SESSIONS

This list of sessions is nearly final, there might be some changes until the middle of June.

 

► Forest Products Culture for a Sustainable Future

Organiser: Charlotte Chia-hua Lee, International Wood Culture Society (IWCS), USA

Session co-organiser(s): IUFRO Research Group 5.15.00 Forest Products Culture, International Wood Culture Society (IWCS)

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.15.00 Forest Products Culture

Description: As the global community faces the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, the role of forests has shifted from mere sources of timber to important pillars of a sustainable bioeconomy. However, the technical transition to bio-based materials requires a corresponding Forest Products Culture that integrates traditional knowledge with modern innovation. In this session, the historical and contemporary use of forest products, both wood and non-wood, as well as the preservation of forest products heritage in different countries and regions around the world, are investigated. Research in forest products culture explores the multifaceted relationship between human culture and forest resources and opens new way to understand and utilize forest products from an interdisciplinary perspective. It includes (but is not limited to) history, policy management, sociology, economics, philosophy, culture, religion, art and education. It also supports that a sustainable future depends on revitalizing our cultural connection to wood and non-timber forest products. This session concludes that fostering a robust Forest Products Culture is essential for achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. By valuing forests, not just as commodities, but as vital cultural and ecological touchstones, we can ensure that forests continue to provide resources for future generations.

 

► The future of timber industry through the lens of education

Organiser: Marie-France THEVENON, CIRAD, France

Session co-organiser(s): Arnaud BESSERER, ENSTIB/LERMAB, Lorraine University
Camille GEORGEL, ENSTIB, Lorraine University

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): All Division 5 Units/ Division 6 

Description: Promoting the cascade use of wood, multiple wood-based products, the reuse and recycling of such bio-based solutions is a major environmental and economic challenge. Research, innovation, transfer to industries can only be achieved by providing scientific, technical, economic and societal training to the diverse range of stakeholders for the upcoming wood sector. This session offers a forum for discussion on the visibility, attractiveness and perception of wood-related education programmes.

 

► Wood Quality Assessment: Bridging Research and Practice in a Changing Forest Sector

Organiser: Xiping Wang, USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, USA

Session co-organiser(s): Xiping Wang, USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, USA
Alexis Achim, Université Laval, Canada
Cosmin Filipescu, Pacific Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service
Franka Bruchert, FVA Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.01.00 Wood and fibre quality; WP 5.01.09 Non-destructive evaluation of wood and wood-based products; WP 5.01.10 Fundamental properties of wood and wood-based products

Description: Efficient wood production and utilization rely on understanding how wood quality attributes vary across forest resources and how these attributes align with different end uses. Achieving this requires accurate assessment of wood properties in both standing trees and harvested logs, as well as the implementation of silvicultural practices that enhance desirable wood characteristics. Equally important is the ability to sort, classify, and allocate timber effectively so that each piece reaches the most suitable market or processing stream, thereby maximizing value and improving overall resource efficiency.
This session invites contributions that advance the science and practice of wood quality assessment. Topics may include in forest evaluation of wood properties in both standing trees and logs, the influence of intensive silviculture and tree breeding on wood characteristics, and the effects of disturbances such as wildfire and prescribed fire on wood properties and volume production. A central focus of this session will be the development and application of emerging nondestructive and precision based technologies. These innovations, from advanced sensing systems and portable evaluation tools to data driven modeling approaches, hold significant potential for improving forest management decisions, supporting more accurate forest resource evaluations, and enabling more efficient and informed wood utilization across the supply chain. Contributions exploring new methodologies, validation studies, integration of sensing tools with modeling approaches, and applications that support operational decision making are especially welcome.

 

► Fast-growing plantation forests for engineered wood products

Organiser: Brand Wessels, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Session co-organiser(s): Prof. Bruno Balboni, University of Sao Paolo, Brazil
Dr. Michela Nocetti, CNR, Italy
Dr. Michele Brunetti, CNR, Italy

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): WP 5.01.04 Wood Quality Modelling; aligned with WP 5.06.00 Properties and utilization of plantation wood; WP 5.06.02 Utilization of planted teak; WP 5.06.03 Utilization of planted eucalypts; WP 5.01.08 Understanding wood variability; 5.01.09 Non-destructive evaluation of wood and wood-based materials; WP 5.04.00 Wood processing

Description: The session will deal mainly with the use of fast growing, intensively managed plantation wood genera including Eucalyptus, Teak, and Pinus, for structural products such as CLT, GLT, LVL and other engineered wood products. The focus of this session will thus be on planted forests and structural and engineered wood products. The high variability in wood properties from fast growing species pose special processing and product performance problems together with involving juvenile wood features. Within the context of planted forests and structural and engineered wood products, the topics to be included in the session may involve the following (a) wood quality modelling of the resource and product, (b) structural grading of timber, (c) novel structural and engineered wood products, (d) processing development and manufacturing procedures, (e) product and processing optimisation research, (f) adhesives and adhesion, and (g) product quality, testing methods and standardization. Other topics within the broad framework of planted forests and structural and engineered wood products will also be welcome.

 

► Forecasting wood properties in a changing environment

Organiser: Ruben Manso, Forest Research, United Kingdom

Session co-organiser(s): Thomas Baer (Forest Research)

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): WP 5.01.04 Wood Quality Modelling

Description: This session aims to bring together modellers with an interest in wood science and wood scientists with an ambition to model; the goal is to showcase the state-of-the-art of predictive tools in the fields of wood properties, structural timber and more. The forestry sector faces unprecedented challenges as a result of climate change and the increasing demand of timber for construction, all of which will test the resilience of the supply chain hard and globally. To meet these challenges, silvicultural decisions are being made, breeding programmes are being run, and an afforestation effort is being undertaken. However, the outcome of these actions in terms of wood properties is not always fully understood. In this respect, predictive tools that allow us to assess and forecast wood properties all along the supply chain under different climatic scenarios and management and genetic alternatives are thus essential. This session welcomes contributions that help address these matters through a modelling approach, including those featuring remote sensing and AI elements. Model exercises may be dynamic (i.e. predicting the evolution of a variable of interest based on the current state) or static (i.e. predicting that variable currently), and all model types (mechanistic, empirical, hybrid) are acceptable -- if set against a climatic, management or forest genetics background. Both theoretical approaches and case studies from any forest type (planted-natural, intensive silviculture-CCF, boreal-temperate-tropical) will be considered. Examples include, but are not limited to, predicting or projecting ring-level to tree-level wood properties in standing timber or logs; predicting batten-level grade-determining properties; forecasting strength class; modelling defects in timber or variables that could lead to defects (e.g. branching, knots); showcasing the potential of remote sensing to predict wood properties based on climate, management or forest genetics. Studies on wood formation or wood technology that include modelling but do not have a clear link with this element will be better suited to other sessions.

 

► Advancing non-timber forest products for sustainable forest-based bioeconomies

Organiser: Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero, University of Hohenheim/Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute, Colombia

Session co-organiser(s): Smith-Hall, Carsten (University of Copenhagen)
Vargas-Carpintero, Ricardo (University of Hohenheim/Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute)
Chamberlain, James (Independent researcher)
Ivana Živojinović (BOKU University)

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.11.00 Non-wood forest products; Task Force T50 Building an Integrated Vision of the Forest-Based Sector within a Bioeconomy

Description: The session explores transition pathways for integrating non-timber forest products (NTFPs) into the global bioeconomy. It examines economic, institutional, technological and organizational factors for sustainable NTFP value chain development across regions and production systems, how NTFPs feature in bioeconomy strategies and support bioeconomy goals, and actions to scale their implementation in forest-based bioeconomies. Contributions may address sustainable sourcing, industrial innovation, global market integration, policy instruments, and governance for sustainability and inclusiveness.

 

► Closing the Loop: Circular Economy Approaches to Wood Valorisation

Organiser: Tripti Singh, University of Sunshine Coast and Scion Research, New Zealand, Australia

Session co-organiser(s): Prof Qiliang Fu, Nanjing Forestry University, China
Dr Grant Kirker, Forest Products, USA
Marie-France Thevenon, France

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.03.00 Wood Protection

Description: The transition to a circular bioeconomy requires innovative strategies that maximise the value, longevity, and functionality of wood resources across their entire life cycle. This session invites contributions that explore wood valorisation as a key enabler of circular economy principles, including cascading use, resource efficiency, and end-of-life recovery.We welcome research and case studies on advanced wood engineering and wood-based technologies that convert primary and residual biomass into energy, chemicals, fibres, and high-performance composites, while reducing waste and environmental impacts. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: biorefinery concepts, bio-based adhesives and polymers, fibre and composite technologies, thermochemical and biochemical conversion pathways, integration of wood residues into circular value chains, and design for reuse, recyclability, and durability.This session aims to bridge fundamental research, applied engineering, and industry implementation, highlighting scalable solutions that support sustainable construction, manufacturing, and material systems. Contributions demonstrating how wood valorisation can strengthen circular supply chains and decarbonise the built environment are particularly encouraged.

 

► Cleaner Production and Side-Stream Valorization: From Pulp and Paper to Advanced Bio-based Composites

Organiser: Ting Wu, Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, China

Session co-organiser(s): Dr Mengke Zhao, Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, China

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.07.00 Biorefinery and value creation

Description: Pulp and paper manufacturing sits at the center of forest biomass utilization. Mills worldwide are rethinking their traditional role and exploring how to evolve into integrated biorefineries. This shift brings two challenges: feedstock quality is declining in some regions, forcing higher energy and chemical use; and current side-stream management leaves significant value untapped — bark, black liquor, sludge, and other residues remain underutilized. Innovation must therefore push in two directions. First, cleaner production: rapid feedstock characterization, smarter process control, and new pulping approaches that use less energy, water, and chemicals while maintaining pulp quality. Second, side-stream valorization: converting residues into bio-based chemicals, fuels, and materials — including advanced bio-based composites. This session integrates both directions. It invites contributions on feedstock analysis, process optimization, emerging pulping technologies, and side-stream conversion. It also specifically welcomes work on upcycling forest residues and pulp/paper by-products into high-performance composites — covering fiber/filler design, interface engineering, densification, hybrid reinforcement, durability, fire and moisture resistance, and circular design. The goal is to explore practical, scalable solutions that transform pulp and paper mills into more sustainable operations and contribute to a circular bioeconomy — from mill operations to end products.

 

► Bioadhesives for wood products

Organiser: Reza Hosseinpourpia, Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Linnaeus University, Sweden

Session co-organiser(s): Dr. Erik van Herwijnen, Deputy Area Manager Wood Materials Technologies Wood K Plus, Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH, Altenberger Straße 69, 4040 Linz, Austria

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): 5.05.00 Composites and reconstituted products

Description: This session will focus on advances in bio‑based adhesive systems for wood products, covering renewable material sourcing and modification, interfacial bonding mechanisms, short- and long-term performance, and process integration in engineered wood manufacturing. Researchers and industry experts will discuss innovations, challenges, and future applications that support the transition to greener products with competitive performance compared to the fossil-based ones.

 

► Natural durability evaluation and and wood protection developments for carbon sequestration

Organiser: Marie-France THEVENON, CIRAD, France

Session co-organiser(s): Andrew WONG, International Wood Culture Society IWCS

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.03.00 Wood protection; WP 5.01.10 Fundamental properties of wood and wood-based product; RG 5.05.00 Composites and reconstituted products; RG 5.06.00 Properties and utilisation of plantation wood; RG 5.12.00 Sustainable utilization of forest products

Description: Organic wood and wood-based products can be degraded to different extends by a wide variety of xylophageous organisms. This session aims at gathering scientific achievements on (i) the assessment and comprehension of natural durability, (ii) the development of protection systems through innovative treatments, processes, and protective design : all being effective ways to enhance the service life of wood, wooden products and structures, leading therefore to long-term carbone sequestration.

 

► Intelligent Wood Materials: Chemical and Nano-Enabled Functional Composites for the Built Environment

Organiser: Tripti Singh, University of Sunshine Coast and Scion Research, New Zealand, Australia

Session co-organiser(s): Professor Qiliang Fu, Nanjing Forestry University (NJFU), China

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.03.00 Wood Protection

Description: This session will explore how intelligent materials can be developed through wood modification for advanced applications in the built environment. Chemical modification remains one of the most established approaches, enabling the formation of stable covalent bonds between chemical reagents and wood cell wall polymers. This fundamentally alters wood at the molecular level, enhancing durability, dimensional stability, moisture resistance, and long-term performance.More recently, advances in wood nanotechnology have expanded the possibilities of chemical modification. By regulating structure across multiple scales—from the cell wall to the macrostructure—researchers can engineer wood-based functional composites with tailored mechanical, physical, and environmental properties. These innovations are transforming wood from a traditional structural material into a high-performance, intelligent material platform capable of responding to environmental stimuli, improving service life, and contributing to sustainable construction systems.The session will highlight emerging research, practical applications, and future directions for wood-based functional composites that support resilient, low-carbon, and high-performance buildings.

 

► Innovative Utilization of Bamboo and Rattan Resources

Organiser: Changhua Fang, International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan (ICBR), China

Session co-organiser(s): Dongsheng Zhang, International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR)

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): WP 5.11.05 Bamboo and Rattan

Description: Bamboo, the fast-growing grass plant, and rattan, a spiky climbing palm, are widely distributed across the global tropics and subtropics. Together, they comprise some of the world’s most valuable non-timber forest products, providing a source of income and material for many people across rural areas in developing countries. Bamboo and rattan have a wide range of applications in many different fields. There are over 1500 documented uses for bamboo and rattan, and more are being discovered by modern science and technology, including housing, crafts, pulp, paper, panels, boards, veneer, flooring, roofing, fabrics, oil, gas, charcoal and food. The utilization of bamboo and rattan resources reduces mankind’s dependence on timber and causes no sand desertification or soil erosion. It therefore has a critical role to play in protecting forest resources, improving ecological environment and countering climate change. Scientific research on the development of new processing and utilization technology for bamboo and rattan is being conducted increasingly all over the world to ensure the sustainable development of bamboo and rattan resources. The topics of this session will cover bamboo structural timber, bamboo fiber reinforced composites, bamboo structure and properties, bamboo biomass energy, bamboo carbon and vinegar, bamboo preservation and rattan utilization.

 

► Community-Led Innovations in Bamboo Biomass Conversion for Sustainable Bioenergy Production

Organiser: Selim Reza, International Bamboo and Rattan Organization(INBAR), Ethiopia

Session co-organiser(s): Nellie Mugure Oduor, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): WP 5.11.05 Bamboo and Rattan

Description: Background: Community-led innovations in converting bamboo resources into energy are emerging as sustainable solutions for rural households as affordable clean cooking energy. Bamboo is an excellent source of bioenergy due to its fast growth, annual harvesting, high biomass yield, and renewability. The stallholders' farmers are utilizing harvested bamboo culms from forests or farms, including waste and processing, to produce charcoal briquettes, pellets, biochar, and biogas through low-cost and locally adaptable technologies.
These initiatives help reduce dependence on firewood and fossil fuels while promoting environmental conservation and circular economic development. Community participation in bamboo energy production also creates employment opportunities, supports small-scale enterprises, and empowers women and youth. Besides, the utilization of bamboo biomass for energy production has been shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve waste management practices, thereby contributing to circular economy development and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Despite challenges related to limited access to technology and financial support, community-based bamboo energy systems demonstrate significant potential to enhance energy security and promote sustainable livelihoods. Expanding the role of bamboo biomass in the renewable energy sector can be further facilitated through pro-poor technological innovations, supportive policy frameworks, and increased investment in bamboo value chains. Objective of the session: To explore innovative and sustainable approaches for converting bamboo biomass into renewable energy, with the aim of enhancing community livelihoods, strengthening energy resilience, and promoting environmental sustainability. The key themes are as follows:
 • Innovative Technologies for Bamboo Biomass-to-Energy Conversion and environmental Sustainability
 • Community-Driven Pro-poor Bamboo Biomass Energy Development Models 
 • Bamboo-Based Biomass Circular Economy Development Participants: Policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, development agencies, investors, and practitioners in forestry sector. Session duration: 60 minutes
Opening remarks (05 minutes) : Session Organizer
Keynote Address (10 minutes) : Overview on bamboo biomass energy and circular economy development 
Technical Presentation-I (10 minutes) : Innovative Technologies for Bamboo Biomass-to-Energy Conversion and environmental Sustainability
Technical presentation-II (10 minutes) : Development Community-Driven Bamboo Biomass Sustainable Energy Development Models-business case from Africa or Asia 
Technical presentation-IV (10 minutes) : Bamboo-Based Biomass Circular Economy Development 
Open discussion (10 minutes) : Participants
Closing remarks (05 minutes) : Organizer

 

► Sustainability and Governance for Wood Products: Integrating LCA, Certification and Law in the Circular Bioeconomy

Organiser: Vitalie Gulca, Research Group 5.12.00 – Sustainable Utilization of Forest Products, Moldova

Session co-organiser(s): Xufeng Zhang, Beijing University of Technology, China, Coordinator Working Party 5.12.01 / Deputy Coordinator IUFRO Task Force T55
Līga Menģele-Stillere, State Forest Service Latvia, Research Group 9.06.00 – Forest Law and Environmental Legislation
Gulca Vitalie Deputy Coordinator Working Party 8.02.05 – Wildlife Conservation and Management

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.12.00 Sustainable utilization of forest products; WP 5.12.01 Life Cycle Analysis of Forest Products

Description: The session addresses the integration of sustainability assessment methodologies and governance frameworks supporting the transition toward a circular bioeconomy in forest-based value chains. It considers how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), forest certification systems, sustainability indicators, and carbon accounting of harvested wood products can be effectively combined with forest law, environmental legislation, and policy instruments. Particular attention is given to regulatory developments related to climate policy, biodiversity strategies, ESG frameworks, and circular economy initiatives that increasingly influence the implementation of sustainability metrics in practice.Contributions will explore methodological advances in environmental assessment, the role of legal and institutional frameworks, and the interaction between scientific tools and governance mechanisms. The session aims to strengthen interdisciplinary dialogue among wood science, sustainability assessment, and forest policy communities, and to highlight science–policy interfaces supporting climate-smart, legally compliant, and circular use of forest resources.

 

► Wood processing for efficient utilization of forest resources

Organiser: Ludka Hanincova, Department of Wood Science and Wood Technology, Mendel University Brno, Czech Republic

Session co-organiser(s): Rupert Wimmer, Mendel University Brno, Czech Republic
Stergios Adamopoulos, SLU, Sweden

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.04.00 Wood processing; RG 5.01 Wood and fibre quality

Description: This session examines how wood processing technologies can enable the efficient use of forest resources in a circular bioeconomy. It invites contributions addressing the relationships between material properties, processing strategies, and product performance. Topics include machining, cutting, bonding and surface engineering, and the effects of material variability on processing and quality. Modelling and process optimization studies are all welcome, particularly those advancing high-value wood-based products and sustainable use of forest-based materials.

 

► Advanced Planning and AI for Logistics and Production in the wood industry

Organiser: Maria Anna Gartner, BOKU University, Institute of Production and Logistics, Austria

Session co-organiser(s): Manfred Gronalt, BOKU University, Institute of Production and Logistics

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): WP 5.04.13 Industrial engineering, operations analysis and logistics

Description: This session will explore the emerging research and practical approaches that are converging at the intersection of advanced planning systems, artificial intelligence and wood industry operations. Contributions may address data-driven forecasting, optimisation models, intelligent scheduling, digital twins, and AI-supported decision-making across logistics and production.

 

► Tracing the Origin of Forest Products and Forest Reproductive Material: Interdisciplinary Tools for Species Identification and Provenance Verification

Organiser: Bernd Degen, Thuenen-Institute of Forest Genetics, Germany
Lichao Jiao, Research Institute of Wood Industry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, China

Session co-organiser(s): Celine Blanc-Jolivet, Hilke Schröder: Thuenen-Institute of Forest Genetics; Andrew Lowe, University of Adelaide

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): WP 5.16.04 Origin of wood and seeds: resources, networks and practices; 5.16.00

Description: Illegal logging, mislabelled forest products, and the unverified movement of forest reproductive material challenge biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, fair trade, and regulatory systems. Reliable species identification and provenance verification are therefore needed across the value chain, from seeds and planting material to timber and finished wood products. This session will bring together interdisciplinary approaches for tracing the biological and geographic origin of wood, wood products, and forest reproductive material. Contributions may address wood anatomy, genetics, DNA barcoding/metabarcoding, population-genomic assignment, stable isotope analysis, trace-element fingerprinting, and other emerging techniques. We particularly welcome studies combining methods, developing reference databases and networks, or demonstrating applications in enforcement, certification, due diligence, and forest reproductive material regulation. By linking analytical innovation with policy, industry, and regulatory needs, the session aims to support transparent forest product trade, responsible use of forest reproductive material, and biodiversity conservation.

 

► IAWA-IUFRO Symposium: Digital Intelligence-based Innovation for Xylarium Management and Wood Anatomy

Organiser: Yafang Yin, Research Institute of Wood Industry, Chinese Academy of Forestry (Deputy Coordinator of 5.00.00 and Coordinator of 5.16.00, IUFRO), China

Session co-organiser(s): Hans Beeckman, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium (Coordinator of 5.16.01, IUFRO)
Carvalho Costa Adriana Donizetti, Mississippi State University, USA (Member of International Association of Wood Anatomists, IAWA)

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.16.00 Wood identification; WP 5.16.01 Wood Collections and Databases; WP 5.16.02 Anatomical identification of wood

Description: It provides an exchange of ideas on advancing digital and intelligent transformation of wood science, and interdisciplinary integration of digital-intelligent technologies and wood research. Addressing challenges of low efficiency and limited data sharing in wood specimens curation and wood anatomy, it will explore innovative applications of big data, AI recognition in anatomical analysis and wood identification. It will promote the digital upgrading of wood science paradigm innovation, supporting forestry research, timber trade, cultural relics conservation and other relevant fields.

 

► Log tracing and identification along the forest-wood-chain

Organiser: Brüchert Franka, Forest Research Institute Baden-Württemberg (FVA), Germany

Session co-organiser(s): Jörg Staudenmaier, FVA Baden-Württemberg
Xiping Wang, USDA-FPL
Martin Huber, FVA Baden-Württemberg
Franka Brüchert, FVA Baden-Württemberg

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): WP 5.01.09 Non-destructive evaluation of wood and wood-based products

Description: Legal issues on the proof of origin for wood products and re-identification of individual logs at a mill’s log yard for correct invoicing are only two aspects of the same problem. Timber traceability from the forest to the mill and the products is an important issue along the whole value chain from tree to end-product. This session invites contributions to discuss the latest technological advancement and innovative approaches to track roundwood from the forest to the mill gate and through production.

 

► Forest Products Marketing + Innovation: A Symphony of Insights and Visions

Organiser: Jigchen Norbu, IUFRO Task Force Scaling-up Science-based Forest Sector Innovation, Italy

Session co-organiser(s): Pipiet Larasatie, IUFRO Research Group 5.10.00 Forest products marketing and business management
Eric Hansen, Lyndall Bull, and Jigchen Norbu, IUFRO Task Force Scaling-up Science-based Forest Sector Innovation

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.10.00 Forest products marketing and business management

Description: This session highlights business and marketing perspectives for innovation in forest-based value chains, including research on innovation processes, business models, entrepreneurship, finance, policy frameworks, supply chain strategies, consumer preferences, market acceptance, and cross-sector collaboration. Contributions that explore how firms, communities, and institutions can adapt to circularity through design, governance, or decision-making are especially encouraged. This session aims to identify pathways for advancing a circular forest-based bioeconomy.

 

► Processing and Efficient Utilisation of Plantation Timbers for Legal Supply Chains and Sustainable Wood Use

Organiser: Prof. Mario TOMMASIELLO-FILHO, Dy. Coordinator, IUFRO Div 5.06.02 (Utilisation of Planted Teak), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Session co-organiser(s): Dr. PK Thulasidas, Dy. Coordinator, IUFRO RG 5.06.00 (Properties and Utilisation of Plantation Woods) & IUFRO WP 5.06.02 (Utilisation of Planted Teak), TEAKNET SC member, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi - 680653, Kerala, INDIA
Dr. S. Sandeep, Coordinator, International Teak Information Network (TEAKNET), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi - 680653, Kerala, INDIA 

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.06.00 Properties and utilization of plantation Wood; WP 5.06.02 Utilization of planted teak

Description: Introduction: As per the FRA 2025,total area of planted forests is approx. 312 million ha, which is 8% of the world’s forest area. Asia has the largest area of planted forests (23%) out of 146 million ha total forests, followed by Europe (8%). The planted forests area increased globally by 120 million ha over 35-year period, while  natural forests is shrinking. Globally, 44% of the plantation forests are mainly introduced species like eucalypts, pines, acacias and teak among others. Apart from pulpwood species, market share of high value planted teak represents <1% of the total production of tropical industrial roundwood that competes with high value hardwood markets. It is an important strategic element in the forest economies of the main producing countries. Objectives:This session examines promoting green supply chains for fast-growing plantation woods through value-addition and improved processing technologies with minimal environmental impacts. SWU,  interlinkages between SFM, value chains, livelihoods, markets, investments and financial mechanisms is also  session focuss.

 

► Advances in value-added utilization of small diameter logs, hardwood lumber and short rotation plantation lumber

Organiser: Lech Muszynski, SWST, USA

Session co-organiser(s): Franka Brüchert, Forest Research Institute Baden-Württemberg (FVA)

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.01 Wood and fibre quality; RG 5.04.00 Wood processing; RG 5.05.00 Composites and reconstituted products; 5.10.00 Forest products marketing and business management

Description: This session invites contributions discussing incorporating materials from small softwood and hardwood logs, and short-rotation plantation wood in the supply chains of established and innovative value-added products; consequences of selective harvesting on log quality; quality assessment and grading rules for logs of the resources described above, and structural hardwood lumber; advances in efficient primary processing of such small logs; expanding existing and creating new markets for structural, semi-structural and non-structural products incorporating such materials in volumes compatible with the projected supply of logs; utilisation of this raw material resource in mass-timber products.  

 

► Wood and Well-being in Built Environments

Organiser: Yuko Tsunetsugu, Wood Physics Laboratory, Department of Biomaterial Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1-1-1, Japan

Session co-organiser(s): NN

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.15.00 Forest Products Culture

Description: This session will explore the relationships between wood and human well-being in built environments. Topics include, but are not limited to, the effects of wood use in buildings and wood-based products on indoor environmental quality, as well as the psychological and physiological impacts of wood on occupants. We also welcome presentations that demonstrate the application and implementation of scientific knowledge related to wood and human well-being, including the design of wooden spaces, buildings, and products.

 

► Navigating Methodological Challenges: Integrating Dynamic Forest Carbon Cycles and Temporal Scales into Wood Product LCAs 

Organiser: Thomas Buchholz, Spatial Informatics Group, USA

Session co-organiser(s): Lieke Droog, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.12.00 Sustainable utilization of forest products

Description: This session will explore the critical integration of dynamic forest carbon cycles into traditional wood product Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), encompassing both long-lived harvested wood products and short-lived applications such as bioenergy. Because forest carbon pools are exceptionally large, even minor modeling uncertainties on the forest side can disproportionately skew the overall climate impact results of an LCA. To address this, the session will critically examine key methodological challenges in temporal accounting, particularly the high-uncertainty practice of discounting future carbon fluxes and the necessity of defining useful, policy-relevant temporal scales. By untangling the complexities of time horizons and large-scale biogenic pool uncertainties, this session aims to refine carbon accounting methodologies and improve the reliability of climate mitigation claims tied to the broader forest bioeconomy.

 

► Chess in Forest Products Culture: Strategic Thinking for the Circular Bioeconomy – Prophylaxis, Resource Efficiency and Sustainable Wood Utilization

Organiser: Vitalie Gulca, Research Group 5.12.00 – Sustainable Utilization of Forest Products, Moldova

Session co-organiser(s): Charlotte Chia-hua Lee, IUFRO Research Group 5.15.00 Forest Products Culture, International Wood Culture Society (IWCS)

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): RG 5.15.00 Forest Products Culture

Description: The chess concept of Zwischenzug (intermediate move) provides a useful metaphor for adaptive forest management. Just as a chess player inserts a strategically valuable move before executing an expected sequence, forest managers may undertake intermediate interventions—such as selective thinning, sanitation cutting, species diversification, or cascading resource allocation—to improve long-term resilience, resource efficiency, and sustainability outcomes before pursuing primary production objectives.

This interdisciplinary session examines the conceptual and material intersections between traditional strategy games and the circular bioeconomy. Strategically, the session explores how game principles like resource optimization, risk anticipation, and prophylaxis (preventive strategy) can model adaptive forest management, waste minimization, and resilient supply chains. Materially, it investigates the cultural, ecological, and educational dimensions of forest products-based game components, focusing on sustainable sourcing, eco-design, and traditional craftsmanship as expressions of forest products culture. Ultimately, this session aims to foster dialogue among wood scientists, sustainability practitioners, and cultural heritage specialists to leverage strategic gaming traditions for long-term environmental stewardship.

Topic of interest may include:

• Strategic thinking and prophylaxis in sustainability and circular bioeconomy;
• Traditional strategy games as models for resource optimization and adaptive management;
• Forest Products (Wood and non-timber forest products) culture, craftsmanship, and heritage associated with board games and game pieces manufacturing;
• Sustainable sourcing, eco-design, and life-cycle assessment of cultural products;
• Educational applications of strategy games in sustainability learning;
• Forest products, eco-design, and circular approaches to cultural and recreational goods;
• Cross-cultural perspectives on strategy, resilience, and environmental stewardship. 

 

► IAWS Session: From Wood Anatomy to Circular Wood Products: New Pathways in Wood Science and Technology

Organiser: Rupert Wimmer, Mendel University Brno, Czech Republic

Session co-organiser(s): -

IUFRO Division 5 unit engaged (Research Group, Working party): 5.04 Wood processing; 5.01 Wood and fibre quality

Description: Wood anatomy provides the structural basis for understanding wood formation and quality. This session explores how anatomical knowledge drives innovation in circular wood products, linking cell structure to sustainable processing, modification, bonding, and material recovery. Contributions bridging fundamental anatomy with applied wood science, technology, and circular economy approaches are welcome.

 

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