Briefing.
The business of building and furnishing Asia, companies, projects, policy, and people, reported and checked by our newsroom.
Latin America: Post-China Ban Plastic Waste Surges, 7 Nations Hotspots
Seven Latin American countries now face severe plastic pollution, driven by increased imports of difficult-to-recycle plastics since China's 2018 ban, straining inadequate waste management infrastructure.
EUDR Delayed 2 Years to Dec 2026, Compliance Simplified
The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will now apply from 30 December 2026, a two-year delay from its initial date. The European Commission has simplified compliance rules, removing the requirement for hundreds of thousands of reference numbers in wood and paper products, according to Austria's wood industry body.
Vietnam Furniture Exporters Face US Market Readiness Gap
A survey reveals 85% of Vietnamese businesses lack readiness for the American market, with market research and sales channels as primary obstacles. This comes as US duties shift Vietnamese wood product exports to other Asian and European destinations.
Japan to Boost Domestic Construction Wood Use to 23M m³ by 2030, Up 5M m³
Japan’s government aims to increase domestic construction wood consumption to 23 million cubic meters by 2030, up from 18 million cubic meters in 2024. This initiative, outlined in the new Forest and Forestry Basic Plan, seeks to bolster local timber supply and reduce reliance on imports. Total domestic wood supply is projected to reach 40 million cubic meters by 2030.
US Confirms Duties on Hardwood and Decorative Plywood from China, Indonesia, Vietnam
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has confirmed duties on hardwood and decorative plywood imports from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This follows a unanimous ruling on August 19, 2026, finding that US domestic producers were materially injured by dumped and subsidized imports.