31 May – 1 June 2016
Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
22-23 September 2015
Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND
Wood Innovations 2016 provided an essential platform for showcasing new technologies, best practices and global trends impacting wood processing and manufacturing operations in New Zealand and Australia. Attendees gained critical insights into the new wood treatment and engineering innovations that are currently changing how business in this region is conducted.
The technology series provided a timely insight into new and emerging timber preservative formulations, innovative wood treatment processes, changing standards, international developments and issues impacting on local operations along with opportunities for growth.
Alternate wood products to timber treated with wood preservatives were a major feature at this event. Wood plastic composites and modified wood products are a commercial reality, the first Australian CLT manufacturing plant was announced and tall multi-story timber buildings have a bright future for the industry. Traditional treated timber producers must continue to adapt.
The scope for expansion for existing wood producers or new businesses is considerable. The global wood plastic composites market for example is expected to reach US$5.4 billion in 2019, expanding at a compounded annual growth rate of around 11% over the next four years. The greatest growth for these products is being projected to be in the Asia Pacific region.
In addition to preservative wood treatment and modification, Wood Innovations 2016 covered surface coatings, timber durability, engineered wood products and some of the new technologies that are being developed to mitigate environmental issues around wood treatment. International experts were on hand to deliver our local wood producers and suppliers with a global update on timber preservation and an array of new wood treatment and engineering technologies.
Wood Innovations 2016 proved that there are real opportunities for local companies to diversify their current operations from the outset. Early adoption of new technology – formulations, treatment processes and new timber products – will provide companies with both product and market diversification. In most instances, this complements existing operations and will provide the industry with an early competitive advantage if done right.
View Gallery
What was Covered?
- Developments in wood preservative formulations and processes
- Advances in alternative products to preservative treated wood
- Modified wood products – trends and opportunities for local wood producers
- Composite and engineered wood products and options for future manufacturing
- The real impacts of growing “green consumerism” on treated wood products
- New legislation and changes to building and timber treatment standards
- Disposal of treated wood products – key issues for the industry
- Wood treatment QA and QC schemes
- Research and innovations around new surface coatings
- What’s new in engineered wood products
Who Attended?
Well over 230 industry representatives attended this conference series in Rotorua and Melbourne, comprising of:
- Timber treatment operaters
- Sawmill, wood manufacturing and wood panels companies
- Suppliers of treatment chemicals, glues, equipment and services
- Government Departments advising on timber building and construction
- Wood products and environmental consultants
- Timber R&D personnel