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1. Competition From Southern Hemisphere Plantation ForestsHardwood Manufacturers Association 2003 National ConferenceCharleston, South CarolinaMarch 10-12, 2003
Bob Flynn, Director
Wood Resources International Ltd.
2. The growth in US imports of Brazilian wood products has been almost entirely from plantation wood
3. Imports of softwood lumber from Brazil, Chile, and New Zealand have more than tripled since 1996
4. US imports of finished products like softwood moulding are also increasing at a fast pace
5. New Zealand exports radiata pine sawnwood to China and SE Asia for further processing
6. Southern Hemisphere Pine Plantations Variety of species
Radiata Pine in Chile, New Zealand, Australia
SYP in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay
Patula pine, radiata, SYP in South Africa
Almost all privately owned
Most plantations subsidized by government programs
Total harvest is about 55% of that in the US South
Timber growth rate 2-3 times faster than in US
Pulp is a driving factor in some countries, but main impact in US market is non-structural lumber and moulding
Competing with US lumber and wood panels in international markets – Caribbean, Asia, Europe
7. The “wall of wood” may not be that high, and lack of markets will delay forecast growth in harvests
9. What is Eucalyptus? Total lumber production is less than 2% of global hardwood lumber Native Eucalyptus from Australia =
Tasmanian Oak
Sydney Blue Gum
Rose Gum
Jarrah
Victorian Ash
Wormy Australian Chestnut
10. Major international companies are investing in Eucalyptus solidwood projects Aracruz (Brazil – lumber, flooring, sliced veneer)
Mondi (South Africa -- lumber)
Boise Cascade (Brazil – veneer, plywood)
ENCE (Spain/Uruguay – lumber, plywood)
SCANCOM (Brazil/Vietnam – garden furniture)
Fletcher Challenge (Argentina – lumber, plywood)
Weyerhaeuser (Uruguay -- ???)
11. Weyerhaeuser is “introducing” Eucalyptus lumber into the US Market First major marketing effort for plantation Eucalyptus
Starting with FAS and #1
Moving into flooring and sliced veneer
Limiting volumes and keeping quality/pricing relatively high
Preparing the market for Weyco’s own plantations in Uruguay
12. Eucalyptus Solidwood Products: Key Issues Big difference between the numerous species/clones
Need for intensive pruning and thinning to produce high quality wood products – lumber, flooring, furniture, plywood, veneer
Key niche is certified products -- FSC (e.g. garden furniture)
Initially will be a substitute for tropical hardwoods (e.g. meranti)
Processing technology evolving rapidly
Financial returns more attractive than growing pulpwood
Will be an “emerging industry” for next 5-10 years due to limited area managed for solidwood products
13. Questions??? Robert Flynn
Wood Resources International
Email – bobgflynn@aol.com
Phone – 253-565-4846
Web site – www.WRI-Ltd.com
14. Question/Answers
15. Other Plantation Hardwoods Teak
NOT the same as old growth
Significant differences in wood quality depending on source
Gmelina arborea
Costa Rica, Philippines, other
Hard to dry, but apparently good for furniture, cabinets
Acacia mangium
Mostly for pulp, but some in Dominican Republic
16. Relative Advantages/Disadvantages of producing wood products in the Southern Hemisphere Advantages
Lower wood costs
Lower wages
Favorable exchange rates
Subsidies for plantations
Shorter rotations allows greater genetic improvements
Environmental regs not as strict (but are a factor) Disadvantages
Lower productivity of labor and “social costs”
Distance to major markets
Problem with fall-down
Political uncertaintly and exchange rate volatility
Problems with getting paid subsidies for plantations
Capital is expensive
Fast growth = high growth stresses in wood
17. Drying Eucalyptus – Myths vs. Reality Plantation grown Eucalyptus is difficult and slow to dry without unacceptable defect --- but it is being done.
In Brazil, 25mm Eucalyptus may be air-dried for up to 3 months, with kiln times from 12 up to 25 days to dry lumber to 6-12% (depends on amount of air-drying time). 50mm lumber requires substantially more time.
Big differences between species, e.g. E. grandis (Brazil, Uruguay) much easier than E. globulus (Chile)
Pre-drying (or at least protected air-drying) now becoming more popular to avoid defect. Windsor is promoting a “continuous dry kiln”
18. Key Differences Between Countries - Supply Pine
Supply increasing in Chile/New Zealand currently
Supply level in Australia/South Africa
Supply in Argentina/Uruguay will surge, in another 10 years
Brazil – Current supply may not be sustainable
Eucalyptus
Brazil by far the leader in lumber, flooring, veneer
By 2008-10, Uruguay will be the leader in clear wood supply
Chile species mix aimed mainly at pulp
South Africa--- early leader but has not maintained focus
Australia – still mainly old growth and “regrowth”, plantation supply aimed at pulp, sawlogs still in the future
Argentina – long history of sawing and peeling, but limited supply of sawlogs
19. Eucalyptus and Pine Composite Panels Pine
Radiata pine makes excellent MDF, including “ultra-light”
SYP also the base for recent expansion in MDF and particleboard in Brazil and Argentina
Caribbean pine in Brazil and Venezuela also used
Eucalyptus
Long used for hardboard production in Brazil (Eucatex/Duratex)
Also long history of use for particleboard, esp. Brazil/Argentina
Usage for MDF relatively new, but popular in Thailand, also Masisa making high-density Eucalyptus MDF for laminated flooring. For MDF, mainly used in applications with overlay.