6 | News
West Fraser Q3 results impacted by market
action that will ensure our operations remain flexible and sized to meet the needs of our customers while also controlling costs. “We continue to evaluate
strategic investments that will make our Company stronger through the cycle and generate long-term shareholder value, even as we maintain robust liquidity and a balanced capital allocation strategy.”
Above: West Fraser OSB used in timber frame housing
International wood-based panels giant West Fraser has reported adjusted earnings (EBITDA) of US$(144m) for the third quarter (Q2 2025: US$84m).
Sales for the group were US$1.307bn (Q2 2025: US$
1.532.bn).
The North America engineered wood products division recorded EBITDA of US$(15m). The European engineered wood products segment reported adjusted EBITDA of US$1m. “There’s no escaping that supply and demand
imbalances persist for many of our wood-based building products in an environment where elevated mortgage rates continue to impact housing affordability,” said Sean McLaren, West Fraser’s President and CEO. “And this challenging
backdrop has now been joined by increased duty rates and new Section 232 tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber. Despite these conditions and the resulting uncertainty faced by our industry, we remain steadfast in our strategy, taking appropriate
Wanhua Group orders 9 PressBoosters Generation 4 from Sunds Fibertech
Wanhua Group has placed an order with Sunds Fibertech for 9 PressBoosters Generation 4, with the first three to be delivered in December 2025. Wanhua Group is China’s
second-largest panelboard manufacturer, with an annual production capacity of 5 million cubic meters and 15 production lines. The initial batch of three units will be delivered in Q4, 2025, with the remaining six scheduled for installation in 2026.
“This expanded partnership is a direct result of the outstanding performance demonstrated by the first PressBooster installed at Wanhua’s Linyi facility, which has been running successfully
since March 2025,” said Steven Zhang, managing director of Sunds Fibertech China. With this significant order, Sunds Fibertech further strengthens its position in steam mat pre-heating systems for the panelboard industry.
The PressBooster
Generation 4 was launched at Ligna 2025 with a focus on performance, quality and easy maintenance. The mat pre- heating system is designed to boost production capacity by increasing mat temperature before it enters the press. By injecting steam directly into the mat, the system enables higher press speeds and enhances plant efficiency.
WBPI | October/November 2025 |
www.wbpionline.com
Capital expenditures in the third quarter were US$90m. West Fraser said the seasonally adjusted annualized rate of US housing starts was 1.31 million units in August 2025, with permits issued for 1.31 million units, according to the US Census Bureau. It said demand for new
home construction and wood building products may continue to be challenged and even decline over the near term should the broader economy and employment slow or the trend in interest and mortgage rates negatively impact consumer sentiment and housing affordability.
In Europe and the UK,
West Fraser expects industry demand to improve but remain challenging over the near term. In West Fraser’s NA EWP segment, the softer demand for its OSB products in the third quarter also has carried into the fourth quarter. In the Europe EWP segment, the company expects demand to improve for MDF, particleboard and OSB panel products in the near term, recognizing there are ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties in the region. “On balance, we continued
to experience relatively stable costs for inputs across our supply chain in Q3-25, including chemicals and waxes, while we have experienced some downward cost pressure for resins, and contract labour availability and capital equipment lead times continued to show improvement.” West Fraser expects capital expenditures remain in the range of $400 million to $450 million in 2025.
German panel maker Homann reports revenue growth in first half of 2025
Leading German wood-based panels producer Homann Holzwerkstoffe has reported a slight revenue growth for the first half of 2025 despite current challenging markets and one-off costs. Revenues increased to €195m (H1 2024: €186.3m), while adjusted operating EBITDA fell to €22.1m (previous year: €28.4m). The company also has an
investment package for the modernization and expansion of the existing plant in Losheim.
Homann cited temporary production stoppages at the Losheim site from January to May following the modernization of the raw
board plant. On the other hand, the commissioning of the new plant in Pagiriai, Lithuania, was delayed. The Group’s half-year result
totalled €-2.7m compared to €7.9m in the same period of the previous year.
“In the first half of financial year 2025, we set the course with a number of important decisions,” said Fritz Homann, managing director of Homann Holzwerkstoffe GmbH. “Operationally, we were
able to further increase our revenues and have strengthened our financing base by issuing a new corporate bond.” It expects H2 revenues to exceed the H2, 2024 level.
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