Features
Our editorial board comprises a specialist group of leading industry figures who, in conjunction with the WOOD editorial team, identify the main drivers of the industry helping to produce regular, thought provoking opinion pieces on the latest issues, challenges and developments.Latest Wood Feature
Campbell Skinner, life cycle assessment analyst at the BioComposites Centre in Wales explains why wood-based products are well-placed to take advantage of the trend for LCA
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Recovery of panel demand in Russia restimulates investment
The demand for wood-based panels in Russia is steadily recovering after several months of decline, caused by the peak of Covid-19 in the country. WBPI correspondent Eugene Gerden reports
Collection selection
The new Egger Decorative Collection 2020-22 was introduced earlier this year and was the biggest product launch for the company since 2017, offering the very best decors and textures with a focus on the latest design trends
Smart design
Surfacing giant Schattdecor’s Smartfoil Nature and Smartflex Nature innovations are designed to closely resemble the visuals of natural wood. Stephen Powney reports
Surfaces at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic
The focus on surfaces in relation to contamination and the spread of infection has probably never been higher than at the moment. Franco Bulian, deputy director of Italian-based testing and analysis laboratory for the wood and furniture industry Catas has been looking at the issue
Ten years of MDF growth
Since the first board was produced 54 years ago, MDF has become one of the most-produced and widely used panel products globally. Mike Botting looks back at the development of the panel, especially over the last 10 years, in Europe and North America
MDF expansion continues
New MDF start-ups are seen in Russia, Turkey and US with investment continuing in Russia, Bulgaria, Lithuania. In the US, the rice straw MDF plant is nearing completion. WBPI’s MDF correspondent Geoff Rhodes reports
Coronavirus raises questions
The global OSB industry has been one of continual growth but the onset of the coronavirus pandemic is raising challenging question marks in markets for all wood-based panels. Stephen Powney reports
Finishing Touches
Italy’s Giardina Finishing, a major supplier of finishing technology to wood based panel processors, has been experiencing some intense project activity of late. Stephen Powney reports
OSB4 gains market interest
OSB4 is the highest performance OSB board in the market, attracting increased interest in global markets. Stephen Powney talks to several mills producing the board and examines the product benefits and applications
Softboard - the rising star?
Simon Curling, research scientist at Bangor University’s Biocomposites Centre, takes a look at softboard’s growth, the product’s attributes and its further development
OSB prices improve after difficult 2019
The North American OSB sector endured a difficult 2019 with low demand and low prices. However, mill closings and more construction may position the survivors for a better 2020 and 2021, depending on the impact of the coronavirus. This report was compiled by our North American correspondents, Dick and Rich Baldwin
Building on Talent
Accsys Technologies’ new chief executive Rob Harris spoke to Sally Spencer about the modified wood product specialist’s predicted growth this year
