Thursday, July 18, 2024
More than 80 representatives from wood-based panel manufacturers worldwide attended the inaugural DIEFFENBACHER Technology Symposium from July 2 to 4 at the NH Collection Hotel in Heidelberg, Germany.
“We were thrilled by the enthusiastic response to our first Technology Symposium,” stated Stefan Zipf, Head of the Wood Business Unit at DIEFFENBACHER. “The attendance of numerous decision-makers, technologists, and experts from various regions highlights the necessity of such an event.”
The symposium commenced with an evening social event on the first day, providing participants with an opportunity to network and share ideas in a relaxed environment with fellow plant owners, managing directors, and technologists.
Day two was packed with presentations, starting with a talk by Prof. Dr. Andreas Michanickl from the Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences, who addressed the challenges in raw material supply. This was followed by DIEFFENBACHER experts discussing a range of topics, including glue-saving techniques and wood recycling, with a particular focus on MDF recycling.
“After each presentation, we conducted interactive live surveys where participants could respond to questions about the presentation topics and other industry challenges,” explained Daniel Schwartze, DIEFFENBACHER’s Head of Technology. “The survey results were then discussed, providing us with valuable insights into market trends and the current issues in wood-based panel production and management.”
In the latter part of day two, attendees visited DIEFFENBACHER’s headquarters in Eppingen. The visit included a tour of the DIEFFENBACHER Technical Center, which houses the test laboratory and research center, offering participants a behind-the-scenes look at how the company transforms production research and concepts into practical solutions.
The final day of the symposium focused on sustainability, process optimization, and artificial intelligence. Speakers Venla Hemmilä, Material & Technology Engineer at IKEA, and Dr. Henrike Stephani from the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics, discussed bio-based resins and the potential for AI-supported board surface inspection. The event concluded with a panel discussion on the challenges and advantages of digitalization in the industry.
“Attendees reported that our first Technology Symposium was a highly valuable experience, offering insightful information, applicable learnings, and meaningful personal connections,” Zipf concluded. “Their feedback was immensely satisfying and exactly what we aimed to achieve.”
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Tags: Dieffenbacher, Dieffenbacher GmbH, Heidelberg, MDF recycling, sustainability, Technology Symposium, wood and panel, wood news, wood recycling, woodworking, woodworking and manufacturing, woodworking event, woodworking industry, woodworking magazine, woodworking news and updates
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