The Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) will join forces with other timber industry bodies to help fight challenges from alternative products such as plastic.

TIMCON’s new president John Dye, who took over the reins at the organisation’s recent AGM, said linking up with others would help the confederation lobby and present positive messages about using timber pallets and packaging.

He said: “Recent events concerning the introduction of plastic alternatives to timber products has only convinced me that as an industry we could possibly achieve more by all of us working together and learning more about each other’s actitivities within the timber industry.”

TIMCON has already made contact with the National Association of Pallet Distributors and UK Forest Products Association, while it will also work with the Forestry Commission. Links will be on an informal basis at first.

Mr Dye, who hopes to expand TIMCON membership, said the pallet and packaging industry used approximately two million m3 of timber per year and was a “vital” element in the sawmilling sector and forest industry.

TIMCON has also reaffirmed its support for wood. for good by maintaining its sponsorship.

&#8220We see wood. for good as highly desirable as we counter the expected PR onslaught from competing materials such as plastic”

Outgoing TIMCON president Gil Covey

Outgoing president Gil Covey said: “We see wood. for good as highly desirable as we counter the expected PR onslaught from competing materials such as plastic.”

Mr Covey said the UK timber packaging and pallet industry had undergone a turbulent and demanding year, with dramatic pallet timber rises in the Baltics leading to timber pallet price increases.

He believes the industry will continue to face challenges from external forces and from structural change within the timber sector.