Promising innovations, such as cross laminated timber, green chemicals and more will be showcased at the upcoming Future Forestry Finance 2012 conference series.
“Innovations like cross laminated timber and green chemicals are the way forward for forestry. These products will enable the forest industry to make the most money out of our forest resources,” says John Stulen, Event Director for the Future Forestry Finance 2012 conference series.
Following the Canterbury earthquakes there is an urgent need for structurally-capable building solutions. Wood-based building designers can use cross laminated timber (CLT) to maximum effect for new structures in this region.
Robin Jack, a successful pioneer of wood manufacturing excellence, will speak about his leading role in bringing CLT to into new commercial building market in Australasia. This product is paving the way for high-rise timber buildings to be made in high density downtown sites, with quick build times and short on-site construction times.
In the field of green chemicals from timber, Vertichem was awarded an exclusive US-based patent for its gentle, integrated processing of plant biomass. The patent applies to three related but distinct processing stages at the core of Vertichem’s business, including: the extraction of high quality lignin from woody plant material; the production of Xylose from the hemicelluloses; and the efficient hydrolysis of cellulose present in plant material to form glucose, which is then fermented to produce ethanol.
Taupo-based spokesperson for Vertichem Kevin Snowdon says, “Our company’s target is to produce ‘green’ chemicals from forest-based resources replacing chemicals currently being supplied from non-renewable resources.
Mr Snowdon adds, “There’s huge potential about to be realized. The Canadian forest industry is well advanced in recognising the need to pursue higher returns from new markets. Australasian companies need to keep apace of these developments – and our technical leadership in this area is key to doing that.”
“These new bio-based products will take wood into new markets, which is good for all investors in the forest products supply chain,” says Mr Stulen. Further updates on developments in other new-age forest products including airline fuels, bio-energy and bio-char will be presented by leading product developers in these areas.
Future Forestry Finance is happening in Sydney on 13-14 March at the Novotel Brighton Beach, and in Auckland on the 7-8 March.
For more information see the conference website www.forestryfinanceevents.com
Source: Friday Offcuts
