Impact KPI-4: New seed-to-market value chains for specialty wood products
IO2 – Increase the profitability of solid wood processing through customer solutions and supply chain innovations
Impact KPI-4: New seed-to-market value chains for specialty wood products
By 2019, Scion and its partners will have provided tools, new product options and plant material that will have supported the aspirations of growers and manufacturers to invest in new manufacturing facilities and expand plantings of Douglas-fir, eucalypts, cypresses and indigenous species based on increased confidence of securing highest possible value for their products along the entire seed-to-market value chain.
| Leading indicator | Progress |
| By 2016, Scion’s technical outcomes will have input into the development of at least one market ready product from Douglas-fir or a eucalypt capable for uptake in an international market. | An MBIE proposal, Specialty Wood Products Partnership (to be led by FFR) was submitted and accepted. The partnership with industry will focus on the development of high-value wood products from eucalypts, Douglas-fir and cypresses. Total investment in the programme over seven years is $13.8 million. Key issues relating to drying eucalypt were confirmed, and potential solutions to be explored are being identified. |
| By 2016, Scion and its partners will have identified the economic opportunity for utilisation of some indigenous species, and have external investment supporting realisation of the commercial opportunity associated with those species. Particular focus will be given to support the economic and social development of Northland, East Coast/Hawkes Bay and central North Island. | Five presentations were made at the inaugural East Coast Mānuka Coalition (ECMC) hui at Ruatoria in April. The proposed coalition sees significant economic growth opportunities for Māori and industry to work together to realise the potential of natural resources, such as mānuka for oil production. The vision is that ECMC will partner with industry stakeholders who are keen to engage with Scion. A business case peer-reviewed by PwC was completed indicating quantified, real opportunity for tōtara in Northland. Planning completed for assessment of wood quality in existing tōtara stands (including provenance trials), scheduled to start post June 2015. |
| By 2019, Scion will have provided tools, new plant material (e.g. germplasm) and technologies along the seed-to-market value chain that will increase the confidence of growers of Douglas-fir, eucalypts and cypresses to increase plantings of these species by at least 5 per cent over 2014 plantings. | The new 7-year FFR-led Specialty Wood Products Partnership will focus on the development of high-value wood products from eucalypts, Douglas-fir and cypresses. |