Welcome to WoodTECH News.
We start with OneFortyOne’s massive milestone at the Jubilee Sawmill, where crews successfully maneuvered a 162-tonne boiler into place for their $88m bioenergy project. Over in logistics, KEITH showcased its new RX2 drive at last month’s Residues2Revenues conference – slashing trailer unload times down to under four minutes.
We also explore New Zealand’s new wood energy hubs, Comact’s latest equipment rollout, promising research on a formaldehyde-free lignin resin, and how support from the WIDE Trust enabled four young professionals to attend WoodTECH 2026 to see firsthand where sector technologies are heading.
Grab a coffee and catch up on the latest innovations across the sector.
12 Oct 2026
Milestone for Jubilee Sawmill’s $88m bioenergy project
Construction of OneFortyOne’s $88 million Co-Generation Boiler project facility has reached another significant milestone, with the project’s boiler now in place at the Jubilee Sawmill. With crews on site before sunrise on 16 September, months of planning culminated in the ...
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12 Oct 2026
KEITH showcases faster unloading with new RX2 drive
At last month’s Residues2Revenues 2026 conference in Brisbane, material handling specialist KEITH Manufacturing Co. showcased its updated two-cylinder RX2 WALKING FLOOR® drive unit, designed to improve unloading and turnaround times for the wood-products sector. With truck turnaround times directly affecting ...
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12 Oct 2026
Lignin resin delivers flame retardancy without formaldehyde
Researchers have developed a bio-based, formaldehyde-free phenolic resin derived from lignin that provides fire protection, strong adhesion, and zero toxic off-gassing for timber products. Published in the journal Green Chemistry, the study details how the new material, dubbed SALG-PR, functions ...
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12 Oct 2026
Future-focused learning
In 2026, the WIDE Trust supported four young professionals to attend the WoodTECH 2026 Conference in Rotorua, giving them the opportunity to engage with one of New Zealand’s leading events for wood processing and manufacturing innovation. WoodTECH brings together engineers, ...
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12 Oct 2026
Comact launches Comact Cutting Solution
Comact, a global leader in high-performance OEM wood processing technologies, announced this week the launch of Comact Cutting Solutions, bringing together Smith Sawmill Service, Oleson Saw Technology, Checkmate Precision Cutting Tools, and the proprietary BLADE brand under a common organizational ...
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12 Oct 2026
Untapped wood from forestry to help fuel NZ industry
The country’s supply of sustainable wood fuel is ramping up with work underway to capture previously unused forestry material and investigate new wood energy manufacturing plants. “When businesses are looking at energy options, woody biomass could provide an economic alternative ...
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WoodWorks 2026 Conference
28-29 October 2026, Hastings, New Zealand
Growing the capability & use of wood in commercial and multi-residential buildings
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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, TBC, New Zealand
Growing the capability & use of wood in commercial and multi-residential buildings