ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: A SUMMARY
Mounting problems with Europe's banks, slowing international trade and rising unemployment in most countries indicate the end of the ongoing global economic downturn is not yet in sight. But greater thrift and a reduction in the abuse of credit by the private sector are just two of the positive changes we see resulting from this challenging time. With housing at historically high affordability levels, that market could experience a rebound by year's end. Oil prices are expected to trend higher as OPEC's production cuts gradually offset diminished demand.
For a performance overview for Wood and Paper Products in February, click here. |
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THE HOUSING MARKET |
 Many of us are tired of rehashing news about the housing industry, as it has been primarily negative for much of the last 18 months and shows few signs of emerging from the pit. Because housing statistics are announced by multiple organizations -- the Census Bureau, the National Association of Realtors, the National Association of Home Builders and Case-Shiller -- and sprinkled throughout the month, however, we have decided to continue to run this monthly entry on housing. We find that aggregating the data in one place gives us a better overview of the market. We hope it does the same for you.
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CARBON CONNECTIONS |
The story of the Chicago Climate Exchange, two lumber barons and the President of the United States.
As the United States begins to explore what a "uniquely American cap-and-trade system" might look like, the forest and wood products industries ought to take notice. A bill, currently being considered in Congress, would require carbon emissions be reduced 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.
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TORREFACTION |
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The Next Big Thing In Biomass
A February report in the Charleston Regional Business Journal describes efforts by Agri-Tech Producers CEO, Joe James, to develop four torrefaction plants in S.C. over the next five years. Integro Earthfuels also has big plans for torrefied biomass. They've announced intentions to build 10 commercial-scale torrefaction plants in the United States, the first of which will be located in Roxboro County, N.C. and have an initial capacity of 84,000 tons per year.
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STOP & SAY HELLO TO F2M EXECUTIVES |
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Pete Stewart will be giving a presentation at the International Biomass Conference and Expo, which is being held at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore. April 28-30. Pete's presentation on biomass is at 3:30pm on Wednesday, April 29. Look for him in Track 3: Forest & Wood Processing Residues.
Suzanne Hearn will be attending the Biomass Project Development Tutorial being held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, GA April 6-8, 2009.
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