First decline of the year signals fragile economic recovery.
Production
Since its establishment, the De Pere mill has specialized in the production of wet lap fiber, with the capability of producing 450 tons per day of quality sustainable fiber.
This level is still 10% below the first-quarter averages recorded from 2019 to 2023.
February output strongest in a year.
Operating rates for all major grades except Semichemical Medium increased compared to Q4 2023 while total production was down 0.7%.
The boxboard operating rate was 89.2%, up 1.3 points from the same quarter last year.
Softwood and hardwood record growth; fuelwood sees marginal decline.
Still trails 2022 levels by 16.2%
This figure is still lower than the Q1 2022 production volume.
Transportation and petroleum sectors lead downturn.
At the end of 2023, the total plywood production capacity in China was about 205 million m3 per year.
International Monetary Fund upgrades 2024 global growth forecast to 3.2%; highlights widening gap between rich and poor countries.
Beijing pours funds into factory production to mitigate past economic slowdowns and stimulate growth.
March data reveals a slight dip in building permits and housing starts, yet year-over-year figures remain stable.
Sales in the wood product industry decreased by 0.2% from January.
With an increased annual capacity of 600,000 tonnes of folding boxboard, the BM1 is Europe's largest and most modern of its kind and is run with 98% renewable energy.
Sweden's area notified for felling in March 2024 decreased 13%, compared to March 2023. The area regarding applications for permits for final felling in montane forests decreased to barely one twelfh, compared to the same month last year.
Metsä Fibre’s Rauma sawmill in Finland turns out a maximum of 40 logs per minute on a 130-meter sawline, reaching speeds up to 250 meters per minute.
Unexpected rise fueled by construction and automotive sectors.
Statistics Canada highlights strong start to 2024.