DHA eNews - Wood Products Manufacturing Up 5%
The Federal Reserve Board reports that wood products manufacturing has increased by 5% year-over-year through the first quarter of 2021 as manufacturers continue to respond to high demand. Note that the number of single-family housing permits issued was almost 17% higher than last year - and, over the last eight months, home builder confidence has consistently scored above 80 on the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (anything above 50 is considered positive).
In the first three months of this year, foreign investors from six countries opened 10 new wood products plants in Vietnam. The total invested capital amounts to more than $112 million. Investors from China accounted for half of the new projects. The remaining five countries invested in one project each over the same period.
Recent COVID-19 updates and information that impact our industry include:
- Construction associations urge workers to get vaccinated
- Scientists identify the human genes that fight COVID-19 infection
- PPE may save human lives, but it's deadly for wildlife
- And, some more coronavirus humor
See the DHA coronavirus news and resources pages for more news.
Danzer finalized the sale of its Bradford, PA hardwood sawmill on April 15 to a joint venture between hardwood producer Rossi Group and timberland investment firm Lyme Timber Company. Danzer will continue as a major player in the North American lumber business with its lumber drying operations in Shade Gap, PA.
Kop-Coat Protection Products has developed and commercialized a state-of-the-art dimensional stabilizer for wood veneer and solid wood components. WoodYouth® Plus is designed to reduce wood's ability to gain and lose moisture. Kop-Coat partnered with Beakler Consulting Services to create this product.
The comprehensive national consensus standard for engineered wood flooring includes grade descriptions, test procedures, and requirements for veneer thickness, machining, moisture content, and finishing.
On April 21, the U.S. Department of Treasury sanctioned two of Burma's state-owned enterprises: the Myanmar Timber Enterprise and Myanmar Pearl Enterprise. The timber and pearl industries are key economic resources for the Burmese military regime; these sanctions are not directed at the people of Burma.
The House Natural Resources Committee ranking member reintroduced the Trillion Trees Act as a core strategy to mitigate greenhouse gas. The bipartisan bill, supported by more than 30 stakeholder groups, creates a national program to increase tree nursery capacity, including a $1 billion loan program for tree nurseries.
The Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia is ready to begin planting 36 million trees throughout the province. The trees, which are being planted to reforest the areas affected by the 2017 wildfires, will cost $1.50 per seedling and $0.50 to plant each one.
Ash is one of the main woods used to make guitars. It's prized for its resonant sound and light weight. But, the destruction caused by the emerald ash borer is forcing guitar manufacturers to turn to other species of wood.
The U.S. is working on a multi-billion-dollar timber deal with Brazil. Experts fear that the agreement could help the re-election of President Bolsonaro and may reward illegal logging in the Amazon. Indigenous groups, environmental organizations, and civil society activists say they're being excluded from negotiations.
Three countries have launched the Leaf Coalition to raise $1 billion in financing to protect tropical forests and reduce emissions from deforestation. Multinational corporations including Amazon, Airbnb, Bayer, McKinsey, Nestlé, and Unilever have committed to funding the initiative.
Mexican President Lopez Obrador suggested the U.S. government provide temporary work visas and potentially U.S. citizenship to those who participate in a tree-planting program throughout Mexico and Central America. The goal is to plant 700,000 trees in the region.
The Los Angeles City Council is considering a proposal to cut the use of wood-frame construction for larger developments in its most densely populated areas to reduce vulnerability to wildfires. The proposal applies to larger structures: buildings of at least 150,000 square feet, or 100,000 square feet if the building is more than 30 feet tall.
Elon Musk will soon launch the first wood satellite: true or false?