World News | 9
French timber groups merge to create powerful new force
The French Union of Timber Industries and Builders (UICB) and the French Timber Trade Association (LCB) are joining forces to create the UICCB – the Union of Construction and Timber Trade Industries. The synergy created by the merger of these two major players in the French forestry and timber sector will support the development of companies in the sector, which are naturally committed to decarbonizing the construction process.
The new group took shape in December 2025 after a year of discussions and collaboration between the business leaders who head the governing bodies of the UICB and LCB. Sharing a common vision for the growth of a strategic sector for the building industry, the elected representatives formalized their merge. The joint organization of their Extraordinary General Assemblies ratifies the merger of the UICB and LCB, giving birth to the Union of Construction and Timber Trade Industries, the UICCB.
The merger of the two entities will increase the visibility and influence of their member companies and enable them to acquire a stronger position
within the emerging forestry and wood sector.
By choosing to deploy an organization that pools resources, the UICCB’s governing bodies are opening up new development opportunities for companies in the sector.
This alliance between manufacturers of wood products and systems, wood construction companies, suppliers (of French, Nordic, or exotic wood), and professionals in trade and distribution, establishes a new organization that brings together the entire value chain from resource to finished product.
With this ecosystem of complementary professions, the UICCB now stands as the only independent professional organization dedicated to the development of wood construction throughout France.
The business services offered by LCB will now benefit the entire group, with privileged access to training modules (e-learning) and the collective due diligence procedure that supports companies in complying with the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) and its amendments. “The creation of UICCB
marks a turning point for the French forestry and timber sector, consolidating existing synergies between companies in an economic sector at the heart of our country’s environmental transition,” said Frédéric Carteret, president of UICCB. “Together, we are growing the timber of tomorrow,” added Mr Carteret. “At a time when aligning priorities has become essential to supporting the development of timber in France, UICCB strengthens collective efficiency in service of companies in the timber industry,” said François Laresche, vice-president of UICCB.
SCA wood division sees profits fall
SCA’s wood division reported an 8% decline in EBITDA to SEK856m (2024: SEK927m) for the full year 2025.
In its latest interim report posting, SCA said annual sales in 2025 were up 11% on a year ago to SEK6.125bn (2024: SEK5.539bn). Operating profits were down 12% to SEK564m (2024: SEK642m).
The division’s deliveries for the year totalled 2.12 million m3 – an 8% improvement on the 1.95 million m3 of 2024. SCA says the decline in the wood division EBITDA was due to higher raw material costs and negative exchange rate effects, which were offset by higher selling prices and higher delivery volumes.
OPERATOR TRAINING CERTIFICATED
LEADERS IN WOOD MACHINE TRAINING
Delivering hands-on practical courses for both novice and experienced learners.
tel: +44 (0)115 986 5201
www.daltonswadkin.com
The Monniot sawmill in France Untitled-2 1
www.ttjonline.com | Spring 2026 | TTJ 01/07/2025 08:55
World News
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69
