Panels & Furniture Asia March/April 2024

www.panelsfurnitureasia.com 

MARCH/APRIL 2024 

Your digital Siempelkamp hub. 

Manage. Service. Connect. 

Intelligent engineering for future generations

www.hanoiwoodexpo.com 

NATIONAL EXHIBITION 

CONSTRUCTION CENTER 

(NECC) 

01 DO DUC DUC STREET, 

NAM TU LIEM DISTRICT, 

HANOI, VIETNAM 

VENUE 

GOOGLE MAP 

29 MAY - 

Images Credit : 

Leitz Tooling 

01 JUNE 

2024 

INTERNATIONAL WOOD & 

WOODWORKING EXHIBITION 

INCORPORATING HANOI FURNITURE FITTINGS & UPHOLSTERY EXPO 2024 

FOR SALES ENQUIRIES 

Organised by: 

Official Media: 

INTERNATIONAL 

williampang@pabloasia.com 

+65 9621 4283 / +65 6266 5512 

WECHAT 

CONTACT 

VIETNAM 

Bùi Thanh Tâm 

(Ms. Tina, Sales Manager) 

tam@pabloasia.com 

PABLO 

PUBLISHING 

& EXHIBITION 

PTE LTD 

CHINA 

Rain Ma 

pablobeijing@163.com 

WECHAT 

182 1755 3837 ( 

CONTACT 

) 

Ellen Gao 

WECHAT 

hare30@126.com 139 1092 3635 ( 

CONTACT 

) 

(+84)346 935 902 

Nguyễn Thị Nam 

(Ms. Bella, Sales Manager) 

namnguyen@pabloasia.com 

(+84)901 358 642

SMART FURNITURE PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS 

WE SUPPLY 

MACHINE 

WE 

Contact us! 

 

 

 

WHO IS CABINETMASTER? 

 

 

 

 

 

TECHNICAL TEAM 

 

 

 

 

 

AFTER-SALES SERVICES 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HANOI 

WOOD EXPO 

MAY 29 

JUN 01 

Welcome to our Booth 5068

CONTENTS 

Contents 

Issue 2 / Panels & Furniture Asia 

March / April 2024 

49 

6 Editor’s Note 

8 News 

62 Calendar of Events 

64 List of Advertisers 

Market Report 

14 How have US hardwood exports to South East Asia 

performed in 2023? 

Environmental Report 

16 Calculating carbon storage in wooden furniture 

In Person 

19 Wood-Mizer sawmills help cultivate growth and women’s 

empowerment in Pakistan 

Product Highlight 

22 Välinge launches two new technologies 

24 Intelligent edgebanding workstation for high-end 

customised furniture 

26 VacuMaster Charge: Ergonomics without needing a 

power socket 

12 

18 

Panel Manufacturing 

27 EGGER in South East Asia 

30 Dynadryer: IMAL belt dryer 

33 ColourBrain RawBoard 4.0 Inspection in Asian 

wood-based production lines 

34 Fire prevention for the belt dryer 

Furniture Manufacturing 

36 Regeneration of DP-tipped tools: Cost-saving and sustainable 

38 CNC machining centres for drilling, routing and edgebanding 

by SCM 

40 Cabinetmaster supplies woodworking machinery across 

South East Asia 

44 Hidden dangers: The stability of clothing storage units 

Materials 

46 Tropical timber companies see good potential in Europe: ITTO 

Flooring 

48 Amorim counts on Hymmen technology for flooring production 

50 Where style meets sustainability 

Structural Elements 

52 Prepared Rehmannia Root Crafts Exhibition Hall 

Columnists 

56 Palm wood: A sustainable alternative to counter deforestation 

Show Preview 

58 Hanoi Wood Expo and Hanoi Furniture Fittings & Upholstery 

Expo 2024 

4 PANELS & FURNITURE ASIA | MARCH / APRIL 2024

Y O U R S M A R T P L A N T 

PRODUCE SMARTER 

Using a holistic approach, CEBRO combines digitalization and advanced 

plant engineering with operational excellence and sustainability solutions. 

That makes your plant smart. 

Watch the video at cebro.dieffenbacher.com to discover 

what CEBRO can do for you.

FROM THE EDITOR 

What’s new in South East Asia? 

The new year kicked off with some 

exciting announcements for the wood and 

woodworking industry in South East Asia: 

For starters, the EGGER Group has announced 

they have acquired a minority stake in Thaibased 

wood panel producer, Panel Plus. Both 

sides get to benefit from this partnership — 

EGGER benefiting from Panel Plus’ production 

capabilities, Panel Plus benefiting from 

EGGER’s industry knowledge — but from a 

wider perspective, South East Asia might be 

the biggest winner here. Details about the 

acquisition can be found on page 12, and an 

interview with the EGGER Group about their 

investments in South East Asia can be read on 

page 27. 

Homing in on Vietnam, a new trade show has 

been launched to tackle an “underserved” 

market. Hanoi Wood Expo and Hanoi Furniture 

Fittings & Upholstery are set to take place 

from 29 May-1 Jun 2024 at the National 

Exhibition Construction Centre (NECC) in 

Hanoi (p.58). Hanoi targets the domestic 

furniture market in Vietnam more so than its 

export-oriented cities, Ho Chi Minh City and 

Binh Duong, and in a time where exports are 

greatly affected by rising US interest rates, 

furniture manufacturers can turn to the 

domestic market for support. 

In this issue we have market updates 

on the South East Asian market as well. 

John Chan, regional director of American 

Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) Greater 

China and South East Asian regions, spoke 

about the slowdown in US hardwood 

exports to South East Asia in 2023 (p.14). 

Undeterred by this, AHEC has plans to 

boost their presence with several trade 

visits and design shows across the region 

this year. 

Of course, beyond South East Asia, we 

have articles from across the world. A 

report by the International Tropical Timber 

Organization (ITTO) on page 46 goes in 

depth into how the tropical timber market 

will be affected by the EU Deforestationfree 

Regulation (EUDR). In spite of the 

challenges put forth by the regulation, 

the EUDR can still be seen as a “positive 

development” for the tropical timber 

trade. We also have an interesting article 

on women empowerment in Pakistan, 

where Wood-Mizer interviewed a furniture 

manufacturer run by a majority of women 

(p.19). 

Give the issue a read — we hope you find 

many perspectives here, be they local, 

regional, or global. 

Yap Shi Quan 

EDITOR 

PABLO SINGAPORE 

William Pang • Publisher 

williampang@pabloasia.com 

Yap Shi Quan • Editor 

shiquan@pabloasia.com 

Pang YanJun • 

Business Development Manager 

yanjun@pabloasia.com 

Goh Meng Yong • Graphic Designer 

mengyong@pabloasia.com 

Shu Ai Ling • Circulation Manager 

ailing@pabloasia.com 

PABLO BEIJING 

Ellen Gao • General Manager 

pablobeijing@163.com 

PABLO SHANGHAI 

Daisy Wang • Editor 

pabloshanghai@163.net 

Pablo Publishing & Exhibition Pte Ltd (Head Office) 

3 Ang Mo Kio Street 62, #01-23, Link@AMK, Singapore 569139 • Tel: +65 6266 5512 • Email: info@pabloasia.com 

Company Registration No: 200001473N • Singapore MICA (P) No: 043/12/2023 

Pablo (Beijing) • Tel : +86 10 6509 7728 • Email : pablobeijing@163.com 

Pablo (Shanghai) • Tel : +86 21 5238 9737 / 36 • Email : pabloshanghai@163.net 

let's connect! 

@panelsfurnitureasia 

Scan 

to subscribe 

to PFA’s 

enewsletter 

All rights reserved. Views of writers do not necessarily reflect the views of the Publisher. No part 

of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, without prior permission in 

writing from the Publisher and copyright owner. Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy 

of the information in this publication, the Publisher accepts no liability for damages caused 

by misinterpretation of information, expressed or implied, within the pages of the magazine. 

All advertisements are accepted on the understanding that the Advertiser is authorised to 

publish the contents of the advertisements, and in this respect, the Advertiser shall indemnify 

the Publisher against all claims or suits for libel, violation of right of privacy and copyright 

infringements. Panels & Furniture Asia is a controlled-circulation magazine with six issues a year. 

It is mailed free-of-charge to readers who meet a set of criteria. Paid subscription is available 

to those who do not fit our terms of control. Please refer to subscription form provided in the 

publication for more details. Printed by Times Printers Pte Ltd 


Expo Shanghai 2024 

www.sylvawoodexpo.com 

5 th 

Edition 

VENUE: 

SHANGHAIMART EXPO 

99 XING YI ROAD 

SHANGHAI CHINA 

24 – 26 

JUNE 2024 

ASIA’S SPECIALISED 

WOOD MATERIALS 

WOOD PRODUCTS 

TRADE SHOW 

Location 

QR Code 

ORGANISERS: 

SUPPORTED BY: 

China Timber & Wood 

Products Distribution 

Association 

Shanghai 

Timber Trade 

Association 

Pablo Publishing & 

Exhibition Pte Ltd 

French 

Timber 

American 

Hardwood 

Export Council 

Softwood 

Export Council 

Canada 

Wood 

Thai Timber 

Association 

Malaysian 

Timber Council 

National 

Hardwood Lumber 

Association 

INTERNATIONAL 

WeChat 

Pablo Publishing & Exhibition Pte Ltd 

William 

Tel: +65 9621 4283 / +65 6266 5512 

Email: williampang@pabloasia.com 

FOR SALES ENQUIRIES 

CHINA 

Rain Ma 

Tel: 182 1755 3837( WeChat Contact ) 

Email: pablobeijing@163.com 

Ellen Gao 

Tel: 139 1092 3635 ( WeChat Contact ) 

Email: hare30@126.com 

VIETNAM 

Bùi Thanh Tâm (Ms. Tina, Sales Manager) 

Tel: (+84)346 935 902 

Email: tam@pabloasia.com 

Nguyễn Thị Nam (Ms. Bella, Sales Manager) 

Tel: (+84)901 358 642 

Email: namnguyen@pabloasia.com

NEWS 

Launch of new wood and 

woodworking trade show 

in Hanoi, Vietnam 

Wood and woodworking players looking 

to break into the furniture market in 

Hanoi, Vietnam can finally do so at the 

upcoming Hanoi Wood Expo exhibition from 

29 May-1 Jun 2024. 

Held at the National Exhibition Construction 

Center (NECC), the exhibition will be held 

concurrently with Hanoi Furniture Fittings & 

Upholstery Expo. 

Both exhibitions aim to serve the domestic 

and export furniture manufacturing markets 

in Hanoi — a market that is, according to 

William Pang, managing director of Pablo 

Publishing & Exhibition, a “huge, underserved 

market”. 

“Currently, most trade exhibitions for 

wood materials, software and machinery 

in Vietnam are concentrated in the South, 

targeting export-oriented furniture 

companies. While this region has been 

prosperous, the past few months of 

instability in the US and Europe markets have 

led to a slowdown in furniture export in South 

Vietnam,” said Pang. 

“North Vietnam tells a different, more 

exciting story. In recent times, many multinational 

companies and furniture companies 

have relocated their factories to North 

Vietnam, and Hanoi city has had a huge 

increased in tourism. This promises good 

opportunities for wood materials, software 

and machinery companies. 

“But there is no specialised woodworking 

exhibition in North Vietnam to bridge Hanoi 

furniture making companies with materials 

and machinery suppliers. To bridge this gap 

and in consideration Hanoi’s huge potential, 

we are pleased to announce the launch 

of Hanoi Wood Expo and Hanoi Furniture 

Fittings & Upholstery Expo 2024.” 

Hanoi Wood Expo and Hanoi Furniture 

Fittings & Upholstery Expo 2024 will exhibit 

raw materials and supplies woodworking 

machinery and tools; surface treatment 

and finishing solutions; fittings such as 

kitchen and office furniture hardware and 

decorative profiles; upholstery products 

including fabrics, leathers, springs and 

more; and Industry 4.0 solutions for the 

efficient furniture production. 

The expected visitor profile includes 

players from the wood panel and furniture 

manufacturing industry; the architectural 

and interior design industries; the 

construction industry; and more. 

More details about the exhibitions will be 

announced closer to the exhibition date. 

HANOI AT A GLANCE 

Furniture manufacturer players all around, 

Hanoi ranks third in Vietnam in terms of the 

concentration of furniture factories, only 

slightly behind Ho Chi Minh City. 

The domestic furniture market in Vietnam 

boasts a US$5-6bn demand. Of which, 

in Hanoi, the demand for furniture 

and furnishing is set to exponentially 

increase in the coming months to tackle 

the booming real estate and hospitality 

segments: 66 new hotels projects with 

11,123 rooms, and many more restaurants 

and cafes are expected to be built in 2024. 

The urbanisation rate in Hanoi is expected 

to reach 62% by 2025 and increase to 75% 

by 2030 from 49% currently. 

Residential properties in Hanoi are 

projected to reach $4.2bn in demand, 

especially as the demand for furniture 

shopping in Hanoi has been increasing in 

recent years. 

With a high household income rivalling 

wealthy countries like Singapore and 

Hong Kong, and with a growing need for 

functional and aesthetically pleasing living 

spaces, Hanoi has developed a significant 

market for wood furniture and interior 

design companies. 

Currently, around 1,100 wood processing 

and furniture manufacturing enterprises 

are operating in Hanoi, and more than 

2,000 enterprises across North Vietnam. 

However, to keep up with the demand, 

furniture manufacturers need state-ofthe-art 

equipment to meet increased 

production. Hanoi Wood Expo and Hanoi 

Furniture Fittings & Upholstery Expo 2024 

will be the perfect opportunity to tap into 

this demand. P 

To know more about the furniture market in Hanoi, 

turn to page 58. 


NEWS 

Red Sea attacks affect shipments 

from the EU to Asia 

Global supply chains have been affected by 

attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, resulting in 

soaring freight rates. 

In particular, the trade route to Asia from 

European suppliers have been affected. To 

avoid the Red Sea route, vessels are sailing 

around Africa and this has disrupted delivery 

schedules. 

Aerial view on the harbor 

of the Red Sea, Sinai, 

Middle East 

Ocean carrier MSC has reportedly increase 

rates in response to this. Under the US 

Shipping Act, ocean carriers must give a 

30-day notice before raising rates, but the 

Federal Maritime Commission has waived 

this for shipments from Asia to the US routed 

around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. 

Swedish Forest Industries have been affected 

by the attacks as well. According to Christian 

Nielsen, market expert wood products 

at Swedish Forest Industries, Sweden in 

particular is hit badly and costs have jumped 

by 100-200%. 

Going around the Cape of Good Hope instead 

of via the Suez Canal can take up to 30 extra 

days for a round trip, she said. 

“The current situation may continue for some 

time and result in cost increases, but above all 

increased uncertainty for the industry and for 

forest industry customers,” she said. 

(w): www.baillie.com 

(e): info@baillie.com 

(p): 716-649-2850 

“However, since the autumn, there has been 

overcapacity of containers and vessels. Until 

now, shipping rates from Europe to Asia have 

been unusually low, which reduces near-term 

risk and helps calm the situation somewhat.” 

There are a few alternatives to sawnwood 

imports from Europe, which appears to affect 

finished product prices in the region. 

Sweden is one of the world’s largest producers 

of pulp, paper and sawn wood products. Eighty 

percent of Swedish forest industry products 

are sold to other countries. P 

Source: ITTO, Swedish Forest Industries 

MARCH / APRIL 2024 | PANELS & FURNITURE ASIA 9

NEWS 

HOMAG invites visitors to 

their Technology Days from 

March to May 

HOMAG has announced their Technology 

Days for 2024, where visitors can 

experience their solutions first hand at 

HOMAG locations throughout Germany. 

Currently, there are four Technology 

Days planned: the first from 12-14 Mar, 

the second from 10-12 Apr, the third 

from 16-17 Apr, and the last from 14-15 

May. 

Each Technology Day focuses on a 

different technology segment that 

HOMAG specialises in. According to the 

machine manufacturer, the main goals 

of these days are not only to showcase 

their technology, but also to interact 

with existing and new customers. 

12-14 MAR, HOLZBRONN 

The focus of this first session is on 

HOMAG’s sawing, cutting and panel 

dividing technology. They will showcase 

entry solutions such as their SAWTEQ 

S-200 and updated SAWTEQ S-300 

flexTec robotic saw, and nesting 

solutions such as their CENTATEQ 

N-210. 

HOMAG will also be extending their 

opening hours to allow visitors to talk 

shop and exchange discussions with 

their experts. 

10-12 APR, HERZEBROCK 

The focus of the second session is on 

CNC and edge processing technology. 

Visitors are privy to new perspectives 

and various options for optimising work 

processes, from digital workflows and 

smart machine integration concepts to 

automated production solutions. 

The new EDGETEQ S-200 with a new, 

top-mounted gluing unit for PUR or 

EVA, as well as the new EDGETEQ 

S-380 will be showcased, along with 

the DRILLTEQ V-310. 

16-17 APR, SCHOPFLOCH 

The third session is dedicated to 

component production, where visitors 

can experience technologies that 

facilitate and optimise the production of 

high-quality windows, stairs and doors. 

The CENTATEQ S-800 or S-900 for 

automated window production, bar 

processing and block frame production, 

from entry-level to customised system 

concepts, will be featured. There will 

also be specialist presentations on their 

technology. 

This session will also celebrate 25 years of 

HOMAG window production technology. 

14-15 MAY, SCHOPFLOCH 

Lastly, this session will focus on edge 

processing and automation technology. 

HOMAG’s new EDGETEQ S-200 is featured 

here at Schopfloch as well, and the 

EDGETEQ S-500 will also be on display. P 


NEWS 

i4F enters multi-faceted 

partnership with cork 

products manufacturer 

Amorim 

Based in Portugal, 

Amorim is a producer of 

cork-based products, 

including cork flooring 

and wall decorations 

(Image: Amorim) 

MAGENTIFY 

YOUR 

CUT 

PANEL SIZING SAW BLADES 

TC tipped 

LEUCO U-Cut: for Universal use 

LEUCO Q-Cut: for Quality cuts 

whether single panels or stacks 

DP tipped – for extra long edge lives 

DP tipped & coated teeth – 

for extra ordinary long edge lives > 

innovation only with LEUCO! 

i4F, a group of companies providing patents 

and technologies to the flooring industry, 

has announced that it has signed multiple 

agreements with cork products manufacturer 

Amorim, including a strategic patent 

partnership and two license agreements. 

Through the patent partnership, i4F has 

secured exclusive licensing rights to Amorim’s 

sustainable rigid bio-cork composite patent 

portfolio and will represent Amorim on 

IP-related matters associated with those 

technologies. 

Simultaneously, Amorim has signed two license 

agreements, covering i4F’s drop-lock and 

digital printing technologies. Amorim has also 

acquired a JUPITER digital printing line with 

DLE plus from Hymmen, delivering directon-board 

digitally printed decors and digitally 

embossed-in-register lacquer structures. 

Amorim’s rigid bio-cork composite is reportedly 

100% plastic- and PVC-free. The bio-cork core 

consists of a matrix material comprising cork 

particles as well as other bio and recycled 

materials. 

End products boast a low to negative carbon 

footprint while delivering performance 

comparable to, or even surpassing that of 

traditional rigid-core products. 

The introduction of i4F’s drop-lock at Amorim’s 

facilities will begin in early 2024, according to 

i4F. i4F drop-lock technologies consist of waterresistant 

flooring installation systems. They are 

said to be 30% faster to install than traditional 

angle/angle, and are suitable for existing highspeed 

production. 

Fernando Melo, CEO of Amorim Cork Flooring, 

said: “At Amorim, our mission is to provide 

sustainable and innovative cork solutions 

that enhance people’s lives while promoting 

environmental stewardship. Teaming up 

with i4F aligns seamlessly with these values, 

facilitating broader access to our magic formula 

for sustainable cork flooring. 

“This collaboration not only streamlines the 

installation process for our products but also 

allows for limitless designs digitally printed onto 

our cork products, improving overall aesthetics.” 

Commenting on the new partnership, i4F CEO, 

John Rietveldt, added: “As we embark on this 

exciting journey together, the opportunities 

are endless. We are proud to represent 

Amorim’s unwavering commitment to fortifying 

sustainable cork-based materials and 

practices.” 

Digital printing is poised to play a pivotal role in 

the future of floor and wall products, offering 

endless design possibilities and embossingin-register 

flexibility. This capability not only 

enables swifter responses to market demands 

but also provides an enhanced means of leading 

in design and decor. P 

LEUCO offers perfect 

sets of main and scoring 

saw blades 

CONTACT LEUCO: 

MALAYSIA 

Melaka: LEUCO Malaysia Sdn. Bhd 

T +60 6 336 1268, leucomy@leuco.com.my 

THAILAND 

Bangkok: LEUCO Tooling (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 

T +66 2 749 5569-70, inquiry@leuco.co.th 

VIETNAM 

Long An Province: LEUCO Vietnam Co., Ltd 

T +84 272 3715838, leucovn@leuco.com 

INDONESIA 

Jakarta: P.T. Indotooling Sejati 

T +62 21 6508743, maria_indotooling@yahoo.co.id 

Sidoarjo: P.T. Akses Kita Utama 

T +62 318916941, marketing@indotooling-abadi.com 

Medan: CV. Kimplas Makmur Sejati 

T +62 614 15 8338, cv.kms@outlook.com 

PHILIPPINES 

Quezon City: Orgaline Innovative Products Inc. 

T +63 2 8932 7651 / +63 2 8932 5401 

marketing@orgaline.com.ph 

www.leuco.com 

MARCH / APRIL 2024 | PANELS & FURNITURE ASIA 11 

2021-02_Plattenaufteilsaegen-02_60x250.indd 1 22.01.2024 12:43:38

NEWS 

EGGER Group acquires minority stake in 

Thai wood-based manufacturer Panel Plus 

environmental consciousness. Creating added 

value, a zero-waste concept and sustainable 

growth was always our focus,” said Amporn 

Kanjanakumnerd, CEO of Panel Plus. 

“We are excited to announce our strategic 

partnership with EGGER, one of the world’s 

largest wood-based materials manufacturers. 

This collaboration will enable us with a wide 

range of resources and capabilities with 

cutting-edge technology that we can utilise to 

better serve our customers. 

Panel Plus’ main production plant is located in Hat Yai in the southern Thai province of Songkhla 

With the goal of further strengthening its own 

market position in Asia, the EGGER Group has 

acquired a 25.1% stake in the Thai woodbased 

material manufacturer Panel Plus. 

The purchase agreement was signed on 30 

Nov 2023 and the closing took place on 3 Jan 

2024. The parties have agreed not to disclose 

the purchase price and further details of the 

transaction. 

“As a significant growth market, Asia plays an 

important role in our strategic considerations. 

We have been considering expanding our 

presence there for some time now, we have 

found the ideal partner in this respect,” said 

Thomas Leissing, CFO of EGGER Group and 

speaker of the Group Management in Panel 

Plus. 

“Panel Plus has state-of-the-art production 

sites and a product portfolio that is perfectly 

tailored to regional requirements. We are 

convinced that we will benefit greatly from 

their local expertise and will be able to exploit 

further growth opportunities together. We are 

delighted with this strategic partnership.” 

materials such as chipboard and mediumdensity 

fibreboard (MDF) panels, both 

laminated and unlaminated. 

Their main production plant is located in 

Hat Yai in the southern Thai province of 

Songkhla. There is a raw chipboard line, two 

MDF lines as well as in-house impregnation 

units and 10 lamination lines. 

A large proportion of the energy required 

comes from the company’s own biomass 

power plants. Panel Plus has additional 

upgrading capacities at the production site 

in Samut Sakorn, Thailand, and two further 

upgrading facilities in Malaysia and Vietnam 

are currently under construction and will 

become operational in 2024. 

In total, approximately 800 employees 

at Panel Plus produce a total volume of 

800,000m 3 wood-based materials per 

year. Panel Plus is a subsidiary of the Mitr 

Phol Group, a private group of companies 

whose main business areas include sugar 

production, renewable energy, and woodbased 

material production. 

“By combining EGGER’s deep industry 

knowledge and expertise with our own 

local innovative solutions, we are confident 

this new venture will be beneficial for our 

customers as we will leverage each other’s 

strengths with striving for excellence in our 

pursuit.” 

Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam are the 

core markets of Panel Plus. The core target 

groups are the local furniture industry and 

distributors. Growing market demand, 

state-of-the-art production technology, and 

the capacity of Panel Plus, combined with 

EGGER’s input to expand the product portfolio, 

form the foundation for a collaborative value 

creation. 

The EGGER Group has an established sales 

organisation in Asia with its own sales offices 

in Shanghai, China; Tokyo, Japan; and Ho Chi 

Minh City, Vietnam. 

The stake in Panel Plus now gives EGGER 

the opportunity to broaden its own market 

access, address additional customer target 

groups and further expand availability and 

service for them. 

Both parties are convinced that they can 

successfully realise growth potential 

together. They have agreed not to disclose 

the purchase price and further details of the 

transaction. P 

Panel Plus was founded in 1990 and today 

produces a wide range of wood-based 

“From the very beginning, Panel Plus has 

been committed to innovative products and 

To know more about EGGER's investment plans in South 

East Asia, turn to page 27. 


NEWS 

Australian Panels orders new MDF line 

from Siempelkamp 

Siempelkamp has announced a new 

medium-density fibreboard (MDF) line 

ordered by Australian Panels. According 

to Siempelkamp, this will be the sixth 

Siempelkamp plant for the Australian 

panelboard producer. 

“With the new, sixth order, the number of 

Siempelkamp equipment at Australian 

Panels increases to four MDF plants and two 

plants for the production of particleboard,” 

said Geoff Robson, managing director of 

Siempelkamp. 

Australian Panels last opted for a Siempelkamp 

particleboard plant in August 2023, which will 

be reportedly “the largest in Australia” with an 

annual capacity of over 650,000m³. It will also 

be built at the Mount Gambier site. 

Siempelkamp ContiRoll 

(Image: Siempelkamp) 

Optimizing Rip Saw 

w/ 2D scanner feeding system 

MRS-450M / MRS-610M 

Heavy-duty, suitable for Mass production 

3~4 movable saw blades 

Cutting width: 450 mm / 610 mm 

Cutting 8~10 boards per minutes 

“We are proud that Australian Panels operates 

its wood-based panel production exclusively 

with Siempelkamp equipment. And last but 

not least that we have supplied our customer 

with the longest MDF plant in the history of 

our company,” Robson said. 

The new order for the Mont Gambier location 

includes the forming and press line including 

a ContiRoll in the format 8ft x 78.6m, the 

gluing and the cooling and stacking lines. The 

scope of supply also includes Pallmann’s drum 

chipper, CMC Texpan’s wood chip screening 

system, and Büttner’s drying system. 

The plant will be designed in heavy-duty size 

two, which, according to Siempelkamp, is 

characterised by the high running stability 

of the steel belt. This ensures maximum 

service life of the components under special 

conditions, for example, under high forces. 

Envision a 

GREENER Future 

Reducing material waste 

Labor-saving, Energy-saving 

MRS-340M 

For High-Mix Low-Volume Manufacturing, 

suitable for wood preparation in medium 

/ small factories 

2~3 movable saw blades 

Cutting width: 340 mm 

Cutting 4~5 boards per minutes 

The raw material used will be light pinus 

radiata, a non-porous coniferous wood that is 

particularly suitable as a feed material for the 

production of fibreboard and particleboard. 

The MDF plant will be delivered in May 2025 

and production is scheduled to start at the 

beginning of 2026. P 

See us at CIFM 

Interzum Guangzhou 

Booth No: 12.1E01b 

(28~31.03.2024) 


MARKET REPORT 

How have US hardwood 

exports to South East Asia 

performed in 2023? 

Regional director of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) 

Greater China and South East Asia region, John Chan, updates 

Yap Shi Quan about the slow market in South East Asia, and 

shares how AHEC plans to boost their presence in the region 

with a “multi-pronged approach”. 

remain their key drivers of volume. 

In particular, American ash (6%) 

was their top species for Thailand 

and the Philippines. But AHEC is not 

concerned with promoting these 

species. 

According to Chan, 2023 has been 

a “challenging” year for American 

hardwood exports to South East Asia 

and Greater China. As a whole, exports 

to Greater China and South East 

Asia declined 21.3% in the first three 

quarters of 2023 compared to 2022. 

“Exports to South East Asia saw a yearon-year 

fall of 36.3% in the first three 

quarters of 2023 compared to 2022,” 

Chan went on to elaborate. “Vietnam 

is the biggest market for hardwood 

in South East Asia, where factories 

produce furniture that is exported to 

the world. Slow economic growth and 

persistent inflation at a global level 

contributed to the fall in demand for 

American hardwood.” 

The “bright spark” for them was a spike 

in sales in Q3 2023 compared to Q2. 

This was a similar trend in Greater 

China as well. 

As for the types of wood species in 

demand in South East Asia, Chan 

mentioned that American white 

oak (37.7%), yellow poplar (25.9%), 

walnut (18.6%) and red oak (15.7%) 

Data recently by the United States 

Department of Agriculture shows 

exports of American red oak lumber to 

Indonesia increased by 15% in volume 

in 2023, making it the dominant 

species of choice for that market. New 

figures have also shown that American 

white oak lumber continues to be the 

most popular oak in Vietnam, which 

is the biggest importer of American 

species in the region, with year-onyear 

volume growth of 3% to 89,000m 3 

and a value of nearly US$49m. 

“AHEC has always encouraged good 

stewardship of the forest’s resources,” 

he explained. “One of the ways to do 

that is to use all the species the forests 

provide rather than a select few. As 

such, we will continue to promote the 

use of underutilised species, including 

red oak, maple and cherry.” 

“Cambodia is an interesting emerging 

market for us,” Chan added. “And 

while in many ways the South East 

Asia market as a whole has been 


MARKET REPORT 

challenging, we are lucky that in 

many markets in the region the 

importers, manufacturers, designers 

and architects are very sophisticated 

in their understanding and use of 

different species and are willing 

to consider the opportunities that 

different species present. They also 

recognise the shifting demands of the 

global consumer and so particularly 

value the strong and proven 

environmental credentials of US 

hardwoods. We are delighted that our 

industry can supply raw materials that 

meet their exacting needs.” 

GOING INTO 2024 

Chan hopes that inflation will plateau 

and the world economy would return 

to a normal growth trajectory in the 

new year. Regardless, AHEC remains 

committed to South East Asia, and 

will cater to the region’s needs with a 

“multi-pronged approach” into three 

areas: trade exhibitions, design, and 

technology. 

wood, a sustainable material, and with 

a focus on making furniture and design 

more accessible to the consumer 

community. 

In Singapore, AHEC will display 10 

pieces of furniture at the Red Dot 

Design Museum in May. These pieces 

are made of red oak, maple and cherry 

— aforementioned wood species that 

are underutilised. 

Lastly, on the technology front, AHEC 

is looking to promote the use of 

technology to increase the possible 

applications of American hardwood. 

A good example is thermally modified 

timber (TMT). 

The TMT process is essentially a 

high intensity kiln schedule that 

lasts between three to four days. 

The temperature reaches between 

180-215°C and the vacuum of the kiln 

provides an oxygen-free atmosphere 

which prevents combustion from 

occurring. During the process, the 

chemical and physical properties of the 

timber undergo permanent change. 

The cooking process removes the 

hemicelluloses and carbohydrates from 

the timber making it more resistant to 

pests and fungi and lowers the moisture 

absorbency of the wood so it does not 

need further chemical protection. 

It also means that the timber has 

greater dimensional stability, it is not 

susceptible to warping, swelling and 

shrinking, regardless of variations in 

temperature and humidity and hence is 

excellent for outdoor applications. P 

LEGEND 

1 The Hoa Mai 

Design Award 

participants 

2 Naguri Side 

Table, designed 

by Jarrod Lim 

and collaboration 

with Indonesian 

manufacturer 

Omega Mas, 

uses thermally 

modified wood 

For trade, AHEC will continue to 

participate in trade shows across the 

region over the course of the year, 

while also continuing to do trade visits. 

On the design end, they believe that 

educating the specifier community on 

the benefits on American hardwood 

is crucial in promoting its usage. They 

have a few design projects lined up this 

year. For example, the Hoa Mai Design 

Award in March recognises young 

Vietnamese talent who use American 

hardwood in their designs. Eleven 

designers have been chosen to feature 

their designs at the White Palace 

Convention Center during the HAWA 

Expo from 6-9 Mar 2024, according to 

AHEC’s press release on the Hoa Mai 

Design Award. 

1 

The award is in its 20th iteration. 

Over the past two decades, they have 

inspired an entire new generation of 

young designers in Vietnam, said Chan. 

This year’s competition took a different 

approach compared to previous years, 

aiming to retell the award narrative by 

advocating sustainable design using 

2 


ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 

Calculating carbon storage 

in wooden furniture 

The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) 

has launched an online calculator to calculate the carbon storage of 

wooden furniture. How does it work, and how is it part of the bigger 

picture of lowering global carbon footprint? 

By Yap Shi Quan 

Sustainability is no longer a trend 

now. It would not be farfetched 

to say that the global mindset 

has shifted to sustainability 

becoming a responsibility. It is a 

necessary requirement in trade, 

and consumers have become 

more and more conscious of the 

carbon footprint of the products 

they buy. 

How can businesses start to be more 

mindful of carbon footprint? One way 

is by understanding and monitoring 

the carbon storage of products they 

produce. Whatever material it is made 

with, every furniture item inherently 

stores carbon. The more carbon it 

stores and the longer the furniture item 

stores it, the better; the goal is to not 

release the carbon into the atmosphere. 

CALCULATING CARBON STORAGE IN 

FURNITURE 

To encourage wooden furniture 

manufacturers and consumers to learn 

more about carbon storage, the PEFC 

has released an online calculator that 

estimates how much carbon a wooden 

furniture contains — not including 

the non-wooden parts, which the 

calculator cannot calculate. 1 



Fig. 1 

Calculating the carbon storage is 

simple with PEFC’s calculator. There 

are two ways to go about it, as shown 

in Fig. 1: The first way is to measure 

the length, width and thickness of 

the furniture. This probably has 

to be done multiple times for the 

various parts of a furniture item, 

since different parts have different 

measurements and might be made 

of different materials. The second 

way is to determine the volume of 

the furniture item. This is more for 

irregularly shaped furniture. 

Other values that need to be keyed 

in include the material type and 

the wood density. The material 

is subcategorised to solid wood, 

plywood, particleboard, oriented 

strand board (OSB), medium- or 

high-density fibreboard (MDF or 

HDF). 

For wood density, the PEFC has 

provided a reference list, but 

they encourage manufacturers 

or consumers to check the data 

sheet that wood suppliers provide, 

that should contain the density 

information of the wood. Otherwise, 

manufacturers or consumers can 

calculate the density themselves. 

Also, in general, the higher the 

density, the higher the amount of 

carbon stored in the wood. 

HOW DOES IT WORK? 

There is a specific formula to 

calculate the carbon stored in 

wooden furniture. This formula is the 

basis behind PEFC’s calculator, with 

some preset values. 

The carbon stored in wood (CO2 

in kilograms) is equivalent to the 

multiplication of the fraction of 

carbon in the wood (f c), the weight 

of a carbon atom in a CO2 molecule 

(3.67) and the total weight of oven-dry 

wood, as seen in Fig. 2. The weight 

of oven-dry wood can be calculated 

using the values of the wood density 

(kg/m 3 ), the volume of wood (m 3 ), 

the moisture of wood content in 

percentage (u/100), and the fraction 

of wood in the wood-based product 

(f w). 

Although the calculator uses 

preset values, which might lower 

the accuracy, the results obtained 

from the calculator are still reliable, 

according to PEFC. They have 

determined 0.5 to be the carbon 

fraction in wood as an average 

for the calculator. There are more 

detailed values based on the wood 

species and provenance, which 

can be found online. The fraction 

of wood in solid wood products is 

1, while other products made with, 

for example, MDF or OSB varies 

because of the presence of glue and 

depending on the manufacturing 

process. Estimates are incorporated 

into the online calculator. 

Moisture content in solid wood is 

roughly 12%, and 10% for engineered 

wood products; although in theory, 

the moisture content varies 

according to the humidity in the 

air, geographical location, seasons, 

building type, and more. Water does 

not contain carbon, and hence has to 

be removed from the equation. 

Fig. 2 

CIRCULAR ECONOMY 

It is important to note that carbon 

storage is merely a subset of carbon 

footprint. Carbon footprint refers to 

more than just the carbon stored in 

furniture, but also considers emissions 

generated from the manufacturing 

process, the logistical aspects like 

transportation, and more. 

To calculate the carbon footprint, 

a lifecycle assessment (LCA) of 

the product is needed, more than 

just a carbon storage calculator. 

Furthermore, for a product to truly be 

carbon neutral — which is to say, for the 

carbon to be off-set — it has to store 

carbon for at least 100 years, according 

to PEFC. This a lifetime which most 

furniture items rarely achieve. 

Even so, understanding how much 

carbon is stored in a product is still 

key to lowering the global carbon 

footprint, especially in an attempt to be 

carbon neutral or net zero by 2050, as 

stipulated by the Paris Agreement. 

While carbon storage in forest is 

dynamic and changes over time, 

carbon storage in furniture is static, 

remains in the product throughout its 

lifecycle, and only gets released into 

the atmosphere when it is burned. 

Prolonging the product’s lifetime 

therefore helps the carbon footprint, 

since it delays the carbon from being 

released. As the PEFC noted in their 

booklet: “The [cascading use of wood] 

aims to prolong the permanence of 

wood biomass within a given system, 

based on various strategies that 

include extending the service life 

of wood products, and reusing and 

recycling them”. 

More importantly, for all these 

calculations on carbon storage to really 

contribute to the larger picture, the 

furniture has to be manufactured with 



sustainable timber. If the timber used 

is sourced from illegal timberlands 

that use unethical harvesting methods 

that contribute to deforestation, then 

all the carbon storage is for nought; 

the carbon footprint of that particular 

product is still unsustainable. 

Certifications such as from the PEFC 

and their national counterparts 

therefore help to ensure the wooden 

furniture products are made with 

sustainable timber. As PEFC puts 

it: “Sustainable forest management 

(SFM) certification assures forests 

are managed in line with challenging 

environmental, social and economic 

requirements. Chain of custody (CoC) 

certification tracks forest-based 

products from sustainable sources to 

the final product”. 

According to Hubert Inhaizer, 

technical officer of PEFC 

International, the benchmark for 

PEFC’s SFM is based on six criterions, 

two of which he discussed in a 

webinar: first, the “maintenance or 

enhancement of forest resources 

and their contribution to the global 

carbon cycle”. 2 This criterion 

ensures the quality and quantity of 

forest resources, and ensures that 

the forest is capable of storing and 

sequestering carbon for the medium 

to long terms. 

Second, the “maintenance or 

enhancement of protective functions 

in forest management”, especially 

for “soil and water”. This standard 

that “the protective functions of 

forests for society, such as their 

potential role in erosion control, 

flood prevention, water purification, 

climate regulation, carbon 

sequestration, and other regulating 

or supporting ecosystem services” to 

be maintained. 

The PEFC also declared that their 

certifications not directly issued by 

them, but by third-party certification 

bodies who audit and comply with 

ISO procedures. All these aims to 

ensure that the wooden furniture is 

sustainably made, that ultimately, 

it contributes to a healthier carbon 

footprint. P 

References 

1. PEFC. CO2 online calculator and booklet. 

2. YouTube. Carbon storage in wooden furniture. 

 

If the wooden 

furniture reaches 

its end of life and is 

disposed, the carbon 

inside it gets released 

into the atmosphere 


IN PERSON 

Wood-Mizer sawmills help 

cultivate growth and 

women’s empowerment 

in Pakistan 

Silk Road trading route between China 

and Europe. She learned much from 

foreign consultants with expertise in 

renovating and reconstructing heritage 

sites, gaining skills such as topographic 

and architectural surveying and 

drafting. In 2008, the Norwegian 

embassy, a supporter of the Aga Khan 

Trust for Culture, visited Gilgit-Baltistan 

and was impressed by the unique 

woodworking skills demonstrated by 

the young women in the Hunza Valley. 

Ciqam, a Pakistani 

furniture 

manufacturer, aims 

to help women 

achieve economic 

independence 

Ciqam Green Solutions, also known 

as Ciqam, operates in the far north of 

Pakistan, near China, specifically in the 

Hunza Valley. This region is known for its 

mountains and villages, approximately 

2,500m above sea level. Once ruled by 

princes, the Hunza Valley is rich with 

heritage sites. 

Ciqam translates to “green” in 

Burushaski, symbolising growth and 

prosperity. Ciqam is committed to 

empowering women, promoting gender 

equality, and fostering sustainability. 

Wood-Mizer had the opportunity to 

speak with Aqeela Bano, the CEO of 

Ciqam, to gain insight into how the 

company is helping women in Pakistan 

overcome social and cultural obstacles 

to achieve economic empowerment. 

“We used to collaborate with an 

agency of the Aga Khan Cultural 

Services Pakistan (AKCSP) that 

focuses on preserving and promoting 

cultural heritage sites,” said Aqeela. 

“The project’s goal was to create 

opportunities for young women 

from poor households in heritage 

development projects for AKCSP. The 

women would work in jobs such as 

carpentry, plumbing, and masonry, 

largely considered men’s jobs in 

Pakistan, challenging the traditional 

view of femininity.” 

Aqeela joined AKSCP as a trainee at 

a young age when the organisation 

was renovating a 1,100-year-old Altit 

Fort, one of the oldest monuments of 

Gilgit-Baltistan, that overlooked the 

Sponsored by the Norwegian embassy, 

the group had the opportunity to 

visit Norway for two weeks to learn 

from woodworkers and gain insights 

from their practices. The embassy 

supported Ciqam in their journey, 

providing financial assistance 

from 2008-2016, just enough time 

to establish themselves as an 

independent business. 

“During this visit we first saw a 

Wood-Mizer machine and were 

impressed by its capabilities,” shared 

Aqeela. “Upon returning to Pakistan, 

we were grateful to learn that the 

Norwegian Embassy had decided 

to donate a machine to us, and we 

were hopeful that it would be a 

Wood-Mizer.” 

“Today, we proudly say we are running 

our own business as independent 

women. This aligns with one of 

the central goals of our project: 

empowering women to take charge 

of their lives and contribute to the 

economy.” 


IN PERSON 

WOOD-MIZER TECHNOLOGY 

“In Pakistan, it is common to find old 

and outdated machinery in sawmills and 

wood shops. The type of technology 

Wood-Mizer offers is unique and 

unheard of in Pakistan,” Aqeela said. 

“The new Wood-Mizer sawmills replaced 

our old bandsaw machine, which had 

exposed blades and was unsafe to use. 

Not only was it not very efficient, but it 

also required more labour to operate.” 

The new Wood-Mizer LT70 sawmill uses 

narrow-band blade-cutting technology. 

This blade produces thin-kerf in wood 

no more than 2mm thick. As a result, 

more boards can be made from each 

log, and less wood goes into sawdust. 

After the LT70 sawmill, the boards pass 

through a Wood-Mizer EG300 edger, 

which removes the edges and cuts the 

boards to the required size. Using these 

two Wood-Mizer machines in tandem 

increases productivity and makes work 

easier. 

The transition to Wood-Mizer improved 

safety and increased efficiency, 

allowing them to extract more from 

each log and reduce production times. 

“I am eager to bring in more machines 

and technology from Wood-Mizer as 

we continue to collaborate and grow,” 

Aqeela said. 

Ciqam specialises in three different 

product lines: They offer a range 

of well-crafted furniture including 

chairs, tables, and cabinets; they also 

specialise in windows, doors, flooring, 

wooden wall panelling and roofing, 

extending to heritage sites, ensuring 

their preservation and historical 

integrity; lastly, they repurpose leftover 

wood to craft tableware, utensils, toys, 

and musical instruments for their music 

school. They prioritise the efficient 

use of resources and ensure that 

nothing goes to waste. Recovery and 

repurposing are vital principles for them. 

COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL 

SUSTAINABILITY 

Aqeela advocates for environmental 

sustainability and expresses concerns 

over climate change. Living amid 

[We] face a very male-dominated society with 

discriminatory barriers dictating which jobs are for men and 

which are for women… We want to overcome this so that we 

are all equal as human beings with the same opportunities. 

Aqeela Bano 

CEO of Ciqam 

the Karakoram mountain range and 

glaciers, the topography in Gilgit- 

Baltistan features a narrow green belt 

atop the mountains, covering only 2% of 

the total 72,000km 2 . 

“We face significant risks of landslides. 

To mitigate it, we plant trees in areas 

prone to sliding, creating green 

belts that help prevent erosion and 

reverse carbon emissions. In the last 

three years alone, we have planted 

approximately 13,000 trees.” 

“We primarily work with what we 

call ‘green timber’, distinct from 

forest timber. In our region, forests 

offer wood such as juniper and 

deodar, while locally grown timber 

— like poplar, mulberry, walnut, and 

Russian olive — is termed green 

timber. Harvesting forest trees 

requires significant time, as some 

are over a century old, whereas 

green timber typically matures 

in 15-20 years and can easily be 

replanted.” 


IN PERSON 

Education is a crucial aspect of Ciqam’s 

mission. Through workshops and 

awareness campaigns, they aim to 

educate carvers, carpenters, and wood 

suppliers about the benefits of using 

locally sourced green timber instead of 

cutting down forest trees. 

GENDER EQUALITY AND ECONOMIC 

EMPOWERMENT 

Back in 2008, Ciqam initiated a project 

aimed at providing young women from 

poor households opportunities with 

jobs such as carpentry, plumbing, 

and masonry. With the support 

of the AKCSP, Ciqam has trained 

numerous women through an NGO 

before integrating the initiative into its 

business plan. 

“I believe in empowering women. 

Coming from a marginalised, lowincome 

family, I know many other 

girls in a similar situation who want to 

provide for their families,” said Aqeela. 

“Especially here in this area, we face 

a very male-dominated society with 

discriminatory barriers dictating which 

jobs are for men and which are for 

women. Many jobs are segregated by 

gender, and we want to overcome this 

so that we are all equal as human beings 

with the same opportunities. We want 

to ensure you can pursue whatever path 

you choose, whether you’re born a girl 

or a boy.” 

Together, they challenge traditional 

gender norms and open doors for 

women to new non-traditional 

professions. 

LEGEND 

1 The new Wood- 

Mizer LT70 

sawmill uses 

narrow-band 

blade-cutting 

technology that 

produces thinkerf 

in wood no 

more than 2mm 

thick 

2 Ciqam works 

with green 

timber, locally 

grown species 

like poplar, 

mulberry, walnut, 

and Russian olive 

which can be 

easily replanted 

1 

“I am honored to see the difference 

Ciqam has made,” said Christoff 

du Plessis, Wood-Mizer technical 

sales representative. “Among the 

100,000-plus sawmills Wood-Mizer 

has produced over its 40-year 

history, many are operated by female 

operators and entrepreneurs. It is 

amazing to have a business like Ciqam 

contributing to the local economy in 

Pakistan, and to see the community 

supporting women-owned businesses 

as elders and locals bless our 

machines to prosper.” P 

2 


PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT 

Välinge launches 

two new technologies 

More sustainable, more durable, and 

easier installation: Välinge has expanded 

their portfolio of installation and locking 

technologies in pursuit of these qualities. 

5G NXT panels 

can be taken apart 

piece-by-piece simply 

by tapping them 

Välinge has added two new solutions 

to their portfolio, both of which are 

unveiled at the recent DOMOTEX 

2024 exhibition. 

The first is a new locking system 

called 5G NXT, an addition to 

Välinge’s 5G flagship series. The 

second is Onepush, an installation 

technology featuring an integrated 

locking system that improves both 

the flexibility and durability of the 

new generation of resilient flooring 

products. 

5G NXT 

With 5G NXT, Välinge strove to take 

their 5G Fold Down technology to the 

next level without compromising any of 

its benefits. 

While improving on the 5G Fold Down’s 

ease and speed of flooring installation, 

5G NXT comes with a more sustainable 

insert, designed to reduce the 

environmental impact of wood flooring. 

This insert also makes it easier for 

manufacturers to install, remove and 

reinstall flooring repeatedly, with 

reportedly the “same results” again 

and again. 

“We developed 5G NXT to help 

flooring producers meet the new 

demands for more sustainable 

alternatives,” said Niklas Borgquist, 

key account manager at Välinge 

Innovation. 

Välinge’s press release stated that 

the upgraded insert is made from 

biomass-balanced materials with a 

75% lower carbon footprint, and the 



design enables tool-less dismantling 

by tapping the panels. 

“With our new technology panels 

can be dismantled piece-by-piece 

without the need to remove an entire 

row. This makes dismantling up to 

40% faster and significantly reduces 

the risk of damaging the panels 

compared to traditional solutions,” 

explained Caroline Landgård, business 

developer for Floor Locking at Välinge 

Innovation. 

“5G NXT is easy to use — and reuse — 

making it an ideal solution to create 

a unique offering and give customers 

more value for money,” Borgquist said. 

ONEPUSH 

Onepush features horizontal and 

vertical connections and a built-in 

flexibility that reduce the risk of 

panel damage during installation. 

This flexibility is created in the postforming 

process where the joints of 

the panels are shaped with heat. 

According to Välinge, the postforming 

method is jointly developed 

with European companies Inovame 

and Kreafin in an exclusive 

collaboration, where all three 

companies improved the method and 

the locking profile to offer a more 

flexible, durable and easier-to-use 

system. 

“The post-forming process enables 

a profile shape that is impossible to 

achieve with tools alone,” said Thierry 

Miclo, CEO at Inovame. “Onepush is a 

smart solution for all manufacturers 

who want to create resilient flooring 

that is easily installed and dismantled 

without using tools.” 

“Onepush overcomes the well-known 

limitations traditional locking systems 

for resilient flooring applications 

face,” commented Yves Michel, CEO at 

Kreafin, part of Gerflor. 

Olivier Ceysson, innovation and 

sustainability director at Gerflor 

Group, also added: ”The new Onepush 

locking system enables fast 

installation and easier dismantling, 

which is done by simply angling the 

panels out. The solution facilitates 

possible product reuse and is a great 

sustainable innovation.” 

“With resilient floors becoming more 

rigid, push down installations are 

put to the test. If the installation 

system is not flexible enough it may 

result in damages on the floor panels 

during installation,” explained Laetitia 

Kimblad, Floor Locking director at 

Välinge Innovation. “Onepush solves 

this problem brilliantly and efficiently 

thanks to its flexibility.” 

Kimblad concluded: ”We are happy 

to offer third parties various 

opportunities for cooperation in all 

areas, from research and development 

to licensing and commercialisation of 

a technology.” P 

Onepush features 

horizontal and 

vertical connections 

and a built-in 

flexibility that reduce 

the risk of panel 

damage during 

installation 



Intelligent edgebanding 

workstation for high-end 

customised furniture 

NB10-SMART 

In recent years, the market has 

shifted towards small batches and 

a variety of personalised demands 

as the norm. Additionally, there is a 

continuous increase in demands for 

furniture design and quality. In this 

competitive industry, both custommade 

furniture and high-end furniture 

enterprises face new challenges 

and changes in management, 

technology, manufacturing, sales, 

and market demands. This compels 

people to address the contradiction 

between market customisation 

demands and enterprise-scale 

production, which will lead to common 

changes in management, design, 

and craft technology to adapt. 

This transformation has driven the 

advancement of furniture production 

equipment technology. 

As an example, let’s consider the 

automatic edgebanding production 

line. The common edgebanding 

machines on the market are connected 

to automatic conveyor tables, 

achieving edgebanding automation 

through signal transmission. This 

allows for multiple edges to be banded 

in a single feeding, saving labour and 

increasing productivity. However, the 

current rise of high-end custom-made 

furniture demands that production 

enterprises not only consider 

intelligence, flexibility, and productivity 

but also ensure high product quality 

during production. Edgebanding, as 

one of the factors with the greatest 

impact on product quality, has led to 

the emergence of some edgebanding 

workstations that meet the craft 

requirements for high-end production. 

For example, recently introduced 

by Nanxing is the squaring system, 

which features intelligent flexible 

edgebanding lines with guides, paired 

with a fully servo-configured highspeed 

intelligent edgebanding machine, 

as well as left-right edgebanding lines 

tailored for narrow boards. 

EDGEBANDING WORKCELL WITH SQUARING 

In Nanxing’s edgebanding line, 

there are two high-speed intelligent 

edgebanding machines and squaring 

system, along with a conveyor table. 

With one pass, it can complete 

edgebanding on both the left and right 

sides. Equipped with an independent 

control system, it automatically 

scans and recognises the board’s 

processing information, reads the 

processing information, implements 

guiding, automatic switching of 

glue colour, selection of edgebands, 

trimming, corner rounding, and other 

operations. It can also interface with 

manufacturing enterprise system 

(MES) software to achieve data 

exchange. 



NB7CJMN-PC 

The main machine adopts the 

intelligent edgebanding machine 

NB10-SMART with a heavy-duty 

integral frame and a steel pressure 

beam to ensure high-speed and 

stable operation. The entire machine, 

including edge pasting, tape feeding, 

end cutting, fine trimming, corner 

rounding and scraping, all use servo 

adjustment. High-precision servo 

adjustment mechanisms such as 

servo horizontal alignment and dualhead 

servo corner rounding system 

reduce setup time, save material 

costs, improve processing efficiency, 

and ensure processing accuracy. The 

minimum workpiece size is 

250 × 120mm, and the maximum 

workpiece size is 2,800 × 1,200mm. 

The line speed can reach 32m/min, 

with an efficiency of approximately 

480 pieces per hour, making it 

efficient and fast. 

Due to the thermal pressing process 

of the panels, there is inevitably a 

slight banana bend during cutting, 

with diagonal errors typically around 

4mm. In the past, squaring was 

generally completed on doubleended 

mills or double-ended milling 

machine, but this method was more 

suitable for mass production and not 

for the small-batch, multi-variety 

production mode of customised 

production. The conveyor table and 

guiding device configured in this line 

adopt forward and side dual-direction 

pushing, with the side pushing using 

a gantry dual-push structure for 

guiding. This effectively ensures the 

perpendicularity of the workpiece 

and the diagonal length, effectively 

solving the problem of panel squaring 

in the batch-size-one production 

mode. Moreover, it adopts intelligent 

control, automatically adjusting the 

working mode of the pusher and side 

positioning mechanism according to 

the size of the workpiece, ensuring 

both edge efficiency and accuracy, 

thus improving product quality. Each 

machine is equipped with two sets 

of glue pots and 12-channel tape 

changing system to meet diverse 

edgebanding colour requirements. 

These address the pain points of 

users in edgebanding processes with 

intelligence, flexibility, efficiency, and 

stability. 

NARROW BOARD LEFT-RIGHT 

EDGEBANDING LINE 

In furniture production, there are 

many narrow strip boards, such 

as drawer panels and kickboards. 

However, due to the difficulty 

of stable feeding caused by the 

narrow width and high aspect 

ratio of the narrow boards and the 

spacing between adjacent conveyor 

rollers, most manufacturers 

still rely on standalone narrow 

board edgebanding machines for 

production, which cannot be applied 

to automated production lines. 

Nanxing has introduced a narrow 

board left-right edgebanding line 

specifically for automated narrow 

board edgebanding. By adding 

a narrow board feeding auxiliary 

device in front of the narrow board 

edgebanding machine, it ensures 

that the narrow boards enter the 

edgebanding machine smoothly 

and steadily for processing. The 

auxiliary device consists of six sets 

of synchronous conveying devices 

with stop cams connected by a 

synchronous device. When the board 

enters, the stop cams automatically 

rise, the upper baffle falls, the board 

position is aligned vertically, and 

the board is brought closer to the 

stop cams again at the entrance of 

the edgebanding machine through 

blocking, ensuring that the board 

enters the narrow board edgebanding 

machine smoothly and correctly. Since 

the conveying device does not have 

rollers, there is no restriction on narrow 

boards caused by roller spacing. The 

main edgebanding machine adopts 

the narrow board dedicated machine 

NB7CJMN-PC, equipped with dual 

glue pots, dual fine trimming units, 

dual scraping, and a PC control. The 

machine can automatically switch glue 

colours and knife positions based on 

processing information read by the 

automatic scanning device in front 

of the production line. It can process 

boards with lengths ranging from 

250-2,800mm and widths from 

50-250mm. This solution enables 

automated production of narrow 

boards and can connect up to four 

machines upon demand, forming a 

four-sided edgebander for narrow 

boards. 

Nanxing’s intelligent flexible 

edgebanding line, the squaring system, 

intelligent edgebanding machine, and 

the narrow board 

left-right edgebanding line represent 

a technological innovation compared 

to traditional edgebanding lines, 

emerging from the high-end 

customised furniture production 

model. The intelligent and flexible 

batch-size-one custom production 

mode ensures the best pass rate for 

both large and small board pieces, 

reduces pain points in production 

organisation, increases production 

efficiency, and ensures product quality 

with regards to squaring and glue lines, 

thereby reducing labour costs. P 



VacuMaster Charge: 

Ergonomics without 

needing a power socket 

How can the flexibility of Schmalz’s vacuum 

lifting device VacuMaster be enhanced? 

The vacuum specialist company has 

a simple answer: with a rechargeable 

battery that enables operators to work 

ergonomically without mains power. 

after the work is done, the lifting aid will 

be quickly put down, and the crane system 

will be ready for other services. 

The VacuMaster Charge comes with 

a switch-off suction plate for flexible 

changing of workpieces. Individual 

suction plates can be switched off for 

handling blanks or workpieces with 

recesses. It also comes with parking 

stands to park the lifting device safely and 

gently for the suction cups after work. 

Lastly, it comes with a water separator to 

protect the vacuum generator from moist 

workpieces. 

According to Schmalz, the VacuMaster 

Charge has a battery that provides 

enough power for an eight-hour shift 

in normal operation. Longer shifts 

should have minimal issues with an 

optional exchangeable battery: This 

allows employees to use the lifting 

device continuously over several shifts. 

The power storage unit supplies four 

diaphragm pumps with energy. Users 

have a suction rate of 8m 3 /h and a vacuum 

of 850 millibars at their disposal. The 

intelligent control system switches off 

the four pumps when the vacuum level 

is safe and thus ensures lower energy 

consumption and a longer battery life. 

Equipped to computerised numerical 

control (CNC) machining centres, Schmalz’s 

VacuMaster is a vacuum lifting device that 

can load and unload wooden boards up to 

750kg, depending on the model. According to 

Schmalz, for applications where many hands 

would normally be required, the VacuMaster 

allows workpieces to be handled more easily 

by just a single operator while protecting the 

employee’s health. 

The original VacuMaster is ergonomic 

by design, but recently Schmalz has 

launched a more ergonomic variant of the 

VacuMaster. With the new VacuMaster 

Charge, skilled workers can now also 

handle the aforementioned heavy loads 

independent of a power supply. This 

increases flexibility as only an overhead 

crane is required, without a need to 

connect to the power supply. Furthermore, 

Developed in the standard version for 

horizontal transport of suction-tight 

workpieces, the VacuMaster Charge can 

handle loads of up to 750kg. The modular, 

plug-and-play system allows users to 

adapt the battery-powered lifting device 

to individual requirements, as is the case 

with all models in the product family. It 

is configurable for different workpiece 

formats. P 


PANEL MANUFACTURING 

EGGER in 

South East Asia 

EGGER Group’s latest investment in South East Asia, the 

acquisition of a minority stake in Thai producer Panel Plus, is 

an indicator of the region’s strong growth potential. What about 

South East Asia attracts EGGER? Michael Egger Jr, CSO of the 

group, shares more with Yap Shi Quan. 

PANEL PLUS: OPENING UP PRODUCTION 

OPPORTUNITIES IN ASIA 

How has EGGER Group performed in 

the South East Asian market thus far? 

Michael Egger Jr: We have been active 

in the South East Asian market to the 

extent of a sales region for over 30 

years. Throughout this period, we have 

successfully built strong expertise 

and regional knowledge. Thanks to 

successful collaborations with our 

customers, we were able to experience 

significant growth in the past few years. 

Since 2018 we have been operating our 

own sales office in Ho Chi Minh City, 

Vietnam. We have expanded our team 

and are delighted to offer our wide 

EGGER product portfolio in the areas 

of decorative, flooring and building 

products to our customers. In addition 

to the production and distribution of 

our products in Europe and America, 

where we are represented with a total 

of 22 production plants, the Asian 

market is playing an increasingly 

important role in our strategic 

considerations. We see it as a 

significant growth market. 

EGGER will reportedly be contributing 

to expanding Panel Plus’ “product 

portfolio”. Can you briefly describe 

the group’s manufacturing and R&D 

capabilities, and how they can serve 

the South East Asian markets? 

Egger: Our strategic partnership with 

Panel Plus gives us the opportunity 

to broaden our own market access, 

address additional customer target 

Panel Plus’ main 

production plant is 

located in Hat Yai in 

the southern Thai 

province of Songkhla 



2 

1 

LEGEND 

1 One of the new introductions in the EGGER Decorative Collection 24+: 

the ST40 Feelwood Oakgrain, a new generation of the synchronised 

pore surfaces, supporting the trend of elegant, understated and matte 

wood effects, while still bringing a depth to the feel 

2 Black remains an important contrast in furniture and interior design, 

and EGGER’s TM28 PerfectSense Feelwood Nature Matt lacquer 

surface, with anti-fingerprint property, gives this uni colour tone a 

striking wood character with a matte finish in look and feel 

3 EGGER Capsules summarise inspiration and design solutions from 

the new Decorative Collection 24+; they also include shades of green, 

associated with the megatrend of sustainability 

groups and further expand availability 

and service for them. By offering 

the format that is well suited for the 

Asian market and that differs from 

the European format, we will be able 

to address new customer groups. For 

that reason, we plan to manufacture 

a defined product programme at 

Panel Plus. Additionally, Panel Plus’ 

customers will also be able to benefit 

from an extended product range 

from EGGER, including our worktops, 

laminates and edgebands and hence 

receive the complete product range out 

of one hand. 

While we have a well-established sales 

organisation in Asia with our own 

sales offices in Shanghai, Tokyo and 

Ho Chi Minh City, we do not yet have a 

production location there. Our strategic 

partnership with Panel Plus will 

therefore open up new opportunities for 

our international family company. 

What are EGGER’s next steps for 

South East Asia, and how do you 

cater to the diverse range of needs in 

this region? 

Egger: In terms of sales regions, 

South East Asia as a whole has been 

very interesting. Our main focus at the 

moment is to successfully strengthen 

our collaboration with Panel Plus 

within the framework of the minority 

stake that has just been finalised, 

and seizing the opportunities that 

come from this strategic partnership. 

Sustainable international growth is an 

essential part of the EGGER Group’s 

strategic agenda. We have been 

considering expanding our presence 

in Asia for some time now; in Panel 

Plus, we have found the ideal partner 

in this respect. We are convinced that 

we will benefit greatly from their local 

expertise and will be able to exploit 

further growth opportunities together. 

Our customers’ needs are at the centre 

of all our decisions. High product and 

service quality are essential in this 

regard. We therefore offer a wide range 

of products for furniture and interior 

design, flooring and construction 

for industry and distributors to meet 

the diverse demands of our various 

customer groups. Moreover, we 

are currently focusing on building 

a dedicated team who works with 

architects and designers to enter also 

South East Asian project business. With 

this, we will be able to expand our level 

of service even further. 

WOOD PANEL MARKET 

What are some of the trends that have 

been developing for the wood-based 

materials industry in the region? Are 

there any new wood-based material or 

decor innovations? 

Egger: In a time of change and new 

3 



beginnings, permanent adaptability is 

required in all areas. Nevertheless — or 

perhaps precisely because of this — the wish 

for more stability is growing. Products for 

the future must therefore be both reliable 

and adaptable. What we see is a shift 

towards more solid colours. Moreover, we 

see big interest in synchronised textures, 

which receive authenticity through their 

texture. Another popular trend involves 

matte surfaces, which we offer with our 

anti-fingerprint property that also makes the 

products easy to clean. 

Can you comment on the current market 

situation for the wood and woodworking 

industries, be it globally or in Asia? 

Egger: The business environment that 

we see on a global level at the moment is 

challenging due to persistently high inflation, 

high interest rates, volatile raw material 

prices and geopolitical uncertainties. This 

situation has led to a general weakness in 

consumption and a decline in demand in 

almost all our markets. For the near future 

our outlook remains reserved. However, 

we believe we are well equipped not 

only to successfully weather the current 

economic downturn, but also to emerge 

from it stronger than before. We can rely on 

the commitment of our more than 11,000 

qualified and motivated employees and 

the continued successful cooperation with 

our customers and partners worldwide. 

We will continue to seize the advantages 

of our sustainable business model and our 

strong financial base, and the production 

advantages of our state-of-the-art plants are 

cornerstones in this regard. P 

Images: EGGER Group 

By offering the format that is well suited for the Asian market and 

that differs from the European format, we will be able to address new 

customer groups [in South East Asia]. 

Michael Egger Jr 

CSO of EGGER Group 



Dynadryer: 

IMAL belt dryer 

if needed; the modular drying 

unit can be extended to increase 

drying capacity in the future. The 

Dynadryer is also reportedly simple 

to transport, shippable in a standard 

container, rapid to install on site; 

few structures are required and 

no cyclones need to be fabricated 

on site. A simple concrete base is 

enough. 

Two double deck 

belt dryers under 

construction 

Belt drying technology originated 

in North America a few decades 

ago. Since then, it has undergone 

improvements and the IMALPAL 

Group, after installing its first belt 

dryer in Europe 10 years ago, believes 

that the belt dryer is the most 

optimal, economical and safest drying 

technology available on the market 

today, in comparison to drum dryers. 

The first IMAL belt dryer, the 

Dynadryer, was installed on an 

oriented strand board (OSB) panel 

production line to dry strands to a 

moisture content of approximately 

2%. These dryers can also be used in 

the panelboard industry as well as in 

the production of pallet blocks and 

pressed pallets. IMAL currently has 

over 30 dryers in operation worldwide. 

One of the main features of the 

Dynadryer belt dryers is they run at 

low temperatures of maximum 95°C: 

The air is heated by hot air-water heat 

exchangers where the temperature 

of the water is around 100°C. This has 

the additional advantage of minimising 

fire risks, and emissions are so low 

that a wet electrostatic precipitator 

(WESP) is reportedly not required 

either. 

According to IMAL, the Dynadryer has 

no volatile organic compound (VOC) 

emissions, since temperatures are 

below 100°C; there is no change in the 

wood particle colour too after drying; 

particles are not broken in the drying 

process; less resin is required since at 

a lower temperature, less wood resin 

is lost or burned; and dust emission 

from the chimneys is kept low, at 

maximally 5mg/m 3 , or will not exceed 

a “guaranteed” level of 10mg/m 3 , 

hence avoiding the need to install wet 

electrostatic filters. 

The Dynadryer also comes with a 

simple drying automation process 

with the possibility of varying belt 

speed, m 3 /h for the fans, and water 

temperature; it requires minimal 

maintenance, with changes to the 

perforated belt every five to six years, 

The drying capacity of the Dynadryer 

belt dryers ranges from a couple 

of tonnes per hour of evaporated 

water, up to 35 tonnes per hour per 

dryer. These dryers may be single 

deck or double deck in relation to 

the evaporation capacity required. 

In either case, since the belt dryers 

are modular, they can be extended to 

increase the evaporation capacity. 

Each belt dryer is divided into 

independent areas, each equipped 

with its own heat exchanger units — 

normally two — and fan. 

The IMAL Dynadryer is flexible 

and has the following automatic 

regulations to achieve high 

performance and low consumption: 

variation of belt speed to vary the 

time the material remains inside 

the dryer, and hence the drying 

time; variation of fan speed to 

vary the amount of drying air; and 

variation of water flow to the heat 

exchangers, which in turn changes 

the temperature of the drying air. 

The moisture content of the 

material at the outfeed and the 

temperature of the exhaust gases 

are monitored. Lastly, in the event 

of any unexpected problems arising 

with the equipment downstream, the 

belt dryer can be stopped instantly 

with material inside, without running 

a fire risk and without having to 

empty the material out. In this case, 

belt dryer acts as an additional 

buffer. In terms of thermal power 

requirements, the IMAL belt dryer 

is comparable to standard drum 

dryers, consuming on average 0.9Mw 

per tonne per hour of evaporated 

water. 



OTHER APPLICATIONS OF DYNADRYER 

In cases where it is necessary to 

increase the drying capacity, the IMAL 

belt dryer can be used as a 

pre-dryer. It may be used to lower and 

render the moisture content of the 

biomass more homogeneous at the 

infeed to the energy plant to improve 

efficiency and increase the calorific 

value. 

The most profitable application, 

from an economic point of view, is its 

cogeneration capability: Electricity is 

produced, by Organic Rankine Cycle 

(ORC) or the steam turbine, to obtain 

free hot water that can be used in the 

dryers. 

To ensure that the manufacturer 

has all the details required, IMAL 

explained that the dryer will be 

supplied with accurate online 

moisture meters to measure the 

moisture content of the particles at 

the outfeed. These moisture meters, 

positioned downstream of the dryer, 

do not need to be calibrated and 

are particularly suitable for very low 

moisture measurements. Today, there 

are approximately 220 IMAL UM400 

moisture meters installed worldwide. 

The heart of the dryer is the “open” 

management software, designed by 

the IMAL software team. According to 

IMAL, the human machine interface 

(HMI) software offers the following 

production details: material moisture 

content at infeed and flow rate; top and 

bottom drying belt speed; volumetric 

flow rate of the dryer in m 3 /h; speed and 

flow rate of each fan; gas temperature 

and pressure for each flue; water 

temperature at infeed, outfeed and the 

difference; total m 3 /h of hot air; total 

quantity of water evaporated; total 

amount of thermal power required; 

thermal power of evaporated water in 

tonne per hour; graphs and trends for 

flow rates and temperature; production 

and alarm history. 

1 

Furthermore, it is possible to obtain 

various kinds of information online 

from the belt dryer. First, thermal 

power requirements: A flow meter 

is installed to measure water flow 

rate and two devices measure the 

temperature going into and coming 

out of the heat exchangers. The 

2 

LEGEND 

1 A double deck 

Dynadryer layout 

2 Open HMI 

Dynadryer 

software 



thermal power required is obtained 

by multiplying the difference in 

temperature by water flow rate. 

3 

Second, the installed dosing bin 

ensures a continuous and constant 

flow of material to the dryer, and a 

weighing scale may be installed to 

provide material weight and density. 

Even if a weighing scale is not 

installed, it is possible to know in real 

time the m 3 /h of material produced 

from the height, width and speed of 

the mat, and material flow rate by 

multiplying it by wood density. 

4 

Third, a moisture meter is installed 

at dryer infeed and outfeed. It is 

therefore possible to calculate the 

quantity of water evaporated, instant 

by instant during the drying process 

in tonnes per hour. 

Fourth, the electrical consumption 

of the dryer is always indicated. 

Although the installed power is higher 

than that of standard drum dryers, 

the average annual requirements 

of a belt dryer are lower. In fact, 

for several months a year, the fans 

installed, all controlled by variable 

frequency drive, run at one-third of 

their maximum speed, which saves 

electricity. 

LEGEND 

3 Dynadryer 

functional 

diagram 

4 IMAL has installed 

its large-capacity 

belt dryers 

globally 

5 IMAL belt dryer 

under erection 

5 

IMALPAL GROUP: GLOBAL PRESENCE 

Over the last few years, the IMALPAL 

Group has supplied, and continues 

to supply, large-capacity belt dryers 

to large and established panel 

manufacturers worldwide, such as 

Swiss Krono OSB France, Kastamonu 

PB Turkey, Linex PB France, Tableros 

Hispanos PB Spain, Latat OSB 

Siberia, Tokyo Board PB Japan. 

In addition to belt dryers, the group 

designs, manufactures and supplies 

a range of equipment. They deliver 

turnkey plants up to the finished 

board and storage, combining the 

GLOBUS’s know-how for the log yard 

and chipping area with more than 

1,800 units sold, the experience 

of PAL for the preparation area, 

screening, recycled wood cleaning 

through to the forming line with more 

than 8,000 units sold, followed by IMAL 

with its belt dryer, gluing and dosing 

systems. 

They also supply the Dynasteam, a 

solution which injects steam into the 

mat before it enters the press, not to 

pre-heat the mat but to change the 

thermal conductivity of the wood. By 

injecting steam at high temperature 

and low pressure, this goes against 

the principle that relates pressure to 

temperature, and which can increase in 

capacity by as much as 20% and over, 

according to IMAL. 

The group also supplies continuous 

presses, nine of which are in operation 

around the world. And lastly, they 

offer a range of online quality control 

equipment and applications, of 

which 3,412 units have been sold, and 

laboratory equipment, with 1,237 units 

supplied thus far. P 



ColourBrain RawBoard 

4.0 Inspection in Asian 

wood-based production lines 

Baumer Inspection looks back on 

their quality inspection systems 

for particleboard in sanding and 

quality check lines for Asian 

manufacturers. 

For the past several years, a 

board producer from the Chinese 

province of Hubei has been relying 

on the ColourBrain RawBoard 

4.0 inspection system (Fig. 1). In 

the DIEFFENBACHER-supplied 

line, about 400,000m³ of super 

particleboard of 4ft x 8ft dimensions 

are inspected annually. 

According to Baumer, the 

ColourBrain RawBoard 4.0 system 

detects all common panel defects 

caused by the pressing and sanding 

process, such as stains, dents, 

cracks and many more, thus 

ensuring high-quality standards 

of the panel manufacturer and its 

customers (Fig. 2). Its slim design 

and the concept of a ‘self-sufficient 

unit’ has led to a reduced space 

requirement in the production 

environment. The illumination 

module in combination with the 

in-house developed line scan 

camera has resulted in a powerful 

inspection unit that can reportedly 

detect surface defects at high 

transport speeds and in harsh 

environmental conditions. 

Various other Asian panel 

manufacturers have now also 

decided to use Baumer systems. 

With the introduction of quality 

assurance through inspection in 

wood-based panel production, 

Baumer customers and partners 

aimed to reduce the complaint 

rate and increased first choice 

rate. This goal is achieved in 

recent years with the help of 

Baumer systems. Defects that 

were previously overlooked by 

humans during the final inspection 

are now reliably detected, alerted 

and ejected by the ColourBrain 

RawBoard 4.0 system. 

A Chinese general manager 

who was closely involved in the 

introduction of the Baumer 

RawBoard 4.0 system spoke 

favourably of it: “For us, the 

Baumer inspection system has 

been a helpful tool in improving our 

quality, and now we deliver more 

consistent and better quality. We 

are satisfied with this cooperation 

with Baumer, who enabled a fast 

installation, commissioning and 

steady running of the system.” P 

LEGEND 

1 Fig. 1: ColourBrain RawBoard 4.0 system 

used by a panel manufacturer in the 

Chinese province of Hubei 

2 Fig. 2: Typical defects detected by the 

ColourBrain RawBoard 4.0 system 

1 

2 



Fire prevention 

for the belt dryer 

With Fagus-Grecon’s spark detector, light 

reveals sources of fire as it develops. 

process temperature. This classic 

procedure can also be found in the 

world of fire alarm systems. 

If operators supplement these 

certified specifications with 

additional spark detectors, for 

example on the air flows like 

exhaust air or circular ducts of a belt 

dryer, there are tangible benefits 

from the company’s point of view. 

Potential sources of fire can be 

detected more quickly using spark 

detectors than conventional thermal 

detectors could. An example of this 

is the GreCon spark detector DLD 

1/9 which is equipped with highly 

sensitive sensor technology, the 

Intelligent Detection Technology 

(IDT), offering optimum detection 

performance for all ignition sources 

— in incident light or in complete 

darkness. 

According to Fagus-GreCon, the IDT 

allows the DLD 1/9 to distinguish 

between dangerous sparks and 

harmless ambient light. It also 

enables adjustable sensitivity for 

hot particle detection in hightemperature 

processes and is also 

used to prevent false alarms. The 

detector can be connected to every 

GreCon TOUCH control console using 

a standard three-core cable. 

Fagus-GreCon’s 

DLD 1/9 

No two systems are the same when it 

comes to preventive fire protection for 

belt dryers. This is a problematic as the 

plant operator’s aim must ultimately 

be to detect a potential fire as early 

as possible and avert the greatest 

possible damage. However, depending 

on the type, size and complexity of 

the plant, raw material utilisation or 

technology, not only does the actual 

need for protection vary, but also the 

requirements for protection concepts. 

HEAT VS LIGHT 

Many belt dryers are thermally 

monitored as standard. Fire 

protection relies on classic thermal 

detectors that detect fire hazards 

based on heat and sound the alarm. 

If a fire breaks out, the thermal 

detectors recognise it inside the belt 

dryer. However, if thermal detectors 

are used in hot areas, this may lead 

to a delayed alarm triggering, as the 

triggering temperature is above the 

In contrast to classic flying sparks, 

which are typically immediately 

recognised by spark detectors, it 

sometimes takes 15-20 minutes 

before fires reach the size required 

to reach the trigger temperature in 

processes with high temperatures: 

Valuable time that is ultimately 

needed to prevent major system 

damage and minimise the amount of 

extinguishing water. 

Those who recognise early need 

to extinguish less. This simple yet 

pertinent fact can save operators 

valuable minutes in firefighting in 

case of doubt before a complete 

system extinguishing and the 

associated damage become 

unavoidable. P 


FURNITURE MANUFACTURING 

Regeneration 

of DP-tipped tools: 

Cost-saving and sustainable 

Leuco’s two jointing cutters, the DIAMAX airFace and the DIAREX 

airFace now no longer get scrapped after use. Instead, they embark 

on a new lifecycle. This service extends now to South East Asia. 

Leuco has announced a new 

service for two of its diamondtipped 

types of jointing cutters. 

The suppliers of tungsten carbide 

and diamond-tipped machine tools 

will now recondition them when 

resharpening is no longer possible, 

restoring them to new quality and 

with a patent-pending design of 

cutting edges. 

With exclusive reactivation, Leuco 

restores its tools to a new finish 

or, more accurately, to restored 

sharpness. Compared to the cost 

of a new tool, this saves customers 

money — depending on the number 

of cutters and their cutting width. 

Regeneration of a used special tool 

based on the DIAMAX airFace and 

DIAREX airFace jointing cutters 

takes less time than the delivery 

of a custom product that has to be 

manufactured to order. In addition, 

repeat use of the base body 

conserves valuable resources such 

as steel and energy. 

Leuco replaces the used cutting 

edges with new ones as part of a 

service order. Once fitted with new 

cutting edges, these jointing cutters 

can be used just like new tools, 

delivering the same performance. 

After every regeneration, users get 

their own cutters back. It is possible 

One tool, several 

lifecycles: In the 

past, the tool would 

be discarded upon its 

end of life (top) but 

a tool regenerated 

by Leuco with new 

diamond-tipped 

cutting edges will 

last longer (bottom) 



to regenerate both of these jointing 

cutters several times, according to 

Leuco. This extends the use of the 

base body. As such, the tool remains 

the customer’s property throughout 

its entire service life. 

panels without needing adjustment. 

DIAREX airFace is recommended in 

applications with high jointing quality 

needs for zero-joint technology and 

it is suitable for demanding abrasive 

panel materials. Resharpening area of 

DIAMAX airFace is 1.5mm, and DIAREX 

airFace offers 3mm. P 

Images: Leuco 

ONSITE REGENERATION IN SOUTH EAST 

ASIA 

LEUCO offers this service for 

the South East Asian furniture 

manufacturing industry on-site 

at their latest equipped service 

centres in Melaka, Malaysia; 

Bangkok, Thailand; and Ho Chi Minh 

City, Vietnam. The tooling specialists 

as well support manufacturers the 

calculations and delivery times for 

the regeneration. 

DIAMAX AIRFACE AND DIAREX AIRFACE 

Both jointing cutters are primarily 

for chip-free jointing of solid wood 

and wood-based panels with and 

without coating. Furthermore, they 

are suitable for machining 8mm 

Designs of jointing 

cutters: classic 

DIAMAX on the left, 

DIAMAX airFace on 

the right 

CUSTOMISED 

INDUSTRIAL 

SYSTEMS! 

MATERIAL 

HANDLING 

EQUIPMENT 

TV6000 TWIN 

VERTICAL SAW 

MR6000 

CENTRALISING 

MULTIRIP 

BRING YOUR GROWTH 

GOALS TO WOOD-MIZER 

AND OUR SAWMILL SYSTEM 

SPECIALISTS WILL GO TO 

WORK FOR YOU. 

From economic narrowband sawmill systems to 

high-throughput commercial sawing lines, Wood-Mizer designs the 

ideal system to reduce labour costs, higher yield and better 

recovery to meet your requirements and achieve results. 

STAND ALONE OR SYSTEM? WE CAN DO THAT. 

© 2024 Wood-Mizer LLC *Shipping times may vary. 

Contact your Wood-Mizer 

INDUSTRIAL specialist Daniel Wong today. 

+60 19 387 6288 | danielwongabd@woodmizer.com 



CNC machining centres 

for drilling, routing 

and edgebanding 

by SCM 

1 

2 

hold-down effectiveness while 

minimising risks of collisions at all 

times. 

LEGEND 

1 The morbidelli 

p200 

2 The HE-POD 

3D worktable 

station 

3 The morbidelli 

p800 

4 The Sbrindle unit 

on morbidelli 

p800 

5 Panels with 

seamless and 

high-quality 

edgebanding 

MORBIDELLI P200: STYLISH CONTOUR 

EDGEBANDING 

SCM’s morbidelli p200 computerised 

numerical control (CNC) machining 

centre is designed to satisfy drilling, 

routing and edgebanding production 

requirements. According to SCM, 

a few clicks on the system allows 

manufacturers to design and produce 

pieces of reportedly any shape, and to 

apply several typologies of edges. 

This all-in-one solution is said to offer 

an ideal price-performance ratio. It 

comes equipped with HE-PODs, suction 

cups that bring the third dimension 

to the worktable and allow for flexible 

and innovative production. With it, the 

morbidelli p200 can lift up the pieces 

to be processed and avoid unnecessary 

repositioning, making the most of the 

worktable size and reducing production 

cycle times by 30%, as claimed by SCM. 

There is also the TV FLEXMATIC 

automatic worktable that allows up to 

six suction cups to be managed in each 

single bar, based on the dimensions 

and shape of the workpiece being 

machined. This ensures maximum 

Furthermore, the PRO-SPACE solution, 

which removes perimetral protection, 

allows savings in terms of floor area 

covered as well as an improved 

optimisation of the company’s 

logistics. Operators can therefore move 

around the whole machining centre and 

work on the product in all directions, 

360°. The PRO-SPEED system that 

comes along with it also offers 

advancement speed, ensuring safety 

with the photocells that cordon off the 

loading areas. 

The morbidelli p200 is equipped with 

an edgebanding unit that can process 

edges up to 80mm of height. The head 

borings fitted with RO.AX spindles have 

enhanced rigidity and a rotation speed 

of up to 8,000rpm; the five-axis JQX 

electrospindle offers optimal finish; 

and the FAST 14 tool change ensures 

a tool change in less than 15 seconds. 

It is also installed with SCM’s Maestro 

edge software, ideal for managing 

and optimising the entire routing, 



3 

drilling and edgebanding process of 

the panels and shaped components. 

The software offers simplicity, high 

performance levels and a reduction in 

the production cycle times. 

MORBIDELLI P800: A BETTER WORKING 

EXPERIENCE 

A CNC machining centre for drilling, 

routing and edgebanding, the 

morbidelli p800 is developed by SCM 

for furniture manufacturers that wish 

to increase their performance and 

improve their competitiveness in the 

manufacturing of custom products. 

It is ideal for just-in-time production 

and for creating panels that are ready 

for assembly — from office furniture 

to bedrooms, and custom designs for 

stores and interiors, thus catering 

to various demands of the furniture 

industry. 

According to SCM, the morbidelli 

p800’s TV MATIC automatic worktable 

offers high productivity for low-batch 

production as it can be set up in “a 

few seconds”, moving simultaneously 

all the rails and pods with minimal 

mistakes. With the TV MATIC, the 

morbidelli p800 requires “zero” 

maintenance since there are no 

external tubes, there are vacuum 

plugs on the movable bases of the rail, 

and there are integrated air blowers 

on the bases for cleanliness. It also 

allows multiple parts to be cut from a 

single panel and to be relocated on 

the table to apply different machining 

operations. This offers minimum 

waste and maximum efficiency of raw 

materials. 

With the NC worktable of the 

morbidelli p800, setup time is 

minimised when switching from one 

machining operation to the next. The 

NC worktable features a workpiece 

automatic separation software 

function, which means the operator 

can machine more panels within a 

single loading operation. 

The morbidelli p800 also ensures 

high-quality edge application, 

even for joins on workpieces with 

challenging geometries. This is 

possible with the Sbrindle device on 

the morbidelli p800, which reads the 

position of the edging “on-the-fly”, 

as described by SCM. This ensures 

optimal 0-360° joins, even in batchsize-one 

production. 

Similar to the morbidelli p200, 

the p800 is equipped with SCM’s 

Maestro edge software, simplifying 

programming for all operators and 

maximising machining speed. The 

morbidelli p800 is also equipped with 

a pressure roller automatic change 

system, allowing the solution to 

automatically change the pressure 

roller in pushing the strip towards the 

panel, thus carrying out the branding 

operation. P 

4 

5 



Cabinetmaster supplies 

woodworking machinery 

throughout Asia 

Michael Nguyen, CEO 

of Cabinetmaster 

WHO IS CABINETMASTER? 

Owned by Quoc Duy Group, a distributor 

and supplier of modern woodworking 

technology, Cabinetmaster aims 

to provide Industry 4.0 technology 

solutions for industrial furniture 


Within growth of the furniture industry 

in recent years, Cabinetmaster has 

emerged to provide a range of modern 

solutions for processing engineered 

wood, establishing tight integration 

between labour and machinery. In this 

endeavor, Cabinetmaster plays a role 

in technology transformation, with 

a core focus on cost optimisation, 

maximising production efficiency, 

and streamlining production 

processes. 

Currently, Cabinetmaster has built 

a network of machine suppliers 

worldwide to ensure that 99% of the 

products they supply are suitable 

and meet the intended purposes of 

their customers. Their motto is ‘For 

a better-quality product’, developing 

practical manufacturing experiences 

to offer accurate, timely, and 

optimised processes for each factory. 

MASTERING CNC TECHNOLOGY 

With a technically proficient 

workforce that graduated from 

engineering university programmes 

worldwide, Cabinetmaster addresses 

technical issues for customers and 

provides tailored solutions for each 

stage of production. They participate 

in machinery exhibitions in regions 

with advanced and longstanding 

woodworking cultures such as 

Taiwan, Germany, Italy, and Spain, 

bringing back timely advanced 

technologies with high applicability in 

production. 

Each year, over 50 engineers 

participate in research courses 

covering all types of woodworking 

machinery. In particular, 

Cabinetmaster has their own CNC 

technical team, mastering all 

technologies from automated control 

to operation and development of 

technology on machines. 

Established in Vietnam, 

Cabinetmaster aims to possess 

knowledge of the products and 

machinery ideally suited for the 

unique needs and climate of South 

East Asia, such as in Laos, Cambodia, 

Thailand, and Malaysia. With over 

20 years of experience in supplying 

woodworking machinery, Quoc Duy 

has conducted research and analysis 

to identify optimal accessories and 

effective solutions to adapt to the 

harsh changing weather conditions in 

the region. 

For instance, Cabinetmaster offers 

an array of industrial woodworking 

machines, ranging from basic 

to advanced models, including 

CNC wood machines, panel saws, 

edgebanding machines, CNC drilling 

machines, sliding table saws, and 

auxiliary equipment. They also deliver 

turnkey solutions tailored to industrial 

wood furniture factories of various 

scales and capacities. 

Functioning as general contractors, 

they provide services beginning with 

consultations on suitable solutions 

based on budget and capacity, 

extending to designing machine 

layouts according to the scale of 

the factory, supplying machinery, 

pneumatic systems, and dust 

extraction systems. In short, they 

offer an A-to-Z approach in meeting 

the specific needs of their clients. 

Annually, they undertake a 

multitude of projects encompassing 

establishments from expansive 

factories to compact workshops, 

dedicated to supporting various 



1 

stages of furniture manufacturing. Their 

expertise lies in installing production 

lines with varying capacities, providing 

consultancy on and implementing 

nesting systems, optimising processes, 

and incorporating automation into 

production. These strategic interventions 

not only enhance overall efficiency but 

also yield substantial reductions in labour 

costs. 

UTILISING ERP CENTRE MANAGEMENT 

SOFTWARE 

Cabinetmaster conducts routine machine 

inspection and maintenance programmes 

for their customers annually, ensuring 

optimal operational conditions for their 

machinery. 

Optimized process 

– increased profit. 

ColourBrain ® RawBoard 4.0 − less reject due to optimal 

process monitoring. 

To further enhance their technical 

support, particularly in after-sales 

service, Cabinetmaster has implemented 

an enterprise resource planning (ERP) 

central management system, featuring 

specialised modules tailored for 

woodworking machinery. 

From initiating OEM orders with global 

machine assemblers, Cabinetmaster 

records all relevant information in 

the ERP system, tracking the entire 

manufacturing process and delivery to 

customers. This provides the company an 

understanding of the machines’ technical 

condition. With a QR code on each 

machine, they can generate immediate 

reports detailing the machine’s status 

and usage history for their customers. 

This allows them to manage and address 

technical issues promptly and accurately, 

aiming to minimise machine downtime 

and optimise their customers’ operational 

Double sided automatic optical inspection of 

chipboards and MDF / HDF boards. 

Multispectral high-power LED technology for 

reliable detection of smallest defects. 

Slim design for easy integration in your 

production line. 

Visit us at interzum: Guangzhou, China, March 28 - 31, hall 11.1, booth B03 



efficiency. In this manner, they will be 

positioned to offer timely support and 

adeptly address technical issues across the 

region. 

BUILDING A WORLDWIDE OEM SYSTEM 

In response to the escalating demand in 

the wood processing machinery market, 

and to show their commitment to providing 

high-quality machines, Cabinetmaster has 

collaborated with global manufacturers. 

Leveraging their knowledge, experience, and 

expertise, they engage in OEM partnerships 

with leading entities in the machining and 

machinery manufacturing sectors across 

Taiwan, China, Italy, Spain, Germany, and 

other regions. 

1 

With a legacy of over 30 years in the 

wood processing machinery and paint 

line industry, Michael Nguyen, the CEO of 

Cabinetmaster, and his team have adeptly 

forged relationships with original equipment 


Their approach to each manufacturer 

involves research, factory and process 

surveys, and the establishment of detailed, 

stringent technical requirements. This 

commitment ensures that Cabinetmaster 

imports the “finest and most cutting-edge” 

components and machinery, as claimed 

by them. They prioritise maintaining 

sustainable international cooperation 

relationships with manufacturers, importing 

over 500 product lines of woodworking 

machinery, along with more than 2,000 

components and support equipment 

annually for repair, replacement, and 

production purposes. 

As Cabinetmaster continues to expand its 

scale and supply capacity in the market, they 

strive to provide more opportunities for the 

wood processing industry in Vietnam and 

throughout Asia. P 

1 

2 

LEGEND 

1 Cabinetmaster supplies CNC woodworking machines, 

panel saws, edgebanding machines, CNC drilling 

machines, sliding table saws, and auxiliary equipment 

2 Cabinetmaster aims to provide Industry 4.0 technology 

solutions for industrial furniture manufacturers 

3 Cabinetmaster invests resources into improving their 

engineers and services 

3 


2 - 4 SEPTEMBER 2024 

RIYADH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 

& EXHIBITION CENTER 

CARVING THE 

FUTURE OF WOOD 

IN SAUDI ARABIA 

PROJECTED TO 

REACH 

US$2.97 Billion 

by 2024 

TO SUBMIT YOUR ENQUIRY 

SCAN THE QR CODE 

BELOW 

Rahul Ranka 

Event Manager 

Email: rahulranka@dmgevents.com 

Organized by: 

Powered by: 

www.saudiwoodexpo.com 

#SAUDIWOODEXPO


Hidden dangers: 

The stability of 

clothing storage units 

Since 1 Sep 2023, the US has updated its 

regulations for the stability of clothing storage 

units (CSUs) to protect children from the 

tip-over of furniture. How and why did the 

US come to this decision? 

Over the last few months, the furniture 

sector had to deal with a topic that 

has generated a bit of concern: the 

stability of CSUs and the legislative 

requirements that have recently been 

introduced in the US market. Such 

measures refer specifically to the 

stability of certain furniture products 

that are considered to be one of the 

most frequent causes of accidents in 

the living space. 

BACKGROUND 

According to figures reported by the 

US Federal Register, in the period 

between January 2000-April 2022, 

the US had more than 230 fatal home 

accidents directly or indirectly caused 

by overturning of CSUs occurred. 1 Of 

these, nearly 200 involved children. To 

the above-mentioned figures, many 

other accidents should be added, of 

which were less serious nature but 

always involved children in the vast 

majority of cases, reaching over 70%. 

These numbers are considered 

unacceptable by the US government 

authorities, who therefore started a 

legislative path to ensure the safety 

of furniture by eliminating, or at least 

reducing, causes that led to its tipping 

over in domestic environments. 

The investigation was coordinated 

by the Consumer Product Safety 

Commission (CPSC), the US federal 

agency in charge of consumer product 

safety, which also undertook analyses 

to assess the evidence of potential 

hazards caused by or related to the use of 

different products. This investigation also 

included the publication of mandatory 

technical standards, information and 

education of both manufacturers and end 

consumers, as well as other activities 

such as the possible recall of noncompliant 

products from the market. 

The CPSC therefore began by considering 

the US technical standard in legislative 

force, which is the ASTM F2057-19. 

According to ASTM International, the 

F2057-19 safety specification, published 

back in 2019, aimed to “reduce injuries 

and deaths of children from hazards 

associated with tipover of clothing 

storage units”. The specification covered 

chests, drawer chests, chests of drawers, 

dressers, and bureaus only. 2 

According to CATAS, the CPSC also 

considered the general worldwide 

standardisation landscape on this issue, 

other than the US standards, including an 

analysis of other documents such as the 

European standard EN 14749, the ISO 7171 

standard, as well as a similar Australian 

standard. However, at the end, the CPSC 

found none of the standards examined 

were considered adequate to prevent the 

incidents that have been occurring in the 

US market. 

ACTION TAKEN 

After this initial analysis, the CPSC 

therefore determined it was necessary 

to adopt a new test method to meet the 

safety requirements expressed by the US 

government authorities. 

In 2022, the ‘Final Rule 16 CFR 1261’ was 

published in the US Federal Register, 

which contained guidance on the safety 

standards to be considered mandatory 

for furniture and furnishings that fall 

under the CSU definition. 

The aim of the provision was to eliminate, 

or at least to reduce, the risks of 

furniture tipping over by complying with 

certain requirements that can be verified 



by laboratory tests and made clear to the end 

user by specific labelling. CATAS reported 

that a discussion with the American Home 

Furnishing Alliance (AHFA) started on this 

first document, which led to an evaluation of 

its practical effects on marketed products 

and its actual effectiveness. 

Parallel to what the CPSC was doing, 

however, there was a second initiative 

that at the legislative level was called the 

STURDY Act, which stood for Stop Tipovers 

of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth 

Act. This study considered to maintain the 

existing standard, ASTM F2057, but checked 

whether it could be updated to meet the 

safety requirements expressed by the US 

authorities. 

The manufacturers were more in favour of 

this second option, as CATAS claimed, and 

the following discussions finally led to a 

compromise between the two strategies. 

A key step at this point was the review 

that CPSC did on the new version of ASTM 

F2057, establishing that it met the safety 

requirements and became the mandatory 

reference for CSUs once updated. The 

requirements in the updated ASTM standard 

are mandatory for furniture produced from 

1 Sep 2023 onwards and intended for the US 

market, which means all furniture exports into 

the US must meet the requirements under 

ASTM F2057-23, and not F2057-19 anymore. 3 

The F2057-23 standard specifies to verify the 

stability of CSUs complying various laboratory 

tests: a stability test to simulate a load in the 

cabinet; a stability test to simulate a dynamic 

horizontal force; a stability test to simulate 

a child’s use of a CSU placed on a carpet; an 

interlock test, where the mechanism allows 

only one drawer to be opened at a time; and 

lastly, the testing of anti-tilt systems, which 

refers to the ASTM 3096 standard. The ASTM 

3096 is “intended to define the test method 

and other requirements for tipover restraints 

as required in ASTM F2057-23”. 4 The only 

revision to the standard in 2023 is the 

increase in “the static load applied from 50 

pounds to 60 pounds”. 

The ASTM F2057-23 applies to 

free-standing CSUs, including but 

not limited to dressers, chests of 

drawers, cabinets with drawers and/or 

doors, with the following characteristics: 

cabinet height of more than or equals to 

68.6cm; weight of more than or equals 

to 13.6kg; loadable volume of more than 

of equals to 90.6dm 3 . Bookcases, office 

furniture, dining room furniture, jewellery 

cabinets, under-bed drawers, laundry 

storage units, furniture whose use is not 

intended for the bedroom, and wallmounted 

furniture are not included. P 

References 

1. US Federal Register. Vol.87 No 226 Nov 2022. 

2. ASTM International. ASTM F2057-19. 

3. US Federal Register. Safety Standard for Clothing 

Storage Units. 


MATERIALS 

Tropical timber 

companies see good 

potential in Europe: ITTO 

Export manager Geneviève Standaert 

acknowledged that, after two exceptional years 

from 2020-2022, the squeeze in the tropical 

timber market has been significant. 

“Over the last year demand has been weak, there 

has been less volume and consequently prices 

have dropped,” she said. 

However, she feels a corner is being turned. 

“Even if demand does not come back 

immediately, we expect prices are now at 

their lowest level as suppliers have diminished 

production volumes and offers are scarce.” 

Image: Taiji Fujisaki, IGES/ITTO 

Interviews by correspondents from the 

International Tropical Timber Organisation 

(ITTO) in the closing weeks of 2023 with two 

of Europe’s leading tropical hardwood trading 

companies, Vandecasteele and Interholco, 

highlight the significant challenges brought on 

by slow growth and tightening environmental 

regulations. 

However, both companies see long-term 

potential in the European market for tropical 

wood, particularly for value-added products 

drawing on strong technical performance and 

environmental credentials. 

The interviews highlighted that today’s 

European tropical timber trade is a demanding 

environment. Sales are significantly down 

over the last 18 months and prices have 

followed. New moves on the timber sector’s 

sustainability performance are set to add 

to the pressures. A further batch of actively 

traded tropical species are being listed in 

Appendix II of the Convention on International 

Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 

Flora (CITES), some controversially. Trading 

these timbers will require added evidence of 

responsible sourcing. 

Then there is the EU Deforestation Regulation 

(EUDR) coming into force on 30 Dec 2024. 

It requires proof that ‘so-called’ Forest and 

Eco-System Risk Commodities (FERCs), 

including timber and wood products, are 

not implicated in deforestation or the more 

nebulous forest degradation. Proof includes 

provision of geolocation coordinates with each 

consignment placed on the EU market for the 

‘plot of lands’ where commodities originate. 

Belgian-based Vandecasteele does not 

downplay the market challenges. However, the 

company does see the commercial situation 

changing and also ultimately the tropical sector 

benefiting from regulatory developments that, 

it believes, will add to the trade’s sustainability 

assurance in an increasingly environmentally 

aware market. 

She added that Vandecasteele has also been 

looking to strengthen its commercial position, 

while at the same time further underpinning 

its sustainability credentials, by developing 

its tropical offer. For instance, it is looking to 

add more secondary species to its stock. This 

is seen as not only diversifying its range, but 

making environmental certification more viable 

for the long-term, as more secondary species 

sales mean more income for forest managers 

from a given certified area. 

“When a supplier goes for certification, 

they make a very serious investment in the 

future management of the forest, not just 

economically, but in maintaining the forest 

as forest 20, 30 or 40 years ahead, and even 

longer,” said Standaert. The company has 

additionally set itself the objective of becoming 

the ‘European ambassador for sustainable 

timber’, with a target date of 2025 to be trading 

only in certified timber. 

“We are on track for our goal,” she added. 

“We are continuously supporting suppliers 

towards this transition by investing in external 

auditing and buying a full range of species and 

dimensions. In Brazil, for example, the volume of 

certified timber is continuously growing and our 

own forest engineer provides training in the field 


MATERIALS 

for suppliers in transition or wanting to switch 

towards certification in the near future. We 

also participate in webinars and presentations 

on the topic, such as the FSC event in Belem in 

last November, which was a perfect occasion 

to lead our suppliers towards certification.” 

The company is also seeing a “shift in demand” 

among customers, “not necessarily for 

certified timber, but certainly for third partyverified”. 

In 2023, African species padouk, khaya and 

doussie joined others such as afrormosia in 

being listed in CITES Appendix II, although an 

authority on the topic of endangered species, 

the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech faculty at the 

University of Liège, said this was not justified 

in the case of padouk and doussie. 

In 2024, ipe and cumaru will follow. Given 

other availability issues with varieties such 

as doussie, the new CITES listings and their 

labelling of these species as “endangered” — 

even though listing is not a bar to trading in 

them — could be a demand-reducing “game 

changer”, Vandecasteele said. 

As for the EUDR, the company said it 

has adapted procedures to meet the 

requirements, although much of the detail is 

yet to be clarified. Besides demanding proof 

that FERC supply is not causing deforestation 

or forest degradation, under the regulation 

supplier countries will be benchmarked as 

high, standard, and low risk. 

This will dictate the level of scrutiny by EU 

regulators of companies that place affected 

goods on the EU market. “The text of the law 

is ready, but we understand the practical 

guidelines may not be available until December 

2024 when the new legislation will be 

enforced,” said Standaert. 

“So, we will have to wait and see what is 

required in day-to-day business in terms of 

such areas as customs clearing and training, 

including how we submit geolocation 

information, although there is now a pilot 

EUDR data platform which 100 European 

companies are now trialling.” 

She added: “Tropical suppliers are certainly 

concerned about the EUDR and, given that the 

Aerial view of a logging yard in the Amazon rainforest 

EU is still deciding on the requirements, fear 

that they will not have enough time to adapt. 

Each time a supplier visits our company, the 

Regulation is a very important part of the 

conversation.” 

The geolocation requirement is a particular 

concern. The “plots of land” for which the EUDR 

demands geolocation coordinates will be wide 

ranging. A “plot” is defined as “land within a 

single real estate property”, so could be just a 

few hectares, or tens of thousands. 

“The EU has not yet defined the exact form 

in which this [geolocation] data is to be 

supplied and the platform being developed 

for it is not ready,” said Standaert. “This is a 

very big concern both for us buyers and our 

suppliers. In principle, they all want to meet 

the requirements and continue to do business 

with Europe. They just need to know how to 

comply.” 

When the EU Timber Regulation came into 

force in 2013 it is reported to have reduced 

the pool of tropical suppliers available to the 

EU timber trade. But Vandecasteele believes 

that this experience, resulting in closer 

relationships between buyer and remaining 

suppliers, leaves it well-placed to deal with 

EUDR. 

Vandecasteele maintained that, while Brexit 

may have happened, the UK will not be 

immune from the impacts of the EUDR: “Even 

if the UK is not supporting the Regulation, its 

suppliers will still need to meet it as they are 

probably unlikely to want to adjust their trading 

operations for the UK market.” 

“And for exports to the EU, UK companies 

will need to meet all EUDR requirements, for 

starters to pass through customs. Ultimately 

whey will have to comply to the same level as 

their EU counterparts.” 

To aid EUDR compliance, Vandecasteele said 

gap analysis between the legal requirements 

and those of certification systems, such FSC, 

PEFC, OLB, Legal Source and TLV, would be 

a great help. It would clarify what additional 

actions businesses must undertake over and 

above those needed to comply with these 

schemes. 

But ultimately Vandecasteele feels the EUDR 

will be a positive development for the tropical 

timber trade. It says it will underline that timber 

production from sustainably managed tropical 

forests is the best guarantee of maintaining 

them as forests, disincentivising their 

clearance to make way for agro-commodities. 

“We hope that finally the real causes of 

deforestation will become visible under the 

EUDR, and people will see that timber is the one 

commodity affected which can be guaranteed 

as not implicated in deforestation or forest 

degradation,” said Standaert. “It should show 

that sustainable forest management is the best 

solution for maintaining tropical forest. The 

phrase ‘use it or lose it’ still stands.” P 

Source: ITTO 


FLOORING 

Amorim counts on 

Hymmen technology for 

flooring production 

Amorim Cork Flooring is a producer of 

high-quality cork flooring and wall decorations 

that come with sustainability credentials, and 

are suitable for residential, commercial or 

business projects. 

With the aim of economically optimising the 

production of their cork flooring products, 

Amorim commissioned a new production line 

at its site in Porto, Portugal in 2023. Amorim’s 

long-standing partner Hymmen, located in 

Bielefeld, Germany, provided the whole system 

technology for this. 

At the heart of the production is the JUPITER 

Digital Printing line for decorative printing and 

the Digital Lacquer Embossing plus (DLEplus) 

for digital structure printing. The project was 

implemented within the “shortest time”, as 

reported by Hymmen, and the following is 

Amorim’s experiences in implementing both 

technologies in their production. 

HYMMEN DIGITAL PRINTING TECHNOLOGY FOR 

FLOORING 

Digital printing continues to play a crucial role 

in the future of flooring as it enables flexibility 

in design and can be applied to a range of 

materials. This facilitates faster response 

times to market demands and trends while 

reducing material waste. The combination 

of reduced process costs and market 

differentiation is driving the significance of 

digital printing technology within flooring 

production. 

TECHNOLOGIES SECURED BY PATENT 

PARTNERSHIP 

Hymmen has invented technologies for the 

production and digital decoration of flooring. 

To ensure that customers have access to 

innovative digital printing technologies, 

Hymmen and i4F have entered an exclusive 

patent partnership to promote and develop 

this strong digital printing IP portfolio, 

including Hymmen’s DLE technology with 

highly realistic optics and haptics. 

Amorim has installed Hymmen’s JUPITER 

JPT-C digital single pass machine, a 

print-to-board line that delivers designs for 

24/7 industrial production; high-precision 

continuous substrate conveyor for maximum 

register accuracy; printing speeds of 

25-50m/min; an optical resolution of more 

than 1,000 dpi, and high colour stability and 

print quality. 

The JUPITER line features the DLE 

technology, creating structures that are 


FLOORING 

1 

3 

4 

2 

embossed-in-register (EIR) to the decor 

of the surface. This technology grants 

all commercial and technical benefits of 

digital single pass printing like flexibility, 

fast setup times and individualisation. The 

digital structuring supports the surface 

performance. All features like hardness, 

bonding, scratch resistance, and chemical 

reliability of the core lacquer remain. 

LEGEND 

1 Hymmen’s DLEplus 

technology 

2 Hymmen’s JUPITER 

JPT-C creates visuals 

with an optical 

resolution of more 

than 1,000 dpi 

3 High-end flooring 

surfaces produced by 

Amorim 

4 Overview of the steps 

of the production 

process at Amorim 

HIGH-QUALITY INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION OF 

CORK FLOORING WITH HYMMEN TECH 

In the autumn of 2023, the Hymmen 

JUPITER Digital Printing and DLEplus 

system were commissioned at Amorim. 

Within the planned timeline the first 

digitally printed cork flooring was 

introduced into the market in January. 

According to Hymmen, Amorim is 

delighted about the cooperation and the 

great commitment of both teams who 

have made this project a success. 

“We are very happy to have chosen 

Hymmen as technology partner for 

our cork flooring production. The 

professional project management from 

both teams allowed us to implement 

this new line within an ambitious timing. 

We are sure that this state-of the-arttechnology 

that allows us to produce 

flooring with fantastic decors and very 

deep and well-defined structures will 

keep us a step ahead in the market,” said 

Fernando Melo, CEO of Amorim Cork 

Flooring. 

“Thanks to the positive cooperation 

with our customer´s team, we are 

very pleased to once again have a 

showcase project that sets a good 

example for future plant projects,” 

added Dr René Pankoke, partner and 

CEO of Hymmen. P 


FLOORING 

Where style 

meets sustainability 

What are some trends that laminate flooring 

manufacturers should take note of in the new year? 

The Association of European Producers of Laminate 

Flooring (EPLF) shares a few. 

In 2024, the laminate flooring 

industry will continue to embrace 

the warm and cosy aesthetic, given 

that prevailing trends lean towards 

natural and tranquil designs. Besides 

the comforting visual appeal, product 

innovation will prioritise waterproof, 

durable, and sustainable laminate 

flooring, as reported by EPLF. 

The trends for this year will emphasise 

natural, warm and sandy colour 

palettes, alongside natural and 

matte textures, and technologies 

that underscore the association’s 

and laminate flooring manufacturers’ 

commitment to sustainability. With 

this vision in mind, EPLF members are 

committed to introducing new original 

designs and technologies to meet 

client expectations. 

EMBRACING NATURE 

This year, manufacturers will continue 

to embrace calm, warm, and natural 

design elements. The industry keeps 

moving towards greige and raw wood 

colours, reducing the emphasis on 

rustic and knotless designs. 

Warm oak continues to enjoy 

popularity, with regards to both 

colours and materials. The objective 

is to create calmer and more 

harmonious decors, ranging from 

honey and walnut tones to darker 

Water-resistant 

flooring is in high 

demand 


FLOORING 

brown shades. Nonetheless, some 

manufacturers already see the 

first signals and interest in wood 

types beyond oak, with walnuts 

and pine making their mark. Other 

wood species like beech and larch 

are gaining importance. In terms 

of finishings, the main goal is to 

achieve realism in surfaces, with a 

strong demand for matte and natural 

aspects. 

CLEAN LINES AND LARGE PATTERNS 

Regarding formats, there is a strong 

demand for longer planks and 

unconventional shapes, although 

the herringbone pattern remains a 

popular choice, according to EPLF. 

The incorporation of geometric 

patterns, as well as stone and marble 

designs also highlight the desire 

for natural and harmonious decor. 

The trend of larger sizes, unusual 

formats, and softwood designs also 

underlines a demand for the fast and 

easy installation of floorings. 

IMPROVING WATER-RESISTANT 

TECHNOLOGY 

Laminate flooring manufacturers 

lead the charge in researching 

quality floors that align with key 

technological trends. Water-resistant 

laminate is becoming increasingly 

popular and is expected to be part 

of the standard range offered by the 

industry. 

EPLF members are reportedly 

producing an increasing number of 

water-resistant products to meet the 

growing demand for including more 

wood in areas that previously did not, 

such as kitchens and bathrooms. 

This is a testament to the industry’s 

investment in innovative technology 

and its understanding of the needs 

expressed by their customers. 

WHERE INNOVATION MEETS 


Sustainability is now more than 

ever a central concern for EPLF 

members, as they actively contribute 

to the cascading use of wood 

while fostering a circular economy. 

Sustainability takes centre stage 

with a strong emphasis on resource 

preservation. Reduced laminate 

thickness is a strategy to save 

resources and material costs. The 

members of EPLF are said to be 

privileging natural packaging, 

eco-label certifications, and product 

longevity. The objective is to deliver 

durable products featuring waterresistant 

mechanical locking systems 

as eco-friendly alternatives. 

RESILIENCE IN CHAOTIC TIMES 

The whole construction sector 

is facing challenges, with high 

inflation rates and increased raw 

material and energy cost. While 

the laminate sector is not immune 

to these challenges, there is a 

growing interest in laminate flooring 

driven by increasingly positive 

acknowledgement of the products’ 

sustainability, design, and durability. 

As EPLF looks towards 2024, 

the members of the association 

recognise the need to adapt to 

these trends to meet customer 

expectations and contribute to a more 

sustainable future. Their focus is on 

authenticity, environmentally friendly 

products, and resource-efficient 

solutions. P 

Although oak remains 

popular, other species 

like walnut or pine are 

also making their mark 


STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 

Prepared 

Rehmannia 

Root Crafts 

Exhibition Hall 

Location: Henan, China 

Client: People’s Government of 

Huanfeng Town, Xiuwu County 

Design firm: LUO studio 

Construction firm: Henan 

Shancheng Construction 

Engineering 

Area: 1,463m 2 

Photography: Jin Weiqi 

CONCEPTUAL SHIFT 

Houyanmen Village has been 

prioritising rural industrial 

revitalisation with plantation 

construction playing a pivotal role 

in the village’s overall development. 

A prevailing notion across the town, 

the village, and industrial parks is 

that buildings, even exhibition halls 

within industrial parks, are essentially 

workshops. 

Recognising that traditional craftsmen 

and their techniques may not be 

well-suited for constructing largespan 

and open spaces, the buildings 

in rural industrial parks often adopt a 

plant-like form due to their maturity 

in construction systems. This is a 

common practice in rural industrial 

park construction. 

The rural industry, centred around 

planting, now encompasses 

industrial tourism, nature education, 

e-commerce livestreaming, health and 

wellness, and more. The integration 

of primary, secondary, and tertiary 

industries is imperative for the 



1 

2 

Legend 

1 The roof truss in its construction stage 

2 Light penetrating the dome falls onto the 

display shelves 

3 Display shelves in the middle ring 

3 

industrial revitalisation of rural areas. 

Therefore, employing a factory-style 

building with a traditional portal 

frame structure is not appropriate 

for a versatile exhibition hall in a rural 

industrial park. 

The crafts exhibition hall started 

foundation pit excavation in 2020 and 

finished construction a year later. 

LUO studio was commissioned to 

work on its design in early 2021. They 

communicated with and persuaded all 

stakeholders to discard conventional 

notions and embrace a new paradigm 

in the design and construction of the 

Prepared Rehmannia Root Crafts 

Exhibition Hall. While meeting the 

requirements of a large-span and 

open space, the new approach 

also embodies the attributes of the 

exhibition hall, local characteristics, 

and ecological considerations. 

SUNLIGHT AS CORE OF CRAFTSMANSHIP 

AND SPACE 

Light is the central theme of the 

building, generating dynamic changes 

both inside and outside. This is the 

starting point for the design. Viewed 

from the exterior, the play of light 

and shadow on a circular building 

body is more nuanced, uniform, and 

continuous compared to a square 

structure. The circular form better 

showcases the changing light and 

shadow over time. 

Therefore, the design team decided 

to adopt a nearly round architectural 

form that features a regular polygon on 

the plane, to avoid arcs for precision 

and efficiency in construction while 

creating a curvy effect through 

straight lines. Deviating from the 

common approach of carving out 

window holes in the building walls for 

daylighting, the design emphasises 

unconventional means for introducing 

natural light, such as through ceilings, 

eaves, and gaps in between walls. 



CIRCULAR PLANE 

The centrally symmetrical circular plane is 

well-suited for the exhibition space. The 

visiting circulation is a key consideration for 

the internal space organisation. It is essential 

to ensure a logically arranged circulation 

route to avoid overlaps or detours. The project 

adopts a nearly circular plane, forming an 

inscribed circle with a diameter of 37m. The 

periphery of the inscribed circle becomes the 

circulation route for visitors. Such a layout 

strategy can streamline subsequent work in 

exhibition arrangement and thus reduce cost, 

which is essential in rural construction. 

4 

Opting for a 37m-diameter central column 

frame within the structural framework is an 

economical solution. This design introduces 

dynamic variations in both space and scale, 

creating distinct ‘ring’ spaces. 

The outer ring integrates the enclosure walls 

with wooden structures, creating a backdrop 

for placing display boards. The middle ring 

serves as a shelf area for displaying various 

Rehmannia root products. It incorporates 

densely organised structural units of the 

column frame, ensuring a stable structure 

and maximising storage capacity. The inner 

ring, more expansive than the middle ring, is 

designed with a circular and stepped sunken 

seating area, offering a venue for health and 

wellness sessions and activities. The central 

skylight at the top brings in daylight while 

accentuating a sense of centrality. 

5 

FURNITURE AS STRUCTURE 

The sustainable concept inherent in traditional 

wooden construction aligns with ‘Reduce’ in the 

3R principle, and is specifically embodied by 

the ‘furniture as structure’ methodology. This 

practice reflects local construction wisdom, 

saving and preserving resources; it not only 

saves materials and space, but also integrates 

structure, furniture, and space into a whole. 

Inspired by this traditional construction 

methodology, LUO studio transformed 

traditional large-section columns into smallsection 

column arrays, which were then 

stacked vertically and horizontally to secure 

secondary small wooden beams. Panels were 

subsequently laid on the small beams for 

holding items. These component groups, which 

are both structures and functional shelves, 

define a unique space. 

6 



Legend 

4 Entrance foyer 

5 Light filtering through 

the gaps between 

enclosure walls 

6 Glulam was used 

to ensure durability 

and prevent issues 

such as cracking and 

deformation of logs 

7 Rehmannia plantation 

on the south 

7 

Small column array groups were assembled 

side by side in the form of standardised 

modular units, offering two advantages in 

rural construction: 

First, large sections and heavier material rods 

typically demand large machinery for hoisting 

during construction. However, rural roads, 

characterised by narrow pathways, slopes, 

and depressions, pose challenges for the 

navigation of large equipment. Breaking down 

the structural system into small components 

facilitated manual movement, allowing 

villagers to participate in and organise the 

construction themselves. 

Second, the construction method involving 

standardised modular units enhanced 

processing and assembly efficiency, leading 

to savings in manpower and material 

resources. This approach is well-suited for 

construction in rural settings. 

ROOF TRUSS IN SPIRALLY AND CIRCULARLY 

OVERLAPPED FORMATION 

Following the framework of a regular 18-sided 

polygon on the plane, the exhibition hall 

repositions one endpoint of each side towards 

the centre of the inscribed circle, aligning it 

perpendicularly to the extension line of the 

structural columns. 

When viewed from the exterior, the adjoining 

side walls are staggered. The varied gaps 

between the 18 walls allow natural light to 

filter in and create a visually captivating 

interplay of light and shadow within the 

space. Viewed from the interior, a distinctive 

2.5m-diameter hole emerges at the centre of 

the dome, which is formed by the organisation 

of columns and beams. 

In the case of a circular dome, straightening 

rods from the arc points to the centre of the 

circle could result in a densely structured 

central node. This could complicate the 

connection between the rods, requiring 

complicated central connecting components 

and high costs in processing and hoisting. 

Moreover, the 37m-diameter span of the 

entire building necessitates daylighting in the 

middle. 

To address these challenges, the design 

team conceived a structure in which the 

rods are mutually supportive and are 

connected in a spirally circular formation. 

This approach eliminates situations where 

two members share an endpoint, thereby 

avoiding the creation of hinged nodes. The 

wooden beams support each other in a 

spiral, distributing pressure, overlapping, 

and ultimately forming a continuous and 

complete stress system. 

BRICK, TIMBER AND GENIUS LOCI 

Most of the houses in Houyanmen Village were 

constructed during the 1970s and the 1990s, 

characterised by red-brick masonry walls and 

triangular wooden frame roofs. Other houses 

include idle, abandoned buildings with gray 

brick walls and Tailiang-style timber frame 

structures, as well as brick-concrete houses 

built prior to 2000. 

In this project, local red bricks are applied 

to the enclosure walls and internal partition 

walls, constructed by local craftsmen using 

traditional masonry techniques. Traditional 

houses in the village typically feature brick 

walls on the lower section and wooden frames 

on the upper part. The project adopts a similar 

material scheme. 

To accommodate the need for a spacious 

exhibition area, the wooden frame not only 

forms the upper roof but also functions as 

the frame-column support for the lower 

part. To ensure durability and prevent issues 

such as cracking and deformation of logs, 

glue-laminated timber (glulam) and wooden 

poles were chosen, and the timber rods were 

securely fastened with bolts through metal 

connecting components. 

The combination of the local red-brick 

masonry wall techniques with the engineered 

wood frame structure enhances both the 

structural integrity and durability while 

aligning with the traditional built environment 

in the village. This approach ensures that the 

rural industry display building not only meets 

spatial quantity requirements but also delivers 

high-quality spatial aesthetics that echo the 

genius loci. P 



Palm wood: A sustainable 

alternative to counter 

deforestation 

1 

LEGEND 

1 OnCore Lumber Core 

2 OPT offcuts can be 

used as biofuel 

Deforestation has become a critical 

global concern, posing significant 

impacts to biodiversity, ecosystems, 

and the climate. However, innovative 

solutions are proving to be difficult 

and far few to address this issue. In 

an effort to reduce deforestation, 

IOI Palm Wood (IOIPW) is 

leveraging technology to transform 

unused waste from oil palm trunks 

(OPT) into sustainable palm wood 

materials to be used for furniture 

and building industries. 

At IOIPW we are not looking to 

totally replace natural timbers, but 

to find ways to substitute the use of 

wood for lumber cores, especially 

in doors, furniture panels and other 

engineered products. Recognising 

the potential of OPT as an unutilised 

biomass material, IOIPW is 

stepping up to repurpose this once 

considered waste resource into 

sustainable engineered materials. 

When oil palm trees reach the end 

of their productive life, the trunks 

are typically left to decay as waste in 

plantations. This decaying process 

generates carbon dioxide and other 

greenhouse gasses such as methane. 

By utilising innovative technology, 

the conversion of OPT into palm 

wood not only addresses the issue of 

waste management but also provides 

a sustainable alternative to over 

exploitation of timber resources. 

ADVANTAGES OF PALM WOOD 

Sustainable sourcing: Harvesting 

palm wood from OPT mitigates the 

need for logging natural forests. This 

sustainable sourcing helps conserve 

valuable ecosystems, protect 

biodiversity, and maintain the balance 

of natural resources. 

Carbon sequestration: Palm wood, 

derived from OPT, acts as a carbon 

sink, capturing and storing carbon 

2 



dioxide. This attribute significantly mitigates 

adverse impacts on climate change, as it helps 

reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. 

Versatility in applications: At the current 

stage of research and production, palm wood is 

suitable to serve as a core material for various 

applications. As the palm wood industry 

continues to evolve, the potential for innovation 

and diversification of products is vast. Ongoing 

research and development, coupled with the 

passage of time, can unfold the versatility of 

palm wood to further reduce the reliance on 

tropical wood sources and contribute to the 

conservation of natural forests. 

t pe 

In the manufacturing process, OPT offcuts 

are the pieces left over when IOIPW produce 

palm wood. Instead of allowing the offcuts 

to become another type of waste, we use 

this biomass for the generation of renewable 

energy. By using OPT offcuts as biomass fuel, 

we are tapping into a renewable energy source, 

and by using biomass fuel we can eliminate the 

use of fossil fuels, which is a cleaner alternative, 

as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Using 

OPT offcuts as biomass fuel means we are 

minimising waste and maximising the value of 

every part of OPT. 

Anthon GmbH Maschinen- & Anlagenbau 

Schäferweg 5 24941 Flensburg Gemany 

Tel: +49(461) 5803-0 Fax +49(461) 5803-40 

The conversion of OPT into palm wood 

represents a real reduction to deforestation. 

From OPT to the creation of palm wood, to 

the use of OPT offcuts as biomass fuel, this is 

a sustainable cycle where every stage has a 

purpose. Our journey is not just about making 

products; it is about making greener choices for 

a more caring, inclusive natural world. As the 

palm wood industry grows, it not only provides 

economic benefits but will also contribute 

to the global effort to protect the natural 

ecosystem and reduce harmful greenhouse gas 

emissions. P 

Inspiring the next 

“material revolution” by 

creating sustainable and 

high-performance 

materials from oil palm 

waste, Peter Fitch, 

together with IOI, have 

set up IOI Palm Wood 

to commercialise this 

untapped potential. 

to your 

specifications ! 

Anthon Werbung Englisch MARCH 91x234 / APRIL 2024 | PANELS & FURNITURE ASIA 57 

Montag, 3. April 2023 10:51:49

SHOW PREVIEW 

Hanoi Wood Expo and 

Hanoi Furniture Fittings & 

Upholstery Expo 

production; fittings such as kitchen 

and office furniture hardware and 

decorative profiles; upholstery 

products including fabrics, leathers, 

and springs; and more. 

FURNITURE MARKET IN HANOI 

The furniture market in Hanoi has 

been witnessing strong growth in 

recent years, with an average growth 

rate of 10-12% per annum. In 2023, 

the bed, wardrobe, table and chair 

manufacturing industry in Hanoi has a 

growth rate of 7.7%. More specifically, 

in Q4 2023, the bed, wardrobe, table 

chair manufacturing sector grew by 

17.7% over the same period in 2022. 

Hanoi continues to focus on directing 

and urging investors and construction 

units to increase resources and speed 

up the construction progress of key 

works and projects. All these show how 

prosperous the Hanoi furniture industry 

is, and how it contributes to the local 

economy. 

Pablo Publishing & Exhibition 

has launched two new wood and 

woodworking exhibitions in Hanoi, 

Vietnam — a domestic furniture market 

largely underserved, but holds much 

potential for players to tap into during 

the current economic downturn. 

Construction Center (NECC) in Hanoi. 

While Hanoi Wood Expo specialises 

in machinery, tools and solutions for 

the woodworking segment, Hanoi 

Furniture Fittings & Upholstery Expo 

features more of furniture hardware, 

component parts and textiles. 

2023 was forecasted to grow about 

11.5% compared to the year before, 

reaching a value of about 150,000bn 

Vietnamese dong (US$6.09bn). This 

growth is mainly driven by increased 

demand for new housing, as well as 

people’s need to improve living space. 

With a population of 100 million people 

and a rapid urbanisation rate, Hanoi 

is estimated to have 70-80 million 

square metres of housing built each 

year, leading to increased demand for 

interior and exterior wood products. 

From 29 May-1 Jun 2024, both Hanoi 

Wood Expo and Hanoi Furniture 

Fittings & Upholstery Expo will 

be held at the National Exhibition 

Visitors can expect raw materials 

for woodworking; surface treatment 

and finishing solutions; Industry 4.0 

solutions for the efficient furniture 

In 2024, the furniture industry in 

Hanoi is forecast to continue to grow 

at a stable pace, especially since the 

people’s demand for new housing and 


SHOW PREVIEW 

models, expanding markets, innovating 

technology to adapt to the current 

market situation in the US and EU, 

where export orders are falling. 

“Returning to the domestic market 

is one of the useful solutions to help 

wood processing enterprises diversify 

their output, expand new business 

opportunities, increase revenue, 

and reduce the risk of dependence 

on exports. Promoting the synergy 

between the potential domestic 

market and the continuous growth of 

exports,” said Do Xuan Lap, chairman 

of the Vietnam Timber and Forest 

Products Association (VIFOREST). 

1 

Overall, for 2024, development 

investment capital in the region 

is estimated to increase by 9.3% 

compared to the previous year, of 

which investment capital from the 

state budget managed by the locality 

increased by 11.5%. Attracting FDI 

reached more than US$2.9bn, an 

increase of 70.5% over the previous 

year, making it one of the top five 

localities in the country in attracting 

FDI. 

2 

To help furniture manufacturing 

businesses in Hanoi, Vietnam has 

implemented support policies in 

2023. In particular, the application 

of preferential tax rates for imported 

materials for production wooden 

furniture will help reduce production 

costs and increase competitiveness 

for domestic businesses. 

LEGEND 

1 Upholstery like 

fabrics and 

textiles will be 

featured at Hanoi 

Furniture Fittings 

& Upholstery 

2 Panel furniture is 

in demand among 

Hanoi consumers 

improved living space will continue 

to increase. Along with the strong 

participation of foreign businesses, 

the domestic furniture market is also 

witnessing a return of pure furniture 

exporters, since the export market is 

facing difficulties. 1 

For example, Kettle Interiors Asia, a 

Vietnamese furniture manufacturing 

company based in Binh Duong, 

returned to the domestic market to 

partly overcome the sharp decline in 

export orders. Cao Van Dong, general 

director of the company, said that 

when participating in the domestic 

market, the company does not open 

brick-and-mortar stores but only does 

business through e-commerce, taking 

advantage of the store to display 

export products at the factory in the 

province — which does not cost much. 

On the contrary, thanks to accessing 

the domestic market of nearly 100 

million people, the company managed 

to maintain jobs for more than 400 

workers. 

Businesses have been implementing 

many solutions such as changing 

In 2023, banks in Hanoi city have 

successfully implemented the 2% 

interest rate support programme for 

commercial loans for enterprises, 

cooperatives, and business 

households facing difficulties. To date, 

accumulated disbursement revenue is 

45.1tn Vietnamese dong, outstanding 

loans are nearly 15tn dong, and the 

amount of interest rate support is 

193bn dong. 

CUSTOMER NEEDS AND TASTES IN HANOI 

Furniture customers in Hanoi have 

been increasingly demanding for 


SHOW PREVIEW 

better quality and designs of interior 

products, especially for the luxury or 

hospitality sectors. Factors such as 

convenience, design diversity and 

aesthetics are also appreciated. 

The demand for solid wood furniture 

has always been high due to its 

durability and high aesthetic value. 

In particular, the trend of using solid 

wood furniture in recent years has 

returned and is reportedly favoured 

by customers in Hanoi, such as tables 

and chairs, cabinets, or beds — all 

expected to be exquisitely designed 

and crafted, bringing a luxurious 

and classy atmosphere to the living 

space. 

But solid wood furniture 

poses challenges to furniture 

manufacturing businesses in Hanoi. 

Mainly, the supply of the raw material 

itself, which is gradually decreasing 

due to unsustainable exploitation. 

Wood import is also facing 

difficulties. This makes the price of 

natural wood furniture products in 

Hanoi increase in 2023, and going 

into 2024. 

Engineered wood or panel furniture 

continues to hold a large market 

share due to its reasonable 

price, diverse designs and good 

resistance to warping and termites. 

Compared to solid wood furniture, 

furniture made with, for example, 

medium-density or high-density 

fibreboard (MDF or HDF) have better 

anti-warping and termite properties 

than solid wood furniture. 

to its luxurious design and high quality, 

in spite of its high prices. It is often in 

demand with luxury apartments and 

villas in Hanoi. However, high import 

prices due to shipping costs and taxes 

usually cause imported furniture to be 

more expensive, which makes it not a 

suitable choice for all consumers. 

Interior design trends in Hanoi 

will continue to develop towards 

modernity and minimalism. Interior 

products are designed to be simple, 

sophisticated and use natural 

materials such as wood, stone and 

metal. In addition, products with 

versatile and space-saving features 

are also favoured by customers. 

The main colour trend in interior 

design in 2023 and 2024 is still neutral 

colours and natural wood colours. 

These are the colours that bring 

a feeling of peace, relaxation and 

comfort to the living space. Neutral 

colours include black, white, grey, 

beige, cream, or brown; natural wood 

colours include shades of oak, walnut, 

ash, among others. 

Multi-purpose products are also in 

vogue now. These projects should 

have creative designs on top of 

having quick converting functions 

with a smart, safe power system. 

Not only do they help optimise 

installation area and transform 

space according to needs, but they 

also create uniformity in design and 

help homeowners save on shopping 

costs. Typical products include: a 

bed-cum-sofa, bed-cum-study table, 

bed with a decorative shelf and study 

table, and others. 

In the coming years, the furniture 

industry in Hanoi will continue 

to develop at a rapid pace and 

diversify products. The application 

of digital technology and the use of 

environmentally friendly raw materials 

will be the main trends of this industry. 

Digital technology not only helps with 

the furniture products and designs, 

increasing productivity and quality, 

but also using online platforms for 

promotion and sales can boost 

customer reach. Finding new markets 

and promoting exports will also help 

the furniture industry in Hanoi have 

more opportunities to develop in the 

future. P 

REFERENCES 

1. Panels & Furniture Asia, January/February 2024. “Why 

now is the best time to tap into Vietnam’s domestic 

market.” 

Interior design trends 

in Hanoi will continue 

to develop towards 

modernity and 

minimalism 

However, one of the main challenges 

of producing panel is fierce 

competition from businesses 

importing from China and Taiwan. 

With cheaper prices and diverse 

designs, these products are 

dominating the furniture market in 

Hanoi and putting great pressure on 

domestic manufacturing enterprises. 

Imported furniture, especially from 

European countries, is gradually 

becoming more popular in Hanoi due 


EVENTS CALENDAR 

Events Calendar 

2024-2025 

2024 

MARCH 

March, 05 – 07 

Dubai WoodShow 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates 


HawaExpo 

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 


China International Furniture Fair 

Guangzhou (Phase 1) 

Guangzhou, China 


Holz-Handwerk 2024 

Nuremberg, Germany 



Guangzhou (Phase 2) 



Interzum Guangzhou 


MAY 

May, 09 – 12 

Qingdao International Furniture Fair 

Qingdao, China 

May, 21 – 24 

Xylexpo 2024 

Milan, Italy 

May, 28 – 30 

DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 

Shanghai, China 

May, 29 – June, 01 

Hanoi Wood Expo 

Hanoi, Vietnam 

May, 29 – June, 01 

Hanoi Fittings & Upholstery Expo 

Hanoi, Vietnam 

JUNE 

June, 24 – 26 

Sylva Wood Expo 


AUGUST 

August, 29 – September, 01 

Korean International Furniture & 

Interior Fair 

Seoul, South Korea 

August, 27 – 30 

VIFA ASEAN 

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam 

SEPTEMBER 

September, 02 – 04 

Saudi Wood Expo 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 


FMC 2024 




Shanghai 



Thailand International Woodworking & 

Furniture Exhibition 

Bangkok, Thailand 


IFMAC & WOODMAC 

Jakarta, Indonesia 

OCTOBER 

October, 04 – 06 

2024 NHLA Annual Convention & 

Exhibit Showcase 

Ohio, US 

2025 

MAY 

May, 26 – 30 

LIGNA 

Hanover, Germany 

OCTOBER 

October, 15 – 18 

VietnamWood 

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 


INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 

Index of Advertisers 

Panels & Furniture Asia (Issue 2) - March/April 2024 

COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE 

Anthon GmbH 57 

Baillie Lumber 9 

Baumer Inspection GmbH 41 

Dieffenbacher Industriemarketing GmbH 5 

Hanoi Wood Expo 2024 

IFC 

IMAL SRL 

OBC 

IMEAS S.p.a 64 

Kuang Yung Machinery Co.,Ltd 13 

Lesnaya Industriya Journal 63 

LEUCO Ledermann GmbH & Co. KG 11 

Nanxing Machinery Co., Ltd 2, 3 

QUOC DUY 1 

Saudi Wood Expo 43 

Shanghai Wood-Based Panels Machinery Co., Ltd 61 

Shanxi Vario Hydraulic Machinery Co., Ltd 29 

Siempelkamp Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH 

FC 

Smart Connected Solutions SEA 45 

Sylva Wood 2024 7 

Technik Associates, Inc 

IBC 

Wood-Mizer, LLC 37 

Yalian Machinery Co., Ltd 35 

ai17085098048_EN_PFA_IMEAS_2024 copia.pdf 1 21/02/24 11:03 

Scan to download eBook 

PFA March/April 2024 

CLT, MDF, ParticleBoard, Glulam and... many more! 

The EvoL sanding machines from Imeas are the result of more than 50 

years of know-how and evolution and offer State-of-the-Art technologies 

for sanding every tyope of wood-based panels. 

EvoL, the choice for Superior Sanding Quality! 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

IMEAS S.p.A. via Pacinotti, 36 - 20035 VILLA CORTESE (MI) ITALY | Tel. +39.0331.463011 | Fax +39.0331.432311 | imeas@imeas.it | www.imeas.it 


www.imalpal.com 

OVER 

30 

IMAL BELT DRYERS 

IN OPERATION 

WORLDWIDE 

THE EVOLUTION OF BELT 

DRYING TECHNOLOGY: 

IMAL DYNADRYER 

The installation of the Dynadryer has different advantages 

over drum dryers. One above all: Dynadryer runs at low 

temperatures (maximum 95°C), the air is heated by hot airwater 

heat exchangers where the temperature of the water 

is around 100°C. So no fire risk and such low emissions that a 

WESP is not required either. 

Would you like to know more? Read the article on page 30-32 

Visit us at: 

March 05-07, 2024 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

Zaabeel Hall 4 – Stand E-21

Panels & Furniture Asia March/April 2024

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?