Friday June 3, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Moving forward with their recently released Mass Timber Action Plan, the BC Government has signed a significant agreement with Finland to continue collaboration on research, advancement, development and commercialization of the forest bioeconomy and mass timber.
That news announcement was made June 1, 2022.
The letter of intent was signed between B.C.’s Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation and Finland’s Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Forestry.
The agreement is a key part of the European trade mission by Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, and another step in the Province’s StrongerBC Economic Plan.
BC is already selling lumber products to China, India and Vietnam.
Global economy:
“We are entering a new world with a fast-changing global economy, and I’m determined to have B.C. right at the forefront,” said Kahlon. “Like B.C., Finland is a leader in sustainable forestry and through collaboration and sharing cutting-edge construction technology, we will grow B.C.’s mass timber sector to build new homes and buildings and ensure workers and communities benefit for generations to come.”
The forest bioeconomy uses sustainably managed forest material (forest biomass) to make bioproducts such as consumer goods and industrial products. Forest biomass can be any forest material from trees, as well as shrubs and berries. Developing a B.C.-based bioeconomy helps create new bioproducts that can replace petroleum-based products. It also helps create good-paying jobs for people who want to work in the sector.
In 2020, forest products represented 29% of B.C.’s total commodity export value, with the sector contributing $5.6 billion to the province’s gross domestic product.
By 2035, the mass timber sector could produce 1,880 more jobs in technology, forestry, engineering, and design, as well as an estimated 2,350 jobs in mass timber manufacturing.
Partnering with Finland:
“About half of Finland’s bioeconomy industry consists of the forest industry, which has been the mainstay of the Finnish economy for centuries. Finland’s success is based on a deep understanding of the entire bioproduct value chain, world-class research and integration of cross-disciplinary sciences,” said Tom Nyberg, Honorary Consul of Finland to B.C. and Yukon.
“Taken the many similarities between Finland and B.C., increased collaboration will foster further innovation and reduce dependency on fossil fuels and other non-renewable raw materials in both countries. Finland’s new Bioeconomy Strategy aims to double the value added by the bioeconomy in a sustainable manner and to make Finland climate neutral by 2035.”
Finland offers many lessons in the way it approaches industry innovation as a means of developing economic benefit balanced with concern for climate change and the environment, it was stated in the BC news release this week.
Finland’s bioeconomy sector produced 16% of the national economic output in 2019, with forest products accounting for more than 70% of Finland’s bioeconomy exports.
Revolutionizing the construction industry:
The Mass Timber Action Plan outlines how B.C. will revolutionize the construction industry, help create a low-carbon future, and position B.C. to be a global leader in mass-timber research, engineering innovation and production.
The BC government says that the Mass Timber Action Plan is a road map to grow the industry, create good jobs and support communities by partnering with Indigenous communities, training new workers and modernizing regulations, as well as promoting mass timber to markets in Canada and around the world.
“This is a very exciting time to work together with Finland on developing and strengthening innovation in the forest sector, with our shared focus on sustainable and value-added products,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests.
“By replacing products made from non-renewable sources like petrochemicals, we can boost the role of our forests in helping to fight climate change while creating new opportunities for workers and communities.”
Four new mass timber projects:
As part of the Mass Timber Demonstration Program, B.C. has announced funding for four new mass timber projects that range from multi-family homes to mixed-use commercial and industrial buildings.
The BC Museum collections building being constructed in Colwood will use mass timber. Some commercial buildings in Langford have used mass timber.
Engineered for strength:
Mass timber buildings can be engineered for strength by fastening together layers of smaller-dimension wood with glue, dowels or nails. This process can deliver as much as seven times the economic value when compared to milling logs for lumber.
Mass timber can match or exceed the structural performance of concrete and steel while reducing carbon emissions by as much as 45%. Also, since the components are custom-manufactured, it can reduce waste and cut the time it takes to put up a building.
The Mass Timber Action Plan is designed to build demand for mass timber buildings. In addition, boosting the sector’s skills training through trades programs at post-secondary institutions will help fill an anticipated 4,400 additional job openings in manufacturing, construction and design.
Part of StrongerBC:
The StrongerBC Economic Plan moves British Columbia forward by tackling the challenges of today while growing an economy that works for everyone. The plan builds on B.C.’s strong economic recovery and works to address two long-standing challenges – inequality and climate change – by closing the skills gap, building resilient communities, and helping businesses and people transition to clean-energy solutions.
The plan sets two main goals for the province – inclusive growth and clean growth – and puts forward six missions to keep B.C. on track.
===== GOVERNMENT LINKS
- B.C.’s mass timber sector and the Mass Timber Action Plan
- Mass Timber Demonstration Program
- Modernizing Forest Policy in BC
- StrongerBC Economic Plan
- Forest bioenergy (Government of Canada)
===== RELATED:
BC opens forestry trade office in Vietnam (April 20, 2022)
BC launches new Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship (February 25, 2022)
Terminus building in Langford sets high standard for office space & services (November 5, 2021)
Premier addresses old-growth logging in rollout of modernized forestry policy (June 1, 2021)