Sell-through dates have been extended until Dec. 31, 2012, in California for distributors and fabricators of Phase 1 finished goods made with composite wood panels.

The CARB extension for distributors, importers, fabricators, and retailers of finished goods is through Dec. 31, 2012, and affects businesses that use HWPW-VC panels to make finished goods, as well as businesses that distribute or sell these goods in California.

Corn, rice, cashews — with a growing number of composite substrates being developed from more than just wood products, pretty soon, we’ll literally be able to eat ourselves out of house and home.

The Composite Panel Assn. has added three new members: Mankato Agristand LLC, Weem Abrasives Inc. and the University of Tennessee, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries.

The Composite Panel Assn. has launched a new Eco-Certified Composite Sustainability Standard and Certification Program for producers and users of composite panels. The ECC voluntary standard replaces the group’s previous Environmentally Preferable Product designation.

Flakeboard announced its Malvern, Arkansas, MDF mill now offers Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody (FSC-COC) products.

International Paper announced it has reached a definitive merger agreement with Temple-Inland Inc. and will acquire all of the composite panel and packaging manufacturer's outstanding common stock for $32.00 per share in cash, plus the assumption of $600 million in Temple-Inland's year-end debt. The total transaction value is approximately $4.3 billion.

A survey of woodworking association executives finds the majority of their members are projecting improved sales this year, some market segments by as much as 10 percent. Is your company ready?

The Composite Panel Assn. is among several industry groups lauding U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for recognizing the value of existing markets for wood fiber and making clarifications in the USDA Farm Service Agency’s final rule for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program.

One of the main sticking points for industry — that wood chips were not recognized as being used for high-value products — has been eliminated under the final Biomass Crop Assistance Program rule, announced on Oct. 21.