A key European politician has met timber industry leaders to discuss current challenges and the future of the European hardwood industry.
Martin Häusling, member of the European Parliament and spokesperson for agricultural and forestry policy, visited the company Abalon Hardwood in Hesse with representatives from the company, the European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS), and the German Sawmill and Timber Industry Association (DeSH).
Key topics included securing the supply of raw materials, the competitiveness of domestic processing, and the strengthening of European value chains.
The European hardwood industry faces high production costs, increasing regulatory requirements, and international competition for high-quality roundwood, placing a collective strain on processors.
Rising demand for roundwood from countries outside the European Union is particularly exacerbating the situation. Unprocessed roundwood exports from Europe means the sector loses out on value creation, jobs and investment potential.
The industry is therefore calling for a policy framework that strengthens the processing of this domestic raw material within Europe.
“The exchange with MEP Martin Häusling was a great opportunity to demonstrate that modern hardwood sawmills are part of the solution within the forestry and wood value chain as we move toward a circular bioeconomy,” explained Roland Feit, Executive Director of Sales at Abalon Hardwood.
“Europe possesses outstanding hardwood resources, and utilizing them is essential to securing positive climate benefits for European society. It is crucial to shape the framework conditions so that these raw materials are processed within Europe whenever possible. In doing so, we not only safeguard regional value creation and rural jobs but also lay the foundation for investments and innovative products derived from a sustainable raw material.”
Diego Benedetti, Economic Affairs Director at EOS, said numerous plants had closed in recent years and called on European policymakers to avoid imposing additional burdens and instead facilitate investment in modern, resource-efficient processing.
