14 February 2024

Scion is pleased to announce its formal membership in The Australian Research Council (ARC) Advance Timber Hub. This five-year, $16.5 million research initiative was recently launched at The University of Queensland, Australia, on January 31st, in the presence of industry leaders, academic partners, and government officials including Senator Hon Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Education and Assistant Minister for Regional Development.

The primary objective of the ARC Advance Timber Hub is to drive innovation in the Australian mid-rise building market, which represents a significant portion of the country's construction industry valued at approximately $80 billion annually. This initiative has the potential to revolutionize both timber processing and construction sectors. By leveraging international expertise in advanced timber manufacturing, the Hub also presents substantial opportunities for optimizing forestry resources, including those in Aotearoa New Zealand.

At Scion, Henri Bailleres and his team, comprising Tripti Singh, Romain Meot, and Diego Elustondo, are eager to collaborate with the Advance Timber Hub to explore avenues that can benefit both the industry and forests of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our goal is to foster strong partnerships with the Australian timber building sector, fostering synergy between our nations in a shared market.

Administered by The University of Queensland’s School of Civil Engineering, the ARC Advance Timber Hub brings together a diverse range of stakeholders including innovators, developers, technology providers, designers, fire engineers, forestry experts, and government representatives. With participation from 12 Australian universities and five international universities and research institutes, the Hub is poised to drive significant advancements in timber processing and construction technologies.

Scion sees immense value in joining the Hub, as it provides a platform to contribute our innovative expertise and secure opportunities for our resources and timber products. Together, we look forward to shaping the future of timber innovation and sustainable construction practices in Australia and beyond. To learn more please visit www.advance-timber-hub.org.