Minister for Resources visits Timberlink’s Bell Bay Facility

Timberlink was pleased to welcome the Tasmanian Minister for Resources, Felix Ellis MP, to Timberlink’s Bell Bay manufacturing facility on Friday 12th May 2023.

The Minister toured Timberlink’s wood-plastic composite manufacturing plant, which will be the only facility in Tasmania to manufacture these products.

This plant will manufacture upcycled decking and screening products using post-consumer plastic waste which is granulated and provided to Timberlink by a 3rd party. The plastic is mixed with Tasmanian plantation pine residues from Timberlink’s own Bell Bay facility such as sawdust and shavings. This new decking and screening brand is expected to be launched in June 2023, and production later this year.

Minister Ellis inspecting the site of the new finger-jointed primed H3 timber facility.
Left to right: Timberlink EGM Sales, Marketing & Corporate Affairs David Oliver, Minister Ellis, Timberlink Bell Bay Facility Manager Scott Freeman

Timberlink EGM Sales, Marketing & Corporate Affairs, David Oliver, said “Not only will this facility be the only one in the state of Tasmania to manufacture wood-plastic composite products, but it will also make Timberlink Tasmania’s only vertically integrated wood products producer.”

The facility will play a vital role in increasing Australia’s sovereign capacity to manufacture wood-plastic composite products, reducing reliance on imports.
Timberlink’s wood-plastic composite plant will be powered by a combination of rooftop solar and Tasmanian hydro power, while rainwater will be harvested and stored to be used for cooling in the manufacturing process.

While at the facility, Minister Ellis observed Timberlink’s new finger-jointed and primed outdoor products line, which has been partially supported by a $1,063,304 grant from the Tasmanian Government’s Department of State Growth On-Island Processing Program. The line is expected to be completed in late 2023.

“Timberlink is pleased to launch Australia’s only finger-jointed and primed outdoor products manufacturing facility in late 2023, and to play such a significant part in reducing Australia’s need for imported timber,” Mr Oliver said.

Minister Ellis thanked Timberlink for its role in contributing to Tasmania’s circular economy, creating jobs and flow-on effects for the state.

“Timberlink’s Bell Bay operation is a key part of Tasmania’s modern and sustainable forestry sector and is among the country’s largest softwood mills and a major local employer,” Minister Ellis said.

“It was a pleasure to visit the site and hear of the mill’s plans for the future.

“We are committed to seeing forestry in Tasmania continue to grow and thrive and look forward to continuing to work with Timberlink.”