Raw Materials

Canada Plans to Fight WTO Softwood Lumber Ruling

May 6, 2019

Canada will appeal last week’s decision by the World Trade Organization (WTO) which ruled to allow the United States to use “zeroing” to calculate anti-dumping tariffs, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement on Monday.

Metsa Doubles LVL Production Capacity at Finnish Mill

April 1, 2019

Metsä Wood has started test runs on the new 65,000-cubic-metre Kerto LVL line at the Punkaharju mill in Finland. The investment will increase the mill's production of Kerto LVL by about 50%.

Researchers Strengthening CLT with Carbon Fibers

March 18, 2019

Researchers from Washington State University’s Composite Materials and Engineering Center are assisting the Composites Recycling Technology Center  to develop new housing materials from heat‑treated wood and recycled carbon fibers.

GP Investing $30M Updating Rome, GA Mill

March 18, 2019

Georgia-Pacific (GP) plans to spend approximately $30 million to purchase and install new equipment at its Rome Lumber facility in the coming months.

APA - IRC Allowable Design Values for OSB Wall Bracing = 175 PLF

March 6, 2019

APA Knows IRC OSB Lateral Resistance Capacity is 350 plf & 383 plf with GWB

Which Canadian Lumber Mills Will Survive This Cycle?

February 25, 2019

Canfor Corp. announced last week that it will temporarily curtail operations at three sawmills due to current market conditions, following an announcement of further cuts by West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. on Jan. 14.

Chart: OSB Prices Continue to Decline in January 2019

February 20, 2019

For the third consecutive month, OSB prices (NSA) declined the most in percentage terms (-6.1%).  Prices paid for OSB have decreased nearly 30% since October 2018 and have fallen more than 40% since hitting their most recent peak in June 2018.

Could New App Put MSR in the Palm of Your Hand?

February 18, 2019

Determining the stiffest piece of lumber is now easier with a new smartphone app created by scientists in Mississippi State University’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center. Called “Smart Thumper,” the app uses soundwaves or vibrations to determine stiffness.

Two Western SPF Lumber Grading Agencies Merge

February 4, 2019

Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau (PLIB) and West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau (WCLIB) have merged operations into a single entity.

OSB Prices Drop Sharply, More Cost Competitive

January 30, 2019

While most building materials prices showed little movement in December, prices paid for OSB fell by double digits for the second consecutive month.