Researchers from InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM participated in the 60th Anniversary Conference of the International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS), held 1 – 4 June 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland.

The conference marked the 60th anniversary of IAWS and brought together leading wood scientists from around the world to discuss recent advances in wood science, timber engineering, sustainable material development, circular bioeconomy and emerging applications of artificial intelligence in wood research.

The event featured keynote lectures, thematic sessions, and poster presentations covering a broad range of topics, including wood anatomy, material properties, engineered wood products, wood protection and novel bio-based materials.

Dr. Andreja Kutnar, department chair of InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM, delivered a plenary lecture entitled “Wood Material Properties and Mechanics”. In her talk, she presented wood as a key engineering material for sustainable construction, emphasizing how the integration of fundamental science, applied engineering and digital approaches can help unlock its full potential as a next-generation building material.

Dr. Mohammad Derikvand, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher gave a presentation titled “Bending performance of dowel-laminated timber made of reclaimed beams”. The study highlights the potential of reclaimed timber for structural applications and demonstrates how engineering approaches can support more sustainable use of wood in the built environment through the reuse of recovered wood resources.

The conference was also attended by researchers from the University of Ljubljana and the Slovenian Forestry Institute. Dr. Katarina Čufar from University of Ljubljana presented on IAWS activities and emerging trends in wood anatomy and dendrochronology. Dr. Peter Prislan from the Slovenian Forestry Institute (GIS) presented research on the responses of beech and oak to climatic variability in Slovenia, while Iza Petek from GIS presented on the influence of elevation on wood density in trees of different porosity groups.

Participation in the IAWS Anniversary Conference provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge with international experts, strengthen collaborations, and contribute to discussions on the future of wood science and sustainable material development.