have been easily treated to the industry standard and beyond,” company principal Gerry Gardiner said.

“We won’t say that the possibilities are endless.

However, the opportunities for industry are extraordinary.” itreat Timbers opened in March last year as a CCAonly treatment plant. Today, the company provides a range of treatments – CCA, H3 and H4 for pine as well as H4 and H5 hardwood; H2F Blue for conifers; H2 Red Tru-Core for KD timbers, similar to LOSP; and H3 Vacsol Azure.

Gerry Gardiner and partners

Treating conifers .. the H2F Blue plant at itreat Timbers.

Bill McCarthy (manager) and Wayne Donald, have engaged three individual suppliers – TimTech Chemicals, Kop-Coat NZ and Arch Wood Protection.

The go-ahead company is the first licensed timber treatment plant for Kop-Coat in Australia and only the second in the world using a pressure plant for this new technology Another ‘first’ is the use of the new Arch Vacsol Azure product,

an alternate for traditional flammable solvents with only 10% of the VOC emissions of flammable solvents.

Vacsol Azure is a light organic solvent preservative (LOSP) specifically formulated for the treatment of timber to AS 1604.1 H3 hazard level (external above ground) providing protection against fungal decay and attack from borer and termites.

The new plant – built by Craig Martin of CT Engineering New Zealand – uses the most advanced mechanical, process design and PLC program technology in Australia.

Gerry Gardiner says the TruCore infusion process and patented preservative system from Kop-Coat will set the bench mark for timber treatment in the future.

“Is simple terms, Kop-Coat has developed a process that can fully penetrate most timber, both sapwood and heartwood, and can also fully penetrate most engineered wood products using water soluble chemical technology that does not

require re-drying and does not damage the properties of the wood products,” Mr Gardiner said.

Kop-Coat holds numerous patents on these technologies.

Trials and subsequent test results carried out in multiple laboratories in three countries confirm that not only are they meeting industry standards, they are exceeding them.

“You have to forget everything that you knew about treating timber. This is new technology,” Mr Gardiner said.

“With this technology come new possibilities. What has traditionally been considered untreatable, can, and in every case so far, be quite easily treated to the standard and beyond.”

‘You have to forget everything that you knew about treating timber. This is new technology’ – Gerry Gardiner As the carrier, water has obvious environmental credentials, Mr Gardiner says.

“Basically we are talking about nil VOCs. As three of our processes are water based, our usage of water is very high. But so far we have used no town water supply in the treating process. We are 100%, self sustainable in terms of water supply.”

The itreat partners are currently working with Independent Verification Services for third party QA and auditing. This is expected to be in place by Christmas.

“We are open and ready for business,” Mr Gardiner said.

The CCA plant at itreat Timbers

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issue 152 | 22.11.10 | Page 13

annual conference

New LVL, glulam technologies the low-cost green alternative to steel

Innovative sessions feature at EWPAA conference A CONSORTIUM supported by the Forest and Wood Products Association is developing new timber-based design methods and products that will offer a much greener solution for construction for a similar price to steel and concrete – and that may eventually be cheaper.

The ambitious project involving some of the best structural engineers in Australia and New Zealand was outlined at the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia’s annual conference on the Gold Coast last week.

They aim to have laminated veneer lumber (LVL), glue laminated structural timber and plywood products on the market within four years.

Key conference speaker Robert Finch, chief executive of NZ-based Structural Timber Innovation Co (STIC), said a two-third scale pre-stressed LVL timber building has been designed, specified and constructed at the University of Canterbury.

The building has been subjected to rigorous earthquake testing for nine months and after more than 30 simulated earthquakes it remains structurally undamaged.

“This building has demonstrated the many advantages offered by this newly developed rapidconstruction type of timber building,” Mr Finch said.

He said after much research, a new ‘quick-connect’ kneejoint for long-span engineered timber portal frame buildings had been developed at the University of Auckland. This new system enabled large member timber portal frames to be easily designed and prefabricated off-site, then rapidly erected and connected during the on-site construction phase.

Page 14 | issue 152 | 22.11.10

Conference speaker Robert Finch, chief executive, STIC Sustainable Buildings, Christchurch, NZ, and Brendan Smith, Juken New Zealand Ltd.

“This is an exciting development as it will enable structural timber to effectively compete with other building materials in the industrial building market for the first time,” Mr Finch said.

More than 70 representatives of industry and government research centres attended the EWPAA conference and dinner on November 15.

All delegates voted the conference a success; it bridged a multitude of subjects from innovative lowcost construction methods, cost-effective plantation management strategies, the latest low-emissions and resin product research, new timber treatment technologies, future energy cost and supply challenges, wood promotion and workplace health and safety issues.

(Conference presentations will appear in future editions of Timber&Forestry enews).

Robert Finch said the new LVL and glulam research was driven by keen worldwide interest in sustainable building materials and methods and demographic

changes in households; inner city developments and mass urbanisation are increasing demand. Existing forms of glulam, LVL and plywood can be used with post-tensioning technology, which could enable them to regain much of the market lost to steel and concrete.

Much of the work will be carried out by STIC with support from New Zealand and Australian timber businesses and industry groups including FWPA. Over the next four years, the consortium will research, develop and commercialise new engineered solutions for open-plan multi-storey timber buildings and large span timber roof and timber composite floor systems.

A modular system concept to be developed for large prefabricated timber buildings will help develop a new timber fabrication industry exporting new building products.

Lower-grade radiata will be incorporated into high-value engineered timber products.

The total value of all new

commercial and residential construction in the US alone is more than $US500 billion a year. In Australia, new structural timber products have the potential to capture markets conservatively estimated at more than $520 million a year.

A preliminary assessment shows that the first timber buildings are likely to be within 5% of the cost of steel or concrete alternatives. They should become less expensive as the design and construction industries become familiar with the new materials and demand increases.

Revolutionary resin technology in the US is giving the engineered wood industry some of the lowest emission adhesive systems in the world.

Speaking at the EWPAA conference, Dr Todd Miller, manager of Momentive’s phenol-formaldehyde resins development group in Springfield, Oregon, USA, said an acrylic latex had been developed with thermal and hydrophobic properties sufficient to pass water durability requirements with formaldehyde emission levels at or below that of wood itself.

The system was undergoing commercial trials, and was one more alternative to existing adhesive systems. ”Improvements are ongoing to develop more open assembly time,” Dr Miller said.

“Questions related to formaldehyde and its use was very important to consumers, manufacturers and regulators in today’s market. Melamine chemistry is well suited to help industry.”

Dr Miller said drivers for the new research included the Cont Page 15

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annual conference

Revolutionary US resin technology gives lowest emissions for EWPs From Page 14 EWPAA general manger Simon Dorries (right) accepts the President’s Trophy on behalf of Gordon White, CHH, Tokoroa, from president Rene de Vries.

California Air Resources Board (CARB) Legislation from the state of California which places limits on emissions from hardwood plywood, MDF and particleboard, and increased regulation on formaldehyde emissions since 2009.

He said there were big advantages in using adhesives that recorded no added formaldehyde (NAF) and ultra low emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) ”The market from end users will pull these through as the general public becomes more conscious of ‘green’ products, Dr Miller said.

The EWPAA Con Otto Award for innovation and excellence was taken out by Scott Matthews of Austral Plywood, Brisbane.

His brother Stuart (right) was at the EWPAA conference dinner to accept the trophy from Simon Dorries, EWPAA general manager.

[The Momentive was formed in October this year through the combination of the parent holding companies of Momentive Performance Materials Inc. and Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc.]

Martin Bird of Plywood Services, Archerfield (right) accepts the EWPAA Distributor Award from Simon Dorries.

Rene de Vries returned as fourth-term EWPAA president NEW Zealand-based Rene de Vries, quality improvement manager at Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts, Tokoroa, was elected a fourth-term president of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia at the EWPAA annual general meeting on the Gold Coast.

Mr de Vries served as president in 2002-2006 and 2006-2009, His 40-year career in the New Zealand timber industry started with private company HG Ply which metamorphosised over the years as Odlins, Whetstone, Fletcher Wood Panels, Fletcher Forest, Tenon and finally Carter Holt Harvey in 1996-97.

Newly-elected vice-president

is Stuart Toakley of Borg Panels, Oberon, NSW, a leading manufacturer of melamine panels and joinery components.

The new EWPAA board comprises Ron Cortis, Brown Wood Panels Pty Ltd (treasurer), Mukhtar Ali, Valebasoga Tropikboards Ltd, Graham Andrew, Laminex Group, Richard Barry, Nelson Pine Industries, Jim Bindon, Big River Timbers Pty Ltd, Gary Byrom, Hexion Specialty Chemicals NZ Ltd, Graham Church, Alpine MDF Industries Pty Ltd, Paul Dimarelos, DIM Furniture (Vic) Pty Ltd, James Malone, Wesbeam Pty Ltd, Stuart Matthews, Austral

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Plywoods Pty Ltd, Muk, Nai Boh, RH Plywoods, PNG, Brendan Smith, Juken New Zealand Ltd, Gisborne, Tony Honey, PNG Forest Products Ltd, Jason Wilson, Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia, and Nick Youngman, Boral Plywood Gordon White, plywood product manger, Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts, Onehunga, was awarded the President’s Trophy and John Hancock Award for excellence in engineered wood products manufacturing and marketing. The presentation recognised the company’s innovative Shadowclad powder-coated cladding suitable for both exterior and

interior applications.

Shadowclad is a 12 mm thick wall cladding available in sheets of coverage 1200 mm width and lengths of 2440, 2745 or 3050 mm and a shiplap weather-groove joint on the long edge of each sheet.

The Con Otto Award for product development and customer service was awarded to Austral Plywood, Brisbane, for its optimisation of high-grade veneers.

The Distributor Award for plywood and LVL products was won by Plywood Services, Archerfield, Brisbane.

issue 152 | 22.11.10 | Page 15

annual conference

Gary Byrom, commercial manager Australasia, Hexion Specialty Chemicals (NZ) Ltd, Mount Maunganui, NZ, Rene de Vries, EWPAA president, David Headberry, Headberry Partners Pty Ltd, Melbourne, and Dr Todd Miller, R&D technical manager, forest products division, Hexion USA, Oregon.

Peter Robinson, Boral Plywood (second from right) with Hexion representatives Atul Kalra, Melbourne, Alex Bruce, New Zealand and JP Aucoin, managing director Hexion Australasia, Melbourne.

Ahsan Qureshi, quality assurance manager, Wesbeam, Perth (centre) catches up with Chris van Kooten and Philip Marsh of Dynea New Zealand.

Page 16 | issue 152 | 22.11.10

Andy McNaught, EWPAA technical manager, Jim Bindon, managing director, Big River Group, Grafton, NSW, and Brendan Smith, Juken New Zealand Ltd.

Nick Youngman, sales and marketing manager, Boral Plywood, Ipswich, chats with structural plywood manufacturer Mark Mitchell of F.A. Mitchell and Co, Sydney.

Gary Scherer, PNG Forest Products, Bulolo, Papua New Guinea, Ross Maddock, Big River Timbers, Grafton, NSW, and Simon Dorries, general manager, EWPAA.

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annual conference

Philip Townsend, senior economist, ABARE-BRS, Canberra, and Nick Livanes, national business development manager, Osmose Australia.

Part of the Hexion team at the EWPAA conference .. Klaus Haselhofer, Brisbane, Alex Bruce, New Zealand, and Mark Nowicki, Melbourne.

Conference speakers Rob McGavin, senior research scientist, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), and associate professor Greg Nolan, School of Architecture and Wood Design, University of Tasmania, with Henry Bailleres of DEEDI.

Representing timber protection group Zelam New Zealand are technical/research manger Andre Siraa and Kristina Day.

Master classes lead on timber and sustainability A NEW series of master classes was completed in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane this month by the University of Tasmania’s Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (SCAW).

The full-day classes were about timber, its sustainability and the contribution timber and wood products can make to a sustainable built environment.

“Sustainability is a catchword at

the moment, but it is sometimes difficult to understand what the term really means in practice,” SCAW director associate professor Greg Nolan said at the EWPAA conference.

“In this complex area, industry needs to know how issues and concepts of sustainability influence how timber is used and sold.”

The topics included sustainable resource supply through legal

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forestry, and certification of forest practice and chainof-custody; wood products and the carbon cycle; the life cycle assessment of timber and other building materials; efficient thermal performances in timber buildings; maximising points with timber in green star and other rating schemes; and marketing timber and sustainability – strategies that work for industry and companies

The master class is tailored specifically for businesses that produce, supply or sell timber and timber components to the construction industry.

Another major component of the program is the school’s new graduate certificate in timber (processing and building) being offered online from Semester 1 next year and accessible by students all over Australia.

issue 152 | 22.11.10 | Page 17

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