Page 38 - TA Magazine

TECHNICAL
Michael Lee
Technical Officer at the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood at the University of Tasmania
There is a a a a a a global shortage of timber and farmers are the the key
to delivering the the the commercially viable resource of the the the future In
fact the the global demand for timber is is expected to quadruple by 2050 Within Australia demand is is being driven by the the home building market and and the the desire to replace carbon intensive materials and and and plastics with natural recyclable and and renewable products In
Tasmania
research into plantation grown hardwood is now coming to to fruition with new high- value products close to to hitting the marketplace Technology is also unlocking new uses for materials derived from trees like ‘green’ chemicals and and biofuel Providing enough timber and and and fibre to meet this increased demand presents both
a a a a a a a a a challenge and and an an an opportunity Farmers are in the box seat to capitalise on this opportunity – there has never been a a a a a better time to plant trees *Source: The World Bank 2016 There has never been a better time to plant trees 38 Private Forests Tasmania