Materials.
The materials Asia builds with, covered with specs, sources, and honest assessment of what's new.
Australia's Responsible Wood Offers $15,000 for Timber Projects
Community groups across Australia can apply for grants up to $15,000 to fund forest-based projects, including bespoke timber furniture and trail construction, with applications closing November 12.
Flexi-Hex Paper Packaging Replaces 7,743 km of Plastic Bubble Wrap
The UK-based company's FSC-certified honeycomb paper packaging has also reduced breakage rates for items like doors and bottles, offering a sustainable alternative for transit protection.
WRA: UK Waste Wood Surplus Pressures Panel Board Supply
The Wood Recyclers’ Association reports persistent oversupply in the UK waste wood market, leading to restricted intake at recycling sites and higher gate fees for waste producers.
Red Stag TimberLab supplies mass timber roofs for NZ bus stations
The Eastern Busway project features hybrid construction with CLT panels and 65mm glulam flitch rafters, reducing on-site installation time for the public infrastructure.
Global Sawmills Cut Production Amid Weak Demand, High Costs
Sawmills in Europe and North America are reducing output as construction demand slows and log supplies become more expensive, impacting global timber markets.
Archier's Ora House Wins Award for 75% Certified Timber Use
Archier's residential project in Australia secured the Australian Certified Timber category at the Timber Design Awards, with certified wood making up 75% of its total building materials.
Victoria's Portland Engineered Wood Hub Secures $200M Investment
The Precinct project aims to produce structural components for 20,000 homes annually, with Timberlink Australia and Finland's Raute among its industry partners.
Takenaka Moen-Wood fire-rated glulam expands to Japan private projects
Japanese builder Takenaka Corporation now permits its Moen-Wood fire-resistant glulam, made from cedar and cypress, for private offices and shops up to 14 storeys with a two-hour fire rating.
Fuqing Vietnam Opens Second LVL Plant, 30,000 m3 for Japan
Fuqing Vietnam Wood Industry has completed its second laminated veneer lumber (LVL) plant, covering 22,000 sq m, which is undergoing trial production and applying for Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) certification for non-structural studs.
Vietnam Fuels China's 155.8% Surge in North American Hardwood
Chinese buyers paid less for ash and oak from Vietnam than direct from the US, as trade friction between Washington and Beijing shifts supply routes.
Hamburg Symposium Gathers 360 for Wood Panel Innovations
The 14th European Wood-based Panel Symposium, organized by Fraunhofer WKI and EPF, addressed artificial intelligence, circular economy principles, and EU REACH compliance for wood-based materials.
Weyerhaeuser to Distribute TimberHP Wood Fiber Insulation in US
The agreement covers TimberBatt and TimberBoard products, making insulation from renewable softwood residuals available across the US through Weyerhaeuser's building materials network.
UPM Opens €1.37 Billion Leuna Biorefinery for Renewable Chemicals
The new Leuna facility in Germany, inaugurated on October 15, 2026, will produce 220,000 tonnes of wood-based chemicals annually, targeting construction and other sectors.
SCA Sweden Examines Continuous-Cover Forestry for Building Timber Quality
A field excursion in Southern Norrland, Sweden, reviewed continuous-cover forestry methods like shelterwood and selection harvesting to produce high-quality timber for building conservation.
Western Australia Sandalwood Harvest Cap Reduced by 500 Tonnes
Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions proposes cutting the annual limit on living sandalwood trees from 1,250 to 750 tonnes, impacting key Asian export markets including China, Taiwan, India, and Malaysia.
WISA Group Aims for €550M Plywood Sales by 2030 After UPM Spin-off
WISA Group, newly independent from UPM, plans to expand its plywood presence in European and international markets, targeting sales growth from €409 million in 2025 to over €550 million by 2030.
BESIX Watpac Selected for Hobart's A$1.13 Billion Timber Stadium
The A$1.13 billion Macquarie Point Stadium in Tasmania will feature the world's largest timber roof structure, with construction set to begin after final delivery details are settled this month.
Thailand's WPC Roots Retain 88cm Sediment, Combat Erosion
A new study reveals a bio-inspired system, featuring wood-plastic composite and rubber structures, retained 16-88 centimeters of sediment across 10 sites in Samut Prakan province.
EU Extends Anti-Dumping Duties on Birch Plywood from Turkey
European manufacturers report ongoing sales and price pressure in 2026 due to redirected birch plywood supplies, prompting the EU to target Turkey and Kazakhstan.
Sumitomo Forestry unveils KIBLO modular timber system
The factory-built wooden modules, measuring 5,460mm by 1,820mm, are designed for rapid assembly and reuse, with commercial availability planned from 2027.
Siam Fibreboard upgrades Thai MDF with Sunds Fibertech PressBooster
The Thai manufacturer completed the installation of two PressBooster systems in April and June 2026, aiming to increase medium-density fiberboard capacity and improve product quality.
New Zealand Kauri Dieback Threatens Carbon Stores
A recent study reveals that kauri dieback disease, active for two decades, causes affected forests in New Zealand to lose up to one tonne of carbon per hectare annually.
China Building Reps Tour BC Wood Ahead of Global Buyers Mission
Over 20 Chinese building material and design representatives toured British Columbia sawmills and timber construction projects before meeting Canadian wood product suppliers at the Global Buyers Mission last month.
Japan Softwood Lumber Imports Drop 29.4% in August
Japan's total softwood lumber purchases fell to 242,792 m³ in August 2026, with imports from Sweden and Finland declining by over a third.
US Hardwood Sawmills: Log Exports Drive Overseas Rivals
Market analyses at the 2026 National Hardwood Lumber Association convention detailed how US hardwood sawmills contend with reduced domestic sales and increased competition from overseas processors.
Australia Targets 32.5 Million Treated Timber Vineyard Posts
Australia is developing a national stewardship scheme for 32.5 million stockpiled vineyard posts, 80% of which are treated with copper chrome arsenate (CCA), with up to 26,100 tonnes removed annually.
Carlyle explores sale of Spanish plywood producer Garnica
US investment group Carlyle has reportedly engaged Houlihan Lokey to review options for its stake in Garnica, citing recent financial challenges for the Spanish wood panel manufacturer.
Estonia: August Sawlog Prices Stable, Spruce Up 0.5% to €109.56/m³
While Estonia's overall sawlog market remained largely flat in August, pine sawlogs also saw a modest increase of 0.1%, reaching €104.66/m³.
Stuttgart's TimberSlab Cuts Embodied Carbon, 70cm Height Reduction
Developed by the University of Stuttgart, the UniversalTimberSlab system significantly reduces embodied carbon in multi-story timber buildings and allows up to 20% facade area reduction.
Melbourne F1 Pit Building Uses 791 Meters of Australian Glulam
The A$395 million Albert Park facility for the 2028 Australian Grand Prix incorporates nearly 1,000 tonnes of steel and 208 concrete panels.
US Single-Family Homes: Wood Framing Holds 94% Share in 2025
In 2025, concrete framing accounted for 5% of new single-family homes, while steel framing saw a 25% increase in completions to 5,000 units.
Kyoto Project Turns Bear-Marked Cedar into Urushi Surfboards
The BEARS WOOD PROJECT, launched in 2022 by Tsutsumi Asakichi Urushi, transforms Japanese cedar marked by Asian black bears into unique surfboards under its siita brand, preventing its discard.
Seoul Design Award 2026 Unveils Top 10 for Sustainable Materials
From over 1,200 global entries, finalists include furniture from recycled cork and footwear made with pineapple waste, showcasing new material applications.
China Wood Imports: 61% From Illegal Harvesting Risk
New research reveals China imported 115.9 million cubic meters of wood yearly from 2018 to 2023, with over 60% originating from nations with elevated illegal harvesting risk.
European Panel Makers Seek EU Safeguards in India FTA
Producers of wood-based panels and high-pressure laminates in Europe fear that reduced tariffs under a new EU-India trade agreement could intensify market competition for these materials and furniture.
AkzoNobel to feature Interpon D facade coatings at October events
AkzoNobel Powder Coatings will present its Interpon D architectural portfolio, including the Futura Collection 2026–2029, at ZAK World of Facades New York and Facades+ Vancouver this October.
Blue Crow Media maps 140 Brutalist buildings in Asia
Blue Crow Media's 'Brutalist Asia' explores the style's evolution, highlighting how exposed concrete shaped projects in 28 countries from Japan to Lebanon.
The Precinct Unveils A$200 Million Engineered Wood Plant
The Precinct will outline plans for its 35-hectare engineered wood facility in Victoria, with Finnish machinery maker Raute discussing technology for scaling laminated veneer lumber.
Exterpark Decking: Patented Systems Resist 330 km/h Winds
New criteria for exterior decking specification now prioritize technical traceability and fixing system performance, exemplified by installations at projects like Marsa Al Arab.
New 'Brutalist Asia' Book Reveals 28 Countries' Material Adaptations
The new publication, "Brutalist Asia," explores how architects across 28 Asian countries reinterpreted the Brutalist style using local materials and cultural contexts.
Kohila Vineer to Double Estonian Birch Plywood Output with Raute
Latvijas Finieris' Kohila Vineer plant in Estonia will increase its birch plywood output to 85,000 m³ annually, following a €31 million contract with Raute.
Japan Boosts Domestic Sugi Timber Use Amid Spruce Supply Shortages
Japan's wood self-sufficiency reached 42.5% in 2024, up from 18.8% in 2002, driven by government initiatives and reduced imports of European spruce.
HKU Designs 2026 Underground House with 3D-Printed Earth Vaults
The 2026 'Underground House of the Future' in Henan integrates modern materials like 3D-printed earth elements and translucent canopies into ancient excavated dwellings.
Japan Softwood Lumber Imports Drop 27% in July to 265,000 m³
Japan's softwood lumber imports reached 265,000 m³ in July, a 27% decrease from the previous year, according to preliminary figures from Japan's Forestry Agency. This marks the lowest monthly volume recorded in the current official series.
Japan's Ehime Pavilion: 12x2.3m CLT Panels for School Furniture Reuse
The Onodatesho Pavilion in Ehime, Japan, constructed by Yano Aoyama Architecture Design, features regional cedar, cypress, and cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels measuring 12 by 2.3 meters. Designed as a temporary ceremonial structure for the National Tree-Planting Festival, its materials are intended for repurposing as school furniture after dismantling.
Nippon Paint Survey: 62.8% of Malaysian Businesses Report Flooring Failures
A Nippon Paint survey reveals that nearly two-thirds of Malaysian businesses experience operational disruptions due to flooring issues, with many facing recurring problems and significant costs beyond repairs.
Elixrr Industries Starts 1,000 m³ Daily MDF Production in India
Indian wood-based panel producer Elixrr Industries began medium-density fiberboard (MDF) production on 16 August 2026 at its new plant. The facility, supplied by Siempelkamp, features an 8ft by 33.8m ContiRoll Generation 9 press and can produce approximately 1,000 cubic meters of MDF daily.
US Hardwood Exports to India Reach $6.944M in H1 2026
American hardwood lumber and veneer exports to India totalled $6.944 million in the first half of 2026, driven by white and red oak. The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) will promote US species and its American Hardwood Assured program at MumbaiWood.
Tia-Thuy Nguyen Unveils Quartz, Steel & Recycled Glass Art in Shanghai
Vietnamese artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen’s first solo exhibition in China, “Fields of Resonance,” is on view at Almine Rech Shanghai until October 31, 2026. The exhibition showcases nearly twenty paintings, sculptures, and installations crafted from materials including oil paint, beads, sequins, quartz, crystal, recycled glass, stone, and stainless steel.
Jia Curated 2026 in Bali Showcases Sustainable Materials, Regional Design
The Jia Curated 2026 event, held in Bali from August 13-17, presented material innovations and collaborative design from over 250 brands. The event focused on biophilic principles and local sourcing, featuring items made from recycled plastics, pineapple fibers, and coffee-waste leather for building and interiors projects.
Indonesia-Australia Research Boosts Timber Resilience, Pulp Supply
A decades-long collaboration between Indonesian and Australian research bodies has strengthened Indonesia's forestry sector, focusing on disease-resistant plantation species like acacia, eucalyptus, and cajuput. The partnership, led by Dr. Anto Rimbawanto, improved material sourcing for pulp and paper and supported sustainable community forestry.
Jae K Kim's 'Timbercraft' Documents 1,400 Years of East Asian Timber Construction
Architect and researcher Jae K Kim published 'Timbercraft: Lost Tectonics from East Asia' on August 26, 2026. The book details 1,400 years of traditional timber construction across nine landmark buildings in China, Japan, and Korea, providing analytical drawings and historical context for complex timber systems.
Jae K Kim's *Timbercraft* Documents 1,400 Years of East Asian Wooden Construction
Architect Jae K Kim published *Timbercraft: Lost Tectonics from East Asia*, a book detailing traditional wooden construction methods across China, Japan, and Korea. The publication spans over 1,400 years of architectural history, presenting analytical drawings of nine landmark structures and their intricate joinery systems.
Taiwan Forestry Institute Transforms Wood Surplus into Incense Cedar Products, Boosts Circular Econo
The Taiwan Forestry Research Institute has developed essential oil, scented powder, and incense cones from surplus Taiwan incense cedar wood. This initiative aims to establish a circular economy for forest resources by repurposing materials typically discarded.
Kurosawa Kawara-ten Renovates Ichihara Tea Room with Salvaged Timber, Titanium, Corten Steel
Kurosawa Kawara-ten completed the renovation of a six-tatami tea room in Ichihara, Chiba, Japan. The project integrates salvaged local timber, titanium, and Corten steel to connect the building's history with its garden setting.
Wisewoods Commissions Second Dieffenbacher Z-Sifter for Thai Rubberwood MDF
Thai MDF producer Wisewoods installed a second Dieffenbacher Z-Sifter at its Khao Yoi plant, replacing two older units. The system processes rubberwood, improving product quality by removing latex residues and cutting energy consumption by 50%.