Australia’s Federal Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley, Tasmanian Minister for Environment Roger Jaensch and Member for Bass Bridget Archer MP announced a Grant to support Timberlink to build Tasmania’s first Bio Composites plant. The grant was awarded from the Tasmanian Recycling Modernisation Fund (Plastics) Grants Program (RMF).

The Bio Composite plant will produce Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) products that will upcycle plastic waste and plantation timber mill residues, producing decking and screening for commercial and residential applications. This technology will enable Timberlink to manufacture a wide range of WPC products over time.

The Timberlink Wood Plastic Composite Plant intends to source the recycled HDPE (a type of Plastic) for the core of the product from Tasmania; utilising existing industry capability and ensuring that the feedstock for this plant where possible is a Tasmanian on-island solution. This will significantly enhance the circular economy in Tasmania and generate economic value to Tasmania as these products will be sold in Tasmania and the mainland.

At full production, the project will divert HDPE plastic from landfill at an equivalent to an approximate 83% increase over current HDPE recycled in Tasmania based on FY19 levels said David Oliver, Timberlink’s EGM Sales, Marketing & Corporate Affairs.

The project capital cost is AU$12m and the Federal and State Government have co invested in this project with an AU$5.8M grant to create this new industry in Tasmania. The project is shovel ready and will commence immediately. Timberlink intends to have the project completed and in production by December 2022.

The energy to power the plant will be sourced from Tasmanian Hydro Power and a solar farm located on the roof of the new facility. Rainwater tanks will be installed to harvest rainwater which will be used for cooling in the manufacturing process. This is a first for Tasmania and Australia. We are excited that Bell Bay will be the location for such a new and exciting investment for Australian Manufacturing.

Photo: Timberlink EGM Sales, Marketing and Corporate Affairs with Member for Bass Bridget Archer MP and Tasmanian Minister for Environment Roger Jaensch and announcing the project and joint federal and state government grant at Timberlink Bell Bay on 2 July 2021

About Timberlink Australia/New Zealand

Timberlink is a leading Australasian timber products manufacturing business. The business has two sawmills at Bell Bay (Tasmania) and Tarpeena (South Australia) that manufacture plantation structural pine products. Timberlink has sales and distribution teams based in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne and sales teams based at the Bell Bay and Blenheim sawmills. Timberlink is owned by investment funds managed by New Forest

Millar Western at Whitecourt, AB is investing in a new transverse edger line that will feature BioVision scanning and optimization with Deep Learning A.I. This is a replacement for an older line, and the mill’s goal is to increase productivity and reliability to match the production targets of the mill. At the same time the mill wants to utilize top-tier vision technology and maximize the value from its production.

The supply will begin at the edger unscrambler through to the Model 625 positioning infeed, 4TA top arbor edger with reman head, and flying vee tailer. The MillTrak lumber flow management system will control the flow from the unscrambler through the scanner transfer. The new scan frame will feature BioLuma 2900LV sensors, and USNR’s PLC control system will control the complete line from the unscrambler incline through the slow down belt.

This new line is scheduled to be commissioned later in 2021.

GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. (TSXV: GFP) (GreenFirst or the Company) announces that, effective 28 June 2021 Rick Doman has replaced Larry G. Swets, Jr. as Chief Executive Officer of GreenFirst and Paul Rivett has replaced Kyle Cerminara as Chairman of the board of directors of GreenFirst (the Board). Both Larry G. Swets, Jr. and Kyle Cerminara will remain on the Board.

These changes were determined to be in the best interests of the Company going forward as GreenFirst transitions to a lumber and forestry company and moves towards the closing of the previously announced asset purchase transaction involving the acquisition of lumber and forestry assets of certain subsidiaries of Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc.

Rick Doman is seasoned executive with over 45 years of forestry and lumber experience, including with Doman Industries (currently named Western Forest Products Inc.). Mr. Doman also founded EACOM Timber Corporation where he served as the CEO, President and Chief Executive Officer and has been a director of GreenFirst since October 2020.

Paul Rivett is the Co-Owner of Nordstar Capital, which recently acquired Torstar Corporation. Mr. Rivett is the Chairman and Co-proprietor of Torstar Corporation. Prior to this, Mr. Rivett was President of Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. and Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. Mr. Rivett also sits on several boards, including Recipe Unlimited Corporation (TSX: RECP), VerticalScope Holdings, Inc. (TSX: FORA) and Chorus Aviation, Inc. (TSX: CHR). He has been a director of GreenFirst since October 22, 2020.

About GreenFirst

GreenFirst is a forest-first business, focused on environmentally sustainable forest management and lumber production. They believe that sustainable forest planting and harvesting, coupled with the long-term green advantage of lumber, provide GreenFirst with significant cyclical and secular advantages in building products. GreenFirst’s long-term pursuit is to be a global leader in environmentally sustainable lumber. For more information,visit: www.gffp.ca

GreenFirst Forest Products

GreenFirst Forest Products – Focused on investments in the global forest products industry. The company currently owns a sawmill in Kenora, Ontario

Waratah Forestry Equipment debuted the HTH624C 4×4 LP – a loader-processor built for increasing productivity to quickly clear tight landing areas and load trucks. The multi-use head features attributes of a standard processing head with extra capability for manipulating multiple logs – making it extremely efficient.

“The HTH624C 4×4 LP makes quick work of loading or processing,” said Brent Fisher, product marketing manager for Waratah. “In addition to the benefits of a four-wheel-drive processor, it features large sawing capacity and an extra-large delimb opening for handling multiple logs to clear the deck fast. At Waratah, we’re always looking for ways to boost customer productivity and efficiency, and the HTH624C 4×4 LP delivers.”

Increased productivity

This four-wheel drive, four-roller head also has a shorter tilt frame that helps loading trucks or extend reach with higher deck piles – working effortlessly to manipulate logs on carriers with or without live heels.

Its larger delimb opening enables operators to grab multiple logs, clearing the yarder chute or shovel more efficiently. With a wide maximum delimb opening of 939 mm (37 in.), the HTH624C 4×4 LP can manipulate large single logs and improve log deck picking.

Likewise, the HTH624C 4×4 LP also features a large sawing capacity with an 815 mm (32 in.) maximum sawing capacity. It’s also fit for 27+ metric ton carriers, meaning that it can carry out large jobs.

Tight space workhorse

One of the key benefits of the HTH624C 4×4 LP is its ability to work in tight spaces. As a multi-use tool, it can handle the jobs of multiple pieces of equipment – a key feature when space doesn’t permit several pieces of equipment. With a weight of 3560 kg (7,848 lb.), the HTH624C 4×4 LP provides added capacity and delimbing force to tackle the big jobs. Its minimum delimb close of 120 mm (4.7 in.) allows it to process a wide range of diameter classes.

“The HTH624C 4×4 LP’s four-wheel drive makes it powerful and efficient,” Fisher said. “We’re looking forward to Waratah customers taking advantage of this multi-use workhorse.”

The Waratah HTH624C 4×4 LP is currently available to customers in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Asia Pacific, Brazil and Latin America.

For more information about Waratah, please visit Waratah.com or contact Sarah Larson at slarson@mindfirecomm.com

Long-term sustainability is a central focus area when Komatsu Forest builds its new factory outside Umeå, in Sweden. An important piece of the puzzle in this work is the 19000m2 solar park on the roof of the factory, which will contribute to carbon neutral production. In connection with the summer solstice on 21 June, the installation became operational.

In Umeå and northern Sweden there are good conditions for using the sun as an energy source. The city had 2,053 hours of sunshine last year and solar radiation is high without it being too hot, which could mean energy losses.

“We have actively strived to find a long-term sustainable energy solution for our new property where solar cells are an important component in achieving a production that is CO2-neutral,” says Martin Ärlestig, Global Production Manager at Komatsu Forest.

The supplier of the solar park is Svea Solar.

“The green transition is a must, and the sun is an obvious part of the solution. We are very pleased to be a part of the fact that Komatsu Forest is now getting one of the largest solar parks in the Nordic region, and that solar energy production is also growing in northern Sweden. We are convinced that interest in solar energy will continue to increase now that more people see that it actually works here in our more northern parts of the country as well,” says Erik Martinson, CEO and founder of Svea Solar.

The solar park on Komatsus roof consists of 7154 solar panels covering almost 19000m2, i.e. about two thirds of the roof’s surface. This also makes it one of the largest in the Nordic region.

The solar panels tilt 10 degrees and stand in both an easterly and westerly direction to also capture the morning and evening sun. The stands for the panels are held in place on the roof of a total of 65 tons of ballast and a total of as much as 60 km of electrical cable rings on the roof. From the roof installation, the power goes down to 22 inverters located in the installation channel under the roof. The power is then diverted into a switchgear before entering the general power rail for the factory.

The impressive installation is estimated to produce 2,625,000 kWh of solar electricity, covering much of the total demand for the Komatsu Forest factory. With the new solar park, the surplus will also help to increase the share of sustainable energy production in the electricity grid.

Positive from a sustainability perspective is also that the solar cells have a long lifespan and are estimated to be able to produce electricity for over 30 years.

The official start of production at Komatsu Forest’s new factory is 9 August.

In order to increase its drying capacity while maintaining a high level of quality, the privately-owned sawmill group AB Karl Hedin is investing in six batch kilns for its Swedish sawmills in Säter and Krylbo. The investment increases the group’s drying capacity by approx. 77,000 cubic meters (32,630 MBF).

“We have had good experiences working with Valutec on previous deliveries. They offer a well thought-out design and an excellent control system. By continuing with Valutec as our main kiln supplier, the total solution is the most cost-effective”, says Michael Forsberg, project manager at AB Karl Hedin.

AB Karl Hedin is one of Sweden’s largest privately-owned sawmill groups with three sawmills in Bergslagen and two in Estonia.

The group’s sawmill in Krylbo is Sweden’s largest producer of small diameter logs. The refined range is called “Krylbokubb” and is a small diameter range with a standard length of 3.05 m. Säters Ångsåg saws pine lumber of the highest quality. The raw materials are thick pine lumber, Säter blocks, and veneer pine for the production of furniture and paneling of high quality.

“Our cooperation with Hedin goes a long way back. They are renowned for their quality and the way they take care of their timber. It’s both an honor and a pleasure to accompany them on their journey”, says Jon Lindberg, sales manager for Valutec.

With this investment, the annual total capacity in Krylbo is increased by approx. 36,000 cubic meters (15,255 MBF), and in Säter by approx. 41,000 cubic meters (17,375 MBF). The increased capacity ensures a high drying quality also in the event of a future increase in saw production.

The lumber kilns are built of stainless steel with pressure frames, for minimal deformation of the uppermost lumber layer. They are delivered with Valutec’s control system Valmatics 4.0.

To facilitate handling for the kiln operators, AB Karl Hedin is upgrading its control systems to Valmatics 4.0 on ten existing kilns in connection with the investment.  Valmatics 4.0 is the only control system for lumber drying that combines simulator technology with adaptive control, and enables optimization of the capacity, quality and energy consumption simultaneously.

The assembly of the new kilns and the upgrading of the control systems will start in March 2022.

For more information, contact:
Jon Lindberg
Sales Manager
Valutec
Tel: +46 (0)910 879 50
jon.lindberg@valutec.se

Michael Forsberg
Project Manager
AB Karl Hedin Sawmill
Tel: +46 (0)70-349 41 87
mikael.forsberg@hedins.se

MiCROTEC (formerly FinScan) will continue its close cooperation with the Russian ULK Group in delivering three Finscan sorting systems for dry sorting departments at ULK’s new Pinega sawmill to be constructed in the Arkhangelsk region.

The Finscan system is an advanced sawn lumber scanner that utilises Buzzard® AI software to detect defects in wood. Thanks to the Buzzard® app, the system detects knots and rot with extremely high precision, and therefore significantly improves the sawn lumber yield. The Pinega sawmill is expected to begin operations in 2023 and manufacture sawn softwood and pellets.

MiCROTEC’s order is part of a sizeable agreement between Lahti-based Jartek and ULK Group on the delivery of sawn lumber processing lines. Jartek will deliver four green sorting lines and three dry sorting lines for sawn lumber processing.

Once complete, the Pinega sawmill will be the largest in northern Europe. The sawmill will handle over two million cubic metres of logs per year, resulting in approximately one million cubic metres of ready sawn lumber and 600 tonnes of pellets.

Some of the major forestry equipment market participants are Kesla Oyj, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Eco Log Sweden AB, Caterpillar Inc., Komatsu Forest, Ponsse PLC, Husqvarna AB, Deere & Company, Tigercat International, Doosan Group, STIHL, and Logset Oy.

Global Market Insights Inc. has recently added a new report on the forestry equipment market that estimates the market valuation for forestry equipment will cross US$ 13 billion by 2027. The forestry equipment market is witnessing high growth owing to the rising demand for products made from residues and recycled materials used to manufacture particleboards. Increasing awareness related to the usage of eco-friendly residual forestry products will spur market demand.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted the global economic conditions. The forestry equipment market growth witnessed a severe impact due to the pandemic. New equipment sales were hampered due to rising financial insecurities among forestry companies. The industry witnessed a high demand for rental equipment compared to new equipment due to the high cost of new machines. With the gradual reopening of key markets and stabilization of economic conditions, the market will witness steady growth.

Request a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/4580.

The increasing usage of chainsaws for commercial forestry applications is driving the forestry equipment market. In household applications, chainsaws are used for pruning applications and cutting woods into pieces for usage in a furnace. The commercial application of chainsaws involves the cutting of wood logs to required lengths. Vast usage of chainsaws coupled with new product launches is strengthening product demand. For instance, in September 2019, MAKITA launched brushless, cordless and handle chain saws equipped with lithium-ion batteries. The new electric chainsaws with a low carbon footprint will enhance the forestry equipment market demand.

Asia Pacific is witnessing an increasing trend of renting new forestry machines due to their efficiency and minimal maintenance requirements compared to old equipment. In addition, to solve the problem of unskilled personnel handling technologically advanced equipment, several rental companies have started providing training to staff members, accelerating the industry growth.

The players active in the forestry equipment market are Ponsse PLC, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Eco Log Sweden AB, Kesla Oyj, Tigercat International, and Husqvarna AB. Companies are investing in R&D and innovation to enhance the functionality & capability of their forestry equipment models. For instance, in March 2021, Tigercat International introduced updated features in its 875 logger equipment. The features include an updated operator cabin, redesigned grapple configurations, reduced in-cab noise, a rearview camera system, and a large touchscreen display. The modifications will increase the productivity and efficiency of the logger.

Some major findings in the forestry equipment market report include:

• The integration of cloud computing solutions and IoT technology in harvesters, forwarders and skidders is supporting the forestry equipment market.
• The emergence of telematics has aided users to track productivity in real-time. Manufacturers are introducing engines with advanced technology that are highly efficient and economical.
• The enhancement in new engine standards in Europe and the U.S. is strengthening the forestry equipment market. Machines are increasingly used in harvesting Roundwood and Sawn wood for residential applications.
• Growing government investments in the development of robust public infrastructures will create a huge demand for forestry equipment to clear large patches of land.
• Increasing forestry maintenance activities in Latin America are propelling the demand for large forestry machines.
• Rising extraction of timber and non-timber forest products is creating opportunities for the forestry rental industry.

Request a customization of this research report at https://www.gminsights.com/roc/4580.

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth-consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision-making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.

Contact:

Arun Hegde
Corporate Sales, USA
Global Market Insights, Inc.
Phone: 1-302-846-7766
Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688

SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc.

Photo: Forestry Equipment Market is set to surpass USD 13 billion by 2027, according to a new research report by Global Market Insights Inc.

Provides direct access to Forestry sector and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals and Principles of Responsible Investing

J.P. Morgan Asset Management expects to become an active participant in carbon offset markets

In an effort to directly impact the transition to a low-carbon economy and provide ESG-minded investment opportunities related to climate, conservation and biodiversity, J.P. Morgan Asset Management has acquired Forest Management and Timberland Investing company, Campbell Global, LLC.  The terms of the deal with Campbell Global’s parent company, BrightSphere Investment Group, were not disclosed.  The acquisition does not impact current investment strategies for Campbell Global clients.

Campbell Global is a recognized leader in global timberland investment and natural resource management. Based in Portland, Oregon, the firm has over three decades of experience, $5.3 billion in assets under management and manages over 1.7 million acres worldwide with over 150 employees.  All employees will be retained and Campbell Global will remain headquartered in Portland.  The deal will make J.P. Morgan a significant benefactor for thriving forests around the world, including in 15 U.S. states, New Zealand, Australia and Chile.

Carbon sequestration in forests worldwide will play an important role in carbon markets, and J.P. Morgan Asset Management expects to become an active participant in carbon offset markets as they develop.

“This acquisition expands our alternatives offering and demonstrates our desire to integrate sustainability into our business in a way that is meaningful,” said George Gatch, Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan Asset Management.  “Investing in timberland, on behalf of institutional and high net worth individuals, will allow us to apply our expertise in managing real assets to forests, which are a natural solution to many of the world’s climate, biodiversity and social challenges.”

“We have always held that there should be no tradeoff between investing wisely and investing responsibly,” said John Gilleland, Chief Executive Officer of Campbell Global.  “We made our first institutional investment in timberland 35 years ago, have since planted over 536 million trees, and emerged as a leader in sustainable forestry. We look forward to continuing these efforts with J.P. Morgan.  Importantly, this transaction further positions Campbell Global to serve our existing world-class clients at the highest standard.”

“Acquiring Campbell Global provides us with an opportunity to strengthen and diversify our ESG focus, including building a robust carbon sequestration platform,” said Anton Pil, Global Head of J.P. Morgan Global Alternatives.  “Timber investing further enhances our asset class offerings in our alternatives business, ultimately passing along the unique benefits of forest management to our clients. Our knowledge of real estate and transport markets, in particular, is expected to provide opportunities to optimize the usage of timber and wood products more vertically.”

“Throughout our extensive due diligence, we were very impressed with Campbell Global’s culture and capabilities,” said Ben Hesse, Head of Strategy and Business Development for J.P. Morgan Asset & Wealth Management.  “We could not be more excited to welcome the team to J.P. Morgan.”

The investment offering will sit within J.P. Morgan’s $168B AUM Global Alternatives franchise, and will tap into the continued growth of private markets.  J.P. Morgan is an expert in investing in real assets, with leadership positions in real estate, infrastructure, and transport and as well as private equity, private debt and hedge funds.  Campbell Global adds to this portfolio, filling an asset class gap in an attractive market while also supporting sustainability goals.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter.  J.P. Morgan looks forward to the new opportunities this acquisition can create in timberland investments.

Valmet and CMPC have signed a long-term agreement for maintenance development services at CMPC’s Santa Fe Pulp Mill, in Chile.

“After seeing some references and the customized proposal Valmet developed for us, we are confident to sign this agreement. The proposal ensures high quality services and access to technology know-how, aligned with multidisciplinary teamwork and low operational risk,” says Cristian Fabrizio Roa Munõz, Mill Maintenance Manager, CMPC, Santa Fe, Chile.

“Valmet is honoured to be trusted with the overall responsibility for CMPC’s wood handling maintenance which further strengthens our long-term collaboration. This agreement shows that we’ve successfully packaged our services for a customer who wants to improve their overall equipment effectiveness throughout the lifecycle by excellent maintenance operations. Successful collaboration is based on commitment, trust, good communication, and reaching common goals. We are committed to team up with CMPC and fulfill the targets together,” explains Timo Harjunpää, Director, Maintenance Development and Outsourcing, Services business line, Valmet.

“This contract reinforces Valmet as a differentiated maintenance development and outsourcing services provider in the South America market. With integrated solutions, technology, guaranteed performance, and courage to innovate, Valmet’s Maintenance Operations Agreement fulfills the market expectations,” says Fernando Rieger, Agreements & Mill Maintenance Operations Manager, South America, Valmet.

In addition to daily presence at the site, Valmet’s maintenance development agreement offers the customer support from Valmet’s global network of experts and various Industrial Internet applications through Valmet Performance Center 24 hours a day.

Technical information about the delivery

Valmet will provide mill maintenance services for CMPC’s wood handling area. Valmet will be responsible for securing the reliability at the site through planning, leadership, management, development, and execution of maintenance. Additionally, Valmet will bring new solutions to improve efficiency and accuracy of the daily maintenance.

About CMPC Santa Fe Mill

CMPC Santa Fe is the largest Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft pulp mill in Chile with a production capacity of 1,310,000 ADt/year. It is located 500 km south of Santiago in the Bío Bío region. The mill began operating in 1991.

VALMET  
Corporate Communications 

For further information, please contact:
Timo Harjunpää, Director, Maintenance Development and Outsourcing, Services, Valmet, tel. +358 40 824 4253
Fernando Rieger, Agreements & Mill Maintenance Operations Manager, South America Services, Valmet, tel. +55 41 99218-8713