In a move to strengthen its fibre supply chain and expand softwood exports, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. has announced that its Australian subsidiary, Nippon Paper Resources Australia Pty Ltd (NPR), has entered into an agreement with Pentarch Forestry Pty Ltd (PF) to acquire all shares of Marusumi Whangarei Company Limited (MWC), a New Zealand-based softwood chip production and export company.
Upon completion of the share transfer—expected by the end of February 2026—NPR will hold a 70% stake, while PF will own 30%. Following the transaction, the company will operate under the new name NP Wood Fibre Company Limited, and the two partners will formalize a joint venture agreement to manage and develop the business together.
Located in the Whangārei area of New Zealand’s Northland region, NP Wood Fibre will continue MWC’s established operations producing and exporting Pinus radiata softwood chips. The site includes a chip mill and port-handling infrastructure, with annual sales volumes of approximately 220,000 metric tonnes. The company currently employs seven people.
Nippon Paper said the new venture is expected to reinforce its softwood resource supply for Japan while diversifying its fibre procurement base. Through collaboration with Pentarch Forestry, the company also aims to expand softwood chip exports across Asian markets. “The formation of NP Wood Fibre will enhance supply stability and improve the competitiveness of the Nippon Paper Group’s global woodchip business,” the company stated.
The partnership combines Nippon Paper’s international experience in plantation management and woodchip operations in Brazil and Australia with Pentarch Forestry’s expertise in timber manufacturing and export logistics across Australasia. Together, the two companies aim to meet growing global demand for softwood chips and further expand their forestry and timber business portfolios.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Nippon Paper Group is one of Japan’s leading pulp and paper producers, with operations spanning paper, packaging, pulp, wood products, and forestry-related businesses. The group operates globally across Asia, Oceania, the Americas, and Europe, supplying a diverse range of markets while maintaining upstream forestry and fibre operations to support long-term resource security.
Source: Nippon Paper
