Glulam on the increase. (Clippings).

* According to figures released by the UN Food and Agriculture Office, world glulam production reached the record level of 3.1 million [m.sup.3] in 2000. The Forest Products Annual Market Review shows that most of the increase was absorbed by the increasing demand of Japan, where glulam imports

rose by 55 percent and domestic production by 29 percent. North American glulam production rose by 14 percent in 2000, mainly due to increased domestic demand. Estimates predict an annual increase of 1 to 3 percent. Wood I-beams have gained much popularity in North America, where about a third of the wood floor area is built with I-beams. However, North America output of I-beams fell by 3 percent in 2000, largely because of fewer housing starts. According to the report, the outlook is upward, with I-beams taking an expected 40 to 50 percent share of the wood floor market in the next 5 years. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) production fell by 6 percent in 2000 to 1.4 million [m.sup.3]. Most of this was softwood LVL and it was due to the decline in I-beam production. For LVL, a 3 to 4 percent annual growth is expected.