FOREST RESEARCH ASSISTS WOOD NEW ZEALAND IN CHINA
Forest Research Wood-Based Products Manager, Dr Dave Cown has recently returned from China where he provided technical
advice and support to the forest industry's sector mission, Wood New Zealand.
The objectives of the mission were to establish networks and relationships with key personnel in the Chinese forestry
and wood processing industries and to scope opportunities for New Zealand Pine in the Chinese market. Led by Pine
Manufacturers' Association and Wood New Zealand Chief Executive, Gerald Hunt, mission members presented invited seminars
in Beijing, Shanghai and Dongguan and established relationships with key personnel (Govt. officials, company managers,
researchers) within the Chinese industry.
China provides enormous opportunities for the New Zealand wood fibre industry to address the future increased fibre
becoming available. Strong interest in the seminars confirmed that there is significant interest within China in New
Zealand Pine, but its acceptance to date has been hampered by a lack of knowledge of the product. The development of
technical support programmes aimed at educating the Chinese about New Zealand Pine and its properties and uses are a
major priority for Wood New Zealand. A major feature of the seminars was the launch of a New Zealand Pine User Guide in
Mandarin.
In addition, Chinese companies are keen to partner with New Zealand producers of logs and lumber. China has significant
manufacturing capability but is short on capital and technology and the opportunities for additional sources of wood are
immense. Within China, domestic forest utilisation is increasingly restricted because of improvements to flood control
programmes.
As a result of the mission, plans have been advanced to appoint a full-time person to represent Wood New Zealand within
China. An office, based in Shanghai, will be opened during the next few months. Other avenues that will provide
opportunities for New Zealand Pine within China include the development of working relationships with Chinese processors
and building on existing relationships of New Zealand companies that are already doing business in China.
ENDS....