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Forest Products News

Lower earnings reflect difficult trading year for TWK

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th November 2024 Diversified agriculture and forestry company TWK Investments says its results for the year ended August 31 reflect the unusual and challenging trading environment it experienced throughout the year, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) for continuing... →

Mondi reports lower third-quarter Ebitda on maintenance shuts, forestry fair value loss

By: Creamer Media Reporter 17th October 2024 Sustainable packaging and paper group Mondi has reported underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of €223-million for the quarter ended September 30, compared with €351-million in the quarter ended June 30. The group attributed the decrease primarily to... →

Forestry sector calls for collaboration to build on transformation progress

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 11th October 2024 While the forestry sector has achieved notable progress in transformation over the past 15 years, more needs to be done to ensure the sector is sustainable and creates long-term value for stakeholders and communities. This was the key message from speakers at the Forestry Sector Charter Council’s... →

Forestry Sector Charter Council executive director Khosi Mavimbela expands on transformation in the forestry sector over the past 15 years.

York Timbers swings to profit of R136m

By: Marleny Arnoldi 30th September 2024 Lumber and agriculture company York Timbers has swung to profitability for the financial year ended June 30, having reported a R136-million profit against a loss of R312-million in the prior financial year. The group’s operating profit increased from a loss of R393-million in the 2023... →

Graeme Wild to succeed Thiel as Sappi Southern Africa CEO

By: Creamer Media Reporter 19th September 2024 Dissolving wood pulp, paper and biomaterials manufacturer Sappi has appointed Graeme Wild CEO of Sappi Southern Africa, with effect from December 1. Wild, who is currently Sappi Southern Africa sales and marketing VP, will succeed Alex Thiel, who has been CEO of Sappi Southern Africa for 14 years... →

Sappi Southern Africa CEO-designate Graeme Wild

New impetus needed if South Africa is to begin meeting R&D investment goals

By: Martin Zhuwakinyu 13th September 2024 In the drive for economic advancement and global competitiveness, innovation stands as a pivotal force, with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) highlighting that a modest single percentage point increase in research and development (R&D) spend can potentially elevate... →

SEW-EURODRIVE at Nampo 2024

21st May 2024 Gear motors, frequency inverters and drive automation specialist SEW-EURODRIVE electronics business development manager Willem Strydom highlights the company’s role in the agriculture industry’s digitalisation journey and the importance of attending Nampo 2024, which was held from May 14 to 17... →

SEW-EURODRIVE at Nampo 2024

Uniclox at Nampo 2024

21st May 2024 Biometric time and attendance and access control systems provider Uniclox senior sales executive Christo Wandrag talks to Engineering News about the role the company is playing in the digitalisation of the agriculture industry at Nampo 2024, which was held from May 14 to 17 near Bothaville, in... →

Uniclox at Nampo 2024

Dachser South Africa at Nampo 2024

21st May 2024 Engineering News discusses how family-owned logistics provider Dachser South Africa is innovating to address the challenges that agricultural logistics face in South Africa with MD Detlev Duve at Nampo 2024, which was held from May 14 to 17 near Bothaville, in the Free State. →

Dachser South Africa at Nampo 2024

AUTO-X at Nampo 2024

21st May 2024 South African automotive lead-acid battery manufacturer AUTO-X solar 0 & M manager Jaco Weideman discusses the importance of digitalisation in ensuring sustainable farming operations, while AUTO-X graphic designer Johann Coetser elaborates on battery brand Willards’ 70-year history. The... →

AUTO-X at Nampo 2024

SOLARAFRICA at Nampo 2024

21st May 2024 SOLARAFRICA commercial head Brandon Horn shares the energy struggles of farmers visiting the company’s stand at Nampo 2024, which was held from May 14 to 17, near Bothaville, in the Free State, and how the company’s solutions help to solve these problems. →

SOLARAFRICA at Nampo 2024

Suzuki Auto South Africa at Nampo 2024

21st May 2024 Suzuki Auto South Africa PR & events manager Eileen Gengan discusses how the vehicle manufacturer is poised to support the needs of the country’s farmers at Nampo 2024, held from May 14 to 17, near Bothaville, in the Free State. →

Suzuki Auto South Africa at Nampo 2024

SAFEQUIP at Nampo 2024

21st May 2024 Engineering News talks to fire safety solutions and products supplier SAFEQUIP MD Pierre Malherbe at Nampo 2024, held from May 14 to 17, near Bothaville, in the Free State, about how the company is addressing the challenges posed by lithium-ion batteries. →

SAFEQUIP at Nampo 2024

Small growers achieve certification

29th March 2024 Five small timber growers in KwaZulu-Natal in December became the first participants to achieve forest certification through the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Sappi Group Scheme for small growers. The growers were part of Sappi’s Khulisa programme. →

The above image depicts the five small timber growers who participated in the Sappi Khulisa programme

Photo by Sappi
PEFC CERTIFIED Five small timber growers in KwaZulu-Natal are the first to participate in the Sappi Khulisa programme and achieve certification through the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification for small growers

Sustainability trend creates opportunities for paper producers

29th March 2024 The pulp and paper manufacturing industry holds a meaningful position in the landscape of South Africa's industrial sector, says industry association Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA). As the backbone of numerous sectors, “its vitality is paramount to South Africa’s economic... →

An image of a paper ream at a paper mill

THE CIRCLE OF FIBRE On average, the country recovers 1.1-million tonnes of paper and paper packaging each year, with 75% to 80% of the fibre going back into local production. More than half of the country’s locally manufactured paper is made from recycled paper fibre

Sappi's earnings, debt decrease in first quarter

By: Schalk Burger 7th February 2024 JSE-listed renewable woodfibre-based products company Sappi's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) decreased to $156-million for the first quarter of its 2024 financial year, compared with Ebitda of $290-million reported for the first quarter of the prior... →

Sappi CEO Steve Binnie

Bell Equipment management returns to the family as it appoints new CEO

By: Irma Venter 12th December 2023 Bell Equipment has appointed Ashley Jon Bell (41), grandson of company founder Irvine Bell, as new group CEO, effective January 1. This follows the July resignation of outgoing group CEO, Leon Goosen, who departs the company on December 31 after 16 years of service, of which five and a half were... →

Ashley Jon Bell

PG Bison’s new R1.8bn MDF investment in Mkhondo to open in July

By: Schalk Burger 24th November 2023 Wood-based panel products manufacturer PG Bison will complete a R1.87-billion investment in a new medium-density fibreboard (MDF) Contiroll line in Mkhondo, Mpumalanga, in July. This will increase PG Bison’s installed capacity to 1 180 m3/day across its two MDF plants. →

PG Bison's Mkhondo facility

Sappi's Cloquet mill scores high in facility environmental management audit

By: Schalk Burger 31st October 2023 JSE-listed dissolving wood pulp and paper-based solutions company Sappi has completed a Higg Facility Environmental Management (FEM) verification audit at its Cloquet mill, in northern Minnesota, in the US. The mill achieved a final score of 91.5%, which reinforces and demonstrates the sound... →

The Cloquet mill

York Timbers swings to a loss

By: Marleny Arnoldi 29th September 2023 Following a “disappointing” 2022 financial year, lumber and agriculture company York Timbers has again reported year-on-year decreases in several key metrics for the 2023 financial year ended June 30. The company’s loss for the year amounted to R393-million, compared with a profit of... →

Stora Enso, others invest $18m in bio-graphite firm CarbonScape

By: Reuters 19th September 2023 Finnish-Swedish forestry firm Stora Enso, battery producer Amperex Technology and other parties have invested $18-million in start-up CarbonScape to commercialise bio-graphite for use in batteries, they said on Tuesday. New Zealand-based CarbonScape has patented a process to use forestry industry... →

Forestry nonprofit launches videos

25th August 2023 Non-profit forestry organisation, She Is Forestry SA, which promotes and uplifts women across the forest and forest product sector, launched a series of videos at their yearly Women in Forestry webinar on August 3 to encouraging girls to pursue careers in the industry. Its aim is to produce a... →

The above image depicts one of the women from the She is Forestry initiative

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES The videos showcase all the potential careers found within forestry and related industries

Pamsa stresses comprehensive sustainability of forestry, papermaking

By: Cameron Mackay 5th July 2023 Industry association the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) has emphasised the environmental, economic and social sustainability benefits of the local papermaking and recycling industry. Speaking at a roundtable event, in Johannesburg, on July 5, Pamsa executive director Jane... →

Trees used to make paper in South Africa are specifically farmed, as tree growing and paper making processes are audited, certified, and sustainability managed

New system launched for large hose guidance

30th June 2023 In March, high-performance plastic products manufacturer igus launched its new E4Q e-chain with extender crossbars for the safe guidance of large hoses. The E4Q e-chain with extender crossbars is a clever adapter system which ensures quick and easy adjustment of the E4Q energy chain to the... →

Major player moving to secure power purchase agreements

By: Tracy Hancock 31st March 2023 As South Africa’s energy crisis continues, global renewable resource company Sappi is actively engaging with independent renewable-energy producers to secure renewable energy as and when it becomes available, through power purchase agreements. Buying renewable energy is one of three investment... →

A worker in blue overalls throws material from a heap of wood chips into the air. Saiccor mill in the background

SUSTAINABLE SAICCOR An expansion project at Sappi's Saiccor mill has significantly reduced its reliance on coal-based power

Global demand for paper, pulp and board softens

By: Tracy Hancock 31st March 2023 Global demand for paper, pulp and board is expected to soften in the first half of this year, compared with the highs of last year, where severe supply chain constraints created paper shortages worldwide, says global renewable resource company Sappi. “This significantly boosted sales orders, as... →

A person in white Sappi coat holding two handfuls of white dissolving pulp

THE GREEN FACTOR The underlying demand for dissolving pulp, packaging, office paper and tissue, in South Africa, and speciality papers abroad, remains strong, driven by global sustainability trends

Engineered wood a carbon-efficient material

By: Nadine Ramdass 24th March 2023 The international construction industry is moving away from carbon-producing materials, such as steel and concrete, in favour of more sustainable materials. Engineered wood offers a multitude of benefits, including being a more sustainable and cost-effective material while offering shortened... →

WOOD INNOVATION Engineered wood are more sustainable, cost-effective material, offer shortened construction time and are customisable, stronger and uniform panels

Chemical engineer awarded for her work on lignosulphonate

By: Schalk Burger 9th February 2023 Forestry products Sappi Technology Centre engineer-in-training Leane Naude clinched third place in the global 2022/23 Blue Sky Young Researchers Innovation Awards programme for her project that outlines how she developed a more cost-effective purification method for lignosulphonate, which is an... →

Paper manufacturers create YouTube video series showing papermaking process

By: Schalk Burger 3rd February 2023 Industry organisation the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) has partnered with GM Television to create a series of short videos of how paper products are made and recycled for the popular How It’s Made YouTube channel. “Many people are not aware of what goes into making... →

York appoints PwC's Barnard as CFO

By: Creamer Media Reporter 21st November 2022 Lumber and plywood producer York Timbers has appointed Schalk Barnard CFO. His appointment will be effective within the next six months, but the exact date is yet to be confirmed. Barnard is a qualified Chartered Accountant (South Africa, Australia and New Zealand), a registered auditor and a... →

Sappi posts record full-year Ebitda, resumes dividend payment

By: Chanel de Bruyn 10th November 2022 Renewable resources company Sappi achieved record earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of $1.34-billion for the financial year ended September 30 – exceeding the previous record of $1.05-billion for the group's financial year ended September 30, 2000. Ebitda was... →

Sappi buys back €200m of 2026 bonds

By: Schalk Burger 14th October 2022 JSE-listed dissolving pulp and paper-based solutions company Sappi says, owing to strong uptake from bondholders, it has accepted for purchase all the 2026 bonds tendered for its offer to buy its outstanding 3.125% senior notes, due in 2026. Sappi bought €209.6-million of the aggregate principal... →

Mondi can deliver sustainably despite global challenges, inflation

By: Schalk Burger 14th October 2022 JSE-listed packaging and paper company Mondi says its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) for the third quarter was €450-million, 55% higher than the Ebitda of €290-million reported for the third quarter of 2021. It notes that, during the quarter ended... →

Frankfurter Brett uses Sappi Symbio in new kitchen products

By: Schalk Burger 5th October 2022 Kitchen workstation manufacturer Frankfurter Brett, in partnership with high-technology component manufacturer Kegelmann Technik, has developed a sustainable kitchen console made from Sappi Symbio. Sappi Symbio combines high-quality cellulose from woodfibre and thermoplastics, explains Sappi... →

Firm to build 96 m mixed-use tower using hybrid timber technology in Zanzibar

By: Schalk Burger 4th October 2022 German-led engineering firm CPS is planning to build the highest green building in the world, a 28-storey apartment tower designed using hybrid timber technology, in Fumba Town. The design of the mixed-use apartment and commercial building is a new ecosystem for the future of living, says... →

An artist's impression of the planning Burj Zanzibar mixed-use tower

Sappi accepts offer for three European graphic paper mills

By: Schalk Burger 29th September 2022 JSE-listed dissolving pulp and paper-based solutions company Sappi has concluded an agreement with investment firm Aurelius to take ownership of the Maastricht mill, in the Netherlands; the Stockstadt mill, in Germany; and the Kirkniemi mill, in Finland, for an enterprise value of about... →

Sappi CEO Steve Binnie

Heavy rainfall, strikes result in ‘disappointing’ full-year performance for York Timbers

By: Darren Parker 21st September 2022 Lumber and agriculture company York Timbers reported a year-on-year decrease in several key metrics in its year-end financial results for the year ended June 30. “The financial results for the year have been quite disappointing, especially considering the momentum that was built in the previous... →

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