Global timber market review #23-2015

– In September, Canadian lumber production increased 5.2% from August up to 5563.5 thousand cubic metres.

– In the upcoming years, Danzer will invest approximately €15 million in technologies to increase resource efficiency in hardwood production. Danzer plants in France, Czech Republic and the US are going to be adapted or upgraded, respectively. The company’s curve-saw and log scanning technologies will also be optimized further. The use of new processes will pave the way to major improvements in resource efficiency. Initially, three projects are in focus: increase of the production of deck layers for the engineered flooring industry as well as further optimization of veneer and lumber production.

– In 2014, of the total worldwide 27 million tonnes of pellets, 13.5 million tonnes were produced in Europe. Pellet production has been steadily growing in the European Union in recent years: between 2010 and 2014 by 35%, and between 2013-2014 by 11%. The growth has been tempered mainly due to the lower gas and oil prices. These are some facts revealed in the latest analysis of the wood pellet market, which was carried out by the European Pellet Council (EPC). Consumption of pellets in the United States has increased up to 2.5 million tonnes and now the US is among the 10 largest consumers outside the EU. In the Asian market, especially Japan and South Korea report a rapidly growing market.

– The German Pellets Group increased its total output and EBITDA in the first nine months of the current business year. As of 30 September 2015, the Group’s total output had increased by around 10% to reach €442.5 million (previous year: €400.6m). At the end of this year’s first nine months, EBITDA amounted to €38m (previous year: €37m). “Seen against the background of what, compared to last year, is a continued low price level in the end-consumer market, this is a positive development”, says Peter H. Leibold, Managing Director of German Pellets GmbH.

More detailed review of global market trends of roundwood, lumber, wood panels and pellets as well as news of the Russian timber industry; exclusive articles and interviews; over 25 pages of price charts are available in our digital Russian Timber Journal.