Welcome to WoodTECH News.
Our next major event, Residues2Revenues 2026, heads to Brisbane for the first time, bringing a focus on the growing opportunities for forest and sawmill residues as demand for renewable feedstocks increases across Australia and New Zealand.
In this issue, we look at some of the latest developments reshaping the wood processing sector — from PermaPine trialling New Zealand’s first heavy electric wheel loader to HAMR Energy’s $32 million investment in forestry-waste jet fuel and OneFortyOne’s new co-generation boiler at Jubilee Sawmill.
We also cover Red Stag’s new CLT volumetric modular line, engineered wood skills research, Comact’s acquisition of Checkmate, and new developments in value-chain data and bio-based packaging.
There’s plenty to explore in this issue – so grab a coffee and enjoy the read.
11 Aug 2026
Testing New Zealand’s first heavy electric loader
A Volvo L120 Electric wheel loader is helping PermaPine test what sustainable equipment can really deliver in one of New Zealand’s most demanding timber processing environments. Set on a 100-acre site outside Taupō, PermaPine is New Zealand’s largest manufacturer of ...
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11 Aug 2026
Turning forestry waste into Australian-made jet fuel
The federal government has announced a $32 million investment to help support a plan to convert forestry waste into Australian-made jet fuel. The funding, made through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), will be provided to Melbourne based company HAMR ...
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11 Aug 2026
Project update: Connecting forests, mills and buildings
ARC Advance Timber Hub Project “An Open-Data Framework for Forest-to-Building Value Chain Mapping” is addressing a major challenge for Australia’s forest and wood products sector: how to better understand, visualise and coordinate data across the entire value chain – from forest resource ...
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11 Aug 2026
Red Stag’s first-of-a-kind CLT modular production line
The Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, opened the Southern Hemisphere’s first off-site production line to use Cross Laminated Timber, CLT, as the structure. The initiative is a collaboration between local industry leader Red Stag, German architecture firm NKBAK and Austria constructor ...
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11 Aug 2026
Engineered wood products & the future skills needed
ForestWorks to Investigate Skills Need in the Manufacturing of Engineered Wood Products. Australia’s forestry and timber sector has always evolved in response to changing markets, technologies and community needs. Today, engineered wood products (EWPs) are emerging as an increasingly important part ...
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11 Aug 2026
Video: Jubilee Sawmill’s co-generation boiler project
OneFortyOne has released a new video providing an overview of the Jubilee Co-Generation Boiler Project, one of the most significant investments in the future of the Jubilee Sawmill and the company’s sustainability journey. The video explains how the project will ...
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11 Aug 2026
Comact acquires Checkmate Precision Cutting Tools
Comact announced last week that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Checkmate Precision Cutting Tools, a manufacturer and service provider of bandsaws, circular saws, industrial knives, and complete saw shop solutions with operations across New Zealand and Australia. ...
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01 Aug 2026
A novel wood bark-based packaging coating material
In the COCOBIN project, coordinated by the University of Oulu, coating materials are being developed from suberin, a natural compound found for example in birch bark. In plants, suberin acts as a protective layer and prevents the loss of water. Up ...
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Upcoming Events
Residues2Revenues 2026
23-24 September 2026, Brisbane, Australia
New technologies in biofuels, bioenergy and renewable bioproducts for wood processors.
HarvestTECH & Wood Transport Logistics 2026
10-11 November 2026, Rotorua, New Zealand
Smarter Technologies to Improve our Industry
ForestTECH 2027
9-10 March 2027, Brisbane, Australia
16-17 March 2027, Rotorua, New Zealand
For 20 years, ForestTECH has been the 'must-attend' technology event for forest resource managers, remote sensing, GIS and mapping specialists, inventory foresters, and tree crop and forest establishment managers from across Australasia.
Environmental Forestry 2027
25-26 May 2027, Rotorua, New Zealand
This series is dedicated to advancing sustainable forestry practices and environmental stewardship within the sector.
Woodflow & Logistics 2027
3-4 August 2027, Brisbane, Australia
Our Woodflow & Logistics conferences have served as a key forum for professionals in the forestry and wood harvesting and log transport sectors across Australasia
Carbon Forestry 2027
17-18 August 2027, Rotorua, New Zealand
This event covers key issues of interest to local and international forest managers and investors. Industry leaders and government will discuss government policy, ETS regulation, markets, certification, voluntary carbon markets - including biodiversity and nature-based credits.
Bioeconomy Innovations 2027
14-15 September 2027, Rotorua, New Zealand
Join industry leaders, researchers, and innovators, where the latest advancements in sustainable bioproducts and forest-based materials come to life. Be part of shaping a $30 billion bioeconomy.
Residues2Revenues 2027
14-15 September 2027, Rotorua, New Zealand
We have the potential to transform the forestry sector into a provider of biofuels, bioenergy and a range of renewable bioproducts. This event highlights the real value of wood residues.
WoodWorks 2027 Conference
19-20 October 2027, Hastings, New Zealand
Growing the capability & use of wood in commercial and multi-residential buildings