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CHALLENGING MARKET FOR FRENCH HARDWOOD
According to two leading suppliers of French hardwood to the UK, the overall market has been slow, but in the medium to longer term the outlook is more upbeat, with investment in the sector continuing. “Overall demand has globally slowed, on all products,” said Guillaume Manière, export sales manager at the Brienne-le-Chateau based sawmiller Monniot. “But we noticed a sharper drop in demand on the flooring market and other industrial applications. We’re also seeing the market become increasingly unpredictable, with one month ok, the next one quiet. It seems clients are placing orders last minute.” Estissac-based Tarteret, meanwhile, had a quiet winter. “But February through April has been a bit better,” said sales director Mathieu Berthe. “It’s just difficult to know how long the current economic slowdown will last.” He added there is still demand for better end boules and beams and selected boules and Mr Manière agreed. “The high end of the market is still there,” he said. On raw material prices Monniot saw a slight decrease
for lower quality logs at the start of the year, but says prices are now more stable. “But quality logs are still quite expensive to buy,” said Mr Manière. “Also, with the bad weather in the winter, many buyers were not able to get their logs out from the forest. Usually parcels of logs at roadside are more expensive than standing trees.” Mr Berthe said quality log prices are now stable, with
other grades slightly down. An ongoing issue is log exports and their impact on
raw material availability. “Logs exports remain a great concern for us,” said Mr Manière. “Although we feel less pressure from China on oak logs since early 2023, significant quantities are still exported. The Chinese economy is still slow, but the fear is that when we get a bit more economic stability they will come back with renewed appetite. Also, we notice China now showing interest in higher qualities, with south Asian countries asking for medium to low qualities.” Both Tarteret and Monniot report export sales stable. Mr Berthe said Tarteret’s sales to the UK were down on all products, but Mr Manière said it is still an important customer for French hardwood.
“It remains one of our key markets,” he said. “A large
part of our production is geared to fit the UK, kiln-dried boules and selected boards and beams.” Both companies have undertaken investment projects
recently. “We’ve invested in an AI project for cutting
optimisation in the sawmill and also installed a new vacuum lift,” said Mr Berthe. Monniot, meanwhile, has installed three new kilns, with total capacity of 150m3
.
“The goal was to increase our drying capacity, but also to improve energy efficiency and kilning quality with new-generation technologies,” said Mr Manière. Mr Berthe said the outlook was uncertain, but Tarteret
is equipping itself to capitalise on a market upturn when it arrives. Mr Manière said French sawmills are facing several challenges for the future. “In log harvesting less frost and wet winters are making
parcels less accessible and making the harvesting window very tight,” he said. “Climate change is having other impacts too, leading to more trees decaying in parcels – so we will have to find more markets for these qualities of log. On the global economy, [the questions are] will China and Asia come back with more appetite for European logs and what will be the trend in the construction sector? There is a lot of uncertainty and new challenges to face, but we are hoping for a little recovery for the end of the year.” ■
Above: Monniot’s new kilns have capacity of 150m3
On the safety front, the new line includes interconnected emergency stops, strictly controlled access, and automatic shutdown of the rotor and hydraulic systems when access ports are open. Everything is designed to limit risks during interventions.
“With the new debarking line, we’re not just taking a next step in product quality, but also in working conditions. It’s satisfying to work with such a modern accomplished
technology. It’s good for production, for operators, and for the end customer,” said Hugo Dupont, Ducerf sawmill team leader. The line also features controlled energy consumption thanks to a variable speed drive that adjusts power according to log diameter. Reduced equipment movements made possible by logistics redesigned around three loading docks also help cut fuel consumption and associated emissions.
“Targeted wood preparation also facilitates its transformation and thus allows optimal valorisation of the material,” said Ducerf. Debarking takes place as soon as logs arrive on site, removing not just the bark itself, but also the soil, stones and other abrasive materials it can be loaded with and which can damage cutting tools, clog installations and compromise cutting quality. This bark is then sold as energy wood. ■
www.ttjonline.com | July/August 2025 | TTJ
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