Delegates included MEPs, industrialists and experts from the wood manufacturing and forest-based family, offering them the opportunity to learn about the priorities of the European woodworking industries for the term 2019-2024. Speakers included EPF chairman, Dr Paolo Fantoni, EOS chairman, Sampsa Auvinen and CEI-Bois board of directors member, Keith Fryer.
Dr Fantoni highlighted the role that wood-based panels can play in the “renovation wave”, reminding delegates of their sustainability, resource efficiency and natural carbon storage properties. He said 40% of typical chipboard today comes from recovered (recycled) waste wood.
Sampsa Auvinen said securing raw material supply at affordable prices and in a predictable way is a key factor to maintain competitiveness of the European sawmill industry.
Mr Auvinen called for an EU resource management system aiming to establish a harmonised knowledge-based information on European forests resources, material flows and stock. The system should also take into consideration frequency of natural disturbances and the impact on wood supply.
Keith Fryer presented the European woodworking industries’ manifesto for the EU term 2019-2024, which illustrates how it can help the EU to reach its key goals, such as the reduction of green house gas emissions
