|
|
|
|
 HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
|
|
A Holiday Message From HPVA®
From all of us at HPVA® and HPVA Laboratories®, we thank you for your enthusiasm, support, and commitment in 2017.
We wish you and your family a very merry Christmas, a wonderful holiday season, and a happy and prosperous New Year.
|
|
|
|
REGULATORY NEWS
|
|
|
EPA Withdraws Formaldehyde Rule
The EPA announced that it has withdrawn the direct final and proposed rule to update the composite wood products formaldehyde standards published on October 25. In the rule, EPA had amended the testing requirements establishing correlation between approved quality control test methods and chamber test methods. After receiving adverse comment on the proposed rule amendments, the decision was made to withdraw.
Source: National Law Review, December 11; Federal Register, December 8, 2017.
|
|
|
ECONOMIC TRENDS
|
|
It's Now Or Never For China's Economy
China has fundamental economic challenges: resource constraints, a rapidly aging workforce, and a terrible record of debt accumulation, states Dr. Derek Scissors, a recent HPVA® keynote speaker. To improve, China would need to return to the pro-market reform of 1978-2002 that it abandoned in 2009, upgrade rural education, and conduct systemic financial deleveraging. Even with these measures, China is not likely to become a rich country.
Source: AEI, Derek Scissors, December 4, 2017.
|
|
|
|
The Homeownership Tax Credit Debate
NAHB spokespeople and more than 50 builders visited Washington to push to keep a homeownership tax credit in tax reform legislation. Their arguments suggest dire outcomes: that home values would be threatened, that this would act as a tax on homeownership, and that it would force younger and middle class buyers out of certain markets. The American Enterprise Institute, however, believes that the tax reform will benefit the middle class, as an increase in the standard deduction will, in most cases, be greater than the mortgage interest deduction they now receive.
Source: NAHB Now, November 14; AEI, November 9, 2017.
|
|
What Drives Demand For Cabinets
U.S. demand for kitchen cabinets is expected to grow 5.9% per year to $17.1 billion in 2021. Experts state that tall kitchen cabinets, the fastest growing style, should grow 7.7% each year to reach $3.2 billion in 2021. Tall cabinets are becoming more and more popular as they provide additional storage and can make smaller kitchens appear larger.
Source: Woodworking Network, December 5, 2017.
|
|
|
|
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
|
|
|
Canadian Softwood Hit With Duties
In a 4-0 vote on December 7, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that Canadian subsidies of softwood lumber injure the U.S. lumber industry. Duties on Canadian softwood lumber have been effect since earlier this year. The Forest Products Association of Canada said that the higher price of wood and insatiable demand from U.S. builders minimizes the impact of the duties. Demand for Canadian softwood lumber in the U.S. fell by 6% in the first 9 months of 2017. In contrast, Chinese import volumes have grown 21% vs. year ago.
Source: KTVZ, December 7; The Canadian Press, December 5, 2017; Wood Resources International.
|
|
|
INDUSTRY NEWS
|
|
|
Industry, Media Laud ITC Ruling
Local industry appreciates legislators' support during International Trade Commission hearings on imports of Chinese hardwood plywood, including the testimony of Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME). "On behalf of the 161 Columbia Forest Products employees in Presque Isle, Maine, we are both thrilled and thankful with the results at the ITC," said Gary Gillespie, vice president of Northern Operations for Columbia.
Source: The Ripon Advance, December 6; The Register-Guard, December 2, 2017. For full coverage, see the HPVA® website. Photo © Columbia Forest Products.
|
|
|
Donate To The Hardwood Forestry Fund Before December 31!
We thank our many generous donors in the hardwood industry for supporting the Hardwood Forestry Fund's award-winning sustainable forestry program, where we plant native hardwood trees on land damaged by fire, insects, or disease and on land that used to be forest. Please consider donating again to help the dedicated foresters who need extra funding to plant more red and white oak, black cherry, and walnut trees.
Source: Hardwood Forestry Fund. Photo © Hardwood Forestry Fund.
|
|
|
NEWS BRIEFS
|
|
|
Wood, Laminate Flooring Grow Share
Preference for durable, design-oriented wood and laminate flooring continues to grow.
Source: Woodworking Network, December 6, 2017.
End To "Fire Borrowing" Proposed
The proposal would increase the fire budget and allow the Forest Service to use supplementary emergency wildfire accounts. Wildfires have cost $2.9 billion so far this year.
Source: Payson Roundup, December 5, 2017.
|
|
Fire Danger Increases In Ozarks
A lack of rain and snow has increased the risk of wildfires late this year. As a result, this December is a peak time for fire danger.
Source: CCHeadliner, December 5, 2017.
New Tree Disease Detection Device
University of Minnesota researchers developed a handheld device that uses nanotechnology to test for oak wilt.
Source: Minnesota Daily, November 21, 2017.
Robots To Increase Forest Safety
New Zealand researchers are developing robots to work alongside people in forestry to improve safety and make foresters' jobs easier.
Source: Radio New Zealand, December 5, 2017.
|
|
|
|
TIMBER CONSTRUCTION
|
|
|
Oregon State Tests Mass Timber
Architects and experts at OSU evaluate mass timber systems for high-rise construction.
Source: Construction Dive, December 6, 2017. Image © Michael Green Architecture.
Norway Builds Tallest Timber Building
The 18-story structure will reach 262 feet.
Source: Fordaq, December 7, 2017.
First U.S. Mass Timber Residence Hall
The University of Arkansas complex with exposed structural wood will house 700 students.
Source: Construction Dive, December 4, 2017.
CLT Building Wins 2017 Best Design
LEVER's Albina Yard wins for office and retail.
Source: Architects Newspaper, December 7, 2017.
5 Ways Design Goes Green
CLT leads the list of materials used to make commercial buildings more sustainable.
Source: Forbes, December 8, 2017.
|
|
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 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
