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 INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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China Dominates Plywood Imports
China’s share of total U.S. imports of hardwood plywood grew from 55% in 2015 to 58% in 2016 to reach a total of 1.83 million cu.m. Total U.S. hardwood plywood imports in 2016 declined 4%, driven by declines from tropical country producers. Russia surpassed Indonesia in 2016 to become the second largest source of U.S. plywood imports. Tropical hardwood veneer imports grew 14% in 2016, led by Italy, followed closely by China.
Source: HPVA®; Woodworking Network, April 1; Fordaq, March 31, 2017.
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China’s Insatiable Appetite For Logs
Logging bans in China are fueling demand for imports. Nearly 90% of the timber in the central highlands of Vietnam has been sold to China. U.S. log exports to China grew 32% to over $404 million in 2016. The Chinese demand for lumber has resulted in Russian exports increasing nearly tenfold in 10 years, from less than 1 million cu.m. in 2005 to almost 10 million cu.m. in 2015. Much of the timber processed by Jimmy Lee’s mills in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee is earmarked for China. U.S. hardwood lumber exports to China were $1.196 billion in 2016.
Source: Fordaq, March 29; Citizen-Times, March 25, 2017; WRI, May 2016.
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REGULATORY NEWS
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House Votes To Limit EPA's Sources
The House of Representatives passed the Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act by a vote of 228-194. The act restricts the EPA to using only scientific studies that are publicly available. “The days of ‘trust-me’ science are over,” said House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas. “This legislation ensures that sound science is the basis for EPA decisions and regulatory actions.”
Source: U.S. News, March 29, 2017. Photo © Congressman Lamar Smith.
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ECONOMIC TRENDS
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U.S., Canadian Housing Starts Up
In the U.S., sales of new single-family homes increased 6.1% in February to a seasonally adjusted rate of 592,000 units. Canadian housing starts reached a seasonally adjusted rate of 210,207 units, higher than the upwardly revised 208,934 units in January, beating market expectations.
Source: NAHB, March 23; Trading Economics, March 2017.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
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Don’t Miss Our Spring Conference! Savings Extended To Friday
To save $275 on registration for the HPVA® May 7-9 meeting in Vancouver, sign up on the HPVA® Spring Conference web page now! Experts from the Environmental Investigation Agency will discuss how to avoid illegal wood in your supply chain. HPVA® leadership will roll out a new Quality Management System to meet Lacey Act requirements. PR expert Heather Crunchie of C Squared will take us through the strategy for the new national decorative hardwood campaign.
Source: HPVA® Spring Conference.
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NEWS BRIEFS
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Ghana Bans Exports Of Rosewood
The ban will protect wildlife and allow forests to recover from a high level of illegal logging.
Source: Fordaq, March 30, 2017.
UK Imports Of Forest Products High
Timber and panel products imports reached a 9-year high in 2016. Hardwood plywood rose 3.7% to 1.02 million cu.m. China’s market share: 55%.
Source: TTJ, March 14, 2017.
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Trump Repeals "Blacklisting" Rule
The Department of Labor Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Act had required contractors to report allegations of misconduct often instigated by special interest groups.
Source: Construction Dive, March 27, 2017.
Wood Industry Files Comments On Trade, Plywood MACT, More
Through the AF&PA, AWC, and Hardwood Federation, the engineered hardwood industry has participated in filing comments to the new Trump Administration on fair and free trade, plywood MACT requirements, wood carbon neutrality, and numerous other issues.
Source: HPVA®.
VIDEO: The Kentucky Ark
The mammoth Ark Encounter project is one of the world’s largest timber structures.
Source: Ark Encounter, May 23, 2016.
The Value Of Wood
Increasing wood in construction plays an important role in tackling climate change, creating green jobs, and boosting the economy.
Source: The Baltic Course, March 23, 2017.
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Send Us Your Company News, Ideas For Articles, And More
We are always looking for great stories, news about your company, and interesting multimedia. We also welcome feedback on this week's content and suggestions for topics you would like to see in upcoming HPVA® eNews. Email us at innovate@hpva.org.
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