Timber Design & Technology International - December 2013 by Andy MacGregor

www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

Issue 02 | December 2013

American heat treated ash sits pretty on the rooftop of Marseille’s new flagship museum The potential role of Wood Acetylation in climate change mitigation Opportunity in Woodworking Machinery Market in India ‘Endless Stair’ at London Design Festival 2013 For the love of Wood PLUS Timber industry news, new products, exhibition previews and listings and more

A N A L Y S I S | I N T E R V I E W S | D E S I G N | S U S T A I N A B IDecember L I T Y2013|| www.timberdesignandtechnology.com TECHNOLOGY

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FROM THE EDITOR

Editor’s comment Cover Image: Endless Stair, London, England Image © AHEC

Timber is not rocket science, but it is not that simple either. And yet, for the uninitiated, wood is just plain wood. The question then arises as to why wood often loses out to other materials despite being sustainable, versatile and beautiful. Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that the one material that often poses the greatest challenge to designers is timber and, as a result, it is frequently specified unrealistically or, worse still, not specified at all. Roderick Wiles builds a case for the increased use

Issue 02 | DECEMBER 2013

of timber given that it is arguably the most environmentally-friendly material available, provided

Timber Design & Technology Magazine

footprint, it is abundant, it is renewable, its harvesting and processing do not use or produce harmful

Director Andy MacGregor publisher@citrusmediagroup.net +971 55 849 1574 Marketing Director Eric Hammond marketing@citrusmediagroup.net +971 4 455 8400 International Sales Director James Hamilton james@timberdesignandtechnology.com

it is derived from a sustainably managed forest. Further, it has a very low (often negative) carbon chemicals or by-products and it has low embodied energy. This issue marks the second issue of the year and covers a variety of topics including the latest developments from the timber and woodworking machinery industries. Our sustainability feature looks at the environmental credentials of Accoya wood and the potential role of Wood Acetylation in climate change mitigation. A carbon footprint analysis by the Delft University of Technology on a cradle-to-grave basis revealed that Accoya window frames are CO2 negative over the full life cycle of the product, mainly thanks to the limited emissions during production and benefits gained from carbon sequestration during the considerable life span of the durable acetylated wood. Thermal modification of wood is another key development for the timber industry and our design feature looks at the Marseille Museum, which features heat-treated American ash on its rooftop deck. The thermal modification process uses a high temperature in a controlled environment permanently

Editor Tony Smith editor@timberdesignandtechnology.com

altering the wood’s chemical and physical properties. It therefore limits the ability of ash to absorb

International Correspondent Eamonn Ennis eamonn@timberdesignandtechnology.com +91 98676 54952

food source for insects and wood-destroying fungi. This increase in dimensional stability and decay

International Representatives Rabia Alga AntExpo Org. | Turkey +90 216 541 0390 rabia@antexpo.net Elias Aggelopoulos Med Expo | Greece +30 210 2931011 info@epipleon.gr

moisture thereby rendering it more dimensionally stable and less prone to cup, warp and twist with changes in humidity. It also removes the nutrients in wood that would otherwise provide a resistance significantly extends the service life and reduces maintenance needs of the decking, thereby encouraging the use of timber over other materials. In addition, we have profiled RitikaaWood, the largest timber engineering company in India and the Mahesh Group, India’s third largest trader and exporter of timber. The beauty and versatility of American tulipwood through the ‘Endless Stair’ installation at the London Design Festival 2013 is also detailed in this issue. Our launch at the inaugural MUMBAIWOOD 2013 also allowed us an opportunity to talk to Dr. Scott Bowe, who highlights the key findings of a research study looking at a cost-benefit analysis of importing value-added lumber versus logs in this issue. As always, I would like to encourage you to log on to the website - www.timberdesignandtechnology.com - for the latest updates and please get in touch if you have any suggestions for subjects we should consider covering.

Timber Design & Technology is published 6 times a year by Citrus Media Group (powered by WillyMac Associates FZ LLC) Level 14, Boulevard Plaza - Tower One, Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, PO Box 334155, Dubai, UAE

is designed by UC Design Pvt. Ltd. and is printed by MASAR Printing Press Great care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the contents of Timber Design & Technology but the publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. All contents are © 2013 Citrus Media Group and may not be reproduced in any form without prior consent. Letters and readers’ contributions may be edited at our discretion.

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

The leading supplier of logs in India

Farlin group of companies are vertically integrated with an established presence worldwide in timber logs, sawn timber, plywood, panel products and coal for energy sectors.

Tel : +971 4 8809889 Fax: +971 4 8809779

www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

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IN THIS ISSUE

Contents 14 SUSTAINABILITY

The potential role of Wood Acetylation in climate change mitigation

Carbon negative window frames: fiction or reality?

20 MARKET REPORT Opportunity in Woodworking Machinery Market (WWM) in India - 2013

P12 P14

28 the source Mahesh Group: A market-leading supplier and processor of timber

32 design & décor American heat treated ash sits pretty on the rooftop of Marseille’s new flagship museum

P16 P32

Thermal modification limits the ability of ash to absorb moisture thereby rendering it more dimensionally stable and less prone to cup, warp and twist with changes in humidity

39 Profile RitikaaWood: India’s largest timber engineering company

42 comment Lumber versus Logs

Dr. Scott Bowe highlights the key findings of a research study looking at a cost-benefit analysis of importing value-added lumber versus logs

46 TECHNOLOGY The beauty and versatility of American tulipwood: ‘Endless Stair’ at London Design Festival 2013

‘Endless Stair’ is both a sculpture and research project, advancing the knowledge of timber technology and sustainability

P32 P46 PLUS p7 Latest News p50 Showtime December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

Want to know the difference between certified timber and sustainable timber?

www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

Issue 05 | November 2012 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

Issue 07 | April 2013

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Issue 04 | September 2012

DNA testing of wood to help curb illegal logging World’s tallest timber building ‘tops out’ in Melbourne Marks & Spencer raises its green credentials with Cheshire Oaks store ‘Out of the Woods - Adventures of 12 Hardwood Chairs’ China’s voracious appetite for timber driving illegal trade Illegal logging nets organized crime up to USD 100 The world-leader in FSC-certified Birch Plywood billion dollars SVEZA: every year

London Olympic Park receives FSC & PEFCOVO certification lights up downtown Istanbul American SoftwoodsPutting supplement LCA at the centre of sustainable design Panel discussion on Timber Timberlegality certification explored Inside ‘Timber Land’ at Hamriyah Free Zone Improved productivity through software

American Hardwoods: The sustainable alternative Miro Forestry aims for leadership within the sustainable plantation forestry industry in West Africa DANZER strengthens its presence in the Gulf

Taller with Wood Cambia: Wood made better

PLUS Timber industry news, new products, PLUS Timber industry news, new products, exhibition previews and more exhibition previews and listings and more

PLUS Timber industry news, PLUS newTimber products, industry news, new products, exhibition previews and listings exhibition andpreviews more and more

exhibition previews and listings and more exhibition previews and more PLUS Timber industry news, new products, PLUS Timber industry news, new products,

exhibition previews and listings exhibition andpreviews more and more PLUS Timber industry news, PLUS newTimber products, industry news, new products,

DANZER strengthens its presence in the Gulf plantation forestry industry in West Africa Miro Forestry aims for leadership within the sustainable American Hardwoods: The sustainable alternative

Cambia: Wood made better Taller with Wood Improved productivity through software Inside ‘Timber Land’ at Hamriyah Free Zone

billion dollars SVEZA: every year The world-leader in FSC-certified Birch Plywood Illegal logging nets organized crime up to USD 100 China’s voracious appetite for timber driving illegal trade ‘Out of the Woods - Adventures of 12 Hardwood Chairs’ Marks & Spencer raises its green credentials with Cheshire Oaks store World’s tallest timber building ‘tops out’ in Melbourne

Timberlegality certification explored Panel discussion on Timber LCA at the centre of sustainable design American SoftwoodsPutting supplement lights up downtown Istanbul London Olympic Park receives FSC & PEFCOVO certification

DNA testing of wood to help curb illegal logging

www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

www.timberdesignandtechnology.com Issue 05 | November 2012

Issue 07 | April 2013

www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

Issue 04 | September 2012

Timber Design & Technology International is a bi-monthly magazine (in hard copy & online) for the buyers, end users and specifiers of wood and related machinery and products in the Indian sub-continent. The publication offers news, analysis and in-depth features examining all issues relating to the regional timber sector targeting a wide spectrum of readers including furniture, manufacturers, joinery companies, specifiers (architects & designers), importers and distributors, woodworking professionals and flooring specialists amongst others.

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www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

NEWS

D1 Tower canopy is the first free-form timber structure in the Middle East

Image © HESS Timber

The D1 Tower, an 80 floor, 284 meter tall residential skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is set to feature the first free-form timber structure canopy in the Middle East. Launched by ENSHAA, construction of the highly anticipated luxury residential development is progressing well and the innovative design of D1’s podium canopy, one of the buildings most striking and unique features, is now nearing completion. The geometry of the structure has been inspired by the artistry of the craftsmen of Dubai, the traditional form of the region’s fishing nets and the Middle East’s wooden dhows. Comprised of four timber petals the resultant shaded structure is evocative of traditional Mushrabiya (Arabian screens). The three-storey tall timber canopy is a particular feature of the D1 Tower and has been manufactured, delivered and installed by the German glulam construction company - HESS TIMBER. The canopy construction consists of 4 single canopies, the so-called ‘Petals’. The largest, which is also different to the other three, is still yet to be installed and comprises 370 different single components and a roof area of 600 square meters. The three other canopies are identical having a roof area of 370 square meters each. In total, the canopy area comprises 1,700 square meters with a volume of 350 cubic

Image © HESS Timber

meters of glulam. The timber canopy was designed by ‘Innovarchi’, and was inspired by the craft of Dhow trading boat construction that used to occur on

in the support axis of the three identical canopies. All canopies are

the site. However, the canopy shapes that were originally designed

connected to the building’s front by diagonally inclined steel struts

by the architect had to be slightly optimized for economical reasons

and are embedded on two fixed steel struts in the front area. The

in order to reduce the number of the narrow curvature radii within

largest canopy is fixed on three steel struts in the front area on

the canopy surfaces contained in them. According to HESS TIMBER,

account of its exceptional size.

resin-free fir wood was chosen for the production of the glue-

The assembly and erection of the three freely designed canopies

laminated timber as with other kinds of wood inclusions and/or pitch

was executed from September until December 2012 by a team

pockets might come up owing to the high level of solar radiation.

consisting of six German assemblers, who were supported by local

Each canopy is made up of primary and secondary beams, which

workers on site. In total, a number of 783 wood construction wood

form the main part of the beam grid system. Given the high strength

construction components and 561 nodal connections had been

requirements, it was necessary to produce these by using a special

assembled on a complete scaffold. Furthermore, the diagonally

timber lamella. The bracing is realized by the use of further hybrid

inclined steel struts were supplied from Germany and mounted by

combinations made from fir and Kerto panels. Due to the high loads,

HESS TIMBER. Interestingly, the complete amount of wood and steel

it was also necessary to additionally deploy cladded steel beams

parts was supplied to Dubai in a total of 29 shipment containers.

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

NEWS

The Dubai Municipality educates on new green building legislation at The Big 5 The Dubai Municipality will be presenting the latest Dubai Green Building Code at The Big 5, offering attendees the opportunity to understand more about the regulations and their impact on the industry for the future before they go live in early 2014. The new legislation will be mandatory for all new buildings across residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The code covers a range of construction features, including building vitality, ecology, as well as energy, water and waste efficiency and effectiveness. Information on the Dubai Green Building Project, of which the new regulations are derived, will be provided along with the rationale behind its implementation, and the role it will play in Dubai’s drive for sustainability. There will be a full outline of the requirements for assessment and certification of green buildings together with a followup workshop that will provide more in-depth information on assessment procedures. The seminars will include a comprehensive overview of

ready; we want to ensure that the industry is also ready and has access

the testing procedures of products within the new regulations and the

to the relevant training and information they require in advance of the

certification process.

launch. The Big 5 provides an excellent platform for us to engage with a

Engineer Abdulla Rafia, Assistant Director General of Engineering at the Dubai Municipality, said: “The new Green Building Code will be

wide range of stakeholders and communicate this key information.” The free-to-attend seminars will also provide key insight into the

implemented next year, and we are currently working to strengthen our

progress of Dubai’s construction market, and the key successes and

efforts in educating the necessary audiences on the requirements they

challenges, including that of meeting the increased demand for power

will have to meet. We are ready, our testing and certification centers are

and water that comes with the on-going growth and development.

Indonesian VPA signing a big step toward FLEGT-licensed timber delivery system (LAS), and associated licensing, auditing and monitoring mechanisms and organizations, with the input of as wide a range of stakeholders as possible. Currently, 19 million hectares of Indonesia’s production forests and over 700 timber-processing companies have been audited under its LAS - named its SVLK system. The latter has issued documentation for 53,000 timber consignments, a total of 5.4 million cubic meters. It has also run trial timber shipments to the EU under its associated V-Legal licensing operation, effectively a test-bed for the systems for ultimately issuing, and auditing FLEGT licenses. The next step is for Indonesia and the EU to ratify the VPA, which covers a specific list of named timber and wood products, into their respective laws. Both must be then be finally assured that the LAS is up to the task, before the listed goods can enter the EU as FLEGT-licensed and, subsequently, automatically legal under the EUTR. No definitive deadlines have been set, but the hope is that Indonesia will start issuing FLEGT licenses in 2014. Currently, fourteen other countries in Asia, Indonesia has moved a step closer to becoming one of the first suppliers

Africa and Latin America are developing EU VPAs and ten more are in

of timber licensed as legal under the EU Forest Law Enforcement

initial exploratory talks. Ghana is one of the few that hopes to deliver

Governance and Trade Action Plan (FLEGT). When available, this will

FLEGT licensed timber next year.

satisfy the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) without

welcome the VPA signing with enthusiasm,” said André de Boer,

Zulkifli Hasan and EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik

Secretary General, European Timber Trade Federation. “The VPA process

recently signed the country’s FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement

itself has already been instrumental in improving forestry practice and

(VPA) in Brussels. This marked the culmination of six years’ work, from

this will hopefully be a step towards implementing certified sustainable

the start of its VPA negotiations, to establish a watertight forestry and

management, and not just in Indonesia, but other countries engaged in

timber legality assurance framework that meets the parameters of the

the VPA initiative. ETTF members can look forward to the next stage

EU anti-illegal timber FLEGT initiative.

- the delivery of Indonesian FLEGT-licensed timber. That is of utmost

Central to the process has been the establishment of Indonesia’s definition of illegal timber. It has also had to set up a legality assurance

“Indonesia has traveled a long road to reach this point and we

additional due diligence risk assessment. Indonesia’s Forestry Minister

www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

importance to importers, given that it will provide them with a supply of timber considered legal under the EUTR without further due diligence.”

NEWS

Wood in Architecture & Wooden Products Fair to take place in February 2014 The organizers of the ‘Wood in Architecture & Wooden Products Fair’

will showcase timber frame structures, wooden urban furniture,

have announced the dates of the fair as February 13 - 16, 2014. The

house and office furniture, doors and windows, floor coverings,

event aims to increase the usage of wood in construction, to enable

wall and roof coverings, wooden ladders, kitchen and bathroom

the exhibition of wood and related products and innovations and

cupboards, pool and sauna equipment, landscape materials, fences,

to organize seminars to explain the importance of wood. The use of

pergola, benches, structural timber, construction lumber, wood

wood in the construction sector is very important for environmental

chemicals, wood accessories, glulam, laminated beams, roof trusses,

health and is recommended for areas such as Turkey where

wall panels, timber connectors and fasteners. In addition, the fair

earthquakes are frequent. The fair will be hosted by ICC Istanbul

will attract architects, engineers, building contractors, project

Congress Center - Harbiye, located in a central area of Istanbul.

agencies, appliers, purchasers, import firms, export firms, related

Participants at the Wood in Architecture & Wooden Products Fair

units of municipalities and public institutions.

Bishop Edward King Chapel takes the Wood Awards 2013 Gold Award Bishop Edward King Chapel by Niall McLaughlin Architects has taken the Gold Award in this year’s Wood Awards 2013 competition. Announced at the Wood Awards winners’ ceremony held on the 19th November hosted by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters in the City of London, Bishop Edward King Chapel, Ripon College, Oxford took the Structural category prize before being crowned the winner of winners in front of more than 200 leading industry and architectural figures. Chairman of the judges, Michael Morrison of Purcell UK said: “Niall McLaughlin’s Bishop Edward King Chapel is a stunning and worthy Gold Award winner. It embodies the Wood Awards celebration of excellence in design and craftsmanship in wood, and even exceeds the hope that the building might be ‘a work of art which would touch the spirit’.” The independent judging panel, which includes previous Wood Awards winners Adam Khan and last year’s Gold Award winner David Morley, Jim Greaves from Hopkins Architects and Andrew Lawrence from Arup, praised the team for its attention to detail, careful use of materials and

Image © Wood Awards 2013

elegant curved glulam columns and beams which create the light and soaring internal timber structure. The Wood Awards category winners included The Colyer-Fergusson Building in Kent by Tim Ronalds Architects for the Commercial & Public

for the Small Project Award. This year, the Wood Awards was launched at Ecobuild in March, the

Access Award; Church Walk in London by David Mikhail Architects for

shortlisted Furniture categories pieces were exhibited in person at

the Private Award – the second year in a row this practice has won

100% Design - the biggest event during the London Design Festival,

the Private category; Magheralin Parish Church in Northern Ireland

and the full shortlist was showcased at Timber Expo in Birmingham,

by Waddington-McClure Architects for the Repair & Adaptive Reuse

along with a series of talks from selected shortlisted projects.

Award; and the undulating RoominaRoom in London by Atmos Studio

Chair of the judges, Michael Morrison said: “All the projects we inspected were showcasing both the versatility of timber as a building material as well as the great pool of talent in the design and construction industries. Two things were particularly pleasing - the high standards of craftsmanship that we saw and, perhaps more importantly, that we were able to give awards this year to some modest schemes where the selection of timber, the design and the workmanship have produced a splendid result on a tight budget. This must surely be the message that these awards are design to spread that wood is a beautiful and economical material that can be used to great advantage in any building project.” As the flagship for wood in the best of British architecture, furniture and design, the Wood Awards is made possible by the major sponsorship of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Canada Wood, the Carpenters’ Company, TRADA and Wood for Good.

Image © Wood Awards 2013

Other sponsors include American Softwoods, BRE and the Forestry Commission.

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

NEWS

Time to tap the full potential of Asia-Pacific’s forests: sustainably and prosperously The forest sector across Asia and the Pacific has enormous untapped

potential for adding value and creating new jobs - a means to an end in

potential to increase the prosperity of countries, industries and improve

the fight against poverty and hunger.

the livelihoods of millions. But to achieve that, greater, coordinated

“The global economic crisis in 2008, taught us many lessons, among

efforts are needed by forest managers, governments and the private

them the importance of forestry in food security. Indeed, it is forests

sector. As such, leading forestry experts and policy makers from 33

which help ensure our reliable supplies of clean water and without

member countries recently attended the 25th session of the Asia-Pacific

water, there is no food,” said Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-

Forestry Commission (APFC) to consider ways and means of making the

General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific. “A large

region’s vast forests more productive and prosperous, while ensuring

number of people are dependent on forests and their products for

the sustainability and health of these natural resources. The biannual

their livelihoods, hence the need to focus on prosperity in forestry

meeting, hosted this year by the Government of New Zealand, in

development policies and programmes. In a world where people’s

Rotorua, brought together more than 200 delegates to the APFC under

aspirations are changing rapidly and dramatically, it is not enough

the general theme ‘Forests for Prosperity’.

to simply lift people above the poverty line. A proactive prosperity-

While the formal forest sector already contributes more than USD 450 billion to the global economy each year, far more could be achieved if greater attention was given to increasing the volume and

enhancing approach must be pursued - and more efficient economic activity in the forest sector has the potential to assist us in that regard.” Forests cover an estimated 740 million hectares in Asia and the

improving the quality of products and services available in the forests

Pacific, or more than one-quarter (26 percent) of the total land surface.

of the region - and by doing so in more efficient and sustainable ways.

However, on a per capita basis, Asia and the Pacific is the least-forested

Regional forestry experts at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

region of the world, with only 0.2 hectares of forest per person. While

of the United Nations say a higher priority should be given to adding

the net area of forests in the Asia-Pacific region actually expanded at a

value to forest products, instead of harvesting and selling low-value,

rate of 1.4 million hectares per year during the last decade, the increase

unprocessed forest commodities - an all-too-common practice found

was due to major investments in reforestation and afforestation in a

in many countries of Asia and the Pacific. There are already existing

relatively small number of countries, while forests continue to be cleared

good practices in this region for increasing prosperity, and these could

and damaged in many other countries of the region. Therefore, the APFC

be replicated the delegates were told. The multi-billion dollar wooden

delegates will consider a wide range of challenges and approaches in

furniture industries of China and Vietnam are examples of the enormous

relation to the push for greater prosperity.

DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR to present the ‘World of Handmade Carpets’ and the second edition of ‘InnovAction flooring’ in 2014 international exhibitors were shown together in the same halls. In 2014, international handmade carpets producers will appear separately in hall W5 where rugs, education, demonstrations of techniques and historical and cultural influences will merge to create an educational buying experience. Machine made carpets and rugs will remain in hall W1, the traditional international hall for this product category. Leading producing countries including Iran, India and Pakistan will install pavilions at the handmade carpet area with many other international producers. In addition, daily live performances will demonstrate techniques, materials, cultural influences and distinguished product characteristics, providing both entertainment and education value for visitors and increased opportunity for exhibiting manufacturers. Last year, nearly 4,000 visitors voted in the online ‘InnovAction flooring’ campaign where 200 new and innovative products could be Image © DOMOTEX asia

pre-viewed. A selection of those products was also displayed together in a special venue at the show. The InnovAction program, which is

The 16th edition of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR, the leading flooring

designed to highlight the show’s newest products, is also meant to

show in Asia-Pacific, is set to take place from March 25-27, 2014 in

increase interaction between visitors and exhibitors by providing a

Shanghai and will cover 140,000 gross square meters and add new or

convenient, online method to set appointments with manufacturers. In

expanded specialty venues such as the ‘World of Handmade Carpets’

its first year, the program resulted in 644 pre-show contacts. In 2014,

and an enhanced appointment setting feature in the InnovAction

show organizers will expand the interactive online system for pre-

program. The organizers have also announced that online pre-

viewing selected products, promotional opportunities and appointment

registration is now open at www.domotexasiachinafloor.com and

setting. The physical InnovAction spotlight venue will also move into

admittance for pre-registered visitors is free.

the Architects and Designers Hub and all pre-registered visitors will

In the past, handmade and machine made carpets and rugs from

10 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

have access to the online service.

NEWS

‘Signature’ achievement on forests at UN climate talks Nations meeting in Warsaw at UN talks have agreed on a significant step forward towards curbing emissions from deforestation. A package

requirements and establish a process to allocate money. According to Paul Bledsoe, an energy research fellow at the German

of measures has been agreed that will give ‘results-based’ payments

Marshall Fund, who attended the talks, it is a significant step. “The

to developing nations that cut carbon by leaving trees standing.

ministers have been working for almost 10 years to finalise the rules

According to reports, this was the ‘signature achievement’ of these

which will allow donors to invest in forest management practices in the

talks, especially given that deforestation accounts for about 20 percent

developing world and get a way to verify the emissions reductions. I

of global emissions of carbon dioxide. The meeting in Warsaw follows

think this agreement allowing for investments in forests in developing

an agreement between the UK, US, Norway and Germany on a USD 280

countries is probably the signature achievement of these talks.”

million package of finance that will be managed by the World Bank’s BioCarbon fund to promote more sustainable use of land.

This view was echoed by Pipa Elias from the Union of Concerned Scientists. With the technical and financing decisions signed and

Negotiators have agreed a package of decisions that will reduce

sealed at today’s plenary, the Redd+ house is built, though there will

emissions from deforestation and forest degradation plus pro-forest

be a bit more work in terms of furnishing it. “The biggest issue is that

activities (known as Redd+). The ‘results based’ payments system

developed countries still need to ante up the USD 20-35 billion a

means that countries with forests will have to provide information

year necessary for a global Redd+ programme. But, in the meantime,

on safeguards for local communities or biodiversity before they can

developing countries can get started now. We couldn’t be more thrilled

receive any money. The delegates also agreed to finalize the technical

with this outcome,” said Elias.

European initiative to accelerate the responsibly sourced tropical timber market Over forty private and public organizations have jointly launched the European Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (European STTC) in Amsterdam on November 6, 2013. The coalition aims to increase European demand for timber from sustainably managed tropical forests. Evaluations conducted by the World Bank and the UNEP concluded that sustainable forest management is an effective way to combat deforestation. As a result, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative initiated this coalition. With an aim to increase demand from sustainably managed forests to a mainstream level, the European STTC wants to see sustainable management of up to 10 million hectares of tropical forest by 2015. “We need to increase responsibly sourced tropical timber to protect the existing tropical forests and their inhabitants. The European STTC will boost demand at European level to create a business case for sustainable forest management,” said Hans Stout, Program Director - IDH. “We strive to bring responsibly produced tropical timber from niche to mainstream by increasing the demand for responsibly produced tropical timber. Thus we contribute to the survival of the forests and ensuring a viability supply of tropical timber.” The European STTC is linked to initiatives that work closely with the local stakeholders, companies, governments and certification companies such as FSC to stimulate tropical forest management. The launch event brought together companies, trade organizations, NGOs and national and local government representatives from across Europe. Among the speakers were Heiko Liedeker, Head of the Forest, Law, Governance and Trade unit at the European

timber and paper in all our operations by 2020. The aim of the

Forest Institute; Carolien Gehrels, Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam;

European STTC to reach a tipping point through a collaborative

Peter Dewees, Forests Adviser at the World Bank; and Alhassan

commitment across the industry is welcomed and will no doubt help

Attah, Tropical Timber Product consultant. With key partners, it

the European market lead the way.”

aims to make the business case for certification more attractive for concession holders. Jamie Lawrence, Senior Sustainability Advisor - Kingfisher Net

Minister Sharon Dijksma of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs said: “I am very happy we succeeded in bringing together so many partners from the private and public sector to work on the same

Positive: “At Kingfisher, timber and wood-fiber is a fundamental

goal: sustainable tropical forest management. This coalition is a

resource. Timber makes up a considerable proportion of our cost

support for the EU action plan on combating illegal timber trade

of goods. Our aspiration is to ‘create more forests than we use’

and contributes to the goals of the International Tropical Timber

by 2050 and we aim to achieve 100 percent responsibly sourced

Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.”

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 11

NEWS

High-res map of world forests details true loss to ecosystems Scientists have teamed up with Google and the U.S. government to

ability to zoom in on small regions of the globe and see how forest cover

create the first high-resolution map of the world’s forests, using detailed

has changed over time.

satellite imagery to document growth and loss of some of the planet’s key ecosystems over time. “Geographers and climate scientists have been using satellites for a

And what the scientists found in terms of deforestation has alarmed them. Between 2000 and 2012, some 880,000 square miles of forest were lost, largely in tropical and subtropical areas. Only 309,000 square

few decades in order to observe the Earth’s surface, but the resulting

miles of forest were gained during that period. What’s more, while the

images were big, blurry messes,” says Matthew Hansen, a professor

satellite images confirmed that the rate of deforestation in Brazilian rain

of geographical sciences at the University of Maryland who led the

forests - once the highest in the world - is on the decline, and indeed has

research team. “This project is a really big deal in terms of special detail.

been cut in half, ‘intensive forestry’ in developing countries in Africa and

It’s a long-held goal of our discipline to do accurate mapping of Earth’s

Asia more than offset the gains achieved in Brazil.

and the land’s surface and how it changed over time.” Using archived imagery captured by a NASA satellite called Landsat,

In fact, tropical climates exhibited a distinct trend of forest loss that increased by 811 square miles each year, the scientists found. That

Hansen and his team used Google Earth Engine computing to map a

means countries like Paraguay, Malaysia and Cambodia, which had the

detailed view of global forests at 30-meter resolution that they say is

highest rates of forest loss of all the countries studied, are engaging

a vast improvement over previous knowledge of forest cover. It has

in massive deforestation to produce items - like timber, soybeans and

allowed them to quantify forest gain and loss each year from 2000 to

palm oil - all linked to industrial development that the researchers say is

2012, whether from logging, fires or storms. Users of the map have the

harmful to biodiversity.

Quebec Wood Export Bureau hosts seminar in Dubai of Canada to the United Arab Emirates in Dubai and the speakers for the seminar included Normand Hudon (pictured), Architect and President, CoArchitecture Inc.; Mario D. Gonçalves, ing., President, PatenaudeTrempe Inc.; John Stewart, Consultant, Stewart & Leong Consulting LLC; Denis Rousseau, Director, Quality and Markets, Québec Forest Industry Council; and Colin Templeton, National and International Forestry Advisor, Canadian Council of Forest Ministers. “Our objective is to increase the participants’ awareness about the potential to use wood as a structural material in residential and non-residential construction. Our speakers have demonstrated how to best exploit wood’s structural advantages by combining it with other building materials, such as steel and concrete; highlighted the attributes of Canadian wood products in construction as well as appearance applications; and showcased the Canadian expertise in wood-frame building systems and technologies,” said Sven Gustavsson, Softwood Lumber Manager at QWEB. The Middle East construction market is heavily dominated by concrete and steel. Wood is not commonly used in structural applications and is perceived as a disposable forming and scaffolding material. Hardwoods are used in the medium to high-end interior finishing sector along with various types of stone and ceramic materials that have been dominant in the GCC region. Some recent projects such as the planned Guggenheim Museum and the just finalized Library at the Masdar Institute, both in Abu Dhabi, show there’s a potential for wood to be used as a structural material in the GCC. “While wood as a building material is still at a nascent stage in the GCC The Quebec Wood Export Bureau (QWEB) welcomed over 50 architects,

region, in the short-term, one potential avenue for success is to combine

construction consultants, designers and other construction sector

building materials so that the advantages with steel, concrete and

representatives from the United Arab Emirates and countries in the

wood are all optimized. This way of building, commonly called Hybrid

Gulf region to a seminar on advanced wood-based building solutions

Construction, is gaining in popularity, notably in Asia. However some

in Dubai. The ‘Advanced Wood-based Building Solutions for the Gulf

education and advocacy is needed to familiarize the local industry on

Cooperation Council Region’ seminar was co-hosted with the Canadian

this new concept and method of building, while highlighting its long-term

Consulate General in Dubai and supported by Natural Resources Canada,

sustainability. Common wood construction methods need to be adapted

Société d’habitation du Québec, Canadian Council of Forest Ministers,

to the extreme climate conditions and risk for termite infestations

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Canadian Embassy to

present in the GCC. It is important to address these issues and propose

Kuwait and Qatar.

appropriate technical solutions,” added Alain Boulet, Wood Construction

Opening remarks on the day were delivered by the Consulate General

12 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

Manager at QWEB.

See the Stamp. Trust the Quality.

about N ELMA The Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (N E LMA) has represented the softwood lumber industry located in the Northeastern USA since 1933. N E LMA establishes the lumber grading rules for Eastern White Pine and is the grading authority for Balsam Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPFs) species grouping and other commercially important eastern softwood lumber species. The Association offers a wide range of reference materials to assist in the purchase and use of softwood lumber products manufactured by its member companies.

Contact:

Visit nelma.org for: Lumber Grading Rules Grade Photos Technical Brochures Construction Design Values

Interior & Exterior Product Profiles Installation Tips End-Use Application Photos Manufacturer Contact Information

info@nelma.org

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 13

SUSTAINABILITY

The potential role of Wood Acetylation in climate change mitigation Carbon negative window frames: fiction or reality?

Image © Accsys Technologies

he world-leading environmental

life span of the durable acetylated

oxygen in return, and store this in their

credentials of Accoya wood

wood. Timber Design & Technology

tissue and soil, and after harvest in

had been explored in a

learns more about the potential role

durable wood products throughout their

previous issue of the magazine. An

of wood acetylation in climate change

lifespan. As such, forests and wood

updated cradle-to-gate analysis of

mitigation from Dr. Pablo van der Lugt

products play an important role (both

the revolutionary modified wood by

& Dr. Joost Vogtländer, Delft University

negative and positive) in the global

leading climate change consultancy

of Technology, Faculty of Industrial

carbon cycle through deforestation,

Verco had shown that Accoya’s carbon

Design Engineering, Design for

forest conservation, afforestation

footprint significantly outperforms

Sustainability, the Netherlands.

(planting of trees on soils that have not

most other building materials, including

supported forests in the recent past)

sourced hardwoods. A subsequent

Role of Forests and Wood on Global warming

carbon footprint analysis by the

There are various strategies for

Although afforestation in temperate

Delft University of Technology on a

climate change mitigation either by

regions is a positive development, for

cradle-to-grave basis then took these

reducing the causes of CO2 emissions

the world as a whole, carbon stocks

life cycle aspects into account and

(e.g. higher energy efficiency, better

in forest biomass still decreased by

revealed that Accoya window frames

insulation, using renewable energy,

an estimated 0.5 Gigatons due to

are CO2 negative over the full life cycle

etc) or by increasing the sinks (carbon

deforestation in (sub)tropical regions

of the product, mainly thanks to the

sequestration), in which forests and

worldwide between 2005 and 2010

limited emissions during production

forest products play a major role.

(Figure 1), where a region of over

and benefits gained from carbon

During growth, trees absorb CO2 from

8 million hectares was deforested,

sequestration during the considerable

the atmosphere, while producing

according to the FAO Global Forest

even a wide range of sustainably-

14 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

and increasing application of wood in durable (construction) products.

SUSTAINABILITY

Resources Assessment 2010.

Trends in carbon stocks in forest biomass per region (Gigatons)

Combined with the conversion of forests to agricultural land or for the development of infrastructure, one of the main causes of deforestation

Africa

in tropical regions is illegal logging of tropical hardwood from rainforests,

Asia

which is high in demand worldwide because of its superior performance over softwood in terms of durability, hardness and sometimes dimensional stability. Although the amount of sustainable sourced and certified tropical hardwood on the market is increasing - due in part to new legal

Europe North & Central America Oceania

requirements like the EUTR becoming obligatory in March 2013 and the expanded Lacey Act in the USA -

South America

demand is still considerably higher than supply, and sustainable and durable alternatives are needed to reduce

20 1990

40 2000

100

120

2010

pressure on endangered sources.

Wood modification for improved sustainability

Figure 1: Trends in carbon storage in forests from 1990-2010 (source: FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010)

A promising route enabling legally

an excellent performance in terms of

and sustainably sourced - but poor

durability (class 1 according to EN 350)

Carbon Footprint for Accoya® Wood: Cradle to Gate Assessment

performance - temperate wood species

and stability, making it a promising

In a carbon footprint assessment, the

to be used in high performance

alternative in exterior applications

greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) during

applications is through large-scale non-

where tropical hardwood is typically

the life cycle of a material can be

toxic wood modification. Acetylation

used such as joinery, decking, cladding,

measured, and compared to alternative

is the leading known method. Through

as well as structural applications.

products in terms of kg CO2 equivalent

Accoya’s carbon footprint significantly outperforms most other building materials including even a wide range of sustainably-sourced hardwoods

following the Greenhouse Gas Reporting

process, Accoya is guaranteed to have

the acetylation process, the unstable hydroxyl (OH) groups in wood are replaced by a wood’s naturally occurring and more stable acetyl groups, through which the dimensional stability and durability of the treated wood species significantly increases. Acetylated wood has been developed to commercial scale by the UK based company Accsys Technologies under the brand name Accoya wood. Through the optimized

(CO2e). Recently a carbon footprint, Protocol of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and World Resource Institute (WRI) was executed by independent consulting firm Verco (2012) for Accoya based on a cradle to gate scenario, thus until the factory gate. This includes sourcing, harvesting and processing of the input timber, as well as all energy and raw

Image © Accsys Technologies

material consumption in the acetylation plant of Accsys Technologies in Arnhem, the Netherlands. Figure 3 presents the results in cubic meters Accoya including several other material alternatives. The graph above shows that, on a cradle-to-gate basis, Accoya’s carbon footprint significantly outperforms most other commonly used building materials such as concrete, PVC, MDF, plywood as well as a range of tropical hardwoods such as Azobe and Red Meranti, even when sourced from sustainable managed plantations. Logically, because of the shorter transport distance, the Accoya scenarios based on continental sourced wood perform better than the intercontinental scenarios. Figure 2: Accoya® wood used for cladding, decking and structural beams in boathouse in Horning, Norfolk, UK.

However, a cradle-to-gate analysis does not cover the in-use and end

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 15

SUSTAINABILITY

A promising route enabling legally and sustainably sourced but poor performance - temperate wood species to be used in high performance applications is through largescale non-toxic wood modification Image © Accsys Technologies

of the wood in-use is longer, which is

emissions are likely to be centered

Carbon negative window frames: Cradle to Grave Assessment

around material properties such as

Just like in the 2010 LCA study, an

the predicted longer useful life.

density or strength, which dictate the

application, a window frame, was

volume of material required; durability

chosen in which Accoya has been

system, waste wood (from saw mills,

of the material, which influences

compared with non-renewable

planing, profiling, etc) and acetic acid

lifespan; maintenance procedures

materials (metals, plastics). In order

from the acetylation process are

and frequency; carbon sequestration

for the comparison to be fair, all

dealt with by the so-called ‘system

properties of renewable materials; and

alternatives in this application have to

expansion’ and ‘credits’ for ‘substitution’

Disposal and recycling routes available.

meet the same functional requirements.

in line with ISO 14044. For acetic acid

The assessment includes End of Life

this means that the GHG emissions

oranges’, for a complete ‘cradle till

considerations and the effect of carbon

resulting from the ‘avoided acetic acid

grave’ assessment, the carbon footprint

sequestration over a 100-year time

production elsewhere’ is subtracted

results per cubic meter from the graph

frame following leading standards in

from the total GHG emissions of Accoya.

need to be ‘translated’ to an application

carbon footprint and LCA (ILCD, PAS

For the wood waste, it is assumed that

example to include the in-use and end

2050: 2011 and the EN norm under

100 percent is incinerated for energy

of life phase related aspects mentioned

development EN16449). These methods

production, applying the Lower Heating

above. This subsequent analysis was

allow for the carbon sequestered in the

Value of the waste material. In Western

performed by Delft University of

wood to be included as a negative CO2

Europe, this is a plausible assumption.

Technology (2013), who also executed

value with respect to the emissions,

This energy output from biomass

the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for

which can be deducted from the total

substitutes heat from oil, leading to

Accoya wood in 2010.

fossil CO2 emissions. A higher negative

a ‘carbon credit’ for the avoided use

of life phase of the product. For the materials illustrated above, in-use

To avoid comparing ‘apples with

Greenhouse gas emissions in kgCO2e per m3 of material Aluminium Steel Red Meranti (unsustainably sourced) Azobe (unsustainably sourced) PVC Western Red Cedar (unsustainably sourced) Concrete Ceramic tile Plywood (sustainably sourced) MDF (sustainably sourced) Azobe (sustainably sourced) Red Meranti (sustainably sourced) Accoya (Radiata Pine) Accoya (USA Alder) Accoya (EU Alder) Western Red Cedar (sustainably sourced) Accoya (Scots Pine)

CO2e value is allocated if the life span beneficial for acetylated wood due to The two co-products of the product

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

24,732 11,388 4,905 4,793 4,278 3,795 2,185 1,560 638 495 393 359 342 293 204 195 140

Figure 3: the greenhouse gas emissions of several building materials per cubic meter based on a cradle to gate scenario (Verco 2012, University of Bath 2011, Ecoinvent 2012)

16 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

SUSTAINABILITY

GreenHouse gas emission in kgCO2e per window frame per material 400

300

200

100

-100

input material

transport

Accoya Radiata Pine Accoya Acots Pine

profilingc Accoya EU Alder Accoya USA Alder

Greenhouse gas emissions in kgCO2e per window frame material (cradle to grave) Red Meranti (unsustainably sourced) Aluminium PVC / Steel Accoya (Radiata Pine) Accoya (USA Alder) Accoya (EU Alder) Red Meranti (sustainably sourced) Accoya (Scots Pine)

gc oating

carbon sequestration

end of life

Red Meranti (sustainable) Red Meranti (unsustainable)

-100

TOTAL

Aluminium PVC / Steel

100

200

300

400

314.4 132.5 116.0 -7.5 -11.2 -18.8 -23.0 -25.0

Figures 4 & 5: Greenhouse gas emissions for a window frame in various material alternatives of oil. The results of the cradle to

during production. In the case of

maintenance (coatings) of the window

grave window frame comparison are

tropical hardwood from rain forests

frames appears to be negligible in the

presented in the graphs below, first

(deforestation), the picture totally shifts

total context.

per process step (Figure 4) then for the

and wood is the worst performing

total emissions (Figure 5).

alternative (see unsustainably sourced

that the credit for temporary carbon

From the results, it is obvious

Meranti). This shows the importance

sequestration has a large impact

from the graphs above. On account of

of conservation of tropical rainforests

on the outcome. It is important to

the limited emissions during production

as they act as important carbon sinks.

note here that there is still a lot of

in case of sustainable sourcing, and

The eco-burden of transport and

discussion going on in working

Several conclusions can be made

credits that can be earned through carbon sequestration (especially in case of a long lifespan) and incineration for electricity in the End of Life phase, all wood products, including Accoya, are CO2 negative over the full life cycle. The best performing alternative is Accoya made from locally sourced species (in this case Scots Pine). Non-renewable materials PVC, steel and aluminium perform considerably worse than sustainably sourced wood, especially because of the high embodied energy (emissions during production). Although through recycling aluminum, PVC and steel earn some credits back, this does not outweigh the high emissions

Image ÂŠ Accsys Technologies

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 17

SUSTAINABILITY

Greenhouse gas emission in kgCO2e per window frame material (cradle to grave) Red Meranti (unsustainably sourced) Aluminium PVC / Steel Accoya (Radiata Pine) Accoya (USA Alder) Accoya (EU Alder) Red Meranti (sustainably sourced) Accoya (Scots Pine)

-100

100

200

300

400

300.2 132.5 116.0 3.2 -0.4 -7.5 -11.2 -13.2

Figure 6: Greenhouse gas emissions for a window frame in various material alternatives excluding credit for temporary carbon sequestration groups of LCA and carbon footprint methodology (most notably PAS 2050, ILCD and WRI/WBCSD GHG protocol) on how to exactly allocate credits for temporary storage of biogenic carbon in wood products. Nevertheless, if the temporary carbon sequestration credit would be neglected and only the credit for energy production in End-of-Life would apply, the results would slightly change, with most of the wood alternatives (except Accoya made from Radiata Pine), still carbon negative

land is becoming scarce, especially when

Acetylation seems to be the right solution as it enables an abundantly available resource (legally sourced timber from temperate regions) to substitute tropical hardwood

(Figure 6).

current materials (metals, fossil fuels) will be replaced by renewable materials like wood and crops for biomass. The high growing speed of species suitable to produce Accoya such as Radiata Pine is an environmental competitive advantage over regular wood species, and in particular slow growing tropical hardwood species. Therefore, the annual yield is another aspect of sustainability, which should to be taken into account in addition to the carbon footprint performance results presented earlier

Conclusion

Land-use change is incorporated in LCA indicators like Recipe and eco-costs. It

(Figure 7). This does put the results of the

It should be noted that several

is strongly related to the harvesting of

carbon footprint in another perspective

environmental issues cannot be caught

tropical hardwood. For example, globally

by looking at a global level. One of the

by a carbon footprint. Although the

FSC certified tropical hardwood is partly

striking conclusions of the cradle to grave

scope of an LCA is a lot broader than

sourced from plantations (40 percent),

carbon footprint comparison is that when

the carbon footprint, and also includes

but the rest is still coming from natural

sourced from tropical rainforests, wood

several other eco-indicators besides

forests (harvested with Reduced Impact

is the worst performing alternative. This

GHG emissions (global warming effect),

Harvesting), having a negative impact on

shows the importance of conservation of

such as acidification, euthrophication,

biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

(tropical) forests as they act as important

smog, dust, toxicity, depletion, land-use

Yield of land is another specific aspect

carbon sinks, and the need to search

and waste, in both instruments the issue

of sustainability, not included in a carbon

for (rapidly) renewable alternatives

of social sustainability is not included.

footprint, which is related to the fact that

from abundantly available sustainable managed sources. Acetylation seems

Wood Species Annual Yield m / ha / year 3

to be the right solution as it enables an abundantly available resource (legally sourced timber from temperate regions) to substitute tropical hardwood, and due to the improved performance characteristics (durability, stability) even materials such as plastics, metals and concrete. On a global level, Accoya may help in further reducing greenhouse gas emissions directly on a product level through temporary carbon sequestration in products but more importantly on a global level by substitution of carbon intensive materials such as hardwood from tropical rain forests, plastics, concrete and metals. Furthermore, it provides a powerful drive for reforestation as softwood species can now serve as input for high

Figure 7: Annual yield for various wood species in cubic meters produced per hectare per year

18 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

performance wood.

modified wood by Accsys Technologies

www.accoya.com

DURABLE STABLE & SUSTAINABLE

Villa Bie, Denmark

Created from sustainably sourced wood and completely non-toxic, Accoya® is a revolution in wood technology:

- Guaranteed for 50 years above ground - Guaranteed for 25 years below ground - Exceptional dimensional stability - Outstanding coating performance for low maintenance - Consistent quality throughout - Available as FSC® and PEFC™ certified wood - Cradle to Cradle Gold certified

Louis Vuitton facade, Cancun, Mexico

AVAILABLE FROM: Private residence, France

Maritime Harbour Office, Vilanova de Arousa, Spain

PEFC/30-31-040

ACCOYA® and the Trimarque Device are registered trademarks owned by Titan Wood Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Accsys Technologies PLC, and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.

Feramo Morocco www.feramo.ma

Ritikkaa India www.ritikaawood.com

Tailormade South Africa Email: tmj@worldonline.co.za

Taigawood UAE Email: tom.day@taigawood.com

Vertex Israel www.vertex-accoya.co.il

Yew Distinct Wood Lebanon www.yewdistinctwood-accoya.com

Waitrose Supermarket, Bracknell, UK December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 19

MARKET REPORT

Opportunity in Woodworking Machinery Market in India - 2013 20 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

MARKET REPORT

he Indian Woodworking

agents, such as HBR Consultants

India, which falls under the main

Machinery (WWM) industry is

and Woodtech, who are positioned

agenda of whichever government

made up of over 200 types,

as consultants. Some of the Indian

that comes to power. The

classified into Solid Woodworking

manufacturers also import products

fundamentals like growing demand

Machinery and Panel Processing

from Taiwan and China to complete

for houses and commercial space

Machinery. The WWM market is

their product range.

in India will largely drive growth,

estimated at USD 70-80 million,

The industry mainly caters to the

coupled with positive government

including imported and domestically

needs of the primary processors,

policies. Though in the near term,

manufactured products. These are

which would mean the primary saw

considering the following challenges

the findings of a report published

mills and secondary saw mills, the

we see a lower growth, the scenario

by Feedback Business Consulting

secondary processors of plywood,

is expected to improve over the

Private Limited.

particle board and MDF and the

long term.

manufacturers of end products such

• Tight Liquidity

processing machinery accounts for

as furniture, construction and panel

• Lower economic growth

30–35 percent, which is largely

boards under panel processing

projections in the near term

dominated by imported brands.

products and construction and

• Weakening rupee value

Edge Banders, CNC Routers and

woodcraft, under solid woodwork.

• Increasing Inflationary conditions

Of the overall market, panel

Panel Saws are some of the popular

The future of the industry is

• Upcoming elections

products, accounting for around

projected to be healthy, considering

• Deterioration in credit metrics

15 percent of the panel processing

the long-term stability in the Asian

• Declining profitability

machinery market. On the back of

and Indian markets. Construction

• Lower absorption rates of

the growth in the modular furniture

is one of the sunshine segments in

residential & commercial properties

industry, these products have gained popularity in the last few years. However driven by their

Company Category

Market Share

demand for good quality and timely delivery of products, the furniture

Foreign Companies

25 - 30%

and construction segments prefer

Large Indian Manufacturers

30 - 35%

imported machinery.

Importers

18 - 22%

Small Indian Manufacturers

18 - 22%

Solid woodworking machinery however continues to be dominated by Indian manufacturers. Sanders, Moulders, Tenoners and shapers are a few fast moving products, accounting for nearly 15 percent of the solid woodworking machinery market. Solid woodworking machinery users are largely fragmented, unlike panel processing users, which allows the presence of regional suppliers. There are around 5 large Indian companies participating in the business, which includes the likes of Jai Industries and Kalyan Industries. Foreign companies, such as Homag, Biesse and Felder have a direct presence in India through subsidiaries. There are over 100 small Indian manufacturers in the fray as well and large import

The future of the industry is projected to be healthy, considering, the long-term stability in the Asian and Indian markets Geographical Spread of Machinery Companies

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 21

MARKET REPORT

The fundamentals like growing demand for houses and commercial space in India will largely drive growth, coupled with positive government policies Though the downturn poses challenges, it also opens up a certain kind of opportunity in terms of exploring the market and planning the market entry well, setting up facilities and building channel / distribution capabilities. Feedback Consultingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report analyses these parameters well to project the long term sustainability of the business. The report also assesses the market for Woodworking Machinery in India for FY 2013 and forecasts

Growth Rate

the same until FY 2018. The aim

Scenario

of the research is to present a

Short Term (Next 2 - 3 years)

06 - 10%

comprehensive overview of the

Mid Term (Next 3 - 5 years)

08 - 12%

WWM market, the market practices,

Long Term (Next 5 - 8 years)

12 - 15%

the factors driving it and its future outlook in India.

Future Growth Model

About Feedback Business Consulting Feedback Business Consulting is one of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading B2B research based consulting firm, serving clients since 1985. Feedback Business Consulting services cover market research, strategic advisory, customer experience engagements and implementation assistance. Currently, our 120+ resources (includes science, engineering and MBA graduates) operate out of 4 offices in India (Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai). Feedback also has its own overseas representatives in the US and Europe. Feedback Consulting has grown in strength from a market research firm (B2B, Consumer, Customer satisfaction) to a full services firm with a business advisory focus. Our credibility stems from our diverse sector record (over 36 sectors), extensive experience (3,500 engagements), tangible results (over US$7 billion investments in India) and exposure to leading firms (over 600). For more info: www.feedbackconsulting.com

22 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 23

ANALYSIS

For the love of Wood W

ood frequently loses out to alternative materials because it is often little

understood and designers are afraid to specify it. However, a little bit of research will go a long way and, in many applications, using wood will often prove to be the better and, more environmentally-beneficial, solution. Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director for Africa, Middle East, South Asia and Oceania explores why wood often loses out to other materials despite being sustainable, versatile and beautiful. I have to acknowledge Criswell Davis, hardwood guru and consultant to the American Hardwood Export Council, for much of my understanding of specifying timber. In all his many presentations to architects and interior designers on designing with American hardwoods, he says that for every successful project the designer must fulfill three key objectives: they must conceive a vision, convey that vision to the client and then make it deliverable. In order to achieve all three, especially the last one, the designer must be familiar enough with the materials being specified to know that delivering the project will not be a problem. Unfortunately, familiarity with materials is often an issue, but the designer cannot really be expected to know everything about everything. Sadly, however, the one material that often poses the greatest challenge to designers is timber and, as a result, it is frequently specified unrealistically or, worse still, not specified at all.

Image ÂŠ AHEC

24 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

ANALYSIS

Timber is not rocket science, but it is not that simple either. And yet, for the uninitiated, wood is just plain wood. Actually, there are myriad wood and wood-based products available, some high tech and some fairly straightforward, some for interior use, some for exterior use, some for construction and some for decoration. In fact, there is a wood product suitable for almost every conceivable application in every conceivable climate. One of the problems with wood is the very fact that there are so many products available and from so many different suppliers and wood products can only rarely be treated Image © Marks & Spencer

as commodities. Then there is the question of whether or not wood can be considered to be a sound choice on environmental grounds. Well, in fact, provided it derives from a sustainably managed forest, timber is, arguably, the most environmentally-friendly material available. It has a very low (often negative) carbon footprint, it is

The one material that often poses the greatest challenge to designers is timber and, as a result, it is frequently specified unrealistically or, worse still, not specified at all

meaning that lightweight timber members can provide the same structural strength as much heavier alternatives. Wood has very low thermal conductivity compared to many other building materials. This means that it can act as a superior barrier to both heat and cold, resulting in both lower insulation and energy requirements for a

abundant, it is renewable, it’s harvesting and processing do not

the world’s forests valuable. If they

building, i.e. lower carbon emissions

use or produce harmful chemicals or

are not valuable as forests, then

and lower running costs. Wood has

by-products and it has low embodied

they may well be converted to some

excellent acoustic properties and

energy. The same cannot be said

other use and lost forever.

it can also provide health benefits

for almost any other material,

What about performance? Well,

over, say, alternative flooring materials, such as carpet.

even factoring in transport to the

wood also has many strong technical

Indian subcontinent. In fact, it is

qualities, often out-performing

tremendously important that we do

competing materials. It has a very

wood also boasts natural fire

use wood, as demand for it makes

high strength to weight ratio,

resistance. The keyword for timber’s

Contrary to perceived wisdom,

behavior in fire is predictability. Although it burns, this occurs at a predictable speed known as the charring rate. The thermal insulation properties of timber are such that the wood just a few millimeters inside the burning zone is only warm. This is in contrast to high thermal conductivity materials such as steel, which heat up more uniformly giving rise to problems of expansion and loss of strength over the whole section. Research has shown that a space clad in wood or made of wood is often just a better place to be. For example, in a three-year study of 700 schools, Japanese researchers looked at how the educational environment is shaped by the type of materials used for school buildings, surveying teachers and students to measure their impression Image © Olympic Delivery Authority

of wood versus reinforced concrete.

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 25

ANALYSIS

Image © AHEC

Both groups had similar, favorable

attributes, be they environmental,

pre-eminent architects, Frank Lloyd

impressions of wood over concrete.

technical or aesthetic, that to

Wright: “Wood is a friend of mine.

Results also showed that teachers

not use it wherever possible is

When we use the tree respectively

and students in wood buildings

a missed opportunity. However,

and economically, we have one of

felt less fatigue and that students

before specifying timber, designers

the greatest resources of the earth.

perceived schools with larger areas

should actively seek to improve

It is a beautiful material, friendly to

of wooden interiors to be brighter

their knowledge of the material.

man, the supreme material for his

than reinforced concrete structures.

This is key, so as to ensure the

dwelling purposes. If a man is going

correct specification and, therefore,

to live, he should live with wood.”

Across the Indian subcontinent, I see a wealth of possibilities for

to provide positive inspiration for

timber in structural applications,

other designers. There are many

flooring, decking, cladding, pergolas

free timber information resources

and gazebos, amongst many others

available to architects and designers

and, yet, only some of them have

and they should be encouraged to

been properly embraced. In some

use these. At the same time, the

cases, timber has been used, but

timber industry itself needs to

the specification, or at least, the

step up and seize the opportunity

final execution or material choice

to educate specifiers, while also

has been poor. Is this because if a

putting up a united front to promote

lack of knowledge on the part of

timber as a viable and sustainable

the designer or because of cost or

alternative to other materials.

because of what was available on

One of the problems inherent in

the market at the time or, even,

the timber industry, not just here

because of misrepresentation of

in the Indian subcontinent, but

the product’s capabilities by the

globally, is the fact that it is made

supplier? I suspect that it is often

up of many small and medium

a combination of all of these. I also

enterprises without a united voice.

suspect that these same issues

This has certainly been addressed

have much less affect on more

to some extent in Europe and North

standardized or commodity-type

America, where strong timber

building materials and this could be

industry associations or technical

one of the reasons why designers

bodies exist, but more needs to be

often shy away from using wood in

done in the Indian subcontinent to

the first place.

bring the industry together. After

Timber has so many positive

26 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

About the Author

all, in the words of one of America’s

Roderick Wiles has been analyzing the Indian market for wood products for the past 14 years. He has traveled extensively throughout the Indian subcontinent region, developing a wealth of contacts and experience and providing consultancy services to a range of government and industry clients on a long term or one-off basis. For more information, see www.broadleafconsulting.com

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 27

the source

Mahesh Group: A market-leading supplier and processor of timber T

he Mahesh Group is a leading

private company in 1998, the Group

Indian customers. Working closely with

group of companies dealing in

has, in the span of 15 years, achieved

both its clients and suppliers, the Group

timber products including Logs,

several milestones. International

is always prepared to anticipate their

Lumber, Core Veeners / Face Veeners,

expansion was initiated with the

demands and ensure that the right,

Plywoods and Panel products with a

establishment of Mahesh Timber

transparent, and fluent information is

focus on the Indian market. Established

Singapore Pte. Ltd. and Amazon Exports

communicated to both parties. Through

as a sole proprietorship in 1952 and

Pte. Ltd., which started procurement in

its network of branches in Singapore,

incorporated as a private company in

Sarawak, Malaysia. In addition, MTSPL

Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Germany

1998, the Group has a more than five

Overseas SDN BHD Malaysia was

and India and leveraging its established

decades of experience in the sector and

started and an Amazon Representative

relationships with suppliers across the

today maintains extensive sawmilling

Office was established in Myanmar.

globe, it offers a dedicated delivery

operations, shipping and transport

The Group also launched its own

service and experienced, specialist-

agency in Gujarat. Having grown from a

shipping operations and procurement of

trained professionals ready to put

small timber retail business in Haryana

softwood products, including pine and

forth support, meeting the specific

into the one of the largest exporter

spruce from Europe and New Zealand.

requirements of the customers. Timber

of timber logs to the Indian market

In 2011, Amazon Export LLC was

Design & Technology takes a closer look

from Malaysia, Europe, Myanmar, New

incorporated in the U.S. with a view to

at the operations of the Mahesh Group.

Zealand, Vietnam, USA and Canada,

source pine logs and lumber, and a year

the Group today trades over 800,000

later the Group opened its Hamburg

cubic meters annually and employs

office to start their own procurement

Sourcing quality timber from across the globe

over 1,000 people in India, Singapore,

operations from Middle and Western

Currently, the Mahesh Group sources

Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Germany,

Europe. With hardwood and softwood

timber logs and lumber from Malaysia,

Belgium and the Middle East. With a

distribution offices advantageously

Myanmar, Vietnam & PNG, and Pine logs

vision to be a market-leading trader

spread in the East, West and North

from the U.S., Canada, New Zealand,

and distributor of timber products

Indian market, the Group today is able

Germany and Belgium. To this end, it

including logs, structural lumber and

to meet customer needs in a timely

has established procurement offices in

panel products, the Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core values

fashion.

Sarawak & Sabah in Malaysia, Hanoi

are reflected in every choice that it makes. Following its incorporation as a

28 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

A strong international network of

in Vietnam and Yangon in Myanmar.

suppliers ensures that the Group is able

Further, the Group is able to offer FSC

to supply the global requirements of its

and PEFC certified sustainable pine

THE SOURCE

timber from its procurement offices

or flat grain either sharpened rough,

Global reach

in the U.S., Germany and New Zealand

surfaced, edged, or precision-milled

With a view to offer value-added

to importers and processors in India.

to the exact given specifications of its

services to its customers and remain

Aiming to become a true one-stop shop,

customers.

a step ahead of their competitors,

the Group has also diversified into

The Mahesh Group is also

the Mahesh Group has diversified

other wood and panel products and has

comprehensively involved in

into shipping and currently has an

been offering a complete range of high

sawmilling and retailing of hardwoods

international freight forwarding

quality Plywood, Veneer, Fiberboards to

and softwoods imported from

service, which operates as a logistics

its customers for over a decade.

Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand,

and international transport provider.

Australia, Germany, Africa, South

This ability to deliver dependably and

America and Singapore. Further, it also

consistently is critical to the success

has state-of-the-art sawmilling plants

of any business, particularly to the

In order to accommodate smaller

and warehouses for storage spread

Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s timber business. Customers

runs and large orders of any size and

across the booming timber trading

are therefore able to rely on the Group

penetrate deeper into the Indian timber

zones of India, including Gandhidham,

for efficient and flexible delivery

industry, the Mahesh Group expanded

Karnal, Kandla, New Delhi and Punjab.

service, which is actually an enhanced

into hardwood lumber processing. The

Its softwood business is showing

logistics operation and more than

Group has mills located in all of the

particularly strong growth in sales and

simply transporting goods from origin

regional timber hubs across India with

the Group is confident of substantial

to destination. Acting as a complete

the majority of its operations being

growth in the years to come. With

logistics provider, the Group conducts the

focused in Gandhidham ( Kandla /

an annual production capability of

operations of its clients as an extension

Mundra Ports ) in Gujarat on account of

160,000 cubic meters of softwood

of their companies, participating actively

its strategic location as a booming port

spread across 20 sawmills, the

from the planning, to the management of

with a wide network of commercial

Group ensures that operations are

the complete logistics.

and industrial customers. At present,

managed and developed by skilled

the Group is running 20 sawmills with

and experienced hands aided by

Products

an annual capacity of 160,000 cubic

advanced technology. Significantly, its

The Group exports round logs and sawn

meters where hardwood is sawn and

processing plants are benchmarked

timber from across the globe, including

sold. As such, the Group is able to offer

to their most efficient competitors in

Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand,

lumber in vertical grain, mixed grain,

the world.

Russia, PNG, Europe, Africa as

Hardwood and Softwood sawmills

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 29

the source

and certified, to provide the industrial as well as commercial customer base with environmental assurances. It also maintains a philosophy of continual improvement of its forest practices and manufacturing processes to optimize the use of resources and minimize or eliminate the impact of its operations on the environment.

Future The future will dictate that the Mahesh Group will have to adopt different strategies to meet the demand in the changed timber business environment Image © Mahesh Group

of India in light of estimates that the demand for timber is likely to grow from

well as America. These include a wide

at every stage in the production

58 million cubic meters in 2005 to 153

range of Asian and Oceanic, Temperate,

process, the Group carefully monitors

million cubic meters in 2020. Foreseeing

American as well as African logs

its environmental performance,

this, the Group is already in the process

such as Meranti, Merbau, Kapur, Alan

whilst also continuously seeking

of establishing various plywood

Batu, Balau, Keriung , Nyatoh, Reask,

new ways to ensure ever stringent

factories in many regions whilst also

Selangan, Batu, Pyinkadu, Teak, Radiata

environmental targets can not only

investing into the expansion of existing

Pine, Ash, Beech, Cherry, Chestnut,

be met but also surpassed. Currently,

sawmilling plants with latest machinery.

Larch, Maritime Pine, Pinus Sylvestries,

most of the timber is sourced from

Significantly, the Group is also in the

Poplar, Spruce, Sitka Spruce, Balsa,

state government-owned forests and

process of opening sawmilling plants in

Douglas fir, Greenheart, Purpleheart,

is certified under international Forest

booming places like Myanmar, Middle

Maple, Teada Pine, Red Cedar, Azobe,

Stewardship Council (FSC) agreements

East, Gabon and elsewhere.

Mahogany, Okoume, Padouk, Sapelli,

and Programme for the Endorsement

Tali, and Wenge etc.

of Forest Certification scheme (PEFC)

its future growth will revolve around

Lumber is supplied either rough

According to the Group, a key part of

agreements. However, the Group does

providing total timber, shipping and

or finished. Besides pulpwood,

not carry the FSC badge because of the

real estate solutions to its customers by

rough lumber is the raw material for

additional costs, which far outweigh the

expanding the presence of the Group

furniture-making and other items

benefits.

in both national and international

requiring additional cutting and

The Group also maintains a strong

segments. Possibilities are to be explored

shaping. It is available in many species,

responsibility to protect and conserve

for strategic alliances, both for optimal

usually hardwoods. Finished lumber is

the global environment and is strictly

utilization of infrastructure as well as

supplied in standard sizes, mostly for

against the consumption of endemic

expansion into other segments of the

the construction industry, primarily

plant species. This is an integral part of

value chain. As such, the Group’s prospects

softwood from coniferous species

its corporate and social responsibility to

are seen as most healthy and promising

including Pine, Fir and Spruce, Cedar,

preserve the world forests and promote

and its expansion plans most feasible, as

and Hemlock but also some hardwood,

effective forestry management. All of

it already enjoys high levels of recognition

for high-grade flooring.

the Indian and Singapore branches of

both domestically and overseas and is

Mahesh Group have chain-of-custody

well under way in the achievement of its

implemented, independently evaluated

future goals.

The Group also offers a complete range of high quality plywood and natural Core & Face veneers, which are sourced through its network of branches in Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and India. In addition, the Group also stocks & distributes a wide range of high quality Blockboard, MDF, Particleboard and Doors.

Environmental credentials As India’s third largest trader and exporter of timber, the Mahesh Group recognizes that it has a significant responsibility to ensure its impact is minimized on the environment at all times. Sourcing timber from certifiable forests across the globe and recycling

30 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

Image © Mahesh Group

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design & dĂŠcor

American heat treated ash sits pretty on the rooftop of Marseilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new flagship museum Thermal modification limits the ability of ash to absorb moisture thereby rendering it more dimensionally stable and less prone to cup, warp and twist with changes in humidity

32 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

design & dĂŠcor

Image ÂŠ AHEC

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 33

design & décor

he Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations designed by the Algerian-born

French architect Rudy Ricciotti is the flagship project of Marseille’s on-going architectural and cultural renaissance. The museum is located on Marseille’s seafront next to a seventeenth century stronghold, Fort St Jean. Built upon the Greek and Roman vestiges of the antique city-state, the Fort is charged with history and includes a chapel that dates back to the twelfth century. Rudy Riciotti’s classic monolithic design is built around a perfect square; each side of the building is 72 meters. An inner square of 52 meters per side forms the heart of the museum and comprises the exhibition and conference halls. The Image © AHEC

inner structure, which is composed of steel and glass, has been covered with a delicate ornamental skin

intricate shadow patterns that

views of the sea and harbor. At

of filigreed concrete. The same

can be seen as “a projection of

night a lighting scheme designed

innovative material has been used

the bumpy and irregular sea bed”

by Yann Kersalé creates a magical

to create 308 tree-shaped pillars

comments Ricciotti. He goes on to

atmosphere with shades of blue and

that stand at over 8 meters high and

say his Museum is,“open to the sea,

turquoise.

form the vertical structure of the

to draw a horizon where the two

building.

shores of the Mediterranean can

This patterned concrete skin opens the building to natural light and

meet”. The Museum is organized on three

A wonderful setting to showcase heat-treated ash The top floor roof decking, which

views of the sea allowing the marine

levels with an array of exhibitions,

spans a width of 24 meters covering

atmosphere to pervade entirely the

an auditorium and a bookstore. The

an area of 1600 sqm, is made from

inside of the building. Furthermore,

rooftop is a particular feature and

heat-treated American ash, supplied

the lace veil of concrete on the

is set to become an iconic venue for

by Bingaman and Son Lumber

outside of the building creates

the city with beautiful panoramic

Company in Pennsylvania, USA. The

Image © AHEC

34 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

design & décor

top deck sits along the pedestrian route running through the Museum and across Marseille’s historic seafront, so with a constant flow of pedestrians a heavy duty decking solution was essential. “We asked the general contractor to come up with a decking solution that could withstand an average load of 250 kg/m²,” explains Tilman Reichert, the project architect. Eric Durand from Roofmart, the contractor in charge of supplying the heat-treated ash decking comments: “The architect was looking for solutions that would avoid him specifying tropical hardwoods; initially he wanted to try heattreated pine but was not happy with Image © AHEC

the results of the initial trials. The quality of the heat-treated ash we were delivered was first class. When

newer technologies of hardwood

sustainable alternative to imported

the architect saw the samples he

durability enhancement. There’s a

tropical hardwood species.

was won over both by the aesthetic

developing market for thermally

appeal of ash with its characteristic

modified hardwoods and this project

wide rooftop terrace contributes

grain but also its dimensional

publically showcases their potential.

to stabilizing the concrete pergola

stability and long lengths (20x140).”

By processing wood produced from

above it through a clever system of

America’s well-managed hardwood

stainless steel cables. The vast veil

uses a high temperature in a

forests, thermally modified

surrounding the terrace is made up

controlled environment permanently

hardwood provides a quality,

with the same intricate filigreed

altering the wood’s chemical and

environmentally friendly and

concrete that covers the sides of the

The thermal modification process

building. It rests on 15 meter wide

physical properties. This limits the ability of the wood to absorb moisture, so products are more dimensionally stable and less prone to cup, warp and twist with changes in humidity. The thermal modification process also removes the nutrients in wood that would otherwise provide a food source for insects and wood-destroying fungi. This increase in dimensional stability

The weight of the 24 meter

The top floor roof decking, which spans a width of 24 meters covering an area of 1600 sqm, is made from heattreated American ash

concrete cantilever beams that sit on top of the main vertical pillars of the building. On the outside of the building the cantilever beams carry the weight of the external ramps that lead up to the terrace through long stainless steel braces that span the whole height of the building. Stainless steel cables have also been fixed from the wooden deck to the

and decay resistance significantly extends the service life and reduces maintenance needs of the decking. Given its marine environment, the deck is highly exposed to weathering from the sun, rain and sea spray so will be monitored to assess its performance over time. Tilman Reichert comments: “We believe that ash with its long wood fiber will offer greater resistance to wear than pinewood”. The decking is laid on a traditional system of boarding joists to allow the insulation membrane directly under the wooden decking to be well ventilated. The boards were nailed not screwed which is visually more pleasing. The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations is a superb example of the use of

Image © AHEC

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 35

design & décor

Project Particulars Project: Marseille Museum Client: French Ministry of Culture Timber: American Ash Photography: Kilian O’Sullivan Architects: Rudy Ricciotti Image © AHEC

cantilever beams, which overhang

restaurant, managed by local

above the terrace by 4 meters to

cooking celebrity Gérald Passedat.

stabilize the whole canopy structure

In time the fort will house a

above the terrace.

further 15,000 sqm of museum

A walk through the history and aromas of the Mediterranean

exhibition space. Furthermore the open public spaces around the Fort have been redesigned to showcase a unique botanical

The roof terrace offers visitors

collection of Mediterranean plants

an inclined walkway made up of

along a landscaped promenade.

115 meters of bridges traveling

Another footbridge leads visitors

out from the roof of the building

to le Panier, the oldest and most

and crossing the harbor basin.

traditional neighborhood in

This links the Museum to Fort

Marseille with endearing narrow

Saint-Jean, which hosts the main

streets and steep steps.

Associate architect: Roland Carta Landscape architects: In Situ Fluids engineering: Garcia Ingéniérie Structural engineering: SICA , Lamoureux & Riciotti Quantity surveyor: CEC Acoustics: Thermibel Surface area: 15,510 sqm Timetable: 2009 - 2013 Cost: EUR 68.2 million HT Main contractors: SPIE (foundations & earthworks) Dumez/Freyssinet (structural work and roof cover) Interior fittings: Barreau Interior finishes: Jolisol/SCPA Roof deck supplier: Roofmart Elevators: Otis HVAC & plumbing: Viriot Hautbout Electricity: SPIE South East

Image © AHEC

36 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

WHAT’S IN OUR LOGO?

INTEGRITY

RESPECT

AUTHORITY

EXPERTISE

QUALITY ASSURANCE

For more than 110 years, the National Hardwood Lumber Association has been serving its members and the industry by creating and maintaining a uniform system of grading rules for the measurement and inspection of hardwood lumber. The NHLA rules created in 1898, are now the standard employed worldwide. Our standard means integrity – look for the NHLA logo.

TRADE WITH A MEMBER. For membership information please contact John Hester at +1 901 399 7558 or email membership@nhla.com

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 37

profile

RitikaaWood: India’s largest timber engineering company E

stablished in 2002, RitikaaWood

India, at Indian prices. Encouraged

the company has developed several

is a fully integrated value-

by the early success, the company

standard products like cladding,

added manufacturer of all

completely discontinued its

decking, windows, doors, etc. that

products made only from Accoya

successful uPVC product line to

can be customized to suit all specific

wood. As India’s largest timber

focus exclusively on timber products

requirements. In addition, it also

engineering company, RitikaaWood

and established the RitikaaWood

provides other outdoor solutions like

offers factory made, factory finished

brand. Today, RitikaaWood provides

pergolas, gazebos, structures, screens,

European quality solid wood products

complete end-to-end solutions

louvres, etc.

such as glazed windows and doors,

with wood - including design,

solid wood doors, flooring, cladding,

manufacturing, installation and

Production

decking and timber structures.

after-sales services. Its product range

RitikaaWood has a state-of-the-art

Significantly, the company offers

has expanded to include cladding,

modern woodworking facility at

the only products that come from

decking, flooring, screens, facades,

Nashik, which is the first of its kind

a naturally renewable construction

pergolas, structures etc.

in India and is spread over an area

As the only company in India

of 30,000 square feet, including a

lifetime of 50 years in India’s tropical

to provide end-to-end engineered

3,000 square feet clean room for

climate. In an exclusive interview

solutions using timber, RitikaaWood

wood finishing and coatings. A total

with Timber Design & Technology,

provides a complete solution

of 10 staff and 40 workers man the

Anuj Divanji, Managing Director of

including engineering, customization

factory whilst 15 members from its

the company shares the success story

to suit site and architect-specific

team are stationed in the company

that is RitikaaWood.

requirements, manufacturing,

headquarters in Mumbai. Utilizing the

installation and after sales. According

latest German machinery, including

to Anuj, engineering includes timber

Profilcut tools with Radial cutting

Ritikaa Enterprises was established

design to meet global performance

technology, which have been recently

in 2002, and was involved in

standards, identifying the right

introduced in Europe and represents

providing uPVC windows and doors

solution for a specific requirement,

a first for India, the company is able

solutions to clients. In 2010, the

choosing appropriate hardware

to produce world-class products at

company ventured into wood,

accessories, coating systems etc.

prices in line with the Indian market.

bringing together global partners

With the experience of having

Currently, RitikaaWood has an annual

to provide world-class products in

completed over a hundred projects,

consumption of wood that exceeds

resource and has a guaranteed

Overview

38 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

profile

Image ÂŠ RitikaaWood

700 cubic meters.

a socially responsible, sustainable

Highlighting the factors behind the location of its factory in Nashik, Anuj points towards the proximity to Mumbai, the commercial capital of India and a key port for the import of raw materials and the fact that Nashik is an established industrial town with essential amenities and economical and trained manpower. Completely dependent on imports

business model and Accoya wood

Today, RitikaaWood provides complete endto-end solutions with wood - including design, manufacturing, installation and after-sales services

allows their customers to achieve a premium aesthetic feel whilst also adding value to their sites. To date, the company has worked on hundreds of projects and installations across India.

Custom-made products RitikaaWood primarily focuses

of Accoya wood to satisfy customer

on made-to-order products. For

orders, he adds that whilst demand

instance, its trained installers take

is higher than supply at the moment,

window measurements from site

the company will soon be carrying

products to perform well in Indian

once the openings are ready. The

adequate stocks in Nashik.

conditions. This search led the

windows are then manufactured,

company to Accoya in late 2009 /

coated, assembled and fitted with

early 2010 and an agreement was

glass in its factory. Fixing the

signed with them.

finished window in the opening

Accoya Wood RitikaaWood is the exclusive distributor for Accoya and Accoya

Today, RitikaaWood exclusively

is the only task remaining to be

products in India. According to

uses Accoya and no other timber to

done on site. However, some of

Anuj, as the company developed an

produce the world-class products

its products like cladding boards

interest in wood products, it began to

it offers. The company is perhaps

and decking boards can also be

search for a high performance timber

the only manufacturer in the world

manufactured in standard board

that could be sustainably sourced

to exclusively use Accoya, which

sizes, with customization options to

for several years with consistent

is a testament to the qualities of

suit site requirements.

and reliable quality. In addition

Accoya wood and itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence in

to dimensional stability, termite

Accoya, which has proven itself over

through their state-of-the-art

resistance and guaranteed durability

the years. Anuj goes on state that

manufacturing facility in India, the

were also key requirements for

RitikaaWood is committed to building

company can cater to specific client

Anuj is quick to point out that

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 39

profile

RitikaaWood pays special attention to detail to ensure the product, when installed on site, appears and performs exactly as any world-class product should

needs with ease. A key differentiator is the fact that RitikaaWood pays Image © Ritikaawood

special attention to detail to ensure the product, when installed on site, appears and performs exactly as

that can manufacture Factory Made,

decking solution that can last 50

any world-class product should.

Factory Finished European quality

years in addition to a proprietary

Interestingly, the company gets

solid wood windows and doors. In

fixing cleat system that allows

requests for products where other

addition, it also specializes in extra

hidden fixing.

timbers have been specified but they

large size windows and doors that

turn down these requests instead

perform well under all climatic

potential, Anuj insists that India still

insisting on Accoya wood on account

conditions. In terms of cladding, the

holds more scope for growth but

of its guaranteed performance

company is able to offer the only

that the company is also looking at

credentials.

timber that is guaranteed to last 50

other international markets. As such,

years, both internally and externally.

he expects 100 percent growth this

RitikaaWood provides a complete

year over the previous year. Looking

According to Anuj, Indians love

solution with exterior grade UV

ahead, the plan is to achieve 50-60

wood and given that RitikaaWood

resistant lacquer and oil coatings,

percent CAGR for the next 5 years.

is the only company that can

customized for Indian tropical

In principle, the company’s success

provide end-to-end engineered

climatic conditions. In addition, good

can be attributed to good design,

timber solutions with world-class

product design, a stable timber and

excellent product quality and trained

design and technology in India, the

excellent quality coatings allows the

installation teams that complement

company is in a unique position to

company to provide a warranty of 5

its products, which ultimately make

satisfy this growing demand. Today,

years on lacquer coatings. Similarly,

its solutions a no-worries purchase

RitikaaWood is India’s only company

the company offers a solid wood

for clients.

Indian market

Confident of future growth

Image © Ritikaawood

40 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 41

comment

Lumber versus Logs Dr. Scott Bowe highlights the key findings of a research study looking at a cost-benefit analysis of importing value-added lumber versus logs

recent report shows that

imported wood and wood products,

of Agricultural and Life Sciences at

over the last ten years

particularly in material suited for

University of Wisconsin, USA, the

India’s trade deficit in forest

furniture, packaging and pallets, and

project’s aim is to increase exports

products has soared from USD 1.0

interior, architectural and decorative

and improve market share for value-

billion in 2001 to more than USD 5

uses.

added hardwood lumber products

billion in 2011. Moreover, due to the

Given the potential for increased

from Wisconsin and the Lakes States

scarcity of domestic timber resources

timber exports into India, the

to India and countries in Asia. The

and a rapidly growing demand, log

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture,

goal is to demonstrate that it is

imports in India have doubled since

Trade, and Consumer Protection

more profitable for Indian/Asian

2006 in order to meet the country’s

(DATCP) spearheaded a research

companies to import kiln-dried value-

growing appetite for wood products.

project that was funded by the United

added hardwood lumber products

As such, India is demonstrating

States Department of Agriculture

vs. hardwood logs from the U.S.

demand for wood products that far

Federal State Marketing Improvement

Timber Design & Technology caught

outstrips domestic supply, strong GDP

Program (FSMIP). According to

up with Dr. Bowe whilst he was at

projections and positive demographic

Dr. Scott Bowe, Professor & Wood

MUMBAIWOOD 2013 to learn more

indicators. All of these point to

Products Specialist at the Department

about the study.

further growth in the demand for

of Forest and Wildlife Ecology College

42 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

The growing acceptance of

comment

American hardwoods in India makes species such as American red oak popular with designers and architects.

Hardwood Lumber Grades and Prices for Kiln Dried American Red Oak (US$ per MBF).

Like all businesses, Indian wood manufacturers must watch their raw

Lumber

Percentage Clear

Price per

material costs to remain competitive

Grade

(no defect)

MBF

will tell you that the cheapest price

FAS, F1F, and Select

83%

$1535

is not always equal to the best value.

#1 Common 67% $1030

This is the case when comparing the

#2 A & B

50%

$905

import of American hardwood logs vs.

#3 A & B

33%

$400

in the marketplace. Manufacturers

American hardwood lumber. On the surface, importing American hardwood

Table 01

logs appears to be less expensive than lumber.

buying pre-manufactured American

grades on the order invoice. This is

hardwood lumber. However, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

not the case when purchasing logs.

Notice that all lumber grades are

consider this common perception and

Logs will yield a mixture of grades

produced when processing a log into

examine the true cost of importing

when sawn. The resulting lumber

lumber. The highest grade sawlog, F1,

logs vs. lumber.

grades depend upon the quality of

will produce the largest percentage

the log. Table 2 shows the standard

of FAS, F1F and Select lumber at 49

demand in India, we need to firstly

log grades for American hardwoods.

percent. The lowest grade sawlog, F3,

look at the two distinct markets in

Veneer represents the highest grade

will produce a much lower percentage

India - a production market and a

group which is typically too valuable

of FAS, F1F, and Select lumber at 7

craft market. The production market

to be sawn into lumber and is used

percent (Table 2).

includes the large joineries and has

for veneer production. The grades of

As you can see, a problem with

the potential to use large volumes

F1, F2, and F3 are typically sawn for

shipping logs from the United States

To understand why logs are still in

of American hardwoods. This is the market segment that would benefit from using American manufactured kiln dried lumber. The craft market

Hardwood Log Grades and Example Lumber Grade Recovery for Red Oak.

includes small furniture shops using very small and custom sawn orders.

Log

Log Price

FAS, F1F,

The small Indian sawmills serve this

Grade

(MBF)

& Select

Common

#2A

Below #2A

market segment. Secondly, the lower tariffs on logs vs. lumber play a role

Veneer

$700+

as well. In the end, it is important that

$600

49.0%

28.3%

14.6%

8.1%

Indian manufacturers examine their

$450

22.0%

34.5%

25.3%

18.2%

costs very closely. Log shipping costs

$300

7.0%

22.3%

34.4%

36.3%

quickly overwhelm any perceived savings. Lastly, quality is a real issue.

Table 02

Shipping logs is full of pitfalls. Fungal stain, enzymatic stain, mold, fungal decay, and end checking are just some of the problems with shipping logs. All of these factors reduce the quality of the final sawn product. These degrade factors can be avoided by shipping American sawn kiln dried lumber. To understand log and lumber pricing, we must first understand grades. American hardwood lumber can be broken into the following grade categories (Table 1). FAS, F1F, and Select is the highest grade group, has the highest percentage of defectfree wood, and commands the highest price. #3 A & B is the lowest grade group, has the lowest percentage of defect-free wood, and commands the lowest price. When purchasing pre-manufactured American hardwood lumber, you can specify a particular grade or mix of

Image ÂŠ AHEC

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 43

comment

and sawing them in India is the large amount of low grade lumber that will be produced from these logs. In the United States, low grade material such as #3 lumber is used by the pallet and container industry; #2 lumber is used by the hardwood flooring industry. If an Indian manufacturer needs #1 Common or higher grades for their production facility, as much as 70 percent of the lumber could be low grade material if they are processing F3 logs. Shipping logs vs. lumber poses another problem with the shipping container. As you would expect, rectangular lumber packages easily fit into standard ocean cargo shipping containers. Square edged kiln dried lumber stacks well and fits nicely within the rectangular container. Round logs pose more challenges. Logs take up more space and weigh more than the lumber that could be produced from that log. When shipping logs, you ship the bark, sawdust, and other waste products that are generated during the sawing process. Typically, these waste products account for 50 percent of the log. In addition, you ship a great deal of moisture (natural water found in the log). This water is not present in kiln dried hardwood lumber, which weighs about half as much as green lumber that has not been dried. If you take into consideration the grade recovery when converting logs

require 3 containers to generate the

continue to increase, one needs to

in to lumber, as well as the increased

equivalent of 1 container of #2 and

carefully consider the added costs of

space requirement for shipping round

better lumber; shipping F3 logs would

shipping logs vs. lumber.

logs, it takes several containers of

require 5 containers to generate

logs to equal the equivalent of lumber.

the equivalent of 1 container of #2

shipping costs, sawing costs, etc.,

For example, shipping F1 logs would

and better lumber. As shipping costs

the costs of sawing and shipping

If we consider grade recovery,

grade F1 American red oak logs exceeds the lumber value by USD 302 per thousand board feet (USD 128 per cubic meter) of logs. The costs of sawing and shipping grade F3 American red oak logs exceeds the lumber value by USD 377 per thousand board feet (USD 160 per cubic meter) of logs. Clearly, premanufactured American hardwood lumber provides the best value, saving hundreds of dollars per thousand board feet of finished lumber. However, this is not a problem associated just with India. The low price vs. quality issue can be found in every country as there will always be a low-end market where imported raw materials cannot compete where low cost local raw

44 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

comment

On the surface, importing American hardwood logs appears to be less expensive than buying pre-manufactured American hardwood lumber materials are available. These markets

In conclusion, tariffs in India pose

become more accessible when local

as a major obstacle in the decision to

sources of materials become scarce.

import value-added lumber. Further,

If these manufacturers move into

the perception that importing logs is

high quality markets, the consistent

less expensive than importing lumber

quality manufacturing of American

is a second major obstacle. However,

hardwoods become more competitive.

once a manufacturer understands

To facilitate log vs. lumber cost

About the Author

that the recovery (useable portion of

comparisons, we have developed a

lumber) is much greater for higher

costing tool, which is available here:

quality raw materials in comparison

http://www.fwe.wisc.edu/wood-

to low quality raw materials, the

products-publications. This simple

manufacturer can decide to pay more

spreadsheet can be adapted to your

for high quality lumber since the

company and specific production

useable volume is so much higher.

costs. Shipping costs, lumber costs,

Targeted research projects such as the

logs costs, labor costs, and exchange

Lumber versus Log Import Estimator

rates can be modified to reflect your

have been developed with the aim to

companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs. The results will

give foreign companies the knowledge

show the true cost of shipping logs

and tools to make informed decisions

vs. lumber. Funding for this costing

for purchasing logs or value-added

tool was provided by the Wisconsin

lumber products.

Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

*FAS, F1F and Select refer to the top

and the United States Department of

grades of US hardwood lumber. See

Agriculture Federal-State Marketing

www.americanhardwood.org for a full

Improvement Program (FSMIP).

description.

Dr. Scott Bowe is a Professor and Wood Products Specialist in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin. He earned his Ph.D. in Forest Products at Virginia Tech, a M.S. in Forest Products from the University of Minnesota, and a B.S. in Forest Science from the University of Wisconsin. Scott works closely with the wood products industry in Wisconsin and neighboring states. His current projects focus on forest products markets, wood product life-cycle analysis, and wood manufacturing process improvement; all strategies for remaining competitive within a global forest products marketplace.

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 45

technology

The beauty and versatility of American tulipwood: ‘Endless Stair’ at London Design Festival 2013 ‘Endless Stair’ is both a sculpture and research project, advancing the knowledge of timber technology and sustainability 46 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

technology

impressive American hardwood.

he American Hardwood Export

views of the River Thames and

Council (AHEC), the leading

London’s skyline, the landmark project

international trade association

remained a highlight throughout this

of dRMM said: “Endless Stair is a

year’s festival.

temporary sculpture designed to

for the American hardwood industry, has highlighted the beauty and

Matthew Barzun, U.S. Ambassador

Professor Alex de Rijke, Director

be endlessly reconfigured.” A key

versatility of American tulipwood

to the United Kingdom, opened the

objective for dRMM was to make

(Liriodendron tulipifera) through

Endless Stair on 16th September.

the elements as environmentally

the ‘Endless Stair’ at the London

The project is made up of a series of

friendly as possible, with each flight

Design Festival 2013. Endless Stair, a

timber flights, some veering to the

of stairs built from standard elements

towering structure of 15 Escher-like

right some to the left, providing many

creating as little waste as possible

interlocking staircases made from

ways to explore the installation, which

in construction, and with the ability

American tulipwood cross-laminated

ultimately leads to the top flight,

to re-use and relocate the design

timber (CLT), was opened to the

acting as a dramatic viewing platform.

either in part, or as a whole. These

public on the lawn in front of the Tate

The latest in a series of collaborations

laudable aspirations are backed up

Modern Art Gallery as part of LDF

between the London Design Festival

by hard figures, utilizing AHEC’s

2013.

and AHEC, Endless Stair pioneers

ISO-conformant life-cycle assessment

the use of hardwood for cross-

(LCA) prepared by PE International,

Architects (dRMM) and engineered by

laminated timber (CLT). Traditionally,

leaders in the field. This is the latest

Arup, Endless Stair is both a sculpture

cross-laminated timber is made

piece of work in AHEC’s on-going

and research project, advancing the

from softwood, yet this project

mission to demonstrate the real

knowledge of timber technology

demonstrates the real potential

sustainable credentials of American

and sustainability. Offering visitors

for using tulipwood, an abundant,

hardwoods.

the opportunity to enjoy stunning

relatively inexpensive and structurally

Faced with the challenge from AHEC

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 47

technology

to produce a sculptural installation using slender tulipwood CLT panels, Alex de Rijke settled quickly on an idea involving stairs. He added: “On stairs people interact, they pass each other, they are always interesting places with spatial and social potential. We thought a staircase would be a good vehicle for exploring structure, space and making a sculpture. Stairs are sculpture’s gift to architecture.” An early decision was made to design and manufacture the steps and the balustrades on one side from identical elements of CLT, equivalent in size. These are stacked up with a spacer element between them, creating the flights which, as a result of the stacking process, then veer either to the right or to the left, depending on the position of the balustrade. CLT is an engineered timber product Image © AHEC

that is used increasingly to build the walls and floors of buildings. CLT

in this way, therefore, results in a

uses a sandwich construction, usually consisting of an odd number of layers. On each successive layer the fibers of the timbers run in the opposing direction, so that if you could look through the CLT from above you would see a grid of fibers. It is orthotropic - that is, it has different properties in three directions. This is important because timber is most strong along

On stairs people interact, they pass each other, they are always interesting places with spatial and social potential

panel that has equal strength in all directions. Significantly, modern offsite manufacturing methods mean that CLT panels can be made in a factory and then delivered to site for assembly in a fast and accurate manner, cutting down on the time needed for construction. The structural importance of the tulipwood CLT is showcased through

the direction of the fibers, and less so

the project’s design. The CLT that

across the fibers. Building the structure

makes up the tread and balustrade panels is built up from three equal layers and is 60mm thick in total. The use of softwoods would have increased the size of the individual elements and, arguably, led to a less elegant solution. Arup’s timber specialist, Andrew Lawrence comments: “The idea that we can now create huge wooden CLT panels from small trees is very exciting. Tulipwood CLT offers the potential to combine the advantages of CLT with the strength and appearance of tulipwood. It’s a great addition to the pallet of wood based materials.” Despite the complex sculptural form, the structural concept for the stair is relatively simple. The flights tend to act as arching elements with loads transferred via both the stiff balustrade elements and through the treads themselves down to ground. The overall structure is stable when the flights are all joined together to form the complete sculptural form. The solid balustrades look like solid Image © AHEC

48 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

timber beams, but in fact they are a

technology

The intricate level of detail is phenomenal and Endless Stair beautifully illustrates the intimate relationship between architecture and engineering design

Image © AHEC

series of CLT panels glued together.

this intricate structure. In addition,

Imola Legno, based in north Italy,

Tensile and compressive stresses in the

Switzerland-based Nüssli manufactured

made the tulipwood CLT from random

beam have to be passed from panel to

a test flight to compare its performance

widths and lengths of tulipwood lumber

panel in rolling shear. The rolling shear

against the computer model. Similarly,

donated by 8 AHEC member companies.

stiffness therefore determines the

the complexity of the design meant that

The team built up the three layers of

bending stiffness of the beam. If the

the overall vibration behavior could not

20mm timber to create panels that

balustrades had been made of softwood

be easily predicted through analysis.

were 60mm thick. The panels utilize

rather than tulipwood, they would

The completed stair was tested, in

some of the lowest grades of tulipwood,

have had less than half the strength

situ, before the formal opening in order

which helps define its visual character

or stiffness. The stair would have been

to measure its performance. Adrian

as well as being a significant cost

a lot more flexible and it might have

Campbell, Project Director at Arup

saving.

been necessary to have a much greater

comments: “The scale of complexity on

overlap between panels or deeper

the engineering design has been one

flights and other elements, using a

elements.

of the most challenging yet rewarding

combination of glue and steel fixings.

aspects of this project. The intricate

Nüssli delivered these to the site outside

engineering design criteria to assess

level of detail is phenomenal and

Tate Modern, erecting the structure in 10

the performance of Endless Stair.

Endless Stair beautifully illustrates

days. Seam Design provided the lighting

Helen Groat, Senior Engineer at

the intimate relationship between

scheme for Endless Stair, working with

Arup, led the team who undertook

architecture and engineering design.”

LED luminaires supplied by Lumenpulse,

Arup had to identify the appropriate

extensive computer modeling to design

Leading timber distribution company,

In addition, Nüssli fabricated the

a mix of linear grazers and spotlights. “Ten of thousands of people have seen the structure and information on site has helped to communicate the technical and design story. While providing a unique public experience to celebrate imaginative design in London, this project has an important technical design legacy and challenges current thinking within the construction industry. Working from first principles, through testing, research and analysis to design this prototype, we hope that Endless Stair will bring many lasting benefits. Using the results of our recent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) research project, we were also able to produce a full ISO-conformant environmental profile for the Endless Stair, which we hope will help to eventually bring tulipwood CLT into mainstream building construction,” concluded Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director for Africa, Middle East,

Image © AHEC

South Asia and Oceania.

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 49

SHOWTIME

Top Industry

Exhibitions coming up This season

International Trade Fair for Woodworking Machinery and Tools The International Trade Fair for Woodworking Machinery and Tools (Woodworking. Machinery. Technology. Tools 2013) will take from December 5 -7, 2013 at the Kipsala International Exhibition Center. The fair attracts both Latvian and international companies who participate with

Date: 5 - 7 December Venue: Kipsala International Exhibition Center Location: Riga, Latvia WEBSITE: www.bt1.lv/kokapstrade/?lang=eng&menu=1

the objective to demonstrate woodworking and furniture making equipment, log sawing machines, door and window production equipment, professional power tools

Wood Fair

for woodworking and construction specialists, carpentry equipment, finishing equipment as well as a variety of materials and technologies. The exhibition will also

The Korea Wood Industry Fair (Wood Fair 2014) is the

showcase the latest products from European and global

only professional wood industrial exhibition in the country

equipment manufacturers and Latvian-made equipment and

and is being spearheaded by the Korea Federation of

tools.

Wood Industrial Societies, which combines 15 associations

The show provides an important platform for the

and groups all with a view to invigorate the wood industry

timber industry, especially since it is one of the largest

in the country. The exhibition covers both wood and

manufacturing sectors in Latvia with an average growth of

woodworking sectors and aims to disseminate information

15 percent over the past decade and with total turnover

on wood as well as experiencing life with wood. According

exceeding 1 billion in the past year. Given that the Latvian

to the organizers, the aim is to create new business

timber industry aims to increase export volumes and

opportunities through the show for industry professionals

improve its domestic market, the show offers companies

whilst also showcasing a range of woodworking machines

related to this sector - processing enterprises, window,

and highlighting wood as a truly sustainable material. An

door and furniture, wood-frame building and log-house

exhibition of wood products will further help to emphasize

manufacturers, carpenters, loggers, construction companies,

the importance and diverse use of wood.

timber distributors and other businesses - the opportunity

Key attractions of the fair include the ‘Wood Experience

to increase their competitiveness. As a result, the industry

Festival’ and the ‘Korea Wood Design Awards’ in addition

is able to learn how to modernize and improve production

to seminars and other events. The idea is that by

efficiency, implement new technologies, innovative products

highlighting eco-friendly, high-quality structures, the show

and target new markets.

will shed light on the value of wood, which will further

According to the organizers, the fair provides an

promote the production, distribution and consumption of

excellent business environment for companies dealing

wood. The profile of exhibitors includes eco-friendly &

in woodworking and timber processing, manufacturing

DIY products; manufacturers and distributors of timber;

equipment, tools, finishing materials, supplies and

wooden facilities & interiors; wooden materials and

machinery for wood processing facilities. As such, it

Equipment & Tool; and wooden housing.

represents an opportunity to boost sales in home and foreign markets, to present new products and services to customers, to show equipment and tools in operation, to meet rivals and to establish new business contacts with customers, to find new partners and close deals, to promote brands and to engage in new business projects.

50 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

Date: 5 - 8 December Venue: Coex Hall B Location: Seoul, South Korea WEBSITE: http://woodfair.or.kr/eng

SHOWTIME

DOMOTEX Hannover

DOMOTEX Hannover is the world’s largest exhibition

According to the organizers, the premiere of the Wood

for the carpet and floor coverings industry offering a

Flooring Summit at DOMOTEX 2012 was the highlight of

comprehensive overview of the market and a host of

the year for the parquet and laminate sector. As such,

opportunities for companies to widen their contacts and

the next edition of this top event will again bring buyers

cultivate existing connections. In line with the DOMOTEX

and professional visitors together with all the market

claim - ‘The World of Flooring’ - every product group and

leaders, who will be exhibiting their products in a nearby

trend will be showcased in detail at the show. Hand-made

special display area. Matthias Horx from Germany’s

and machine-made carpets, textile and resilient floor

Zukunftsinstitut (Future Institute) will be giving a lecture

coverings, parquet, wooden and laminates take pride of

at the Wood Flooring Summit in which he will present

place, in addition to equipment and products for floor

the Future Institute’s latest study - The Future of Home

laying, maintenance and applications technology. As such,

Living: Central Trends Through to 2025. The lecture will

trade visitors come from the wholesale/retail trade, the

be followed by a discussion and is an absolute must for

field of architecture, interior design and the skilled trades

anyone and everyone who wants to get an overview of

looking to obtain a complete market overview so that they

today’s key developments in home living.

can compare suppliers, products, terms and prices, as well

Given the growing awareness in the market of the

as gain insights into the latest trends and developments.

immense lifestyle design possibilities offered by flooring

In 2014, over 1,400 companies from 60 nations will

solutions for outdoor living, the next edition of DOMOTEX

converge on the Hannover Exhibition Center to showcase

will embrace this trend with a comprehensive offering of

their latest products and new season’s collections.

innovative floor coverings for outdoor use in exhibition

DOMOTEX picks up on key trends and innovations and

halls 8 and 9. The show will feature outdoor flooring

sets the tone in international interior design fashions for

products that look good but also deliver on quality,

each new year. In addition, a broad range of special events,

eco-friendliness and sustainability. Decking boards, both

trade association meetings and conferences offers visitors

treated and untreated, are expected to remain a key

the chance to learn more about the key issues affecting the

attraction as they lend a timeless elegance to any outdoor

industry. A key highlight next year is the new Innovations@

area they are used in, whether classic or modern. The show

DOMOTEX format, which will give unprecedented exposure

will most likely feature more than 200 manufacturers of

to a handful of product innovations and design highlights.

parquet and laminate flooring and flooring solutions for

Product innovations selected for Innovations@DOMOTEX by

outdoor areas.

the expert jury will be staged to dramatic effect in special display zones known as Innovations@DOMOTEX Areas. The creative design of these exhibition spaces is being handled by internationally respected German architect Jürgen Mayer H, who will be designing these spaces as central

Date: 11 - 14 January 2014 Venue: Hannover Exhibition Center Location: Hannover, Germany WEBSITE: www.domotex.de/en

meeting points and design highlights in Halls 6, 9 and 17.

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 51

SHOWTIME

imm Cologne

Istanbul Furniture Fair

imm Cologne is the first furnishing trade fair of the year and will present the trends that shape the furniture and interior design sector. According to the organizers, everything from the basics to designer items and luxury interiors will be on display, thereby ensuring visitors find a unique diversity of interior design ideas - for every room, in every style and for every taste. As such, the show is well established as an important platform where suppliers and decision-makers from important global markets in the sector will set the course for doing successful business in the future. In 2014, imm Cologne will once again present inspiring interior design ideas for trendsetters and provide the markets with new momentum. As one of the most important events in the global primary furnishing market, imm Cologne presents the latest international furniture trends and surprises with numerous marketable innovations. The broad range on offer is combined with high standards of quality and an excellent presentation of the products. The fair also provides an effective platform for young designers. Fittingly, the fair is open to end consumers on certain days, which provides exhibitors with the opportunity for product and market tests. Given the extensive programme of events that take place all over the city of Cologne in conjunction with the show, imm Cologne is expected to remain the center of the furnishing and design world for the duration of its weeklong run. Held at the beginning of the year, the Istanbul Furniture Fair 2014 will showcase the finest home furnishings, interior designs and furniture trends for 2014 whilst highlighting the rich content of the Turkish furniture market. With more than 200 exhibitors expected to attend the show, which is being held on approximately 25,000 sqm of exhibition space within the Istanbul Expo Center, the fair has a strong strategic location and excellent business potential, both locally and internationally. According to the organizers, the show provides players who want to invest in the Turkish furniture market with the opportunity to monitor and evaluate developments in furniture industry and to also select dealers and/or partners from national or international markets. Currently, more than 60,000 companies operate in the Turkish furniture industry with Istanbul, Ankara, Kayseri, InegĂśl and Izmir emerging as the leading furniture production locations. Manufacturers in Turkey closely follow global furniture technologies, continuously renewing their machine fleets and using state-of-the-art technologies whilst Turkish furniture designers, who also follow developments worldwide, produce trendy designs, all of which means that the Turkish furniture industry is on its way towards becoming a global leader. As such, there is demand for new materials and technologies for the furniture industry, which Image ÂŠ imm Cologne

Date: 13 - 19 January 2014 Venue: Koelnmesse GmbH (Halls 1-11) Location: Cologne, Germany WEBSITE: www.imm-cologne.com/en

52 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

bodes well for the market leading Istanbul Furniture Fair. Date: 28 January - 1 February 2014 Venue: Istanbul Expo Center Location: Istanbul, Turkey WEBSITE: www.itf-imob.com

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 53

SHOWTIME

Salon du Mobilier 2014

Drevostavby 2014 (Wooden Buildings)

The fifth edition of the Furniture Fair (Salon du Mobilier) is being organized from February 2 - 4, 2014 at EXPONANTES in Nantes, France. The three-day event will focus on the different furniture and the latest designs available in the market. With a view to bring together the professionals and experts from the furniture industry, the show will provide a great platform for attendees to interact with each other and learn about the latest trends. The show will feature more than 136 exhibitors who will showcase their products and services in addition to over 80 professionals representing nearly 400 brands from the industry. It will also give exhibitors a chance to reach their customers and make their mark. The exhibitor profile will include manufacturers and suppliers of furniture, bedding, living room furniture, layout, decoration, lighting, materials, accessories and services, country furniture, reproduction furniture, stylish furniture, design furniture, lighting, kitchen units, contemporary furniture, bathroom furniture, living room furniture, chairs, rugs, bedding, storage, dressing rooms, layout, decorative objects, materials, technical products and accessories and others. In addition, visitors at the fair will include trade visitors, a selection of specialists from the world of interior decoration and design, directors and buyers from invited firms, furniture wholesalers, fitters, up market design and decoration shops, interior decorators, lighting distributors, bathroom manufacturers and distributors, kitchen fitters, tertiary and commercial design studios and other decision makers. The 9th International Exhibition Of Wooden Buildings, Structures and Materials for Low-Energy and Passive Houses (Drevostavby 2014) is being held in February next year in Prague. Unique in its range of topics, the show aims to promote wooden houses as a construction system of the future. According to the organizers, wood is and always will be a renewable natural resource and remains in all forms of processing an indispensable part of the materials used in construction. As such, the fair provides comprehensive information on the use of wood and natural materials in construction and processing of fully renewable natural resources. The fair attracts professionals, developers, investors, builders and anyone interested in modern wooden houses. More importantly, the exhibition along with the accompanying program covers most of the important topics in architecture, design, technology, energy savings and finances needed to implement the construction of wooden houses. Trade visitors will be able to obtain a comprehensive overview of the market situation, learn about new trends and innovations, and find information about specific prices and products. In addition, the show also offers the opportunity to meet architects, quality construction companies, and suppliers of wood, woodworking machinery, and related tools. Date: 2 - 4 February 2014 Venue: Nantes Parc des Expositions de La Beaujoire (EXPONANTES) Location: Nantes, France WEBSITE: www.salondumobilier.com

54 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

Date: 6 - 9 February 2014 Venue: Holešovice Fairground Location: Prague, Czech Republic WEBSITE: www.drevostavby.eu

SHOWTIME

ZOW

FIMMA - MADERALIA 2014

ZOW is the most exclusive and concentrated trading platform for national and international suppliers to the furniture industry and interior design in Germany. As the only supply show for the furniture and interior design industries taking place in Germany next year, ZOW offers decision-makers an opportunity to source a host of products including chemical products, elements and systems, fabrics and leathers, fittings, interior decoration, materials, semi-finished products, services/logistics, small and special machines, surfaces, tools and utilities, upholstery materials and others. Taking place in Bad Salzuflen, the show attracted more than 11,800 visitors and 402 exhibitors in 2013. ZOW is strategically held in Bad Salzuflen on account of the fact that East-Westphalia is the central hub of Germany’s furniture and kitchen industries. This region alone has an annual turnover of six billion euros and 40 percent of all furniture components and 70 percent of all kitchens produced in Germany originate here. As such, ZOW benefits from its proximity to this centre and its stakeholders from industry, associations and higher learning institutes. More importantly, both exhibitors and visitors can tap directly into Germany’s lucrative furniture market through the show. No other trade show format provides a comprehensive overall picture of supplier product innovations as early and as compactly as ZOW does. Held in February every year, it is the segment’s first relevant industrial event and as such attracts key national and international decision-makers from the furniture industry and the world of furniture and interior design. ZOW’s clearly structured concept also provides a forum for direct dialogue among market players. What’s more, ZOW points the way for furniture products of

In accordance with the interests of both exhibitors and

the future: this is where tomorrow’s big issues in furniture-

visitors, Feria Valencia has decided to host the Feria

making and interior design, such as RFID wireless technology

Hábitat Valencia, FIMMA and Maderalia fairs from February

and material-optimized product solutions in lightweight

4 - 7, 2014 to coincide with Cevisama. With this change,

construction, find a professional platform.

the international trade fair calendar now has a unique exhibition which includes the elements of furniture, lighting, home textiles, ceramic coverings, marble, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, parquets, laminated floors, etc. In short, everything in a home involving design. More importantly, simultaneously hosting these events means that the show is able to attract a wider audience, which bodes well for exhibitors. The exhibitor profile at the event includes woodworking machinery; tools and equipment; plants and facilities; hardware and locksmith (kitchen accessories, metal components, lighting, locks, handles, cranks); woods, sheets, boards, and paper edges; carpentry-construction (doors, windows, cabinets, stairs, beams, floors, houses, kitchen cabinet); chemical and surface finish (varnish, lacquer, paints, adhesives, abrasives); semi-finished products / ancillary industry; and new materials (resins, PVC, aluminum, steel, glass, acrylic). The organizers expect to attract over 15,000 trade visitors from 24 countries including as far as Image © ZOW

Date: 10 - 13 February 2014 Venue: Messezentrum Bad Salzuflen Location: Bad Salzuflen, Germany WEBSITE: www.zow.de

Latin America.

Date: 11 - 14 February 2014 Venue: Feris Valencia Location: Valencia, Spain WEBSITE: http://fimma-maderalia.feriavalencia.com

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 55

SHOWTIME INTERVIEW

rue to its lineage, the 8th edition of INDIAWOOD, which is due

01. How is the next edition of IndiaWood positioned?

technology based production solutions. Major investments into particle board and MDF manufacturing

to be held in Bangalore from

February 21 - 25, 2014, is set to

INDIAWOOD is one of the world’s

have been made in the past couple

break all existing records. According

largest and Asia’s biggest sourcing

of years and large-scale furniture

to the organizers, more than 90

platform for Furniture Manufacturers,

manufacturing facilities are also

percent of the available space has

Wood Based Handicraft

expected to start up operations in the

already been booked and the expected

Manufacturers, Saw millers, Craftsmen,

next year or two. Apart from this, the

number of visitors at the show is in

Woodworking Professionals,

industry is awaiting the formation

excess of 50,000. Invites and road

Architects and Interior Designers

of major industrial wooden clusters

shows are already underway to

in the region. The show is being

across India right from Kerala to

rope in delegations of woodworking

organized in light of the fact that the

Kashmir. INDIAWOOD on its part

professionals from all over South-East

Government of India is allowing 100

continues with its tradition of being

Asia; and several of them have already

percent FDI in the single-brand retail

a profitable business partnership for

confirmed participation as visitors to

and the International Furniture retail

the woodworking industry where

INDIAWOOD - Asia’s largest trade show

brands entering the Indian market.

demands and solutions meet together.

for woodworking machinery, tools,

This has the potential to very quickly

fittings, accessories, raw materials and

raise the benchmark for quality in the

for the woodworking industry in

products. Timber Design & Technology

Furniture industry, which is already

India, the show is supported and

talks to SivaKumar V from PDA Trade

witnessing a major transition from

endorsed by the Union Ministry of

Fairs ahead of the event.

the traditional processes to advanced

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

As the comprehensive platform

(MSME), the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute (IPIRTI), the Institute of Wood Science & Technology (IWST), the South Asia Bamboo Foundation, the World Bamboo Organization and the Indian Laminate Manufacturers’ Association (ILMA), to name a few. INDIAWOOD is also supported and represented by various timber councils like the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), American Softwoods, and the Malaysian, Canadian and French timber councils. Many other industry associations, overseas companies from 30 Image © PDA Trade Fairs

56 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

countries, and country pavilions from Germany, Italy, Malaysia, China, the

SHOWTIME INTERVIEW

US, Taiwan and Turkey, also lend their professional support and recognition.

02. What can visitors expect at the show? On show will be woodworking solutions, machinery, materials and components, all of which will be categorized as either machinery or non-machinery. At the next edition, exhibitors will also showcase technology and machinery used in furniture upholstery. Held every two years, the show brings together market leaders from the woodworking sector to participate in a unique Image © PDA Trade Fairs

international display of competence. To date, the 40,000 square meters of available exhibition space is almost

the ‘Wood News Seminar’ will be

Asian hubs of panel, laminate and

sold out and in order to accommodate

held on February 22, 2014. At this

furniture manufacturing in Singapore,

serious last-minute participants, we

seminar, a variety of Indian and

Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia,

have decided to set up a hangar at the

International Speakers will enlighten

Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri

venue.

the audience with presentations

Lanka and Bhutan have expressed a

about new products/materials on

keen interest in INDIAWOOD. These

show offers an important platform

the market, enhanced by ample

include the likes of Asmindo (the

to target furniture manufacturers;

networking activities. Approximately

Indonesian furniture industry and

interior decorators; architects

100 to 150 delegates are expected,

handicrafts association), Malaysian

& builders; saw millers; timber

including manufacturers of furniture

Timber Council, The Singapore

importers; timber merchants; wood

and other wood-based products,

Furniture Association, the Thai

workers; hardware distributors /

timber importers and dealers, interior

Furniture Association, the Wood-

dealers / manufacturers; plywood

designers and architects. The seminar

Based Industrialists’ Association of Sri

& particle board manufacturers;

is being organized in partnership with

Lanka, and the Bangladesh Furniture

craftsmen; manufacturers of wood-

several major industry associations

Industries Owners’ Association,

based articles; experts from research

like the Association of Furniture

which has 1,300 small and medium

institutes; forestry officials; and

Manufacturers and Traders (AFMT),

enterprises as its members.

government officers, amongst others.

the Indian Institute of Architects

Significantly, for exhibitors, the

03. Are there any supporting attractions at the event such as awards, conferences or networking sessions? With a view to encourage trade and

A similar keen interest has been

(IIA), the Indian Institute of Interior

expressed by timber producing and

Designers (IIID), the Timber Merchant

exporting hot spots of Myanmar,

Association (TMA) and so on.

Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

04. How many visitors and exhibitors are likely to be there at the fair next year?

Among them are the Myanmar Forest Products and Timber Merchants’ Association, the Indonesian Sawmills and Woodworking Association, the Timber Exporters’ Association

business, pre-fixed B2B meetings will be enabled for the thousands of

The event is the largest trade

of Malaysia, and the Bangladesh

pre-registered visitors. The details

fair outside Europe and the

Furniture Exporters’ Association,

of exhibitors will be shared with the

U.S. showcasing a variety of

which has 16 big-time exporters

pre-registered visitors and they will

woodworking machinery, tools,

among its members.

have the option to select the specific

accessories and raw materials. As

In addition, we expect business

exhibitors as per their product /

such, we expect to attract around

delegations from the Nepal Furniture

service requirement and submit

600 exhibitors from more than 40

and Furnishing Association and

the pre-fixed meeting requests to

countries (India and abroad) and

the Association of Wood-Based

the relevant exhibitors online. On

over 50,000 visitors from all over

Industries of Bhutan. On the basis

submission of such a request from any

the world. Further, the success of

of the enthusiasm and nature of

visitor, an auto generated mail with

the inaugural MUMBAIWOOD show

inquiries generated at the inaugural

the contact details of the interested

has also helped create awareness

MUMBAIWOOD 2013, we are certain

visitor will be sent to the concerned

and stimulate interest in mechanical

that several delegations of timber

exhibitors whom they have selected.

wood processing, and the accessories

merchants, carpenters, particle board

The exhibitors can from there on take

required for the same, which will

manufacturers, interior designers and

it up by responding to such requests

reflect in the number of visitors and

architects will also visit INDIAWOOD

and inviting them to their stands.

interest in INDIAWOOD.

2014 from various parts of Western

In addition, the sixth edition of

Industry associations in the

India.

December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 57

SHOWTIME

EXPO Calendar International Trade Fair for Woodworking Machinery and Tools 5th - 7th December Kipsala International Exhibition Center Riga, Latvia

www.bt1.lv/kokapstrade/?lang=eng&menu=1 Wood Fair

5th - 8th December Coex Hall B Seoul, South Korea

http://woodfair.or.kr/eng MaDecor Expo 5th - 8th December O.F.E.C Casablanca, Morocco

www.madecorexpo.com Furnishings Asia

6th - 8th December Guangzhou Poly World Trade Center Expo Guangzhou, China

ExpoPromueble 2014

Stockholm Furniture Fair

www.promueble.com.mx

www.stockholmfurniturefair.com

22nd - 25th January Centro Banamex Mexico City, Mexico

Maison et Objet Paris

24th - 28th January Parc des expositions de Paris - Nord Villepinte Paris, France

www.maison-objet.com/en/paris

Istanbul Furniture Fair 28th January - 1st February 2014 Istanbul Expo Center Istanbul,Turkey

www.itf-imob.com

Salon du Mobilier 2014

2nd - 4th February 2014 Nantes Parc des Expositions de La Beaujoire (EXPONANTES) Nantes, France

www.salondumobilier.com

4th - 8th February 2014 Stockholmsmässan Stockholm, Sweden

Drevostavby 2014 (Wooden Buildings) 6th - 9th February 2014 Holešovice Fairground Prague, Czech Republic

www.drevostavby.eu ZOW

10th - 13th February 2014 Messezentrum Bad Salzuflen Bad Salzuflen, Germany

www.zow.de

FIMMA - MADERALIA 2014 11th - 14th February 2014 Feris Valencia Valencia, Spain

http://fimma-maderalia.feriavalencia.com

http://fafafa.asia

Indonesia Furniture Fair 2013 7th - 15th December Jakarta Convention Center Jakarta, Indonesia

http://indonesiafurniturefair.com FURTEX Algeria

18th - 21st December Safex International Fair Ground Algiers, Algeria

www.furtexalgeria.com/ing/index.html DOMOTEX Hannover 11th - 14th January 2014 Hannover Exhibition Center Hannover, Germany

www.domotex.de/en

imm Cologne

13th - 19th January 2014 Koelnmesse GmbH (Halls 1-11) Cologne, Germany

www.imm-cologne.com/en

Thailand Furniture and Houseware Fair 2013 14th - 22nd January 2014 Bangkok International Trade Exhibition and Convention Center (BITEC) Bangkok, Thailand

Interiors UK

19th - 22nd January 2014 NEC Birmingham Birmingham, UK

www.interiorsuk.com

PRIMUS: Windows. Doors. Profiles 21st - 23rd January 2014 Kiev ExpoPlaza Kiev, Ukraine

www.theprimus.com

58 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | December 2013

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December 2013 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 59

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