Materials.
The materials Asia builds with, covered with specs, sources, and honest assessment of what's new.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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%.