World News | 9
Metsä Group to build R&D lab for veneer-based wood products
Metsä Group is constructing a research and development laboratory in Äänekoski, Finland, dedicated to
developing veneer-based wood products.
The new facility will be located alongside the new Kerto LVL mill currently under construction in Äänekoski. The laboratory is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the investment value is approximately €6m.
Above: Metsä Group’s R&D facility will be located alongside the new Kerto LVL mill currently under construction in Äänekoski
FEFPEB warns of mounting price challenges
The European Federation of Wooden Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) has highlighted reports of increasing upward price pressure in recent months, as mixed market dynamics and supply constraints impact the market.
Independent indices in several European countries, including France, Germany, and the UK, have shown significant increases in the past two quarters.
The German HPE index for pallet timber moved from 391.09 to 419.09 between January and April this year; while in France, the National Wood Federation (Fédération Nationale du Bois) said it expects global pressure on log prices to push the price of sawn timber upwards. “The timber market, particularly from the perspective of wooden pallets
and packaging, is experiencing a notable upward price trend – interestingly, this is happening without a rise in underlying demand,” said industry commentator Rob Driessen of pallet and packaging procurement specialist Connec3.
“There is a key pressure point with centre-cut timber, especially spruce, where structural shortages are pushing markets towards price acceptance and demand is significantly outstripping supply.” He added there have been recent signs of stability driven by uncertainties about underlying demand. General uncertainty in the global marketplace has added complexity to the situation, he added, such as newly introduced or anticipated US tariffs, leading to product stockpiling in some sectors and shifting patterns of trade.
□ The International Softwood Conference will take place on October 22-24 in Oslo, Norway
The laboratory will be a test environment for researching and developing new high-value veneer-based wood products in collaboration with Metsä Group’s partner network. The investment will establish the conditions for testing
material-efficient load-bearing structures and enable product research based on a broader raw material base. “We are enhancing the production process of our products to improve material efficiency and reduce environmental impact,” said Jaakko Anttila, executive vice- president of Metsä Wood. “We aim to utilise our raw materials precisely and generate the highest possible added value. With the new research and development laboratory, the lead time of our research and development projects will be significantly shortened, accelerating the development of our product portfolio in the long term.”
SEMI -AUTOMATIC CROSSCUT SAWS
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www.ttjonline.com | May/June 2025 | TTJ
World News
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