Investment opportunities in Scotland’s forest industries have never looked better due to a predicted doubling of timber volumes by 2020, a major industry event will hear.
The third “Opportunities for investment in Scotland’s Forest Industries” conference, to be held in Clydebank on February 3-4, will hear that an additional 3.4 million m3 of wood would be available to the Scottish timber industry by 2010.
Stefan Kay, chairman of the Scottish Forest Industries Cluster, said: “The close proximity of resource, market, population and infrastructure will enable Scotland to compete with other global locations.”
But he said challenges include the need to make supply chain managment more efficient, ensure new technology benefits are realised and investing further in research and development.
Mr Kay said timber use could be grown in sustainable construction by encouraging timber-based design solutions, while the energy and bio-technology industries presented opportunities for secondary products.
Industry highlights during the past year include the formation of the Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor), new emphasis on training, the release of £1.2m funding for creating a centre of expertise on Sitka spruce, establishment of a £13m Timber Transport Fund and the £18m planned expansion of James Jones & Sons Ltd’s Lockerbie sawmill.
