Mission

The Consortium aims to actively contribute to advancing research and training highly qualified personnel in wood-based composite panels through mutual collaboration between research organizations and stakeholders from industrial and governmental sectors. To accomplish its mission, the Consortium focuses its efforts on three research areas:

  • Axis 1: Raw Materials
  • Axis 2: Innovative Processes and Adhesives
  • Axis 3: Products and Markets

Values

  • Collaboration
  • Expertise
  • Excellence
  • Integrity
  • Sustainable development

Vision

Become a key player in research in the wood-based composite panel sector by offering innovative solutions that enable:

  • Valorization and diversification of raw materials
  • Recycling of wood-based materials
  • Continuous improvement and process modeling
  • Development of new bio-based adhesives
  • Enhancement of the performance of existing products
  • Development of new products

Objectives

The research consortium aims to create synergy between research centers and the industrial and governmental partners involved in this project. This will enable the maximization of resources to ensure the growth of this industrial sector, as well as promote the training of highly qualified personnel and the development of knowledge for the entire wood-based composite panel production chain.

Research Axes

AXIS 1: RAW MATERIALS
  • Identify new sources of raw material supply with a sustainable development perspective
  • Valorize wood residues from primary and secondary processing
  • Diversify fiber supply sources through valorizing forest biomass (logging residues, fast-growing trees), urban biomass from tree pruning and removal in urban areas, and agricultural biomass (non-traditional fibers)
  • Recycle wood material from construction, renovation, and demolition residues (CRD)
AXIS 2: INNOVATIVE PROCESSES AND ADHESIVES
  • Optimize panel manufacturing processes (cutting parameters, refining, hot pressing, heat transfer)
  • Enhance the performance of formaldehyde-based adhesives to reduce formaldehyde emissions and other harmful gases to human health and the environment
  • Develop new bio-based adhesives, prioritizing using local resources such as tannins from boreal forest species, residues from the pulp and paper industry (lignin), or other by-products from industrial processing
AXIS 3: PRODUCTS AND MARKETS
  • Develop new products (multifunctional panels and anti-smudge, antibacterial, and antiviral finishes) and new panel applications (exterior grade MDF moldings)
  • Explore new market opportunities
  • Implement new management, decision support, and control tools in the industry