by Web Editor | Oct 30, 2015 | News
There will be no Hardwood Checkoff promotions program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has stopped the rulemaking process on the controversial “Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order.” Published in the Oct. 28 Federal Register, the notice from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service states: “Based on comments received, outstanding substantive questions and significant proposed modifications from stakeholders, USDA is terminating the proceeding.” The termination is effective Oct. 29.
Originally published in the Federal Register in November 2013, the proposed Hardwood Checkoff sought to set a tax on lumber producers to help promote wood sales, similar to the “Got Milk?” and “Pork: The Other White Meat” ad programs. The USDA said it received more than 900 comments to the original proposal, the majority of which opposed the program.
A supplemental notice was issued in June 2015, with comments collected through Sept. 7. The sponsoring Blue Ribbon Committee also submitted revisions in September in an attempt to gain the necessary support for the program. Those revisions, which included the removal of plywood, flooring and green mills, and the scaling back of fees, would have reduced the generated revenues significantly below the $10 million sought in the original proposal.
However, the USDA said, “In response to the supplemental notice, USDA received over 300 comments; a majority of the comments continued to oppose the program. Based on all the comments received, outstanding substantive questions and significant proposed modifications to the proposed program from stakeholders, USDA is terminating the proceeding. This action also terminates the proposed rules on the referendum procedures.”
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/usda-kills-hardwood-checkoff-program?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news
by Web Editor | Oct 19, 2015 | News
CLT Creates New Opportunities For Hardwoods
The latest UNECE Forest Products Annual Market Review highlights the rapid growth in the market for cross laminated timber (CLT) and the new opportunities the product creates for wood, including hardwood, to compete in high-end structural applications. Although the first CLT production facilities were constructed in the DACH countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) in 1994, the full potential is only now being realized following a long period of technical and market development.
CLT first entered the building market during the 2005 to 2010 period, transforming from a small-scale niche product into large-scale industrial production. CLT panels consist of several layers of structural lumber boards stacked crosswise (typically at 90 degrees) and glued together on their wide faces and, sometimes, on the narrow faces as well. In special configurations, consecutive layers may be placed in the same direction to obtain specific structural characteristics. CLT products are usually fabricated with three to seven layers, but with additional layers in some cases.
Thickness of individual lumber pieces typically varies from 16 mm to 51 mm and width varies from 60 mm to 240 mm. Boards are finger-jointed using structural adhesive. Lumber is visually-graded or machine stress rated and is kiln dried. Panel sizes vary by manufacturer; typical widths are 0.6m, 1.2m, and3 m, while length can be up to 18m and thickness up to 508 mm.
The dimensions and lay-up of CLT production are now internationally standardized and recognized, and production techniques are optimized in modern manufacturing facilities. CLT is designed to maximize yield, utilize lower grades of lumber, and it can be made in a high volume of very large sections.
The result is a light but very strong panel product that can be made off-site and erected quickly to form structural walls, floors and ceilings. CLT is used in a wide range of applications in single-family houses, multi-story towers, public buildings and specialty construction.
From FORDAQ: fordaq.com.
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by Web Editor | Oct 16, 2015 | News
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is one of our favorite materials; it’s made from a renewable resource, it sequesters carbon dioxide, it’s lighter than concrete and it’s lovely to look at. What’s not to love? In most of the CLT projects so far its use has been downplayed, thanks to the effectiveness of the concrete and steel people who try and convince people that it is not as good as concrete. That’s why this new project in Montreal is so interesting: It accentuates the positive, the virtues of wood construction. Even its name, Arbora, alludes to wood.
It’s also big. The Arbora project in Montreal is claimed to be the largest residential CLT project in the world, made up of 434 condo, townhouse and rental units in three eight story buildings, all made from sustainably harvested wood turned into panels by Nordic CLT. It’s designed by Lemay+CHA.
But what I really like is the fact that they are really building on the strengths of wood instead of trying to hide it. The developers, in their marketing, discuss the renewable aspects of wood construction, the strength and weight advantages, the thermal and fire resistance, the accuracy.
Prefabricated panels cut to the required dimensions are delivered to the site, and the openings for doors and windows are cut to an accuracy of one tenth of a millimeter using computer numerical control (CNC) precision machinery. Everything is planned and organized so the building can be erected quickly.
From TreeHugger.com: https://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/worlds-largest-cross-laminated-timber-apartment-complex-being-built-montreal.html?utm_source=WIT101615&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=WeekInTrees
by Web Editor | Oct 9, 2015 | News
Plyboo bamboo architectural plywood and paneling products manufacturer Smith & Fong Co. has launched a full line of high-end architectural bamboo and palm panel products for the India market, according to company founder Dan Smith.
“India has a rich history in design and architecture and the level of sophistication and appreciation is there,” Smith said. “We believe that our panel offerings will appeal to both contemporary and traditional tastes and also strike a chord with India’s growing awareness of sustainable and renewable design materials.”
Smith & Fong’s India launch includes its Plyboo, bamboo and Durapalm palm branded lines of decorative panels. The company chose Bangalore as its home base, with offices there through an exclusive representation agreement with ASA Global Enterprises to market and distribute the lines in India.
Included in the offerings are the Reveal, PlybooSound and Linear Line Collections in bamboo. The Reveal Collection represents panels that are richly carved and textured and the PlybooSound Collection offers aesthetics along with noise reduction components. The Linear Line Collection offers patterns from contemporary architectural lines to looks that resemble a multi-colored, hand-woven textile.
The palm collection under the Durapalm brand includes PalmWoven, a traditional woven motif and DecoPalm, a contemporary blocked, linear pattern with flat panel looks that express the rich warmth and beauty of the natural material.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/panel-supply/plywood-plyboo-maker-enters-india-market?ss=wood,wood,wood_of_the_month,wood,pricing_supply,wood,components_sourcing,wood,panel_supply,wood,wood_veneer,wood,lumber_quotes_charts
by Web Editor | Oct 5, 2015 | News
Oak Hill Veneer Inc. will invest almost $2 million to expand its operations in Troy, PA. When completed, the spliced hardwood veneer manufacturer said it expects to add 73 full-time jobs over the next three years, more than double its current size of 62 employees.
Plans call for the construction of a 15,000-square-foot building and adding a new line of veneer splicing equipment. In addition, the company said it will lease a nearby 35,000-square-foot building where it will install a new line of manufacturing equipment to produce veneer board. News of the expansion was announced Sept. 30.
Oak Hill Veneer is one of 18 companies owned by Spanish wood products firm Grupo Losan. Founded in 2008, Oak Hill Veneer specializes in cutting and splicing various thicknesses of veneer in a variety of species, including oak, cherry, maple and walnut, in accordance with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification requisites, according to the corporate website.
“Oak Hill Veneer, Inc. is very excited about our upcoming expansion project,” said Amy Jackson, project coordinator. “This project has been months in the making and we are finally able to make an idea a reality. The state’s assistance will be used towards the purchase of the new equipment and to help with the construction of the new building at the Oak Hill Veneer Inc. site. These upcoming projects will create many jobs and bring more business to the community.”
The company received assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that includes $146,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits and a $225,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant. The project also was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team in collaboration with the Office of International Business Development and the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/oak-hill-veneer-plans-2-million-expansion?ss=wood,wood,wood_of_the_month,wood,pricing_supply,wood,components_sourcing,wood,panel_supply,wood,wood_veneer,wood,lumber_quotes_charts
by Web Editor | Sep 30, 2015 | News
The British Columbia provincial government says it is investing $2.2 million in the Wood First program to promote the use of B.C. wood both locally and internationally, and help advance innovative wood-building systems and value-added wood products.
The funding is being awarded to six industry trade associations and institutions with proven records in research, development and marketing of wood products and skills training to carry out Wood First activities. They include:
• BC Wood Specialties Group – $558,910
• Canadian Wood Council – $770,109
• University of British Columbia – Centre for Advanced Wood Processing – $359,166
• University of British Columbia – Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability – $65,000
• FPInnovations – $428,928
• Design Build Research Institute – $51,762
Funding from the Province will be supplemented with additional funds provided by industry.
Wood First is focused on advancing the use of wood in B.C. Since the program was launched in 2009, wood use in the mid-rise and non-residential construction sectors is increasing and recognition of wood as a preferred building material continues to grow. A recent survey of B.C. engineers, architects and builders confirmed that 40% are increasing the use of structural wood and 77% believe B.C. is well positioned to export its products and knowledge.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/canadian-news/british-columbia-invests-22-million-promote-wood-buildings-products?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news
