18. May 2017

In May, University of Primorska and InnoRenew hosted a meeting with the leading researchers and research managers in the European forest and wood sector, connected by the InnovaWood Network. InnovaWood is an international organisation with 50 members from 26 countries, whose main objective is to work ‘towards an integrated European research, innovation and training area for the forest and wood sector’. The main goal of the meeting was to discuss the future of InnovaWood.

The interactive workshop extended over the period of two days and included various activities, such as workshops in the Praetorian Palace in Koper, a meeting of the Executive Committee, and a boat trip to the picturesque city of Piran. An exhibition of industrial and artisan wood products, Charm of Wood, was organized simultaneously in the Armerija palace in Koper, and added both artistic insight to the discussions, and ideas on the utilisation of the European hardwoods.

Uwe Kies, the new Secretary-General of InnovaWood commented: ‘In a perfect setting of a historic building with great centuries-old wooden ceiling and matching rest of the interior design, in an academic excellence setting of the University of Primorska, it was not difficult to have constructive discussions and to make decisive strides towards better defining the future of InnovaWood.’

InnovaWood’s new president, Prof. Dr. Mark Irle stated that he was very satisfied with the workshop. The workshop activities were led by Dr. Andreas Kleinschmit von Lengefeld, former director of Forest-based Sector Technology Platform (FTP), and current director of l’Institut Technologique Forêt Cellulose Bois-construction Ameublement (FCBA). As an active reviewer of Horizon 2020 project applications, he was also able to share his vast experience with the workshop participants.

Read more about the workshop in English or in Slovene (1) (2).