Prince George, B.C.-   The latest manufacturing outlook report by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) Global Manufacturing Industry group indicates there are some signs demand in the global forest, paper, and packaging (FP&P) sector will strengthen during 2010.

The reports says while there is still a challenge for lumber exports to the U.S. because of housing foreclosures, “Until there is a fundamental shift in the strength of the U.S. housing market, there will be no meaningful demand increase in North America.”

According to the report, industry players will likely refocus efforts towards innovation as a source of growth. Biofuels is just such an opportunity.

 

“Broad growth may be difficult to come by this year in North America and Europe” says the report, “but the global FP&P sector in 2010 will likely see recovery in key subsectors.”