Features Archive
Archive of features from the global wood industryFeatures By Date
April 2024
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Paged makes progress
Plywood manufacturer the Paged Group has signed a new service agreement with Raute and opened a new LabTech R&D headquarters in Pisz, Poland. Stephen Powney reports
March 2024
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Resisting fire
The addition of expandable graphite and carbon nanotube additives to improve the fire resistance of wood-based materials, including panel products, is showing potential according to a research project. Bartłomiej Mazela, of Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland is leading a research project on the subject – this article is a summary of the research, which was presented at last year’s International Panels Products Symposium in Wales
Testing times
Graham Ormondroyd from The BioComposites Centre asks why should testing take so long?
Regency invests €6m
Romanian MDF door front producer Regency Front has invested about €6m to launch a new production line which was recently initiated, doubling the plant’s manufacturing capacity, writes Jaroslaw Adamowski, WBPI Poland correspondent
EPF builds momentum
The European Panel Federation is active on multiple fronts at the start of 2024 as it lobbies and works on behalf of the wood-based panels industries
Insulation – the natural way
The building industry slowdown has impacted the woodfibre insulation board sector, a star performer in recent years due to its high eco and performance credentials. Stephen Powney assesses the market
Time for more
Egger has unveiled its new Decorative 24+ collection and a new rolling collection concept, which will mean updates every two years
Siempelkamp sets sights on future
WBPI’s Focus on German-speaking countries moves on to the Siempelkamp Group, a leading and long established supplier of wood-based panels plants. Stephen Powney spoke to Siempelkamp Management Board member Samiron Mondal about Group developments and the market situation
Deurotech looks to the future
Our Focus on German-speaking countries Part 2 kicks off with an interview with the Deurotech Group, which has diversified its impregnation and resin competencies to include environmental technologies in recent years. Stephen Powney spoke to chief operating officer Alexander Deuring
Grecon celebrates 50th anniversary
Measuring systems and fire prevention technology specialist Fagus-GreCon is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the GreCon brand in 2024. Stephen Powney looks at the company’s development
January 2024
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Milestone year ends in style
Dieffenbacher’s milestone 150th anniversary year finally culminated at the end of November with an event in Finland, topping off 12 months of celebration around the globe with its staff, partners and customers
Harnessing the power of spectroscopy
Dr Morwenna Spear FIMMM, of the BioComposites Centre, examines the use of FTIR spectroscopy to identify glues, binders and coatings used in panel products
Boosting recycling
Swiss Krono’s Sully-sur-Loire has been the subject of extensive modernisation in recent years. Dieffenbacher has helped the company optimise and expand its wood recycling line
Dieffenbacher powers up
The acquisition of the assets of BERTSCHenergy has supercharged Dieffenbacher’s capabilities in the energy generation technology field. Stephen Powney spoke to Wolfgang Lashofer, managing director of Dieffenbacher Energy, and head of the new business unit Energy, and Johannes Ohlsson, head of the Dieffenbacher product group solid fuel fired power plants
New partnership adds value to OSB
UK wood panels processor Trade Fabrication Systems (TFS) has been acquired by US-based chemicals producer Arclin in a move which will see benefits for both parties. Stephen Powney spoke to TFS father-and-son leadership team Howard and Adam Morris
Global PB capacity grows
Panels markets have cooled greatly post-Covid, but while there may be uncertainty in key economies around the world, particleboard production capacity is still nudging up with a number of ongoing projects being delivered. Stephen Powney reports
Vyncke builds global brand
Vyncke has been in the energy generation business since the 1920s. Stephen Powney spoke to Vyncke chief sales and marketing officer Jeff Mestdagh about the company’s recent developments, projects and the current market situation
Zero emission board ambitions
Emulco has created AquaVeg bio-wax emulsions for wood panels suitable for eco-building. The product used in tandem with bio resins offers a route to zero emission wood-based panels using natural, environmentally-friendly ingredients. Stephen Powney reports
Boosting energy independence
Germany-based INTEC Engineering GmbH has a long background and expertise in energy systems. Stephen Powney spoke to INTEC sales director Christian Daniel about its progress and the energy sector in general
Italian panels sector hopes for 2024 boost
Italian wood-based panel producers, like most European manufacturers, have faced their fair share of challenges over the past two years, but is the future looking potentially brighter as we head into 2024? WBPI correspondent Eugene Gerden reports
