Japanese plywood mills to restart soon

Japanese plywood mills damaged in the recent earthquake and tsunami are likely to restart partial production in July.

The International Tropical Timber Organisation’s latest market report says the Japan Federation of Plywood Manufacturers is indicating six mills which sustained damage are preparing to restart manufacturing operations.

The restoration of power supplies has been a key issue in the mills being able to resume production.

Mills that escaped damage have been running at higher production levels since the earthquake to compensate for the loss of industry capacity.