DHA eNews - The Far-Reaching Impact Of Russia's Log Export Ban
Russia's proposed log export ban on high-value hardwoods and softwoods will have a far-reaching impact on global forest product markets if the law becomes effective, as scheduled, in January 2022. Russian exports account for almost 12% of all globally traded roundwood.
Illegal timber makes up between 15% to 30% of the global wood trade. China is a major buyer of the world's illegal wood, according to research by environmental NGOs. More than 90% of wood exports from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu are shipped to China.
The home-building and renovation boom could keep wood demand strong for the next ten years, says Weyerhaeuser CEO Devin Stockfish. While he expects years of strong demand, he believes the current price frenzy is not sustainable. This is supported by the recent construction of new sawmills and the expansion of capacity in existing sawmills.
Recent updates and information that affect our industry includes:
- What we need to know about millennial home buyers in the COVID-19 era
- Don’t blame COVID: Soaring lumber costs were decades in the making
- Road construction accidents increase even as COVID-19 keeps drivers off the roads
- OSHA: Employers can relax COVID-19 protections in fully vaccinated workplaces
- Some more coronavirus humor
See the DHA coronavirus news and resources pages for more news.
Forests cover one-third of the world's land and are massive carbon sinks. A recent study by international researchers found that forests absorb a net 7.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, 1.5 times more carbon than the U.S. emits every year. China accounts for 27% of all global emissions, which is more than the emissions of the U.S. and all other developed nations combined.
The states that top the list of the highest level of annual net forest growth are Mississippi, Virginia, Tennessee, and New York. Click on the link below to see the rest of the list.
Researchers at Penn State have created a virtual forest where visitors, with the help of a virtual reality headset, can take a walk in the woods of the future to see the impact of climate change.
Stora Enso will plant a total of 48 million tree seedlings in Finland, Sweden, Russia, and Estonia this year. By using cultivated plants and seeds, forests can grow as much as 20% faster than they would normally.
Capital Testing (formerly HPVA Laboratories®) has published an easy-to-read, informative article outlining the specifications and details of the ASTM E84 tunnel test, which measures the surface burning characteristics of building materials. To learn more about which building materials - from paints and coatings to wood products and textiles - must be tested in accordance with ASTM 84, visit the Capital Testing website.
Get your free copy of the 100th Anniversary edition of the Decorative Hardwoods Association Where to Buy membership directory! The directory is used by decision-makers throughout our industry to find the hardwood plywood, engineered wood flooring, veneer, and machinery and supplies they need to create beautiful hardwood products.
After a series of auctions in late May, Myanmar's military regime is again auctioning off timber to raise hard currency to fund its coup. The wood destined for auction is reportedly from a stockpile of 200,000 tons of illegal timber seized by the ousted government.
Source: The Third Pole
A new study shows that the illegal conversion of forests for the purpose of industrial agriculture and forest product exports is getting worse. Deforestation for consumer goods has grown by 28%; more than two-thirds of this is illegal.
The WISA Woodsat, a nanosatellite made with birch plywood, completed a test run on June 12. It was lofted into the stratosphere, reaching an altitude of 19 miles, and then parachuted back to earth. The wooden satellite is scheduled to be launched into orbit this fall.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that wood and waste energy accounted for 22% of renewables last year. Industrial, commercial, and electric power facilities use wood and waste as a fuel to generate electricity and produce heat and energy for manufacturing. Two-thirds of the wood waste generated in the decorative hardwoods industry is used for energy.
What hardwood was used in the aft main shaft strut bearings for USS Nautilus (SSN-571), the world's first nuclear-powered submarine?
Hint: It's the same hardwood used to craft Pete Seeger's famous banjo.