New Zealand's forestry urged to process harvested logs domestically to fulfill carbon goals

Posted on May 15, 2023   |  

New Zealand’s Forestry to fund $57 million to boost investment in household wood-processing facilities. 

The action comes as the government aims to make wood a carbon-friendly choice in construction, fuels, packaging, biochemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

In July, the Wood Processing Growth Fund will provide $3 million a year to research pilot studies, business cases, and market development in onshore wood processing projects. 

The remaining funds are for companies that want to build plants or support equipment and technology.

New Zealand Forest Service sees risks in the strategy as log harvest forecasts to decline by 15% by 2035, pressuring supplies for any new processing plants.