COST ACTION E49: Processes and Performance of Wood-Based Panels Mark Irle Ecole Supérieure du Bois, Nantes, France

COST Action E49 Processes and Performance of Wood-Based Panels particleboards oriented strand boards (OSB) fibreboards hardboards and MDF veneer-based products plywood and laminated veneer lumber (LVL)

Aim of E49 "To help the wood-based panels sector to meet future demands and competition from other materials and markets through the scientific-based advance of wood-based panels and their production processes towards higher technical, economic and environmental standards." Ministry of consumer protection, food and

Structure of E49

Working Ethos Intensify interactions between industry and research community Reduce the information and communication lag between both parties Help the research community become more aware of the industry’s needs Increase industry's awareness of the expertise, capabilities and facilities of the research institutions

Overall Objectives and Benefits Coordinate and conduct WBP research activities Coordination through meetings Webiste STSM Identify and address strategic scientific technological needs Meetings SOTA reports Improve the understanding of industry needs by the academic research community Launch event Specific workshop Website Ministry of consumer protection, food and

Past "Open" Events Workshops Conference Training School Launch workshop 4 October 2005, Llandudno, Wales The research needs of Europe’s WBP industry 19-20 March 2007, Nantes, France Conference Wood Resources and Panel Properties 12-14 June 2006, Valencia, Spain Wood-Based Panels and Volatile Organic Compounds (WBP and VOC) 28-29 November 2007, Braunschweig, Germany Training School Testing and Evaluation of Emissions from Wood-Based Composites 28-29 November 2006 Physical Characterisation of Adhesive Cure 10-11 December 2007

Outputs State of the art reports List of "industry's research needs" Reports from each WG summary of current knowledge identify gaps List of "industry's research needs" Research capability database individuals and institutions involved in WBP current and recent projects

Coming "Open" Events Workshops Conference Simulation Models for the Wood-Based Panel Industry Bordeaux, 17-18 April 2008 Lightweight composites – production, properties and usage Ljubljana, 23-25 June, 2008 Conference Final conference Nantes, October 2009

Website: www.costE49.org