Timber Market Research Articles

Pembuatan Barcode Produk Industri Meubel dan Furniture untuk Mendukung Ekspor Produk Ber-Sertifikat Legalitas Kayu

Timber Legality Certificate is to meet the requirements of the legality of timber for the forest industry. Application of timber legality verification system allows Indonesia opened wider timber market, especially European market, through the signing of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) in September 2013. The forestry industry, timber legality certificate must fulfill in order to be able to do eskport product. Must to get the V-legal documents in any export activity forestry product timber legality certified consequences must be applied to production management system and marketing system. The research objective is to create a system of production information via barcode for small industries that already have a certificate of Timber Legality. The results showed that the ability to prepare the production and marketing of information systems to support the administration of V-legal documents in the export activities for small industries, a serious problem in meeting the document export goods. Therefore, barcode software development program to help solving the problems facing SMEs in the furniture industry and furniture administrating V-legal documents.

Comparative and phylogenetic analyses of eleven complete chloroplast genomes of Dipterocarpoideae

BackgroundIn South-east Asia, Dipterocarpoideae is predominant in most mature forest communities, comprising around 20% of all trees. As large quantity and high quality wood are produced in many species, Dipterocarpoideae plants are the most important and valuable source in the timber market. The d-borneol is one of the essential oil components from Dipterocarpoideae (for example, Dryobalanops aromatica or Dipterocarpus turbinatus) and it is also an important traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation known as “Bingpian” in Chinese, with antibacterial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and can enhance anticancer efficiency.MethodsIn this study, we analyzed 20 chloroplast (cp) genomes characteristics of Dipterocarpoideae, including eleven newly reported genomes and nine cp genomes previously published elsewhere, then we explored the chloroplast genomic features, inverted repeats contraction and expansion, codon usage, amino acid frequency, the repeat sequences and selective pressure analyses. At last, we constructed phylogenetic relationships of Dipterocarpoideae and found the potential barcoding loci.ResultsThe cp genome of this subfamily has a typical quadripartite structure and maintains a high degree of consistency among species. There were slightly more tandem repeats in cp genomes of Dipterocarpus and Vatica, and the psbH gene was subjected to positive selection in the common ancestor of all the 20 species of Dipterocarpoideae compared with three outgroups. Phylogenetic tree showed that genus Shorea was not a monophyletic group, some Shorea species and genus Parashorea are placed in one clade. In addition, the rpoC2 gene can be used as a potential marker to achieve accurate and rapid species identification in subfamily Dipterocarpoideae.ConclusionsDipterocarpoideae had similar cp genomic features and psbM, rbcL, psbH may function in the growth of Dipterocarpoideae. Phylogenetic analysis suggested new taxon treatment is needed for this subfamily indentification. In addition, rpoC2 is potential to be a barcoding gene to TCM distinguish.

Technical note: Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and proteinase-K improve the efficiency of DNA extraction from Japanese larch wood and PCR success rate

Illegal distribution of timber disrupts the timber market and depletes forest resources. DNA markers are used to verify the legal distribution of wood. However, it is difficult to obtain the quantity and quality of DNA suitable for genetic analysis because of the physicochemical properties of wood; therefore, an efficient wood DNA extraction method is required. In this study, to prepare an efficient DNA extraction method from Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) wood, we investigated the ability of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and proteinase-K to improve DNA extraction efficiency and PCR success rate. It was found that the addition of PVP resulted in a significant increase in the DNA concentration of the treatment group compared to that of the control group, while the purity (A260/A280) showed no difference. Moreover, the addition of proteinase-K significantly increased both the DNA concentration and purity of the treatment group compared to those of the control group. Further analysis showed that the PCR success rate of psbC (approximately 350 bp) was higher than 90% in the control, PVP treatment, and proteinase-K treatment groups. However, in the PCR success rate of rbcL (approximately 1.3 kb) was higher in the proteinase-K and PVP treatment groups than in the control group. The addition of PVP and proteinase-K increased the success rate of PCR amplification for long regions by preventing DNA damage caused by phenolic compounds and proteins in the wood. The results of this study can thus develop DNA extraction methods to identify the species and origin of woods.

Wood pellets versus pulp and paper: Quantifying the impacts of wood pellets on the pulpwood markets in the southeastern United States

Since the early 2010s, the production of industrial wood pellet for overseas exports has grown considerably in the Southern United States (U.S.). In order to meet the increasing demand for woody biomass feedstock, the wood pellet mills in the U.S. South consume roundwood pulpwood along with low-valued logging residues and sawmill wood wastes. By estimating empirical roundwood pulpwood market models based on the bi-monthly time-series data, this study estimates the impacts of wood pellet production, precipitation, and the COVID-19 Pandemic on the hardwood and softwood pulpwood stumpage prices in 12 southeastern Atlantic coastal micro-markets. Results suggest that the wood pellet industry has led to an increase in pine pulpwood prices, but no statistically significant impact is found on the hardwood pulpwood prices. Rainfall is found to be a positive determinant of the roundwood pulpwood prices. Furthermore, since March 2020, the COVID-19 Pandemic is estimated to lead about 6% decline in both pine and hardwood pulpwood prices. This study provides empirical evidence and additional insights on the timber market dynamics and how small roundwood markets have reacted to the additional wood demand from a growing bioenergy industry in the U.S. South.

Prospective directions regarding the management of forestry development in Podilsk economic region

The article considers theoretical and methodological approaches and prospects for stimulating the development of forestry in the Podilsk economic region. The main factors of negative impact on stimulation and development in the forest sector of the region are identified. Promising management approaches that will ensure effectiveness in the management of the timber industry are clarified. The stages of solving the problems of forestry in carrying out reforms with the use of foreign experience, as well as improving institutions, market mechanisms in combination with state support are given. It is proved that the development of the forest resource sphere of the Podilsk economic region should be based on the active cooperation of public-private partnership, which will attract additional financial resources for the development, modernization and creation of new forestry industries. And also change of the approach of administrative decisions will promote development of infrastructural maintenance of the Podolsk economic area. The introduction of modern management mechanisms will reduce the monopolization of the timber market in the region, and the attraction of private capital in forestry will lead to a competitive environment. In turn, forestries, as stakeholders in the regional market process, will be motivated to increase wood diversity with an emphasis on more valuable species of wood. The directions of improvement and improvement of conditions of forestry development in Podil economic region, and also regulation of forestry which should provide stable development of forestry by increase of rationality of management and multipurpose use of forest resources are defined.

Symbolic interaction and its influence on cooperation between private forest owners

Organizations, such as forest management cooperatives (FMCs), are established to support private forest owners to deal with structural and natural challenges that they cannot handle on their own. In 2018, Feil et al. found in a nationwide survey that only 30% of German private forest owners are members of FMCs. This low participation rate of private forest owners in FMCs in Germany poses a problem for the further development of organizations that can better consider the needs of private forest owners and also meet the timber market's long-term requirements for larger quantities of timber as well as become an equal negotiation partner of the sawmill industry. This problem can be attributed to social interactions, which are considered influential for cooperation between private forest owners.This paper aims to highlight different groups of private forest owners in Germany and their cooperation based on social interaction. To do so, it refers to the categories of actor-centered institutionalism (ACI) and complements these with symbolic interactionism. Methodologically, the paper is based on a quantitative online survey of 1007 private forest owners in Germany. The survey itself was prepared by the authors and conducted by the pollster firm forsa, Germany in the period from 14 to 29 July 2020. In addition to standard research topics in forest related research, such as family tradition and income generation, the questionnaire also focused on social interaction. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on the values of a principal component analysis (PCA) was used both to ensure a neutral view on the data and to create heterogeneous groups of private forest owners.Four distinct clusters were defined through the cluster analysis: “actively exchanging”, “perceivers”, “uninterested” and “self-referential”. These clusters differ mainly in relation to their preferred forms of social interaction.It can be concluded that not only communication but also social interaction in the form of symbolic interaction has an influence on forest owners' cooperation with FMCs. For forestry practice, this means that in regions where there are currently no FMC members, new members could be won in the future by creating forest management activities that encourage cooperation with FMCs.

Australia – Anti-Dumping Measures on A4 Copy Paper: Opening a Door to More Anti-Dumping Investigations

AbstractThis paper analyzes the Australia – Anti-Dumping Measures on A4 Copy Paper panel report, the second recent WTO dispute to involve a challenge to Indonesia's paper industry. The Indonesian paper industry benefits from reduced-cost inputs because of the Indonesian government's influence and subsidies over the timber and pulp market. The report offers the first interpretation of ‘particular market situation’ under Article 2.2 of the WTO's Anti-Dumping Agreement. At the same time, it raises questions regarding the appropriateness of using anti-dumping measures to address what are fundamentally subsidy issues. While the panel ultimately found that Australia's measure was inconsistent with Article 2.2, the paper shows that the panel's interpretation of ‘particular market situation’ increases the relative attractiveness of using anti-dumping duties instead of countervailing measures. Two key points on the welfare implications of the decision can be made. The first relates to the motivations of the Australian paper industry and the imperfectly competitive market in which Australian Paper operates. The second is the importance of challenging subsidies rather than imposing anti-dumping duties where the subsidies in question have negative environmental effects.

Management accounting in forest processing: market research and forecast of planned actions

The article reveals the key points of accounting and management actions in terms of studying market conditions, PR and forecasting planned actions. The main accounting and management tools in management accounting are: planning, management, accounting, organization, analysis and monitoring of business processes. Determination of the incurred costs of the business and its further sustainable development is the conceptual basis of management accounting. The aim of the study is to develop criteria for management accounting in the study of the sawn timber market and to study consumer demand for this product, identify consumer preferences, assess the frequency of purchasing products and factors affecting demand. The subject of the research is management accounting as a complex mechanism in terms of research (monitoring) market conditions, PR and forecast of planned actions. In accordance with this goal, the main task was determined: to predict the development of the market, adequately (in a timely manner, taking into account all factors) to respond to them, thereby ensuring high efficiency of economic activity, and strengthening its competitiveness in the Udmurt Republic. It is concluded that, despite the complexity and specifics of this type of activity, with a competent management approach, industrial enterprises in order to gain competitive advantages must constantly collect and process accounting and management information, including marketing information for an objective assessment of the external environment, analyze their own activities in order to reduce financial risks.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SAWN TIMBER MARKETING IN SAPELE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined economics of sawn timber marketing in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 150 sawn wood marketers as respondents for the study. Data was collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis were used for the data analysis. Result showed that the mean age of the respondents was 36 years, 98.0% of the respondents were males and mean household size of 5 persons. Majority (73.3%) of the respondents had primary school education, while the mean marketing experience was 13 years. The calculated net revenue was N600,684.20. It was recommended that Government should endeavour to construct roads in areas where they do not exist and maintain the already existing ones for easy access to forest where these timbers were fetched. This will thus reduce transportation cost in order to boost the revenue of the marketers. Improved marketing efficiency should be pursued to help increase and sustain profit in sawn wood marketing.

Tree dimension and environmental correlates of heartwood content in Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis)

Abstract. Meunpong P, Penboon C, Kuasakun N, Wachrinrat C. 2021. Tree dimension and environmental correlates of heartwood content in Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis). Biodiversitas 22: 3297-3303. Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis) is considered amongst the prime timber varieties in high demand with the wood fetching high prices in the international timber market. Therefore, illegal logging and smuggling of Siamese rosewood from natural forests poses a severe problem in Thailand. Heartwood and its content is the most valuable part of Siamese rosewood, which in practice, cannot be measured directly in living trees. Hence, we investigated the relationship between the heartwood content of Siamese rosewood, and tree dimension and environmental characteristics across eleven plantations throughout Thailand construct a model for predicting the heartwood content using specific environmental variables. The results indicate that there were differences in the mean annual increment of all measurement parameters (d0, d30, dbh, and total height of a tree) across eleven plantations studied. However, we did not find any statistically significant differences between the increments in heartwood diameter. Furthermore, we found that suitable location for Siamese rosewood plantation could result in doubling of growth rate. We report that dbh was the most relevant variable and could be used as a predictor for heartwood content. In terms of environmental variables, soil properties at top layer that affect the heartwood content were particle density, organic matter, and silt particles. Using the resulted equation formulated in this study may be useful when planning areas for suitable plantations of Siamese rosewood in Thailand.

Changes in the Market of Precious Wood: A Case Study of Submission System in Poland

A timber market occupies a very particular position within the economic reality. Trading of commodities such as precious timber is, indeed, strongly conditioned by the carrying capacity and the silvicultural potential of the forest ecosystem. Timber markets in Poland are characterized by a controlling position of the State Forests, and one of the possible forms of wood sale is the system of submission. A submission usually implies that small quantities of wood with unusual features are being offered to a specific group of customers. The paper presents the sale results and prices of veneer wood commercialized in submission systems and in other forms of timber sale in the territory of Krosno during the years 2000−2019. It is one of the oldest submission markets in Poland, where the most expensive log ever in Poland was sold (13,000 USD/log—close to 7000 USD/m3). The Regional Directorate of State Forest (RDSF) of Krosno is located in the south-eastern part of Poland and manages a forest area of approximately 400,000 hectares. Annual timber harvesting amounts to 2 million m3, of which less than 2000 m3 annually is allocated to the submissions. The data cover a 20-year continuous time series and allow tracing changes in the wood volume offered to the market, the species population structure, and price trends for individual species. The data are being discussed against the background of the economic situation and in relation to the average prices obtained from other methods of sale. Beech was the most sold, but the demands for oak and sycamore appeared to be particularly high during the period of observation. The unity prices can be very variable even for wood from the same species, especially for sycamore. The prices are generally demand-driven and show strong influences from furniture industries and fashion. A rising demand for high quality timber and logs of big dimensions has been noticed. The submission system results in substantial economic benefits for the forest management and the region as a whole.

Diversification of forestry portfolios for climate change and market risk mitigation

Investments in forestry are long-term and thus subject to numerous sources of risk. In addition to the volatility from markets, forestry investments are directly exposed to future impacts from climate change. We examined how diversification of forest management regimes can mitigate the expected risks associated with forestry activities in New Zealand based on an application of Modern Portfolio Theory. Uncertainties in the responses of Pinus radiata (D. Don) productivity to climate change, from 2050 to 2090, were simulated with 3-PG, a process-based forest growth model, based on future climate scenarios and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). Future timber market scenarios were based on RCP-specific projections from the Global Timber Model and historical log grade prices. Outputs from 3-PG and the market scenarios were combined to compute annualized forestry returns for four P. radiata regimes for 2050–2090. This information was then used to construct optimal forestry portfolios that minimize investment risk for a given target return under different RCPs, forest productivity and market scenarios. While current P. radiata regimes in New Zealand are largely homogenous, our results suggest that regime diversification can mitigate future risks imposed by climate change and market uncertainty. Nevertheless, optimal portfolio compositions varied substantially across our range of scenarios and portfolio objectives. The application of this framework can help forest managers to better account for future risks in their management decisions.

Dendrochronological analysis of an English chest: Contributing to knowledge about wood supply and chest production in 16th century England

Historic furniture has a great ethnographic and historical value, as styles and designs responded to specific uses, fashion trends and the social status of the buyer or the commissioner. Placing it in an exact chronological and geographical production context increases our knowledge about preferences for materials, designs, and woodworking practices for household commodities. Here we present the results of dendrochronological research carried out on an English chest from a private collection. The chest is of a hybrid construction, with boarded sides and back, and a joined front with four carved linenfold panels. It had been described as made of Baltic oak and dating to the mid-16th century, a crucial transition period for which only a few early chests have been analysed. Our results demonstrate, however, that the wood from the lid, side boards and back originates from the south of England. Heartwood/sapwood border in the left side board has allowed an estimated felling date for the tree of between 1520 and 1552. Terminus post quem dates of the rest of the elements pre-dating this interval indicate that the chest was likely made in the second quarter of the 16th century, as initially described. Three linenfold panels show typical features of Baltic wood, whereas the fourth one has different characteristics and could have been made with English oak, but the lack of access to the tree-ring patterns hampers verifying this hypothesis. Mixture of provenances suggests a production workshop in London, although other town in the south with a major timber market cannot be discarded. The construction features are described, and two distinct marks found in the chest are discussed in the regional context of its production. To allow the compilation and inventory of such marks, the ‘Marks on Wood’ community has been created in Zenodo and is presented here.

Performance of particleboards based on annual plant byproducts bound with bio-adhesives

Because the timber market is more and more competitive, the particleboard manufacturers are looking for new sources of plant raw material. In the same time, the use of healthier, safer and more environmentally friendly materials becomes a priority in the building sector. In this context, using bio-based adhesives to bond the particles instead of the synthetic ones is an interesting alternative. In the same time agricultural byproducts as annual plant stems can be a sustainable alternative raw material. These resources are abundant, renewable and safe raw material. Moreover, their porous structure gives them interesting properties for building materials such as lightness and thermal insulation capacity. Two agricultural byproducts abundant in France have been studied: flax shives and sunflower bark. Particleboards were made at laboratory scale by thermocompression of the plant raw particles to a target density of 500 kg m−3. The plant particles were bond by different methods:- * without addition of any adhesive. In that case water was sprayed on the plant particles before the forming process and was evaporated during the thermocompression. It leads to extraction of soluble and lignocellulosic compounds from the agroresources that can act as adhesives.- * with addition of a biobased adhesive based on casein, the protein from bovine milk, or based on a commercial caseinate, added at different ratios to the plant particles.- The effect of the type of agroresources, the particle size, the formulation of the biosourced adhesive, and its application are evaluated testing the physico-chemical properties of the particleboards: mechanical properties (bending test and internal bond), thermal properties, and behavior towards water and fire. Using a biobased adhesive improves the mechanical properties of the particleboards significantly compared to the version without added adhesive. Panels made with flax shives generally showed better properties than with sunflower bark, so flax shives seem more suitable for particleboard manufacturing. But after optimization of the formulation and the process, both raw materials could be used with casein-based adhesive yielding efficient and fully biobased particleboards for applications such as furniture or door panels.

Intra-household gender relations and women participation in non-industrial private forestry in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

This paper draws on a study conducted in the selected districts of Iringa and Njombe regions in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania where over the past decade Non-industrial Private Forestry (NIPF) has emerged involving village-based domestic investors. Data for the study were largely collected using focus group discussions (FGDs) of men and women tree growers. Data were analysed using content analysis focusing on the emerging themes, subthemes, and patterns. The paper shows that gender division of labour characterizes silvicultural practices in private forestry. Men play a key and dominant role in decision making on the allocation of labour and marketing of timber. We argue that, given this arrangement, as long as men continue to dominate the market sphere, mere ownership of woodlots by women is not a feasible pathway to having control over income obtained from the sales of timber from their woodlots. To address this, the paper comes up with some recommendations.

Physical, Optical, and Visual Performance of Coated Cross-Laminated Timber during Natural and Artificial Weathering

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) market demand is on the rise in the United States. Adequate protective measures have not been extensively studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the weathering performance of exterior wood coatings. We evaluated coated CLT sample surfaces based on visual appearance, color change (CIE*L*a*b), gloss changes, and water intrusion. From the five exterior wood coatings evaluated, only two showed adequate performance after twelve months field exposure. Based on visual ratings following the ASTM procedures, coating failure occurs more quickly in Mississippi than in Wisconsin, due to its greater decay zone. Both location and coating type impacted the aging of the samples. Artificial weathering results were consistent with natural weathering indicating the two adequate coatings were the most resistant to failure, color, and gloss change. For future studies, new coatings designed for the protection of end-grain in CLT panels should be a target of research and development.

Experimental investigation on variability in properties of Amazonian wood species Muiracatiara (Astronium lecointei) and Maçaranduba (Manilkara huberi) focusing guitar fingerboards manufacturing

In face of scarcity in the supply of non-traditional Brazilian woods properly treated for use in high quality musical instruments, pieces of Amazonian wood species muiracatiara (Astronium lecointei) and maçaranduba (Manilkara huberi) purchased in the common internal Brazilian timber market were examined. These species were pre-selected for use in fingerboards of acoustic and electric guitars due to similar properties with ebony (Diospyros crassiflora). Variabilities of elastic modulus parallel to grain and density were investigated inside wooden pieces. In addition, referred parameters were used in calculation of speed of sound. Statistical tests were performed in order to compare both species and revealed inequality for variances of dynamic elastic modulus (Ed) and speed of sound, but equality for density. Equality of means was also examined via unequal variance t-test. Despite color differences, lower variability of M. huberi led to the indication of this species as likely capable to substitute satisfactorily ebony in fingerboards manufacturing.

Global forest management, carbon sequestration and bioenergy supply under alternative shared socioeconomic pathways

Socio-economic and technological drivers will strongly shape the future of the global timber market, forest area and climate change mitigation potential, however impacts could vary widely across several plausible futures. This paper illustrates how Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) can be applied to forest sector modelling using a method that translates qualitative narratives into quantitative parameters and then applying them to a dynamic global timber model framework. Results indicate wide variations in estimates for key forest sector outputs across the five SSPs with largest impacts on wood prices and forest area. The price estimates have a strong correlation with the other results, as higher timber prices incentivize land to remain in forests, more intensive management, and greater roundwood harvests. Competing influences such as population growth, economic development, land use policy, and technological change could result in wide changes in forest area, ranging from −970 Mha to +840 Mha between now and 2105. Despite large variations across the SSPs, global forests are likely to remain a net carbon sink, with the average annual global forest carbon sequestration ranging from 1.8 GtCO2e/yr to 6.9 GtCO2e/yr. The results of our study, including sensitivity analysis, support developing policies directed towards expanding forest cover or curbing deforestation in an effort to increase forest carbon by focusing on effective ways to enhance technological change, promote sustainable economic development, improve land use protection, and shift consumer preferences towards longer-lasting wood products, which will all raise the relative value of forests across the globe.

Composite timber-steel encased columns subjected to concentric loading

Novel composite timber-steel encased columns were proposed to fully exploit advantages and address short-comings of timber and steel; two construction materials with different mechanical properties and complementary benefits. The encased steel bars were adhesively bonded inside the timber casing to achieve near full composite action. The load carrying capacity, failure mechanisms, stiffness, and ductility of 48 hybrid members under concentric axial compression were experimentally evaluated and compared with bare timber columns, where the benefits of hybridising timber with steel bars are highlighted. The composite columns were designed with intermediate slenderness and varying steel core area, steel grade (300PLUS, 5.8, N500 and 8.8), timber species (Radiata Pine and Douglas fir) and timber grade (MGP10 and F5). When compared to bare timber columns, the proposed composite columns demonstrated increased axial capacity, stiffness, and ductility. Analytical expressions based on principles of structural mechanics and existing design provisions are developed to estimate the stiffness and strength of the composite columns. Non-contact Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was employed to measure strain and predict crack initiation. The practical benefits of composite timber-steel encased columns are also discussed, notably the potential to express the materiality of wood and offer a market for low-grade timber with smaller cross sections.

To log or not to log? Actor preferences and networks in Swiss forest policy

Forests play a fundamental role in climate change mitigation. While there are calls to store carbon by increasing the forest stock, other actors oppose this, arguing that carbon stored in processed timber is more adequate. Applying an adapted version of the policy network analysis (PNA) framework, we uncover both the actors' policy preferences regarding the goal conflict between carbon storage in the forest versus in timber products as well as the actors' perceived importance and information sharing in the forest policy network in a Swiss region (canton Lucerne) via an online stakeholder survey. We find that an increase of carbon storage in the forest does not stand a chance in the Lucerne forest policy network, being rejected by nearly two-thirds of the actors. A majority views increased harvesting for wood products as a superior climate change mitigation measure than harvesting less for carbon storage. We also find that these proponents of wood are more central actors within the policy networks than those in favour of carbon storage in the forest. These findings are relevant for a context where the majority of the forest is privately owned and where interests in timber harvesting might dominate those on carbon storage. The analysis reflects the challenging situation within the timber market, where measures for increased wood harvesting might provide a more acceptable policy option than carbon sequestration for private forest owners.