EPF builds momentum

The leading organisation representing interests of the European wood-based panels industry – the European Panel Federation (EPF) – has seen an extremely active start to 2024.

Recently it joined with 72 leading companies and 34 industry organisations in signing the Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal. As a member of the EcoReFibre project, it also shared the first video of the project on increasing MDF and fibreboard recycling at industrial scale.

Add to that are two important events coming up – the EPF’s Annual General Meeting in Latvia on June 19-21, plus the International Wood Based Panels Symposium, organised in co-operation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research (WKI) in Hamburg on October 9-11.

In the Antwerp Declaration, the EPF and other partners are calling for the Deal to be at the core of the new European Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029.

A fulfilment of the Declaration would allow industry to take its position as a key driver towards a “resilient, competitive and sustainable Europe that works for all”.

The Declaration was presented to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and to Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo.

Signatories represent a broad spectrum of industries, including wood, paper, chemicals, textiles, steel, glass and ceramics.

EPF chairman Martin Brettenthaler said the Declaration aligns with the EPF’s objectives and strategic directions.

“By prioritising reindustrialisation, especially with natural, innovative sustainable products such as wood-based panels, we can play a vital role in delivering the European Green Deal,” said Mr Brettenthaler.

The European wood-based panels industry’s annual turnover is about €25bn and it creates over 100,000 jobs directly in Europe. The EPF said the sector was an integral and innovative part of the EU’s bio and circular economies.

Meanwhile, the EPF said it was delighted to share the first video release of the EcoReFibre project.

EcoReFibre aims to increase available wood resources in Europe through more recycling at industrial scale. Its ambition is to improve circularity by pushing wood recycling to the next level and improve waste sorting technologies.

Substitution of up to 25% of the virgin fibres currently used in the European fibreboard market is one of the project’s targets.

The video showcases the benefits and versatility of wood-based panels and the innovative advancements in the recycling of fibreboards.

Currently, industry-led pilot demonstrations involving leading panel manufacturers are being developed through industrial trials.

The project involves 20 partners and is funded by Horizon Europe.

EPF AGM AND WBP SYMPOSIUM IN 2024

On the EPF events calendar, the AGM is always a much-anticipated date in the diary.

Attended by EPF members covering both panel manufacturing and suppliers to the industry, the AGM will see the formal release of the EPF Annual Report 2023-2024 containing production and capacity figures for the industry.

Last year’s event in Santiago de Compostela was attended by about 200 people, who heard about how the EPF is lobbying on behalf of the sector, as well as roundtable discussions focusing on the New European Bauhaus (NEB).

A similar number of attendees is expected at this year’s AGM in Riga on June 19-21 – hosted by plywood manufacturer Latvijas Finieris. Attendance is by invitation only.

“We eagerly anticipate the presence of many industry professionals in Latvia, making this AGM a significant gathering and networking event for the WBP industry,” the EPF said.

An even bigger gathering of woodbased panels executives will be present for the International Wood Based Panels Symposium, held in co-operation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research (WKI) in Hamburg on October 9-11.

The biennial symposium, which saw over 300 attendees in 2022, brings together experts, researchers, and professionals to discuss the latest developments in the field.

Two days of market updates, technical presentations and networking will feature.

The event, which is supported by iVTH and Hywax, will take place at the Grand Elysée Hotel in Hamburg, Germany and registrations are already available via the conference website.

Last, but not least, EPF chairman Martin Brettenthaler is to remain in his role until a successor can be found, following his departure from Swiss Krono on January 31.