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

2. 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)

3. 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

4. Structure of E49

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. Website: