The position of wood in construction solutions is growing stronger on a global scale. This is influenced not only by construction and interior decoration trends but, above all, environmental concerns. Wood is an ecological choice, given that in many applications, the carbon is sequestered in the wood for as long as decades.
Premium Finnish sawn timber is an excellent choice for construction material thanks to its weight and strength properties and multi-faceted possibilities for further conversion.
It lends itself easily to processing and surface treatment, due to which it is ideal for both new buildings and renovation sites. The dense-grained northern wood raw material enables the manufacture of visually pleasing products of a consistent quality.
In Finland, forests are managed in a socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable manner, and the regeneration of forests is well looked after. Thanks to sound forest management, Finland’s forests are growing by roughly 20 per cent more than they are being used. This is why Finnish sawn timber is a sustainable and resource-smart solution.
Economic cycles steer demand
The demand for sawn timber in Finland and the export markets is greatly affected by construction volumes and the general economic cycle. When construction and renovation are active during economic upswings, the demand for sawn timber grows quickly.
The main market area for Metsä Fibre’s sawn timber is Europe, in addition to Finland. In Europe, premium Finnish sawn timber is used a lot in outdoor wood claddings as well as in interior decoration materials due to its technical properties and consistent appearance. The prevalent interior decoration trends, which favour light colours and shades, are advantageous to Finnish sawn timber which is easy to plane and treat.
North Africa is a traditional and important export destination for pine sawn timber. The North African market is characterised by great and rapid fluctuations in demand. Over the long term, demand for sawn timber in North Africa is expected to grow as a consequence of population growth and increased construction.
The role of the component industry as an end-user of Metsä Fibre’s sawn timber products has grown strongly alongside traditional end-users. Thanks to modern technological solutions, Metsä Fibre is able to meet even the most demanding customer needs in a customised and cost-effective manner.
China grows and uses spruce
Over the past few years, demand for spruce sawn timber has grown strongly in Asia, and particularly in China, whose significance as an export destination has grown rapidly. Major development trends in China, such as urbanisation and the growth of the middle class, have increased the demand for sawn timber.
The high-quality and visually pleasing Finnish spruce sawn timber is used for the production of furniture in China. Ever since China abandoned the one-child policy, the country has experienced particularly high sales in products made from wood and meant to furnish children’s rooms.