The newly established Forestry Centre of Excellence (FCoE) in Mount Gambier is showcasing how its world class research is already supporting positive commercial outcomes through new product development, providing a pathway to grow the sector and generate new local jobs. Source: Timberbiz
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas last week revealed new artist impressions for the research centre construction, a collaboration between government, UniSA and the forest industry. The centre consolidates the work of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub (GTFIH), Tree Breeding Australia and LITA Training with the goal of becoming an international leader in forest industries research, education, product and market development.
The GTFIH used the launch to brief the State Government on its Splinters to Structures project, which has created a new engineered wood product utilising softwood pulp and hardwood log, which has traditionally had no specific domestic application.
The collaborative research project, delivered in partnership with Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) with funding from the Federal Government, is favouring a Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) product made exclusively from Eucalyptus Globulus (Bluegum) grown in the Green Triangle. Hub members are now planning to conduct a feasibility study to understand how to commercialise the product.
Hub board member, Australian Bluegum Plantations (ABP) CEO Russ Hughes, said the FCoE will play a pivotal role in bringing the whole supply chain together, understanding how to optimise fibre use and generate new value-add.
“We applaud both the State and Federal Government for their commitment to invest in research, working in partnership with industry, to deliver transformative projects which increase the sustainability of our sector, supporting the development of new wood innovation which will deliver long-term regional economic outcomes,” he said.
“The Splinters to Structures project is providing a pathway to diversify the region’s market base, providing a new domestic building product with a low carbon profile supporting the imbalance between supply and demand for such high value products. Importantly the FCoE will provide industry with the tools to deliver more market capability in the long-term, building greater regional capacity and supporting our international reputation.”
GTFIH deputy chair Laurie Hein said the Hub looked forward to working with the FCoE’s new director Jeff Morrell to build a visionary research plan, concentrated on increasing expertise across the workforce.
“The work delivered by the Hub through its partnership with UniSA over the past five years has been progressive, supporting this new product development, intelligence on plantation water use, the estate’s carbon capability and delivering a toolkit for farm forestry expansion and broader state and federal policy outcomes,” Mr Hein said.
“The launch of the FCoE will supercharge this strategic approach, enabling broader national and international collaborations and partnerships to position the Green Triangle as a global leader in plantation research and development.”
To learn more about the GTFIH research outcomes visit www.gtfih.com.au
