The National Distribution Union (NDU) has welcomed a proposed new forest waste processing facility near Rotorua.
US firm Pine and Rosin Derivatives has signed an agreement to invest $12 million in a facility to process forest waste into turpentine and resin.
The agreement means Rotorua-based company Pacific Pine Derivatives will move ahead with developing the plant, to be built at Kaingaroa.
NDU wood sector secretary Rawiri Daniels hopes the processing plant will create between 150 and 200 jobs.
He says more than 1000 jobs have been lost in the wood processing industry since 2008.