Australia has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform its forest-based industries and use forest science to solve many of its challenges, but its success will depend on its capacity to commercialise world-class research. That is according to Dr Joseph Lawrence, executive director of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations, who chaired the closing session at Forestry Australia’s Conference.
Dr Lawrence, who leads the $100 million‑plus Commonwealth‑supported research institute, which is co‑matched by industry and partners, chaired a cross‑sector panel exploring where forestry is heading over the next decade. “Our industry is operating in a fast‑changing environment. Emerging technologies, shifting markets, climate impacts and the increasing importance of social licence all play a role in shaping what’s next,” he said. “Transformation doesn’t come easily. It takes long‑term thinking, collaboration across sectors and supply chains, and a willingness to explore new approaches.”
Headlined by Professor John Warner of the Warner‑Babcock Institute, the panel centred on translating research breakthroughs into impact. Warner, one of the co-founders in the field of green chemistry with more than 360 patents and 120 publications, identified several near-term priorities — including lower-impact binders and resins, higher-value uses for lignin and cellulose, and processing changes to reduce hazardous inputs and energy use.
Whilst the other panellists set out complementary enablers required for scale. Andrew Morgan of SFM tied those innovation opportunities to new approaches in forest management, carbon projects and investment, arguing that those mechanisms can fund pilots and scale commercial adoption. Nicola Pero of Iberdrola Australia framed social licence and regional capability as essential enablers, drawing on energy and agrifood lessons about cluster models and Smart Specialisation to host new processing and manufacturing activity. Tim Woods of IndustryEdge warned that R&D must be guided by global market trends and projections of housing demand to ensure resource availability and to ensure that new products meet both domestic and export market needs.
The closing session comes after Julie Collins, Australia’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries minister, announced on Tuesday the latest round of projects funded through AFWI. Announced before 400 forestry professionals, scientists, land managers and policymakers, Collins said projects “range from developing a national biosecurity program for giant pine scale, to an indigenous led cultural timber recovery project in the Northern Rivers, through to an advanced manufacturing precinct strategy to accelerate prefabricated timber housing.”
“Together (the new projects) represent an investment of $30 million, with more than $10 million from AFWI and over $20 million contributed by industry and partners,” Minister Collins said. “Collectively, this research is strengthening Australia’s forestry future – growing the next generation of researchers whilst delivering innovative solutions to boost productivity, sustainability and climate resilience across the sector.”
Please note: Wood Central will have additional coverage from the session in the coming days.
