Problems in the sawn timber market, especially in the US, are “not likely to be long lasting”, Holmen AB CEO and president Magnus Hall told shareholders in an upbeat AGM message.
Mr Hall said the American market would “probably” revert to normal levels of building once the current housebuilding decline and mortage problems had been overcome.
And he said the serious impact of the pinewood beetle on Canadian forests would create a growing need for imported European products in the years to come.
“On top of this, it should be added that we believe that building in wood in Europe should show steady growth,” he said.
Mr Hall said wooden buildings’ unique advantage in storing carbon within the climate change debate should help continue the European sawn timber market’s growth.
Holmen intends to use an advertisement headlined “The wooden house effect” to drive home the message about using timber in construction.
