WebWire | News by Industry : Paper / Forest Products / Containers

China is now the world's largest importer of softwood lumber and logs despite a slowdown in imports during the 4Q/11

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:53:34 EST

Seattle, USA. Importation of softwood logs and lumber to China has increased continuously over the past 15 years, and in 2011 the country was the largest importer of softwood lumber and logs in the world, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. Total import value equaled almost eight billion US dollars last year, which was an increase of 57 percent from 2010, and up from only 70 million dollars 15 years ago. Annual growth over the past five years has been almost 30 percent, and over the past 15 years, the CAGR has been as high as 36 percent.� �
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Imports of softwood lumber have increased faster than imports of softwood logs over the past few years, but log imports still constitute a higher share of the total import value of softwood products. After having increased for seven consecutive quarters, the importation of softwood logs and lumber fell for the first time in the 4Q/11 because of reduced domestic demand and high inventories at many of the country's ports. The decline was 14 percent from the 3Q/11, but the total import value was still higher than the fourth quarter in 2010.��
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By volume, importation of softwood log and softwood lumber to China fell 10 percent in the 4Q/11 as compared to the previous quarter. Importation of logs and lumber from Russia decreased the most, while lumber from New Zealand and logs from Canada actually increased slightly during the fourth quarter.�
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Much of the increased import demand for softwood raw-material has been, and continues to be, driven by the fast expansion in the house construction sector combined with the fact the China lacks domestic forest resources to meet the growing demand for most forest products.� �
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A tightening monetary policy with a restricted money supply resulted in reduced activities in the construction sector in the second half of 2011. It has also been reported that there were overstocked inventories of real estate (over 20 months of unsold inventory in Beijing and Shanghai), and that housing transaction volumes in many big cities fell by more than 50 percent in the fourth quarter. Societe Generale reported that housing starts were down 25 percent in December as compared to the same month in 2010.
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It can be expected that the housing market will continue to face headwinds during the first half of 2012 unless the Chinese government steps in to ease the country's monetary policy. As a consequence, the prospects for log and lumber imports will be faced with uncertainty short-term, but will likely continue to trend upward long-term.��
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Global timber market reporting is included in the 52-page quarterly publication Wood Resource Quarterly. The report, established in 1988 and with subscribers in over 25 countries, tracks sawlog, pulpwood, lumber and pellet prices and market developments in most key regions around the world. To subscribe to the WRQ, please go to www.woodprices.com

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Is Your Furniture Emitting Formaldehyde?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:08:40 EST

Did you know that furniture and building materials may release noxious gas into air? The process, known as off-gassing, can pose a serious threat to a family's health as they breathe in volatile chemicals.
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Major sources of one such chemical, formaldehyde, are pressed wood products manufactured with adhesive resins, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The resins contain formaldehyde, which is then emitted into the air and can cause watery eyes, irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, nausea, fatigue, skin rash, difficulty breathing, and severe allergic reactions. Concentrations higher than 10 parts per billion (ppb) may cause adverse health effects in some individuals. Formaldehyde is also known to cause cancer in animals and may be carcinogenic in humans as well.
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Pressed wood products made with the toxic resins often include wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard, and furniture. Other sources of formaldehyde that could affect indoor air quality are urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI), tobacco smoke, combustion sources, durable press drapes, other textiles, and glues, notes the EPA.
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'EMSL Analytical is one of the country's foremost indoor air quality testing laboratories and offers a great deal of expertise in testing for formaldehyde off-gassing,' states Scott Van Etten, CIH, National Director of Industrial Hygiene at EMSL. 'Moreover, we have a network of over 30 laboratories from coast to coast to serve our clients locally.'
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For more information on EMSL's testing services, please contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675, visit www.EMSL.com, or email�info@EMSL.com.
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About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc. is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensics and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies. Please see our website for a complete listing of accreditations.
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Capella Technologies Protects Documents And Saves A Tree

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:27:57 EST

Keep documents secure in a local office or in an office in another state or nation. Capella Technologies, a leader in the management of document output, helps to control, track, publish, archive, protect, distribute and email a company's documents via systems designed to be cost effective, increase mobility, improve accountability, promote security and boost productivity.�

As an accredited business solutions partner with Hewlett Packard (HP) and a multitude of other highly regarded corporations, Capella Technologies utilizes more than a quarter century of experience to provide secure documents storage and print authentication solutions.�

A company can save money while securing its documents, forms, and barcode printing. Conduct payroll check printing in-house with MICR printing. Simply install an MICR module into a compatible HP LaserJet printer for barcode printing, check printing and the printing of other documents and forms. This method of print authentication encrypts data from prying eyes and protects records from unauthorized changes or duplications.�

Capella Technologies helps to eliminate tons of paper files and the need for warehouse space, through its efficient document storage process. The company catalogs and archives documents electronically so the data can be easily retrieved whenever needed.

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