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March 6, 2026 / All Stories, Featured, Sustainability

The future of wood supply: Mercer in dialogue with federal policymakers

Securing a stable supply of raw wood is a key prerequisite for climate protection, industrial value creation, and stable rural areas in Germany. However, current developments show that wood availability is under structural pressure. Together with industry representatives, Mercer is committed to creating a reliable political framework to promote sustainable wood use, industrial transformation, and climate targets.

Mercer International Inc. is a global timber and forestry company with locations in Germany, the US, and Canada. Wolfgang Beck (Senior Vice President Global Wood Sourcing) and Dr. Carsten Merforth (COO Wood Products) participated in the industry dialogue with the German Timber Industry Council (DHWR) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMLEH).

Both contributed their perspectives on raw material supply and industrial value creation to the discussions with federal policymakers.

Starting point: Wood supply is becoming a structural challenge

The German wood industry is facing a double burden of economic weakness and structural changes in forests. Parts of the industry are already experiencing noticeable supply bottlenecks, which are putting pressure on production and employment.

Current models (including WEHAM) show three key trends:

• Shift in tree species: Coniferous wood stocks are declining significantly, while hardwood stocks are increasing - a direct consequence of climate change and calamities.
• Regional imbalances: Large parts of the softwood resources are increasingly concentrated in southern Germany, while processors in northern and eastern Germany are facing rising procurement and logistics costs.
• Industrial pressure to adapt: New product ranges, smaller dimensions, and longer transport routes require investment and increase raw material costs.

This development is relevant beyond the industry: If wood becomes less available, the use of wood as a material will also suffer, and with it its contribution to climate protection and the bioeconomy.

Mercer's role: Industry as part of the solution

Mercer International exemplifies the industry's transformation efforts. At several German locations, the company is investing specifically in resilience, efficiency, and value creation in order to ensure security of supply even under changing conditions.

Wolfgang Beck, responsible for global wood procurement at Mercer, emphasizes the strategic dimension of security of supply:

"A reliable supply of raw wood is the basis for both industrial value creation and climate protection. We need framework conditions that enable sustainable use and at the same time offer planning security for the entire value chain."

Focus areas of the commitment:

• Resilient logistics: Investments in efficient rail and terminal structures make it possible to balance out regional supply differences and efficiently manage raw material flows.
• Higher value creation per cubic meter: Greater refinement of wood products maximizes the economic and ecological benefits of the raw material.
• Technological innovation: Digitalization and automation increase safety, productivity, and resource efficiency along the value chain.

Dr. Carsten Merforth is head of the sawmill products division at Mercer International and president of the German Wood Industry Association (HDH). He emphasizes the industrial policy perspective:

"The wood industry is ready to invest and take responsibility. In order for us to fulfill this role, we need a coherent political framework - from raw material mobilization to strengthening wood construction as a lever for climate protection."

Common industry perspective

Discussions with politicians and associations make it clear that the challenges affect the entire value chain. Without predictable framework conditions, there is a risk of investment reluctance, locational disadvantages, and long-term dependence on imports.

However, a strong domestic timber industry is central to:

• regional value creation,
• industrial transformation, and
• a resilient bioeconomy.

Areas for political action

From the industry's perspective, there are four key areas for political action:

1. Planning climate policy (LULUCF)

The role of wood use in the climate system must be viewed in a differentiated manner. Sustainable wood use can contribute to climate protection by substituting fossil-intensive materials and storing carbon in wood products over their lifetime. Accordingly, accounting approaches are needed that reflect this overall effect.

2. Practical implementation of new regulations (EUDR)

The goals of deforestation-free supply chains are supported. However, it is crucial that implementation:

• avoids bureaucratic overload,
• prevents distortions of competition, and
• ensures effective market surveillance.

3. Strengthen timber construction and the bioeconomy

Programs such as the Federal Timber Construction Initiative can provide important market impetus if they are adequately funded and consistently implemented. Timber construction is a key lever for climate protection in the building sector.

4. Ensuring legal certainty and innovation-friendliness

Clear, reliable framework conditions are necessary to enable investment in new products, technologies, and product ranges and to reduce risks along the value chain.

Starting points for greater security of supply

In addition to regulatory coherence, the industry sees concrete levers for strengthening the raw material base through

• the activation of previously underutilized forest potential, especially in small private forests,
• the expansion of climate-resilient infrastructure and logistics, and
• better data and forecasting bases for wood mobilization and demand.

The goal is active, sustainable forest management that combines use and protection.

Conclusion: Partnership for a strong bioeconomy

Sustainable wood use, climate protection, and economic stability do not have to be mutually exclusive. A productive wood industry is a central component of the transformation-provided that politics and business work closely together.

Mercer International is ready to shape this path together with partners from politics, forestry, and industry. What is crucial is a consistent political framework that enables investment, promotes innovation, and recognizes the material use of wood as part of the climate strategy.