GLG News by Timber and Forest Industry Consultants

The sale of the MWV mill at North Charleston. SC, will have ramifications for both parties.  MWV will shed the pulp and paper mill, but also a lumber mill, and 4 chip mills, which were part of the integrated procurement strategy for this mill.  Up until the merger with Mead, this facility...

China's growing middle class has developed a strong appetite for both Uncoated FreeSheet (A4 Copybond, Offset Printing paper, envelope, tablet, thermal imaging papers etc) that has exceeded the PRC's expectations.  How much more will it grow?  The Government has already said by 2010 their...

Russia has now realized the value its Spruce, Pine and Larch trees have and has imposed a 20% tax on any logs greater than 25 cm (10").  It is these larger logs that are so valuable to processing into Newsprint and also for Kraft cooking to produce the highly regarded NBSK market pulp.  Did...

At a time when contraction seems to be the rule (Smurfit Stone having shut down 20 boxplants over the past few years), does IP really see the value in growing their container division by an additional 72 plants? IP's management believes it can cut expenses within 3 years by $400 million including $175...

The major implication is that major North American assets are coming under the complete control of Asian (mostly Chinese) companies and there is no secret that 100% of these mills' production will be going straight back to China.   Current global customers of these mills are already scrambling...

Demand for papermaking pulps over the next 5 years is projected to increase by 5%/year which translates to almost 3 million mt/year.  Where will all this pulp come from?   This demand translates to 3 new world-class market pulp mills being built each year. Ideally market pulp should...

Standard grade newsprint annual tonnage has been declining since 2000 as circulation goes down, advertizing pages drop and classified ads decrease.   Could anyone have predicted that the Internet would have such a profound effect on newspaper circulation?   Supposedly no one...

Norbord's European and UK operations comprise a relatively small part of their revenues.  OSB and wood plant operations in North America provide the majority.  It will be their ability to survive the depressed North American housing market in 2008 that will determine their success and continued...

With a worldwide recession looming, the market pulp industry continues to be operating at peak capacity with quarterly price increases becoming the norm.   China has been the engine driving the world's  business but can it continue on and on?  Will China's domestic demand ever...

Abitibi-Bowaters has recently shut down four newsprint mills: one in New Brunswick, two in Ontario and one in British Columbia.  Catalyst has shut down one machine as have several other major producers.  Will this be enough to bring supply in balance with demand? 85% of newsprint production...