Wood-based panels are important renewable construction products

The wood-based panels sector has a long history of research and development, with several panel sectors having been in industrial production for nearly a century. The total European production of wood-based panels was approximately 60 million m(3) in 2006, the largest proportion of which is attributed to the particleboard industry. Most panel manufacturing processes use non-target forest products (including thinnings and top-end logs), wood chips and sawdust. The particleboard sector alone sources an average 53% of its raw material needs from industrial by-products. It is predicted that by 2020, secondary processed wood products will account for at least 40% of international timber trade. This could provide additional raw material for the panels sector and potentially increase the need for engineered, versatile and fit-for-purpose sheet materials. Wood-based products act as carbon stores and have distinct and inherent environmental advantages over many other construction products. The wood-based panel industry has already reduced its environmental impact by continuous improvements to the manufacturing process, in response to the changing demands of the construction industry and society. However, the challenge still exists to collaborate with allied industries and academia to develop innovative, resource efficient product solutions that extend the life cycle of wood and meet the increasing demand for wood products, without placing additional pressure on the global forest resource.