News

Brussels, 25 March 2025 – Today, at the 5th Annual Plenary Meeting of the High-Level Construction Forum (HLCF) organised by the European Commission in Brussels, the Construction 2050 Alliance launched its Manifesto 2025 “An open request to EU institutions”, setting a strategic vision for a sustainable, competitive, and resilient European construction sector.

The European Commission’s 2024-2029 agenda recognises construction as central to achieving the EU’s industrial, economic, environmental and social objectives. Composed of more than 50 organisations representing the entire construction value chain, the Construction 2050 Alliance underscores the sector’s pivotal role in Europe’s economy.

Accounting for 10% of the EU’s GDP and 25 million jobs, the construction sector is key to addressing major challenges, from decarbonisation and resource efficiency to housing affordability and skills shortages.

The Manifesto calls on EU policymakers to prioritise sustainability, circularity, digitalisation, skills, and affordability, ensuring that the sector can fully contribute to the EU’s economic, social, and environmental ambitions.

In this context, initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal aim to accelerate the green transition of industries, while the focus on Affordable and Sustainable Housing seeks to improve living conditions for citizens through smarter regulations and investments. For both, the construction sector is pivotal.

Additionally, the manifesto highlights construction’s strategic importance for European competitiveness, reinforcing the need for policies that support innovation, skills development, and a resilient value chain.

The Construction 2050 Alliance urges a structured dialogue with EU institutions to translate these priorities into concrete policies, reinforcing the sector’s role in building a stronger, more competitive Europe.

Click here to consult the full manifesto.

For more information, visit euconstruction2050.eu and follow the Alliance on LinkedIn and X.

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Matti Rantanen as the new Managing Director of EPF, the European Panel Federation. Matti will take up his new functions with EPF on 5 May 2025. This will allow for a transition from Clive Pinnington, who will leave EPF at the end of June 2025.

Matti, 40, joins EPF from EPPA, the European Paper Packaging Alliance, where he is currently Director General. A native of Finland, Matti brings experience in trade associations (he was Managing Director of FEPE, the Federation of Envelopes, light packaging, and e-commerce packaging before joining EPPA) and, before that, in politics (including advice to the then Prime Minister Party of Finland on international relations and in co-operation with the European and Nordic political organisations) since graduating with an MBA from Turku University of Applied Sciences. He is married with two children and has lived in Brussels since 2014.

Clive, 59, joined EPF in 2015 after a career in business, culminating in a role as Senior Vice-President for a multinational adhesives and resins company supplying to the wood-based panels sector. Merging the tools of industry with advocacy, he has been able to deliver success in his 10 years at EPF through focus, target setting and a results-oriented culture. He leaves EPF on his request to pursue new opportunities and to spend more time with his family in London.

EPF is the Brussels-based trade association of the wood-based panels industry in Europe. It represents €25 billion in turnover and 100,000 jobs. EPF is part of the wood, paper and fibre sectors that contribute €520 billion and 4 million jobs to Europe and make a positive climate contribution equivalent to 20% of current EU fossil emissions. EPF is proud to be a role model industry in the circular bioeconomy.

I ask you to join me in wishing Matti a warm welcome to EPF, and to bid Clive a fond farewell.

Kind regards,

Pablo Figueroa López

EPF Chairman

The European Panel Federation is pleased to welcome Aline Kongo as our new Administrative Officer. Aline joins EPF as of today.

She was born in Brussels from Congolese heritage and holds a master’s degree in communication. Aline is a native French speaker, and is also fluent in English, and Japanese.

Aline brings significant experience in administration and communication, which will help to ensure the smooth operation and functioning of EPF’s work in Brussels and with members.  She most recently worked in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign affairs on matters such as diplomacy and cultural implementation. This experience helped to build her skills in member engagement, event coordination and stakeholder management.

In her free time, Aline particularly enjoys cooking, cardio-dance classes and reading books to broaden her knowledge of the world. 

Please join us in welcoming Aline to EPF.

The European Panel Federation is pleased to welcome Duarte Carvalho as its new Technical Adviser. Duarte joined EPF on Monday, 6 January 2025. He brings experience in engineering consultancy and sustainability, immediately boosting our technical resource for current and future challenges.

Duarte, a Portuguese national living in Brussels, holds a degree in Civil Engineering and worked most recently in construction consultancy. This involved complex challenges in the realms of building retrofitting and adaptive reuse. Duarte is motivated by a commitment to guiding organisations towards sustainable growth through actionable industry insights.

In his free time, Duarte enjoys outdoor activities, exploring arts and sciences, and staying engaged with technology and innovation.

Please join us in welcoming Duarte to EPF.

Who we are

• The Circular Choices coalition, of which EPF is a founder member, comprises 20 EU trade associations in the wood, paper and fibre industries, commonly known in Brussels as the forest-based industries.
• The coalition covers more than 4 million European jobs, representing €520 billion in annual turnover, sourced in Europe, made in Europe and drawing on world leading European technology.
• The industries represented by Circular Choices today make a positive climate contribution equivalent to 20% of current EU fossil emissions with the potential to rise to 30% by 2030.

What strategic role does the coalition see for the wood, paper and fibre sector in 2024-2029?

• The Circular Choices coalition aims to work with the EU institutions to promote the policy and market conditions necessary in the EU to scale up the circular bioeconomy that our society urgently needs.
• Led by wood and wood-based products for construction, furniture, and other applications, and by paper and fibre for board, tissue, printed goods and packaging, with symbiotic energy recovery at the end and forestry management at the beginning, our industries focus on sustainable products and low fossil manufacturing processes to drive innovation, decarbonisation, and clean industrial growth.
• We aim to make a leading contribution to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and delivering sustainable prosperity and competitiveness in Europe.

Key takeaways for wood-based panels in the executive policy recommendations launched this week

• Strengthening Europe’s industrial future: including policies to relaunch the competitiveness of Europe’s manufacturing and applying the cascading principle as per the European Commission’s 2018 guidelines.
• Ensuring Policy Coherence for a Competitive EU Bioeconomy: including sufficient and level-playing access to primary and secondary raw materials, and to abundant and affordable clean energy.
• Creating Quality Jobs: Including the development of skills, upskilling, and reskilling of current and future workers whilst highlighting the attractiveness of a safe and fulfilling career in our sector.

Next Steps

• The Circular Choices coalition will continue to advocate towards the EU institutions for a pivotal role of the forest-based bioeconomy in Europe’s present and future as it has done since its creation in 2023.
• In this context Circular Choices and its policy recommendations are fully complementary to WoodPoP’s policy paper launched last week.

 Useful Links

• NEW Circular Choices policy recommendations executive summary.
• NEW Circular Choices website.

For further information contact EPF at info@europanels.org.

About EPF – The European Panel Federation has members in 30 European countries and represents the manufacturers of particleboard, MDF, OSB, hardboard, softboard and plywood.  The EU wood-based panels industry has an annual turnover of about 25 billion euro and creates over 100,000 jobs annually. Contact us at info@europanels.org

• The WoodPoP Policy Paper will be presented today during the joint WoodPoP/W4B policy event in Brussels.

Who we are

• The European Wood Policy Platform, WoodPoP, represents a sector that contributes >1 trillion euro of Gross Value Added, 7.1% of economic output and 17.5 million jobs to Europe.  It is Member State led and industry supported. EPF is proud to have been an active and formative member from the start in 2022.
• The platform boosts the role of wood to mitigate climate change and to support a clean, just and competitive transformation of Europe. It aims to strengthen the wood-based circular bioeconomy with a special focus on the construction sector.
• WoodPoP already gathers 250 experts, 45 stakeholders and industry organisations from 27 countries discussing best practice on 1 platform.

What is in the new Policy Paper

• Entitled ‘A wood-based circular bioeconomy for a sustainable Europe’ the paper promotes green construction and innovative wood solutions.
• The Policy Paper was launched on 6 November, at a High-Level meeting in Brussels, hosted by EU Member State Austria.
• It is attached and available online.

 Key takeaways for wood-based panels in the new policy paper’s calls to policy makers and relevant actors:

• To urgently make targeted policy to promote wood’s sustainable practices and to unlock the full potential of wood products in the market.
• To develop an environment that supports circular thinking, allowing the reuse and recycling of the relevant product system and its materials.
• To direct secondary wood to product uses following the cascading principle to maximise value-added and long-term carbon storage.
• To create enabling political, legal, financial, structural, and socioeconomic frameworks for sustainable integrated wood-based value chains.
• To support a sustainable wood policy at the pan-European level, meeting our needs today and in the future.

Next Steps

• The Policy Paper will now be shared with policymakers.
• The Policy Paper is open to all those wishing to learn from or exchange with the collective experience of WoodPoP’s specialists.
• WoodPoP will continue to advance the sustainable use of wood in groups on Governance, Building, Innovation, Communication and Skills.

For further information contact EPF at info@europanels.org, or visit the WoodPoP website

Brussels, 25 October 2024

The 13^th European Wood-Based Panel Symposium, held from 9-11 October in Hamburg, welcomed a record number of delegates from over 30 countries. It successfully gathered experts, researchers, and industry leaders from across the globe. The biennial event provided a platform for insightful presentations and discussions, with a high-level quality programme and speakers, as well as for networking opportunities within the wood-based panel industry.

This year’s Symposium focused on market trends, resources, Artificial Intelligence, recycling, resins and developments that are shaping the future of WBP. 375 attendees from 30 countries across the globe had the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers, participate in panel discussions, and explore the latest developments and innovations driving the industry’s growth. 

 Highlights included:

1. Market calls for a construction offensive, for products to meet “thin wallets, big dreams” and for the wood sector to speak as one industry in public;
2. New techniques for recycling MDF can drive Europe towards even more carbon storage as illustrated by the 20% annual contribution reported from panels in Japan;
3. Artificial Intelligence has arrived in process engineering including wood-based panels. It is not for tomorrow, it is for today, or rather it is already applied since yesterday;
4. Europe leads the wood-based panels world in innovation, as shown by resins, waxes, and additives evolving at pace and according to changing demands;
5. Sustainability is central to wood-based panels, but a lower regulatory burden and greater political support are needed for their societal contribution to be maximised.

In addition to expert presentations, the event featured an exhibition space, where companies showcased state-of-the-art technologies and cutting-edge solutions via interactive stands and posters. The organising committee led by Harald Schwab of Fraunhofer WKI and Kris Wijnendaele of EPF, in cooperation with iVTH and with the support of key sponsor HyWax GmbH, extends its heartfelt thanks to all speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and participants for their valuable contributions, making this year’s symposium a resounding success.

Mark Your Calendar for the Next Symposium in 2026

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce that the next and 14^th European Wood-Based Panel Symposium will take place on 14-16 October 2026, once again at the Grand Elysée Hotel in Hamburg. We kindly invite industry professionals, researchers, and relevant stakeholders to mark their calendars for what promises to be another impactful event.

About EPF – The European Panel Federation has members in 30 European countries and represents the manufacturers of particleboard, MDF, OSB, hardboard, softboard and plywood.  The EU wood-based panels industry has an annual turnover of about 25 billion euro and creates over 100,000 jobs annually. Contact us at info@europanels.org

Hamburg, 10 October 2024

The 13^th European Wood-based Panel Symposium started yesterday with a large Welcome Reception at the Grand Elysée Hotel in Hamburg, Germany. This high-level innovation, marketing and networking event will run until 11 October 2024. It is set to welcome about 370 participants from around the globe.

Organised by EPF and the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research (WKI), and with the support of iVTH and Hywax, the Symposium is globally recognised as a unique biannual conference for the wood-based materials industry, its suppliers and their customers, as well as research and education institutes. In a crowded field, it has become the benchmark.

The 2024 symposium was opened this morning with an introduction of the new Managing Director of Fraunhofer WKI, Professor Raoul Klingner ahead of the first session on markets. EPF Managing Board Member and senior EGGER Director Philipp Sprockhoff delivered the keynote address on the situation of the wood-based panels industry in Europe.

Until Friday afternoon, the Symposium will again serve as a vibrant platform for attendees from across Europe and beyond, featuring presentations, panel discussions and valuable networking opportunities with peers, industry leaders and key stakeholders. The event’s diverse sessions will explore the latest market trends, challenges, and advancements within the industry. The full programme can be accessed here.

Dedicated sessions on Markets, Resources, Artificial Intelligence, Recycling, Resins and Developments will be held later during this year’s biannual symposium.

For further information on any of the above, please kindly contact EPF at info@europanels.org or WKI at EWBPS@wki.fraunhofer.de

Brussels, 25 September

EPF has co-signed a joint statement urging the European Commission to delay the entry into application of the EUDR. This delay would allow businesses to adapt and avoid risks of severe market disruptions.

➡Lack of clarity and guidance on compliance requirements
➡No user-friendly functioning EU Information System to facilitate reporting
➡Potential market disruptions threatening supply chain stability
➡7 Member States yet to designate a Competent Authority

With less than 100 days left and no clear implementation tools, European primary producers and various industries urge a delay of the entry into application of the EUDR.

The full Joint Statement is available here.

Brussels, 10 September 2024

The European Panel Federation (EPF) successfully co-hosted the Webinar ‘Responsible Sourcing: Risks and Consequences of Purchasing Sanctioned Plywood from Russia and Belarus’. The event attracted a strong international audience, counting 366 online participants from more than 30 countries. It provided its active participants with in-depth insights into the current challenges the plywood industry is currently facing, particularly in light of ongoing sanctions on Russian and Belarusian wood products.

Key Topics and Presentations

Current State of Illegal Plywood Imports

Mārtiņš Lācis of Latvijas Finieris, EPF Managing Board Member and Chair of the EPF Plywood Product Group, presented a detailed and data-rich analysis of the illegal birch plywood imports disrupting the European market. Since sanctions were imposed on Russian and Belarusian wood products, illicit imports have captured 19% of the EU and UK market in 2023​. He noted that although the European Union’s sanctions halted direct imports from these countries, significant volumes of Russian plywood are still entering the EU through countries like Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and China​.

 Striking figure-related data presented by Mārtiņš Lācis included:

• In 2023, 19% of the plywood market consisted of illicit imports, which accounted for 175 million euros in turnover, most of which went to Russia​.
• Analysis and market research show that share of birch plywood with doubtful origin dropped to 16% in 2024 – which remains significant.
• The negative impact on European producers, pointing to a 5% drop in European birch plywood production in Q1 2024 what comes on top of 4% drop in 2023 may end up in lost work places in EU.

Furthermore, the sanctions have altered global trade flows, with China becoming the major exporter of birch plywood to the EU, while sourcing a significant amount of raw materials from Russia. ‘Lower prices of illicit plywood give some European companies an unfair advantage, leading to unfair competition and further damage to law-abiding businesses​​’, the speaker emphasised.

Legal Risks of Non-Compliance with EU Sanctions and EUTR

Yuriy Rudyuk, Partner at Van Bael & Bellis, provided the audience with a detailed examination of the legal framework surrounding EU sanctions and the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR).

He explained how companies failing to comply with these regulations face significant risks, including fines and trade bans. Several key regulations were highlighted :

• EU Sanctions (Council Regulation 2022/576 and 2024/1745): These prohibit the import, purchase, or transfer of wood products originating from Russia or Belarus. The regulations also forbid any circumvention practices, whereby products are routed through third countries like Kazakhstan and Türkiye to disguise their origin​.
• European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR): This regulation requires operators to implement rigorous due diligence systems to ensure that illegally harvested timber does not enter the EU market. Rudyuk explained that the suspension of FSC and PEFC certification systems in Russia and Belarus makes it nearly impossible to legally verify the origin of timber from these regions​.

Case studies illustrating enforcement of these laws, including:

• Anti-Circumvention Investigation: The European Commission’s investigation into imports from Kazakhstan and Türkiye found that companies in these countries were circumventing the measures applicable in the EU on the Russian-origin plywood. The investigation resulted in the imposition of a 8% duty on all plywood imports from these regions​​.
• Rotterdam District Court Case: The court ruled against the Dutch company for failing to provide the necessary proof on the actual origin of its birch plywood, leading to the termination of its contracts by buyers​.
• Latvian Enforcement of EUTR: Latvia’s National Forest Service fined a local company 10,000 euros and imposed a one-year trade ban for non-compliance with EUTR due diligence standards​.
• Poland’s Gdańsk Prosecutor Raid: In a major enforcement action, Polish authorities raided a large plywood trader, seizing materials suspected of being sourced in violation of the applicable sanctions​.

These examples underscore the increasing enforcement and severe penalties for companies that fail to meet EU sanctions and timber regulations, making strict compliance and transparency in sourcing essential​​.

Innovative Solutions for Timber Verification

Dr. Victor Deklerck, Director of Science at World Forest ID, introduced the latest scientific methods for timber verification, presenting Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA) and trace element analysis. Both methods allow scientists to precisely determine the geographic origin of wood.

SIRA works by analysing the isotopic signature of organic materials within the wood, which reflects the specific environmental conditions (such as rainfall, temperature, and soil composition) where the tree grew​. Trace element analysis measures the presence of chemical elements absorbed by the tree, providing a unique „fingerprint” that helps in tracing the wood’s origin​. World Forest ID’s cooperation with Agroisolab Gmbh, a laboratory specialising in isotopic and trace element testing allows the cross-referencing of timber samples with World Forest ID’s vast database, offering a reliable way to verify the authenticity of timber origins​. A crucial development in timber verification has been the integration of AI-driven models that assist in identifying discrepancies in origin claims by analysing trade patterns and customs data, identifying potential risks of fraud and illegal logging​.

One significant success story involved the detection of 261 tonnes of Russian timber in Belgium, achieved by cross-referencing isotopic data with World Forest ID’s database. This case demonstrated the powerful impact of combining cutting-edge science with AI-assisted analysis to enforce EU sanctions and prevent the laundering of conflict timber through intermediary countries​.

These advanced techniques and their AI-driven support are paving the way for more effective enforcement of environmental and trade regulations, ensuring that only legally sourced and sustainably harvested wood enters the European market​.

About the Webinar: Engagement, Purpose and first steps towards local Exchanges

This session was hosted by EPF and SPPdwP (the Polish national association) member, Paged co-organised with the EPF Plywood Product Group and partners including World Forest ID and the legal firm Van Bael & Bellis. The working group preparing the seminar has included Mr Muñoz (Garnica Plywood), Mr Michniuk (Paged), Mr Geoffroy (Joubert Plywood), Mr Lācis (Latvijas Finieris), Mrs Lembo (Federlegno Arredo), Mrs Strohmeyer (VHI) and Mrs Kicińska (Paged). It aimed at sharing knowledge with plywood company customers, including distributors from France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK, about the impact of illegal Russian and Belarussian plywood imports on the European industry, economy, sustainability, and ethics.

The webinar, attracting a wide audience (366 online participants, more than 400 registrations) coming from more than 30 countries, aimed at establishing a first step to further local country-wise sessions organised by local Plywood/Timber/Wood Processing Associations.