Raw Materials

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.

Company Develops New Structural Bioplastic...From Wood

January 23, 2019

One B.C. company has developed a method to make bioplastics from wood. But rather than another bio-alternative for plastic straws and containers, Advanced BioCarbon 3D Ltd (ABC3D) is creating a wood-based engineered grade high performance plastic.

Housing & Trade Contribute to Lumber Market Collapse

January 14, 2019

Lumber futures reached a record in May that was 30% above the old all-time high set in the early 1990s. Still, lumber ended the year as one of the worst-performing commodities.

Researchers Design Stiffest 3D Printed Material

January 14, 2019

In a collaborative effort between researchers at ETH Zurich and MIT, a material was 3D printed with a stiffness that comes notably close to the theoretical maximum limit of a stiffness to weight ratio possible according to the laws of physics.

GP Breaks Ground on $130M SYP Mill in Georgia

December 17, 2018

Earlier this year, we announced the construction of a new $135 million softwood lumber production facility in Warrenton, Georgia. Today, we celebrated with a groundbreaking with local community members, government representatives and Georgia‐Pacific employees.

CM & Supplier Team Up to Reach 600 Students

December 17, 2018

Brian Johnson of Eastern Engineered Wood Products enlisted the help of SBCA Emerging Leader Jared Dix of Apex Truss to participate in a career fair for students from the Richmond, Virginia, area.

NAFTA Softwood Lumber Dispute Panel Formed

December 10, 2018

A binational panel has been formed to review the battle between Canada and the United States over softwood lumber, with three Canadians and two Americans appointed to make a ruling under NAFTA’s contentious Chapter 19 dispute-resolution mechanism.