annual report 2015/2016 - ivth · annual report 2015/2016 shaping the future naturally - with wood....

Annual Report 2015/2016

Shaping the future naturally - with wood.

Contents

2 Contents and Publication Credits

3 Foreword

4 A Profile of the Association

5 Executive Committee and Advisory Board

6 The Association in Figures

8 AiF – German Federation of Industrial Research

Associations “Otto von Guericke“ e.V.

10 Activities 2015/2016

10 1st Cooperation Forum “Surfaces for Wood and Wood-

based Materials“

10 LIGNA in Hanover

11 Final Colloquium “Best Kleb“

11 DVS Congress and DVS Expo 2015

12 2nd Cooperation Forum “Wood as a new Material“

13 Holz+ Symposium for Composite Technologies

13 16th Colloquium “Joint Research in Adhesive

Bonding“

14 70th Anniversary of iVTH

15 10th European Wood-based Panel Symposium

16 Award Presentations

16 9th Wilhelm Klauditz Prize for Wood Research and

Environmental Protection 2015

16 Wilhelm Klauditz Medal

17 Final Reports

18 Overview – Short Reports 2015

19 Overview – Short Reports 2016

20 Current Research Projects

20 Investigations into veneer production and the

characteristic values of LVL

22 Alternative formaldehyde-free urea resins for wood-

based materials and decor papers

24 OptiGas 2020 - Optimization of the gas analysis method

for the determination of the formaldehyde release from

wood-based materials

26 EU Project ECOPRESSWOOD

27 A Look Ahead to 2017

29 Membership Declaration

31 iVTH Statute

2 iVTH-Report2015 / 2016

Publication Credits

iVTH - Annual Report

Published by Internationaler

Verein für Technische Holzfra-

gen e.V. - iVTH (International

Association for Technical

Issues Related to Wood)

Managing Director

Rainer Marutzky

Editor

Margitta Uhde

Rainer Marutzky

Typesetting and layout

Sarah Lippelt

Manuela Lingnau

Claudia Albrecht

Printing

Gutenberg Beuys

Feindruckerei GmbH

Foreword

The main activities of the Internatio-

nal Association for Technical Issues

related to Wood address, in accor-

dance with its statutes, the promo-

tion of applied research in the field

of wood and wood-based materials.

From the number of projects and the

volume of funding, the undertakings

of the industrial collective research

which address bonding topics; on average, two of these are

located at the iVTH. The research field “Bonding of wood and

wood-based materials” has thereby developed into a main

focus of the Association’s IGF research work. Five from a total

of twelve managed projects currently address adhesive topics.

The results of the collaborative adhesive research are presented

to the professional world once a year at a GAK joint colloqui-

um. Furthermore, in conjunction with Bavarian institutions, the

cooperation forum “Kleben von Holz und Holzwerkstoffen”

(Bonding of wood and wood-based materials) takes place

every two years in Würzburg, also on 21st and 22nd June, 2017.

In addition, the iVTH is also involved in the initiation and partial

financing of start-up projects. During the reporting period, the-

se projects, which are preferentially located at the Fraunhofer

WKI, addressed topics of adhesive and veneer research as well

as the optimization of the formaldehyde testing of wood-

based materials. Detailed information concerning the assign-

ments and results of these iVTH projects is provided in detail in

this Annual Report. Further tasks of the Association include the

organization of conferences and workshops. The Report also

provides sufficient information hereto.

One topic which causes concern within the wood sector - and

therefore also the Association - is the environmental compa-

tibility of wood and wood-based products. In general, wood

and the products manufactured therefrom are considered to

be sustainable, climate-neutral and without health risk. Never-

theless, at national and European level, activities have existed

for many years which regulate the emissions of formaldehyde

and organic substances from building products by means of

evaluation systems and limit values, without taking into ac-

count the natural wood characteristics. Here, too, can research

results and factual-technical information provide a contribution

towards the prevention or, at least, the reduction of indiscrimi-

nate and unnecessary regulations for wood products.

Finally, I would like to thank the Board of Directors, the Advi-

sory Council and the iVTH team for their excellent cooperation

and support. My thanks also go to our members who, through

their contributions, support pre-competitive research to the

benefit of the wood industry. I hope that our Annual Report

provides an interesting read.

Prof. Dr. Rainer Marutzky Braunschweig

provisional Commercial Director in May 2017

(Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung, IGF) are the most signifi-

cant. These projects, obtained via the AiF (Arbeitsgemeinschaft

industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen, German Federation of

Industrial Research Associations) are funded by the German

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). In

2015, nine projects were managed by the iVTH; in 2016, there

were 8 projects. As a result, more than 2.3 million euros were

made available to wood research via the iVTH in the reporting

period 2015/16. By increasing the funding at the end of 2016,

the BMWi was able to clear the backlog in approving funds

for positively assessed projects. In the first four months of the

year, the iVTH was able to grant the authorization for a further

five IGF projects. In the current year, more than 1.2 million

euros in IGF funds are once again expected. In accordance

with the requirements of the Federal Ministry for Economic

Affairs and Energy, the costs for the project management must

be covered by the contributions of the iVTH members and

through special allowances from the economy. A lean per-

sonnel structure and a prudent management strategy ensure

that the financial expenses within the iVTH household are kept

within limits.

A particularly important measure in the IGF area proved to be

the participation of the iVTH in the Gemeinschaftsausschuss

Klebtechnik GAK (Joint Committee on Adhesive Bonding).

Since 2010, the iVTH, as successor to the Deutsche Gesell-

schaft für Holzforschung (German Society for Wood Research),

has been working closely together here with three further

AiF research associations (the DECHEMA Society for Chemical

Engineering and Biotechnology, the German Welding Soci-

ety DVS and the Research Association for Steel Application

FOSTA). Twice a year, a mutual call for tenders takes place

concerning projects addressing the topic of adhesive research.

The submitted drafts are then evaluated with the participation

of the economy and, if successfully assessed, submitted via

the AiF to the BMWi as proposals - as a rule with success. In

this way, up to 10 new IGF projects can be initiated each year

3iVTH-Report2015/ 2016

A Profile of the Association

The International Association for Technical Issues Related

to Wood – iVTH - was founded in 1946 on the initiative

of timber researcher Wilhelm Klauditz and what was then

Braunschweig‘s state forestry administration. Since then, we

have been promoting links between technical and scientific

ideas whilst taking into account economic conditions.

As a non-profit association, the iVTH promotes research and

development in the fields of wood and wood-based panels

as well as related areas including, for example, adhesives,

construction, testing and standards. We have a history of

acting as an intermediary between science and practice that

stretches back over 70 years and is based in part on experience

in forestry and the timber industry.

For us, helping to shape the future means taking the findings

from successfully-completed research projects and using it to

grasp, develop and promote new ideas. This also includes esta-

blishing initiatives to advance our knowledge of timber and its

use as a raw material and to communicate this to others.

Join us in maintaining this knowledge transfer for future

generations and shaping the future with a raw material fit for

our times.

An overview of our activities:

We

�� promote research and development in the forestry and

timber industries and related fields

�� commission research projects with relevant objectives

�� organise scientific events

�� award the Wilhelm Klauditz prize for timber research and

protection of the environment

�� are a cooperation partner for initiatives connected with

timber as a raw material

�� take an active part in advisory councils

�� are a member of the Federation of Industrial Research

Associations (AiF), the Fraunhofer Society for the Advance-

ment of Applied Research, the Holzforschung Austria, the

Joint Committee on Adhesive Bonding (GAK), the Hard-

wood Research Interest Group (IGLHF) and the Association

for the Promotion of Standardisation in the Timber Industry

and Furniture (VFNHM).

As a member you have the following benefits:

�� Advice from timber research experts

�� Information and summary reports on current research

projects by supported research bodies

�� Offprints, annual reports, press releases

�� Special rates for events

�� Association members are privileged partners in research

and development as well as on advisory and review com-

mittees

If you are interested in supporting communication between

research and practice then please get in touch with us.

The office team (from left to right): Sarah Lippelt, Rainer Marutzky, Margitta Uhde and Petra Lamprecht.

4 iVTH-Report2015/ 2016

Executive Committee

The association‘s executive committee is elected by the mem-

ber council for a term of three business years and is tasked

with executing the decisions of the member council as well as

of the executive committee.

Executive Committee and Advisory Board

Chairman

Dr. Ralf BeckerFritz Becker KG

Advisory Board

The advisory board cultivates relationships with those agencies,

in particular from science and government, which support the

objectives of the association.

Dr. Rüdiger BaunemannPlasticsEurope Deutschland e.V.

Dr. Markus BoosRemmers Baustofftechnik GmbH

Forstdirektor Michael BuhlmannHessisches Ministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz

RegDir. Johann Georg DenggBundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft

Prof. Dr. Arno Frühwaldehem. vTI Hamburg

Prof. Dr. Joachim HaschKRONOPOL sp. z o.o

Dr. Sebastian HusterNiedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur

Dr. Klaus MerkerNiedersächsische Landesforsten

Prof. Dr. Holger MilitzGeorg-August-Universität Göttingen, Abteilung für Holzbiologie und Holzprodukte

Ralf PollmeierPollmeier Massivholz GmbH & Co. KG

Dr. Joachim ReichertBundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie

Prof. Dr. Klaus RichterTechnische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Holzwissenschaft

Prof. Dr.-Ing. André WagenführInstitut für Holz- und Papiertechnik der TU Dresden

Dr. Stephan WeinkötzBASF SE

Dr. Hans-Kurt von WerderFaber-Castell AG

Werner ZimmermannRhenocoll-Werk eK.

Last updated: 04.2017

Other Board Members

Dipl.-Forstw. MR Horst BuschalskyNiedersächsisches Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft undVerbraucherschutz

Dr.-Ing. Jürgen KreiterWerzalit GmbH & Co. KG

Karl-Robert Kuntzelka-Holzwerke GmbH

Dr. Peter SauerweinVHI – Verband der deutschen Holzwerkstoffindustrie e.V.

In an advisory role

Prof. Dr. Rainer MarutzkyiVTH

Deputy Chairman

Dipl.-Ing. Hubertus FlötottoSauerländer Spanplatten GmbH & Co. KG

Deputy Chairman

Dipl.-Ing. Kai GretenFagus-GreCon Greten GmbH & Co. KG

Treasurer

Dr.-Ing. Hans-Werner HoffmeisterInstitut für Werkzeugmaschinen und Fertigungstechnik der TU Braunschweig


The Association in Figures

Special-purpose enterprisePlanned Actual

Revenue Expenditure Revenue Expenditure

Member contributions/donations 60 49

Donations 10 11

Interest 1 0

Sales tax 1 1 0 0

Project grants 20 20

Reserve 61 70

Events 15 15

Staff 22 22

AiF contributions 50 49

WK-Prize money 5 5

Other revenue und expenditure 10 1 10

Project funding EU EcoPressWood 22 22

Project funding 80 81

Total 190 190 166 167

Revenue shortfalls -1

Funds in transit

Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF) funding average, ZuTech, competition (normal process), Cornet, Cluster

1.450 1.244

WKI 350 355

Other research bodies 1.100 889

Total 1.450 1.450 1.244 1.244

Overall total 1.640 1.640 1.410 1.411

Revenue shortfalls -1

iVTH accounts 2015(in thousand Euros)


The Association in Figures

Special-purpose enterprisePlanned Ist

Revenue Expenditure Revenue Expenditure

Member contributions/donations 60 68

Donations 5 0

Interest 1 0

Sales tax 1 1 0 0

Project grants 10 0

Reserve (withdrawal) 48 0

Events 10 153

Staff 22 21

AiF contributions 40 41

WK Prize money 0 0

Other revenue and expenditure 5 1 4

Project funding EU EcoPressWood 5 5 4

project funding 67 10 159

Total 140 140 236 225

Surplus revenue 11

Funds in transit

Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF) funding average, ZuTech, competition (normal process), Cornet, Cluster

1.200 1.060

WKI 200 180

Other research bodies 1.000 880

Total 1.200 1.200 1.060 1.060

Overall total 1.340 1.340 1.296 1.285

Surplus revenue 11

iVTH accounts 2016(in thousand Euros)


Source: AiF02/2016 AiF e.V.

Collective Research Scheme

Funding Recommendation

Project FundingFinancial

Management and Audit

Evaluation of Proposals

ProjectsProposals

Transfer

Research Performers

Universities Research Institutes of

AiF‐members Fraunhofer‐Institutes Other Research Centres

bottom

‐up

Results

Research Contract

Industrial Research Associations(AiF‐members)

Evaluation of Ideas Project

Management Project Monitoring

by User Committees

Dissemina‐tion

Cooperation

50,000 mainly Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises

Technological Needs

ChallengesUse of Results

Project Ideas Transfer

The AiF was founded in 1954 as a non-profit association and

has grown to become an alliance of around 100 research

associations with partners from business, science and govern-

ment managing research funding via a variety of funding

instruments along the whole length of the value-added chain.

Industrial collective research acts as the bridge between basic

research and industrial application. The German Federal

Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) provides

public funds for industrial collective research. The objective of

the programme is to balance out the structural disadvantages

of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the field of

research and development. The intention is to make it easier

for SMEs to access technological advances, making them more

internationally competitive; this takes place within a single

business sector but increasingly also across all sectors under

the umbrella of the AiF research associations. The research

projects focus on the needs and interests of the business with

the business being fully involved. Depending on the issue

being researched, the cooperative, practice-orientated research

activities are carried out primarily by universities and non-

profit research institutions with close links to business. This

means that parallel fields of research can be developed to the

pre-competition stage with technical and economic risks being

shared between several institutions. The results of the research

are openly available to any interested party.

The iVTH has been a full member of the AiF since 1958. The

AiF is the sole coordinator and organiser of pre-competition

collective industrial research which is why only AiF members

are able to apply to the BMWi for public funding for research

projects as part of practice-orientated fundamental research.

In order to make an application, businesses or research bodies

direct their suggested subjects for industrial collective research

projects to an appropriate research association; for wood-

related issues, for example, it might be the iVTH.

The range of subjects covered by AiF research associations

includes future technologies of relevance to SMEs, from bio-

technology to new materials and efficient use of resources.

AiF – German Federation of Industrial Research Associations - The Innovative Power of SMEs


AiF facts and figures

�� Since its foundation in 1954 the AiF has directed around

€11 billion into developments and innovations.

�� Over 220,000 research projects have been realised.

�� 1,200 research institutes have participated over the last five

years alone in industrial collective research projects.

�� Around 1,200 experts from business and science work

ensure the quality and practical relevance of the research.

�� Close to 50,000 primarily small and medium-sized enter-

prises benefit from the results of research conducted under

the aegis of the AiF.

AiF projects conducted by the iVTH in 2015

The iVTH supports research projects of interest to small and

medium-sized businesses. The Corporate Finance Codex

enacted in 2011 means that research associations may not

draw remuneration from the research bodies for research

funding from the BMWi. This means that the costs for advice

and support as well as AiF membership subscription fees are

covered solely from membership subscriptions, donations and

one-off contributions to the association.

In 2015, the iVTH supported 13 industrial collective research

projects. The new industrial collective research project “Alter-

native formaldehyde-free urea resins for wood-based materials

and decor papers“ was started on 1 January 2015. Work on

the project will continue until the end of 2017, carried out by

the Fraunhofer Institutes WKI and IAP. In January 2015, the

Technical University Dresden and the Schmalkalden University

of Applied Sciences began the project “Process simulation for

the production of decorative, three-dimensional molded ve-

neer surfaces“ also as part of the industrial collective research

project. In April 2015, the cluster project “Vibroacoustics in the

planning process for timber buildings“ was started by Hoch-

schule Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences, the ift ge-

meinnützige Forschungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH in

Rosenheim and the Technical University Munich. Furthermore,

in June three research groups launched the project “TACITUS

- Evaluation and modelling of the performance of hardwood

glued-in rods made of steel and composite materials. The pro-

ject work is carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute IFAM, the

Technical University Dortmund and the Rhine-Main University.

AiF projects conducted by the iVTH in 2016

In 2016, the iVTH supported 8 industrial collective research

projects. In September 2016, research work began at the

Fraunhofer WKI on the project “Prevention of cracks in mela-

mine impregnated coating papers for wood-based materials“.

�Î www.aif.de

�Î www.ivth.org

last updated 03/2017; www.aif.de

AbbreviationsIGF collective industrial research CLUSTER Larger projects with several subsidiary projects which can range from basic research through to realisation CORNET Collective Research Networking SME Smalland Medium-Sized Enterprises

Research acros the sector andacross al sectors, in particularfor SMEs

Leading technologiesfor SMEsSystem-relevant solutions whichsustainably boost internationalcompetitiveness of SMEs in asectorCLUSTERCLUSTERlarger projects with severalsubsidiaryCORNETtransnational projects

AiF research associations

Germany

Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy

€ 350.000 per project on average

various depending on funding type

precompetition project funding;modified part financing

from project findings and collaborating in AiF research associations

from executing the project

across the sector and across all sectors

+49 221 37680-311

Objective

Applicationauthorisation

Place of businessor base ofoperations

Funded by

Funding amount

Funding typeand quota

Businesses benefit

Research bodiesbenefit

Contact

IGF variants

IGF research funding

(Extract; source: www.aif.de)

9iVTH-Report2015 / 2016

Activities 2015/2016

At the beginning of March 2015 the 1st Cooperation Forum

“Surfaces for Wood and Wood-based Materials“ was held in

Rosenheim, Germany.

The technology transfer centre “Bayern Innovativ“ organized

the conference together with the University of Applied Sciences

Rosenheim, the Wood Research Munich, the Cluster Forest

and Wood and the iVTH. The background of the event was the

desire for a user-friendly, safe and low-emission living environ-

ment with the use of different materials. To this end, the Forum

offered in 17 specialist lectures new developments from re-

search institutes and industrial enterprises. The topics included

e. g. the furniture finishing, the wood flame protection, VOC

emissions and the “psycho-physiological effect of light“.

In an expert exhibition, among other things, current technologi-

cal developments were presented and brought to the attention

of visitors.

1st Cooperation Forum “Surfaces for Wood and Wood-based Materials“4 - 5 March 2015 in Rosenheim

Photos: © Bayern Innovativ / Matthias Merz

At the LIGNA 2015 in Hannover, the iVTH and the Fraunhofer

WKI once again appeared as exhibitors. iVTH presented the

results of the IGF-Project “Alternative formaldehyde-free urea

resins for wood-based materials and decor papers“. In this

field the Fraunhofer WKI works along with the Fraunhofer

Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP. Furthermore,

the visitors could get information about the EcoPressWood

project funded by the European Union. This project also aims

at the development of formaldehyde-free adhesives based on

by-products of the biodiesel production. Background of these

intensive research activities is the reclassification of formalde-

hyde as carcinogenic Category 1B and mutagenic Category 2

by EU Regulation.

LIGNA 2015 in Hannover11 - 15 May 2015 in Hannover

© Fraunhofer WKI


Within the framework of the successfully completed CLUSTER

project “BestKleb - Beständigkeit von Klebungen verstehen und

berechnen” (BestKleb – Understand and calculate the durabi-

lity of bondings), collective research was carried out in eight

research centers into questions concerning the predictability of

adhesive bonds, the reproducibility of technical manufacturing

processes with the highest quality and the prognosis regarding

the service life of bondings under extreme specification profiles.

In the joint project, which was funded through the German Re-

search Foundation (DFG) and the Arbeitsgemeinschaft industri-

eller Forschungsvereinigungen (German Federation of Industrial

Research Associations, AiF), it was possible to combine funda-

mental research with applied research. In the six subprojects of

this CLUSTER initiative, which was launched at the end of 2011,

more than 30 companies, primarily SMEs, were involved in the

committee supporting the project. The research associations

which combined to form the Gemeinschaftsausschuss Kleb-

technik GAK (Joint Committee on Adhesive Bonding), namely

DECHEMA, DVS Research, FOSTA and the iVTH, were respon-

sible for the support of the subprojects. Zinc and steel were

primarily the starting materials which were to be bonded, whilst

wood was mainly utilized in the subproject “Neuartige geklebte

Bauteile aus Holz und Beton” (Innovative bonded components

made from wood and concrete) at the Faculty of Civil Enginee-

ring at the University of Kassel.

During the closing colloquium in Frankfurt with around 70

participants, the research results were discussed in great detail

and conclusions concerning possible fields of application were

drawn, whereby the “BestKleb” projects find their application

particularly in vehicle construction and the building sector. The

investigations related to polyurethane adhesives and epoxy re-

sins whereby focus was placed, amongst other things, on the

chemical aging of the adhesive and the corrosive aging of the

adherend. As a conclusion of the CLUSTER project, a significant

and new understanding of the aging of adhesions was drawn.

Furthermore, BestKleb developed tools for the quantitative cha-

racterization and simulation of corresponding aging processes.

Final Colloquium “BestKleb“ 24 - 25 June 2015 in Frankfurt / Main

DVS Congress and DVS Expo 201515 - 17 September 2015 in Nürnberg

From 15th to 17th September 2015, the DVS Congress and the

DVS Expo 2015 took place at the NürnbergMesse exhibition

center. As a cross-sector collaborative event, the DVS Congress

unites a number of joining technology symposiums including,

amongst others, the “Große Schweißtechnische Tagung” (Ma-

jor Welding Conference, GST), the “DVS Student Congress”

and the “Robots 2015” conference. As a technical and scienti-

fic association, the DVS - German Welding Society supports all

aspects of joining, cutting and coating. Together with the DE-

CHEMA Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology,

the FOSTA Research Association for Steel Application and the

iVTH, the DVS forms the Gemeinschaftsausschuss Klebtechnik

GAK (Joint Committee on Adhesive Bonding). The primary aim

of the Committee is the initiation of joint industrial research

projects in the field of adhesives and, following their success-

ful pre-evaluation, to provide support for the projects until they

receive funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs

and Energy (BMWi) via the AiF (Arbeitsgemeinschaft industriel-

ler Forschungsvereinigungen, German Federation of Industrial

Research Associations). An equally important task of the GAK is

the transfer of the research results into practice in a variety of

ways. In this context, on the second day of the event, the DVS

Congress offered various research centers the opportunity of

reporting on project results on the topic of adhesive techno-

logy. Poster presentations and illustrative material on the GAK

exhibition stand, in which the iVTH participated as a co-exhibi-

tor, furthermore provided exhibition visitors with information

concerning research work in the field of adhesive and joining

technology.

© iVTH / Uhde

© iVTH / Uhde


2nd Cooperation Forum „Wood as a new Material“12th November 2015 in Regensburg

In the historic surroundings of the UNESCO World Heritage Site

Regensburger Salzstadel, the 2nd Cooperation Forum took place

in November 2015 with an accompanying specialist exhibition.

The conference, which was organized by Bayern Innovativ, met

with great interest from the professional world. Amongst other

institutions, the International Association for Technical Issues re-

lated to Wood (iVTH) was also involved as a partner of the event

and as an exhibitor.

The conference, which was fully-booked with more than 200

participants, took place under the motto “Innovations with

wood-based materials”. Representatives from science and in-

dustry provided 13 specialist presentations on this cross-sector

topic, thereby covering the entire value-creation chain for wood.

Karl Moser (Merk Timber GmbH) hosted the first thematic focus

“Strategies and market perspectives”. Regarding the perspec-

tives of the wood industry, Dr. Marcus Knauf initially presen-

ted the results of the cluster analysis in Bavaria in 2015 and

demonstrated, amongst other things, that the application of

wood in residential buildings has risen significantly in the past

five years. Further presentations addressed natural-fiber plastic

materials, cable ducts made from WPC and modified wood ve-

neers. For the reliability of wood as a material, differing minera-

lization procedures for its “functionalization” were presented.

The “vegan” sneaker and additional application possibilities for

a biocomposite made from tree bark were presented by Oliver

Heintz from BARK CLOTH_europe.

The presentation series on the topic of “Future-oriented tech-

nologies and product solutions” was hosted by Prof. Dr. Rainer

Marutzky and included, amongst others, presentations on inno-

vations in the field of formed wood sheet and woodchip-plastic

composites as well as 3D printing for wood-based materials.

The participants were provided with ample opportunities for

lively discussions, which could also be continued during a visit

to the exhibition. The joint stand of the iVTH and the Fraunhofer

WKI, which addressed the topic of fiber molded parts, also at-

tracted a great deal of interest from visitors to the trade exhi-

bition.

Auditorium in the Salzstadel building in Regensburg© Bayern Innovativ GmbH/Matthias Merz

Dr. Markus Eder, then General Manager Bayern Innovativ GmbH © Bayern Innovativ GmbH/Matthias Merz

Accompanying specialist exhibition at the Salzstadel in Regensburg© Bayern Innovativ GmbH/Matthias Merz


Regio Augsburg Wirtschafts GmbH, the business development

agency of the city and district of Augsburg and the district of

Aichach-Friesberg, has been organizing the cooperation net-

work “Holz+ Holzverbundlösungen” (Wood and wood-com-

posite solutions) since 2012. In order to promote the transfer

of specialist knowledge and the communication between re-

search and practice, the cooperation network initiated a Holz+

symposium. The well-attended event took place at the “Hotel

am alten Park” in Augsburg. The International Association for

Technical Issues related to Wood participated as a supporter of

the event and, together with the Fraunhofer WKI, provided the

conference participants with information on current topics of

wood research, such as wood-fiber materials and WPC, at the

accompanying exhibition.

Holz+ Symposium for Composite Technologies 21th January 2016 in Augsburg

16th Colloquium “Joint Research in Adhesive Bonding“1 - 2 March 2016 in Köln

The annual colloquium “Gemeinsame Forschung in der Kleb-

technik” (Joint research in adhesive bonding) of the Gemein-

schaftsausschuss Klebtechnik GAK (Joint Committee on Adhe-

sive Bonding) took place on 1st and 2nd March, 2016 in the

Maternushaus in Cologne. Approximately 240 participants from

research and industry were offered a diversified conference pro-

gram which was divided into parallel sessions on the topics of

automotive, simulation, manufacturing, adhesives and testing

technology. In the “Wood and steel construction” session, the

speakers from the wood sector presented the results of research

projects which had been supported by the iVTH; these included

the “Assessment of the bonding of multilayer parquet” and

“Isocyanate reactivity in the bonding of wood”. In addition,

“Bonding in wooden construction” was discussed in a wide-

ranging presentation.

The Joint Committee on Adhesive Bonding (GAK) was establis-

hed in 2005 for the cross-sectoral evaluation of ideas for research

projects. The Committee is composed of the four research asso-

ciations DECHEMA (Society for Chemical Engineering and Bio-

technology), DVS (The German Welding Society (DVS) Research

Association on Welding and Allied Processes), FOSTA (Research

Association for Steel Application) and the iVTH.

The main objective of the GAK is to initiate projects of collective

industrial research in the field of adhesives, promoted by the

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology via AiF, to the

research bodies. A further task is the transfer of research results

into practice. The colloquium is one possibility which can be

utilized for this purpose.

© Andreas Dippelhofer, Regio Augsburg Wirtschaft GmbH

posite construction from the perspective of the steel industry”

was the topic addressed by Dr. Wilko Flügge, Salzgitter Mannes-

mann Forschung GmbH. As a member of the TU Braunschweig,

Dr. Libo Yan reported in English on natural fibers as reinforcing

materials in concrete.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. François Colling, Director of the Institute of Timber

Construction (IfH) at the Augsburg University of Applied Sci-

ences, hosted the conference which provided 13 diversified pre-

sentations. The four theme blocks of wood & paper, concrete,

fibers and glass offered presentations from both research and

application. The raw material steel was also included: “Com-

© Andreas Dippelhofer, Regio Augsburg Wirtschaft GmbH

© iVTH / Uhde


70th Anniversary of iVTH15th June 2016 in Schöningen

Together with guests from research, economics and politics,

the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-

Institut and the International Association for Technical Issues

related to Wood - iVTH e.V. celebrated the 70th anniversary of

their founding. The Research and Experience Centre Schönin-

gen Spears, paläon, offered a history-steeped backdrop for this

event. In the Schöningen open-cast mine, wooden spears were

discovered which are around 300,000 years old. These wooden

artifacts from the Paleolithic period are oldest surviving hunting

weapons in human history and provide information on the his-

tory of settlements in Northern Europe and the life of Homo

heidelbergensis.

Items on the agenda of the anniversary celebration included

welcoming addresses from Prof. Dr. Alfred Gossner, CFO of the

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, and Dr. Ralf Becker, Chairman of the

iVTH. Professor Gossner looked back over the development of

the Institute and the Association since 1946 and demonstrated

the continuous growth, not only the dimensions of the Institute.

For wood (which is sufficiently available as a building material

- it just needs to be harvested), he predicted, “the best times

are yet to come”. Respect, Latin: respectus - which in German

also means to look back, consideration, regard - denotes a form

of appreciation towards another person or institution. This vein

was continued by Dr. Ralf Becker in his speech in which he paid

tribute to 70 years of successful research work. He emphasized

that wood is not just a material but is instead a valuable recycla-

ble material.

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Alfred Teischinger, University of Natural

Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, presented an elaborate ex-

cursion into the possibilities of wood application and the “suc-

cess stories” resulting therefrom. An insight into the history of

View of the paläon entrance hall. © Fraunhofer WKI, photographer Marek Kruszewski

the Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut was provided by Prof. Dr. Rainer

Marutzky, former Institute Director of the WKI, with his retro-

spective look at the highlights from 70 years of (wood) research.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bohumil Kasal, Institute Director of the WKI, sub-

sequently presented prospects for the future development of

the Institute, whereby wood is considered a key material. Accor-

ding to Professor Kasal, the most important investment is, how-

ever, the employees. In this regard, he thanked his employees

for their successful work in recent years.

paläon – Research and Experience Centre in Schöningen.© Fraunhofer WKI, photographer Marek Kruszewski

In addition to the permanent exhibition, paläon also offered

the guests the special exhibition “LEGO-Zeitreise” (LEGO time

travel) as a contrast program in which the history of mankind

was represented via eight dioramas in a rather different way.

The event was successfully rounded-off by a relaxed social get-

together.


10th European Wood-based Panel Symposium5 - 7 October 2016 in Hamburg

With 310 guests from 34 nations, the organization team from

the Fraunhofer WKI and the European Panel Federation (EPF)

can look back over a successful event. The Symposium was

again supported by Sasol Wax and the iVTH. In its jubilee year,

the 10th European Wood-based Panel Symposium took place

not, as usual, in Hanover, but instead in Hamburg. The new

location received much praise from the participants.

(Left to right) Kris Wijnendaele (EPF), Prof. Dr. Bohumil Kasal (Fraunhofer WKI), Jens Böttcher (Sasol Wax GmbH) and Harald Schwab (Fraunhofer WKI) during the opening of the symposium.© Fraunhofer WKI, photographer Patrick Lux

Over the two days, the interested parties from science and prac-

tice were provided with 22 specialist presentations and a poster

session, all addressing the topic of “wood-based materials”.

At the beginning of the first series of presentations, Michael

Wolff from Pfleiderer, as a representative of the EPF, reported

on the economic situation of the European wood-based ma-

terials industry, which he described as currently good. The to-

pic areas of the presentations ranged from adhesive develop-

ments, through process optimization and recycling, to hygienic

aspects for wood-based furniture. Analytical questions related

to VVOC and the European standardization situation regarding

VOC emissions were among the key focal points which were

reported on during the second day.

With the current specialist presentations, the conference was

very well received by the visitors. The social get-together in the

form of the “anniversary celebration” took place onboard the

general cargo carrier “Cap San Diego” in the Port of Hamburg.

Sasol Wax surprised the participants with the event and ensured

a good atmosphere throughout.

At the end of the conference, the organizers expressed their

thanks for the outstanding organization and made reference

to the 11th European Wood-based Panel Symposium, which will

take place from 10th to 12th October 2018, once again in Ham-

burg.

The symposium provided a good opportunity to make and maintain contacts.© Fraunhofer WKI, photographer Patrick Lux

Particular attention was placed upon the evening event of the symposium. The social gathering took place onboard the “Cap San Diego”, a museum ship which is berthed at the Überseebrücke (Overseas Bridge) in the port of Hamburg.© Fraunhofer WKI, photographer Patrick Lux

View of the auditorium in the “Grand Ballroom”, Hotel Grand Elysée. © Fraunhofer WKI, photographer Patrick Lux


Left to right: Ernst Greten, Prof. Dr. Bohumil Kasal (Fraunhofer WKI) and Prof. Dr. Rainer Marutzky (iVTH)

For the groupe, the prize was accepted by Tobias Schwinn und Reinhold Müller (left to right: Dr. Ralf Becker, Tobias Schwinn, Reinhold Müller, Prof. Dr. Rainer Marutzky)

On October 8th, 2015, the General Meeting of the iVTH took

place in Braunschweig. After the Treasurer had reported on

the development of the finances, the members present gran-

ted discharge to the Board of Directors. In accordance with the

statutes, the attendees then elected a new Board of Directors,

which is composed as shown on Page 5.

On the occasion of his departure from the Board of Direc-

tors of the iVTH, Mr. Ernst Greten was awarded the Wilhelm

Klauditz Medal in honor of his committed collaboration at the

Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research WKI and at the iVTH.

The tribute took place on 8th October, 2015 within the frame-

work of the iVTH General Meeting in Braunschweig.

Mr. Greten joined the iVTH as a full member in 1977. In March

1991, Ernst Greten was elected to the Board of the iVTH for

the first time and was, from then on, a member of the Board

for 24 years. Ernst Greten had been a member of the WKI

Board of Trustees since 1993. On the occasion of his 70th birth-

day, Ernst Greten, who had been spokesman for the manage-

ment board and managing partner of Fagus-GreCon Greten

GmbH & Co. KG, withdrew from the executive management

of the company with effect from 1st December, 2014.

On 8th October, 2015 the Wilhelm Klauditz Prize, endowed

with 5,000 euros, was awarded. This year, the prize committee

decided unanimously on a research project, “Forstpavillon:

Robotisch gefertigte Holzschalenkonstruktion” (Forest Pavilion:

Robotically-manufactured wooden shell construction). Respon-

sible for the project was the Institute for Computational Design

under the leadership of Tobias Schwinn and Prof. Achim

Menges, as well as the Müllerblaustein Holzbau GmbH with

project manager Benjamin Eisele and Reinhold Müller. Prof.

Jan Kippers (Institute of Structural Design and Constructive

Design) and Prof. Volker Schwieger (Institute of Engineering

Geodesy) from the University of Stuttgart also participated in

the research.

With the Forest Pavilion, a demonstration building was erected

at the Schwäbisch Gmünd State Garden Show in 2014 which

presents new methods of digital planning and robotic produc-

tion of wood-framed building constructions. In the laudation,

Professor Bohumil Kasal, Institute Director of the Fraunhofer

WKI, emphasized the interaction of different disciplines to the

advantage of wood. As a model for the wood industry and

wood construction, the work represents a successful example

of how cross-sectoral and cross-institute research can lead to

a future-oriented transfer of new technologies in the field of

wood-based materials.

The Forest Pavilion is the first building with a completely

robotically-produced shell-shaped supporting structure made

from beech wood panels. It has a floor space of approxima-

tely 125 m², a volume of 605 m³ and was constructed from

12 m³ of wood. Through digital planning and prefabrication

with waste optimization, it was possible to utilize the beech

wood panels with as little residue as possible. The material-

9th Wilhelm-Klauditz-Prize for Wood Research and Environmental Protection 2015

oriented creation of the Forest Pavilion in less than four weeks

was made possible by computer-based design, simulation and

measuring procedures.

General Meeting iVTHErnst Greten awarded the Wilhelm Klauditz Medal

Awards Presentations


Final Reports

17070N - Simplified fatigue check of wooden parts in wood

and wood-concrete composite road bridges

17274N - Studies on the bond strength of glued components

made from wood and high-performance concrete through

applied hygrothermal exposure of the adhesive joint

17328N - Vibro-acoustics in the design process for timber

constructions: – Modeling, numerical simulation, validation

Project part 3: Measurement and calculation of the structure-

borne noise transmission at joints of solid wood components

17329N - Vibro-acoustics in the design process for timber

constructions: – Modeling, numerical simulation, validati-

on – Project part 4: Component testing, FEM modeling and

validation

17441N - Multi-layer solid wood panels with functional ele-

ments in the middle layer

The reports are based on research projects which were funded by the Federal Ministryfor Economic Affairs and Energy through the German Federation of Industrial Re-search Associations (AiF). Full reports can be ordered from the iVTH.

Final Reports 2015

484ZN - Development of models to generate hygrothermal

characteristic values of wood-based panels for numerical simu-

lation of component behaviours

17411N - Material recycling of wood-polymer composites

(WPC), on the example of terrace boards

17644N - Simulation-based development of light medium

density fibreboard (MDF) for lightweight construction

17856N - Product analysis and development of a method for

testing adhesive bonding of multi-layer parquets considering

the reaction after renovation with water-based coatings

Final Reports 2016


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3

4

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8

9

Overview – Short Reports 2015

18557 BR – Process simulation for the production of de-

corative, three-dimensional molded veneer surfaces

Project duration: 01.01.2015 - 30.06.2017

Research Center: TU Dresden, Institut für Holz- und Papier-

technik, Dresden; FH Schmalkalden, Fakultät Maschinenbau,

Schmalkalden

18048 N – Holes in glulam beams arranged eccentrically

or in groups


Research Center: TU München Lehrstuhl für Holzbau und

Baukonstruktion

17856 N – Strategies for the reduction of tensions during

the renovation of multi-layer parquet


Research Center: Fraunhofer-Institut für Holzforschung,

Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut WKI, Braunschweig

Reduction in formaldehyde release from installed particle

boards through structural and decorative wall coverings

Research Center: iVTH; Fraunhofer-Institut für Holzforschung,


Investigation into the reactivity of isocyanate with MUF

glue by means of infrared spectroscopy




484 ZN – Development of models for the generation of

hygrothermic characteristic values of wood-based mate-

rials for the numerical simulation of the building element

behavior


Research Center: Fraunhofer-Institut für Holzforschung, Wil-

helm-Klauditz-Institut WKI, Braunschweig; Fraunhofer-Institut

für Bauphysik IBP, Freilandversuchsstelle Holzkirchen

17411 N – End-of-life recycling of Wood Polymer Compo-

sites (WPC) Part 1: Flexural and swelling characteristics

of extruded profiles on the basis of homogeneous WPC

recyclate




17411 N – End-of-life recycling of Wood Polymer Compo-

sites (WPC) Part 2: Resistance to artificial weathering and

natural aging




17411 N – End-of-life recycling of Wood Polymer Com-

posites (WPC) Part 3: Properties of WPC on the basis of

mixed fractions from WPC recyclates and the use of WPC

recyclate for the manufacture of new products

Project duration:01.09.2012 - 31.08.2015



iVTH short reports are an exclusive service reserved only for our members.


Overview – Short Reports 2016

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2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

18558 BG – Alternative formaldehyde-free urea resins for

wood-based materials and decor papers


Research Center: Fraunhofer-Institut für Holzforschung

Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut WKI, Braunschweig; Fraunhofer IAP,

Potsdam-Golm

Development of low-formaldehyde dispersion adhesives

on the basis of polyvinyl acetate and sugar derivatives

for the production of wood-based materials “PVAc sugar

adhesive”


Research Center: Fraunhofer-Institut für Holzforschung, Wil-

helm-Klauditz-Institut WKI, Braunschweig; Jowat SE, Detmold

Optimization of the gas analysis method for the deter-

mination of the formaldehyde release from wood-based

materials »OptiGas 2020«




18266 N – TACITUS – Evaluation and modelling of the

performance of hardwood glued-in rods made of steel

and composite materials

Project duration:01.06.2015 - 31.10.2017

Research Center: Fraunhofer IFAM, TU Dortmund, Hochschule

RheinMain

Investigations into veneer production and the characte-

ristic values of LVL




18557 N – Process simulation for the manufacture of de-

corative, three-dimensional molded veneer surfaces


Research Center: TU Dresden, Institut für Holz- und Papier-

technik, Dresden, FH Schmalkalden, Fakultät Maschinenbau,

Schmalkalden

18724 N / 18725 N – Vibroacoustics in the planning pro-

cess for timber buildings: Modeling, numerical simulati-

on, validation – Proposal Parts 3 and 4

Project duration: 01.04.2015 – 31.03.2017

Research Center: Hochschule Rosenheim, Fakultät für an-

gewandte Natur- und Geisteswissenschaften, Fachgebiet

Bauphysik/Schallschutz, ift gemeinnützige Forschungs- und

Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, Rosenheim

18726 N – Vibroacoustics in the planning process for tim-

ber constructions: Frequency range-dependent modelling

for the prognosis of the propagation of structure-borne

sound in wooden buildings

Project duration: 01.04.2015 – 30.09.2017

Research Center: TU München, Institut für methodische

Grundlagen, Lehrstuhl für Baumechanik

Mechanisms of action for kiln drying of construction

timber as protection against the house longhorn beetle

(Hylotrupes bajulus)




iVTH short reports are an exclusive service reserved only for our members.


barrier layers. From LVL, beams, square timber and planks are

produced, for example for roof trusses. Laminated veneer lum-

ber not only offers good dimensional stability; it also enables

the cross-section dimensions to be minimized, as LVL exhibits

higher strengths than, for example, glued laminated timber

(glulam). This is due to the lamination effect, thanks to which

flaws in the veneer have almost no influence on the overall

strength of the LVL. Beech wood possesses a great potential

for the production of laminated veneer lumber, as it is readily

available in this country and exhibits, to a great extent, better

material properties than the common coniferous woods.

The research field “Laminated wood-based materials” was

further expanded at the Fraunhofer WKI in 2015 with the

commissioning of a peeling machine (Fig. 1).

Since then, it has been possible to independently produce

laminated materials, with modification of the entire production

process. In this way, the production chain from the wood yard

to the finished product can be adjusted, with the optimization

of individual production areas. One research topic in this field

is laminated veneer lumber (LVL), one of the main groups of

laminated wood. This is produced from veneers bonded with

parallel fiber orientation, whereby it is also permissible to use

Investigations into veneer production and the characteristic values of laminated veneer lumber - LVL

Completed research project at the Fraunhofer WKI

Fig. 1: Rotary lathe in the WKI Technical Center (© Fraunhofer WKI, Manuela Lingnau)

Fig. 2: Typical graphs for steaming beech wood

Fig. 3: Temperature curve in different depths of the trunk, measured with temperature sensors and recorded by means of data loggers. Through steaming or boiling experi-ments, the optimum duration and temperature can be determined.

steam 13 cm depth 25 cm depth 25 cm depth end grain


Laminated material production and testing

From the beech veneer manufactured in the WKI Technical

Center, laminated veneer lumber was produced with artificial-

ly-introduced defects. The effects of abutting edges and gaps

of differing sizes on the strength characteristics of the material

were hereby investigated. It could be demonstrated that the

modulus of elasticity and the breaking strength can be impro-

ved with increasing gap sizes, when the veneer layers are re-

glued to one another (Fig. 5). This is explained by the fact that

Fig. 4: Thermographic image of beech wood during peeling. The original is a thermo-graphic video, which represents the complete peeling process. The red lines on the trunk indicate advanced blade wear.

Boiling and steaming tests

The preparation of the wooden blocks which are to be peeled

can have a significant influence on the quality of the veneers.

The blocks are usually steamed or boiled prior to peeling,

whereby the optimum temperatures and the duration of the

treatment can vary greatly depending on the species of wood.

In the investigations, it could be confirmed that the blocks

were, in places, very inhomogeneously heated through the

steaming process (Fig. 2), but that boiling over time, however,

enables a more uniform heating of the wood (Fig. 3).

Examination of the block temperature during peeling

The heat transport in the wood can be controlled by means

of inserted temperature sensors. Also, online measurement

during peeling is possible using a special thermography camera

(Geminis, IRCAM), which can take up to 120 pictures per

second and detect temperature differences of up to 10 mK.

The fast framerate and the high temperature sensitivity allow

every moment of the peeling to be recorded and evaluated.

An irregular heating of the wood is consequently visualizable.

Furthermore, the blade wear can be displayed, visible through

“warmer” lines (shown in red in the illustration) on the ther-

mography image of the trunk during peeling (Fig. 4).

the resulting gaps are refilled with the surrounding veneers

and a sheet area with a lower density is therefore formed.

Figure 6 shows the introduced defects in the cross-section of

the laminated material.

Fig. 5.: Modulus of rupture for laminated veneer lumber

Fig. 6: Defectively-produced laminated veneer lumber for the determinationof the effects on the material characteristic values.


The Fraunhofer Institutes WKI and IAP (Institute for Applied

Polymer Research) have been working on the project since

January 2015, the duration of which will end on 31.12.2017

(funding: BMWi via AiF/iVTH).

In Germany, approx. 0.75 million tonnes of adhesives are

used annually for the manufacture of wood-based materials.

Around 96 % of the adhesives are formaldehyde-containing

amino resins, e.g. urea-formaldehyde (UF) and melamine-urea-

formaldehyde resins (MUF).

Through the re-classification of formaldehyde as a mutagenic

and carcinogenic substance and, since 1.1.2016, the corre-

sponding labelling requirement for formaldehyde-containing

products, a substantial need exists for research in the field of

wood-based materials as regards alternative adhesives.

For the reduction of formaldehyde emissions from wood

materials, urea resins with low formaldehyde content have

been used until now; these can require longer pressing times

due to their lower reactivity. In order to increase the reactivity

of the UF resin and the mechanical properties of the materi-

al, modification with melamine (<12 %) is one possibility. A

further reduction of the formaldehyde content in adhesives for

wood-based materials or in impregnating resins for decorative

papers for coating is, from today’s point of view, no longer

sufficient. Focus is therefore being placed upon the application

of formaldehyde-free resins.

Alternative adhesives for the wood-based material sector

must fulfil the following requirements: Sufficient availability,

harmlessness for the environment and health as well as tech-

nical and commercial competitiveness. A formaldehyde-free

adhesive alternative with a high urea content, good storage

stability, complete curing at low temperatures and standard-

compatible board properties is currently not yet available.

The Fraunhofer Institutes IAP and WKI are working together

within the project to develop low-cost formaldehyde-free urea

resins for application as adhesives in wood-based materials and

as impregnating resins for decorative papers. The formulations

must thereby fulfil the differing requirements, e.g. concerning

the viscosity and curing.

Alternative formaldehyde-free urea resins for wood-based materials and decor papers

Current research project at the Fraunhofer WKI and Fraunhofer IAP

The production of the melamine-urea resins is carried out via

a simple three-stage procedure (Fig. 1). In the formulations,

both the ratio of melamine:urea and the ratio of glyoxylic

acid:glyoxal were varied. During production of the resins, the

condensation conditions (e.g. the pH value of the melamine

attachment) were also modified. One focus of the formulation

developments is the increase of the water resistance of the

wood-based materials. The reduction of the glyoxylic acid pro-

portion down to a critical value proved to be promising here.

Using the urea resin developed at the Fraunhofer IAP, single-

layer laboratory particle boards (13 mm thick) were produced

from spruce (12 % solid resin/atro wood, press times 10, 12,

15, 22 s/mm, press temperature 200 °C). For the single-phase

resin application, melamine and urea were applied in a ratio

of 70:30 and 50:50. No hydrophobing agent was used in the

glue formulation. An industrially-produced low-formaldehyde

UF resin (molar ratio U:F = 1:0.94) was used as a reference.

Results Single-phase system

The testing of the particle boards for thickness swelling and

water absorption in accordance with EN 317 showed that a

higher urea proportion leads to an increase in the thickness

swelling and water absorption values of the particle boards.

The transverse tensile strengths of the tested particle boards

showed only slight changes when the urea proportion was

increased, whereby longer pressing times were, however,

required in order to obtain standard-conforming values (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1: Synthesis route for the melamine-urea resins.


As regards the bending strengths and flexural modulus (EN

310), a higher proportion of urea resulted in a reduction in the

strength values of the particle boards. The press times showed

no significant influence (Fig. 3).

The thickness swelling and water absorption (EN 317) is

comparable to the values of the reference boards from a ratio

of 3:1 onwards. The requirements of EN 319 regarding the

transverse tensile strength of particle boards are fulfilled in

the investigations when a high proportion of mixed resin and

longer press times are applied. (Fig. 4).

Ratio MR:melaminePressing time in s/mm

Tran

sver

se te

nsil

stre

ngth

in N

/mm

²

Tran

sver

se te

nsil

stre

ngth

in N

/mm

²

Ratio melamine:ureaPressing time in s/mm

The formaldehyde release of the particle board, tested in

accordance with EN 717-3, lay within the emission range of

spruce chips for all resin varieties.

Results 2-phase system

To increase the water resistance of the particle boards, inve-

stigations were carried out regarding two-phase resin applica-

tion. For this purpose, the developed resins were sprayed as

two-component systems onto the wood particles in succession:

For an optimal NH2:CHO ratio, the mixed resin proportion was

varied for the gluing of the chips. The particle board produc-

tion also took place here without the addition of hydropho-

bing agents.

Testing of the physical-technological particle board properties

yielded the following results:

The bending strengths (EN 310) of the produced particle

boards increase with a higher proportion of mixed resin,

whereby the ratio of 4:1 provided the highest values. This ap-

plies both to the mechanical strengths and the water absorp-

tion. In this series of tests, the formaldehyde emission of the

particle boards also lay within the range of spruce chips.

In summary, it can be concluded that formaldehyde-free

melamine-urea resins can be prepared with the substitution

of formaldehyde through glyoxylic acid and glyoxal. The resins

can be easily synthesized with low equipment outlay. The pro-

duction and processing of the adhesives corresponds to that of

formaldehyde-containing aminoplast resins. With single-phase

systems, the standard-conforming requirements for the particle

boards could be achieved and the press times reduced. The ap-

plication of 2-phase systems led to a reduction in the thickness

swelling and water absorption of the produced particle boards.

With both adhesive systems, the formaldehyde release of the

particle boards lay within the range of spruce chips.

Outlook

Future research will aim to optimize the properties of the resins

through increasing the glyoxal proportion and the adaptation

of the ratio NH2:CHO. The reduction in swelling and water

absorption of the particle boards produced with the alternative

resins is to be achieved through the addition of a suitable hy-

drophobing agent. Further objectives within the framework of

the research project are the production of MDF and plywood

using the developed resins and their application as an imp-

regnation resin for decorative papers.

Bend

ing

stre

ngth

in N

/mm

²

Bend

ing

E-m

odul

e in

N/m

m²

Bending strength

Bending-E-module

Ratio melamine:ureaPressing time in s/mm

Fig. 2: Transverse tensile strengths of the particle boards (according to EN 319).

Fig. 3: Bending strength and flexural modulus of the particle boards (according to EN 310).

Fig. 4: Transverse tensile strengths of the particle boards (according to EN 319).


The allocation of the formaldehyde release from wood-based

materials in emission class E1 is based upon the steady-state

concentration, determined in accordance with the test cham-

ber method EN 717-1. The method is technically elaborate and

generally requires a minimum of 10 days. For self-monitoring,

simpler and faster, so-called derived test methods, are there-

fore applied. It is thereby important that these methods exhibit

a sufficient correlation to the test chamber method. (Fig. 1 and

Fig. 2).

Project “OptiGas 2020“: Optimization of the gas analysis method for the determination of the formaldehyde release from wood-based materials

Current research project at the Fraunhofer WKI (supported by iVTH)

y = 20,3x + 1,4R² = 0,34

0,0

0,5

1,0

1,5

2,0

2,5

3,0

3,5

4,0

4,5

5,0

0,00 0,02 0,04 0,06 0,08 0,10 0,12

form

alde

hyde

con

tent

EN

120

[m

g/10

0 g

oven

dry

boa

rd]

calc

ulat

ed to

6,5

% m

oist

ure

cont

ent

formaldehyde release EN 717-1 [ppm]

Correlation 1 m³ chamber method EN 717-1 / perforator method EN 120

for modified uncoated particleboards - thickness range: > 12 up to 25 mm(3 digits)

Fig. 1: Results of “modified” CARB-certified particle boards: Correlation EN-chamber to per-forator method for uncoated particle board (thickness range: >12 to 25 mm).

As a method for self-monitoring, the perforator method EN

120 has been primarily applied up until now for the field of

uncoated particle and fiber boards (hEN 13986). Examination

of the different standards applying to the specification of the

type of self-monitoring has shown that the application of the

gas analysis method EN 717-2 (new: ISO 12460-3) is also en-

tirely possible (see also the trade journal Holz-Zentralblatt No.

10/2015, page 230).

Recent investigations of emission-reduced wood-based ma-

terials using the perforator method have increasingly shown

inadequate correlations to the reference method, the test

chamber according to EN 717-1. Evidence for this has so far

been provided in particular through uncoated particle board,

but may also apply for the other wood-based materials. For

more acceptance and implementation of the gas analysis

method as well as in order to improve the test conditions, iVTH

and Fraunhofer WKI initiated the project »OptiGas2020«. Em-

bedded in this project are also manufacturers of wood-based

materials and analytical instruments.

Four objectives were defined within the framework of the

project:

Reduction of the testing time

Decisive for the applicability of a method for self-monitoring

and production control, particularly in the case of low-form-

aldehyde or formaldehyde-free glued wood-based materials,

is the reliability of the obtained results. Furthermore, the

measured values should be available directly following pro-

duction. The aim is, therefore, to make the results of the gas

analysis determination available within shorter time intervals

than as stipulated in the previous standard; a larger number of

tests is therefore feasible within the framework of the in-house

production control.

Modification / optimization of the analytics

The lowering of the detection limit for formaldehyde and the

improvement of the analytical sensitivity is particularly relevant

for low-emission wood-based materials. In addition, an exami-

nation is to be carried out into the application of ready-made

Fig. 2: Results of “modified” CARB-certified particle boards: Correlation EN-chamber to gas analysis method for uncoated particle board (thickness range: >12 to 25 mm).

y = 29,7x + 0,2R² = 0,71

0,0

0,5

1,0

1,5

2,0

2,5

3,0

3,5

4,0

4,5

5,0

0,00 0,02 0,04 0,06 0,08 0,10 0,12

form

alde

hye

rele

ase

EN 7

17-2

[m

g/h.

m²]

formaldehyde release EN 717-1 [ppm]

Correlation 1 m³ chamber method EN 717-1 / gas analysis method EN 717-2

for modified uncoated particleboards - thickness range > 12 up to 25 mm(3 digits)


reaction solutions in order to simplify the evaluation in the

in-house works laboratory.

Transfer of the gas analysis method to other wood-

based materials

Previous investigations into the establishment of correlations

between the reference procedure (chamber method in ac-

cordance with EN 717-1) and derivated test procedures were

focused upon uncoated particle board and fiberboard. Other

wood-based materials, such as OSB and plywood, should

therefore also be taken into consideration in the project.

Introduction of project results into the standardization

The findings obtained in the project are to be presented to

the responsible standardization bodies and incorporated into a

revision of both the gas analysis standard and the harmonized

standard for wood-based materials hEN 13986.

Results

For the reduction of the testing time, a statistical observation

of the individual hourly values of the gas analysis test was

carried out. The evaluation of existing data from the years

1995 to 2012 for uncoated particle board and MDF has

already shown possibilities for reducing the testing hours. The

test time for the gas analysis method can consequently be re-

duced from the previous four hours to two or three test hours

without recognizable losses. New investigations into uncoated

particle board, MDF, OSB and plywood have already been

evaluated within the project and are currently being supple-

Abb. 3

3,2

2,1

0,20,1

2,9

1,9

0,3

0,1

3,2

1,8

0,3

0,1

3,3

2,0

0,20,1

0,0

0,5

1,0

1,5

2,0

2,5

3,0

3,5

PB MDF PLY OSB

gas

anal

ysis

val

ue [m

g/h.

m²]

Type of wood-based panel

Type of analytical procedure / evaluation

DIN 717-2: 250 ml H2O

ISO 12460-3: 100 ml H2O

direct (A): 30 ml H2O

direct (B): AcAc reagent solution

Fig. 3: Variants of the evaluation for different formaldehyde potentials and wood-based panel evaluation in accordance with the standard.

It is also possible to reduce the sample volume which, until

now, had been diluted to 100 ml or 250 ml through rinsing, to

an analysis volume of 30 ml and also to optionally work with a

direct feeding of the reaction solution from the acetylacetone

method. This simplifies the evaluation and increases the sensiti-

vity of the procedure.

Pleiderer Holzwerkstoffe GmbH, Neumarkt/Opf.

Sauerländer Spanplattengesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Arnsberg

Verband der Deutschen Holzwerkstoffindustrie e.V., Berlin

Verein zur Förderung der Normung im Bereich Holzwirtschaft

und Möbel (VF-NHM) e. V., Berlin

Weiss Umwelttechnik GmbH, Reiskirchen Lindenstruth

mented through further tests.

Also the effective use of modified receiver solution for analysis

has been confirmed by the project results (Fig. 3)

Funding through the following industry partners:

Fagus-GreCon Greten GmbH & Co. KG, Alfeld

Fritz Egger GmbH & Co. OG, St. Johann / Tirol (A)

Glunz AG, Meppen

IKEA of Sweden, Älmhult (S)

Kronospan GmbH, Lampertswalde

Kronotec AG, Luzern (CH)


EcoPressWood, a research project within the 7th European Un-

ion Research Framework Programme, with a duration of three

years, was concluded in February 2017.

The developed adhesive variants were applied and tested at

the Fraunhofer WKI in the production of plywood, OSB, MDF

and HDF on a pilot scale. Particle boards were manufactured

and tested at CETEM on a laboratory scale. The surface gluing

with the new adhesive proved to be problematic in the ply-

wood production as the expected strength properties were not

achieved here. All other wood types tested, such as OSB, parti-

cle board, HDF and MDF, could be produced by combining the

new polyester polyacrylate with formaldehyde-free commercial

adhesives. The testing of the wood-based materials demons-

trated that the requirements in accordance with the relevant

standards were fulfilled to a large extent.

As expected, the wood-based materials produced in this way

released only small quantities of formaldehyde during chamber

testing. The concentrations lay in the same order of magnitude

as untreated wood. In some cases, however, an increase in

VOC release was observed.

The iVTH accompanied the project together with further

research associations and wood federations from Italy, Croatia,

Austria and the Ukraine. The project was coordinated by

the Spanish furniture and technology center CETEM in Yecla

(Murcia).

The project was concluded in February 2017. Information is

available at www.ecopresswood.com.

�Î www.ecopresswood.com

The joint project involved three European research bodies,

including the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research WKI in

Braunschweig, working together to develop a biologically ba-

sed and formaldehyde-free binding agent for wood-based ma-

terials. The background to the project was the re-classification

of formaldehyde in Category 1B (carcinogen) “Substance with

probable carcinogenic potential for humans” and Category 2

(mutagen).

The aim of the project was therefore to completely renounce

formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing substances and to

utilize a readily available raw or residual material as the adhe-

sive base.

Among the substances chosen as the starting material for a

new adhesive were residues of biodiesel production. Initially,

various polymer variants were tested and the choice finally fell

upon a polyester polyacrylate which allowed the greatest pos-

sible flexibility in the adaptation to the production processes of

the differing wood-based materials. During the course of the

project, ceramic nanoparticles and nanocellulose were investi-

gated in conjunction with the developed adhesives in order to

improve the mechanical properties and water resistance. These

modifications, however, often failed to lead to the desired

improvements, particularly as regards the cost-benefit analysis.

The transfer of the laboratory results to the industrial scale of

the resin synthesis took place at the Greek adhesive manufac-

turer CHIMAR HELLAS.

EU-Project EcoPressWood


A Look Ahead to 2017

The International Association for Technical Issues related to

Wood (iVTH) has long been involved in collective industrial

research (IGF) in the field of wooden construction and bond-

ing. At the beginning of 2017, it was possible to successfully

procure a number of important IGF projects for these fields.

“Analysis of wood chemistry-adhesive interactions and

their influence on cohesive and adhesive bondings”

Reliable bonding in glued laminated timber, cross laminated

timber or laminated veneer lumber is imperative for wooden

construction. Many years of experience have been accumu-

lated for bonded components made from spruce/fir wood,

whilst the specific bonding properties of alternative wood

species (beech, oak, Douglas fir) still require research as re-

gards timber construction. In view of this, the project “Analysis

of wood chemistry-adhesive interactions and their influence

on cohesive and adhesive bondings” is being carried out by

Holzforschung München (HFM), Chair of Wood Science, at the

Technical University of Munich. In the coming 2 ½ years, the

influence of wood constituents on the setting behavior in the

adhesive joints is one aspect which will be under investigation.

As a consequence, efficient bonding conditions should result,

in order to ensure reliable, long-lasting bonding of alternative

species of wood with single-process solutions. The ultimate

goal is the achievement of durable building constructions

made from alternative wood species.

“Hüttenzauber - Year-round quality-assured bonding of

threaded rods in timber construction”

The project is being carried out by the University of Kassel,

Institute for Production Technology and Logistics, Specialist

Department Separative and Adhesive Manufacturing Processes

and the Fraunhofer IFAM in Bremen. In timber engineering,

bonded rods are applied for, amongst other things, the rein-

forcement of wooden components and as connectors, which

also open up new design and construction possibilities. As, in

the colder seasons, the outside temperatures on the construc-

tion site often fail to comply with the standard-compatible

requirements for the processing of the adhesives, the project is

aimed at a decoupling of the adhesive curing from the outside

Research Projects in 2017 temperature, thereby enabling year-round application possibili-

ties for the bonding procedure as well as an accelerated curing

reaction of the adhesive.

“OptimberquakeCheck - Development of a method for

the reliable and simple evaluation of the earthquake

resistance of single to four-story wooden buildings and

simple hall structures in zones of low and medium seis-

micity”

The Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Depart-

ment of Timber Structures and Building Rehabilitation at the

University of Kassel is once again working on the subject of

earthquakes/timber structures. In countries with a high risk

of earthquakes, wooden constructions have long proved

their worth. In the research project, which follows on from a

completed project, secure and practical reference details will

be determined for the joints and connections of stiffening

components, i.e. products which already exist. The aim of the

project is the improvement of the development of a method

for the verification of the earthquake resistance of wooden

buildings; a further aim is the optimization of the manufactu-

ring procedures for the components.

“SpeedTeCC - Economical production of high-quality

wood-concrete composite elements using an innovative

rapid-bonding technique and the application of hard-

wood”

Three research centers have been working together since April

2017 within the framework of the SpeedTeCC project: the

Institute for Joining and Welding Technology at the Technical

University of Braunschweig, the Faculty of Structural Engineer-

ing, Department of Timber Structures and Building Rehabilita-

tion at the University of Kassel, and the Fraunhofer WKI. The

project duration is 2 ½ years. In wood-concrete composite

construction, the two building materials complement one

another: as an example, acoustic insulation can be improved

and the stiffness as well as the load-bearing capacity can be

increased with smaller component dimensions. As, until now,

primarily mechanical connection means have been applied for

the bonding of wood and concrete, a new bonding technology

is to be developed within the project which is suitable for the

production of glued wood-concrete composite elements.

Through the interaction of different industries, SpeedTeCC is


Industry 4.0 for Wood and Furniture Manufacturers

ERASMUS+ and SSA (Sector Skills Alliances),

Project-No. 575853-EPP-1-2016-1-ES-EPPKA2-SSA

www.in4wood.eu

“Industry 4.0”, the so-called fourth industrial revolution, aims

to link the digital world of the Internet with the conventional

processes and services of the manufacturing economy.

In order to be able to utilize the technologies of industry 4.0,

however, companies require sufficient proficiency concerning

the suitable information and communication technologies

(ICT), skills in data analysis and knowledge regarding the

integration of the data stream into the global value chain. The

European Union, as well as the national states, support the

developments in the area of Industry 4.0 with their industrial

policies and through the promotion of research and infrastruc-

IN4WOOD-Project

being supervised by the iVTH in close cooperation with the Re-

search Association on Welding and Allied Processes (DVS e.V.).

“iCurie - Construction site-optimized quick-curing in tim-

ber construction”

Gluing is one of the classic bonding techniques; in the

construction industry, however, it has found comparatively

little application until now. In timber construction, the trend is

towards hybrid connections and supporting structures. The in-

creasing use of hardwoods thereby creates new challenges for

the adhesives; the adhesives primarily optimized for softwoods

therefore have to be correspondingly qualified. The IGF project

“iCurie”, which was launched on 1st May, 2017, is aimed at

the further development of new and optimized procedures

for the adhesive bonding of connecting materials and would

like to establish hardwoods more strongly in the construction

sector. The research work is being carried out at the Institute

for Production Technology and Logistics, Specialist Depart-

ment Separative and Adhesive Manufacturing Processes at the

University of Kassel and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufac-

turing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM.

For many small wooden construction companies, gluing

presents a particular challenge as regards the process relia-

bility. The project aims to develop possibilities for controlled

temperature provision in the glue joint during bonding at the

construction site. This would enable work to continue under

unfavorable weather conditions and would make the process

times easier to calculate. Furthermore, the process reliability

should be improved.

ture. In order to remain competitive, the European wood and

furniture sector requires specialists in the field of information

and communication technology (ICT). The ERASMUS+ project

IN4WOOD is aimed at the development and provision of

training programs in the key enabling technologies (KET) of

Industry 4.0, in order to expand the knowledge and skills of

employees from the wood and furniture industries in this field.

The competitiveness of the mainly small and medium-sized

enterprises should be thereby strengthened.

IN4WOOD is intended to strengthen the exchange of know-

ledge and the practical application of technologies around

Industry 4.0 and to increase the recognition of certificates of

competence at EU-level within the target sector. The main task

of IN4WOOD is the development of a training program for

vocational training and professional development (Vocational

Education and Training, VET) in the wood and furniture indus-

tries, in order to support the understanding and application of

the fundamental technologies of Industry 4.0.

E-commerce, robotics, 3D printing, RFID sensors, product simu-

lations, Internet security (cybersecurity), the Internet of Things

and modern management systems are just a few examples of

things which have radically changed the working life in recent

years. IN4WOOD is intended to help strengthen the competi-

tiveness of the wood and furniture industries through adap-

tation/modernization of vocational training. This should help

to pave the way towards the “Factory of the Future” with the

creation of new jobs.

The IN4WOOD project partners include technology providers

and members of universities as well as organizations and

associations from the wood and furniture industries. Coordi-

nator is the Spanish furniture and technology center CETEM

in Yecla. The participants are from Spain, Italy, the United

Kingdom, Belgium and Germany. Germany is thereby repre-

sented through the KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) and

the iVTH.

The tasks of the Association are the execution of the online

survey in the field of the wood-based materials and furniture

industries in Germany as well as the distribution of the training

materials developed by the project partners.


We herewith declare our / my accession to the

International Association for Technical Issues Related to Wood (iVTH).

The annual membership fee is €

�� We are an SME.

Enterprise

Contact person

Street

City / Country

Telefon / Fax

E-Mail

Invoice address:

�� no different invoice address

Enterprise

Street

City / Country

Date,

Signature

Internationaler Verein

für Technische Holzfragen e. V. - iVTH

Bienroder Weg 54 E

38108 Braunschweig

Settlement of contribution

1. The association charges an annual membership contribution, which is specified by the members in agreement

with the executive board by self-assessment.

2. The annual minimum contribution amounts to 500,- €. Members like small and medium-sized enterprises

(SME) in the sense of the EU definition, pay a minimum contribution in the amount of 250,- €. In individual cases

the executive board can decide upon an other regulation.

3. New members, regardless the date of their entering the association, are charged with the full annual member-

ship contribution.

4. Non-profit institutions from abroad who pursue similar tasks as the iVTH, remain free of contributions, if and as

long as they also lead the iVTH as a member free of charge.

** Definition SME

The size range of smallest enterprises as well as the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) consists of enter-

prises, which employ less than 250 persons and which either achieve an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million

€ or whose annual total balance sum does not exceed 43 million €.

return faxor by post

+49 (0)531-2155-334


Notes


Internationaler Verein für Technische Holzfragen e.V.

[International Association for Technical Issues Related to Wood -

iVTH (registered association)]

Bienroder Weg 54 E, D-38108 Braunschweig

Phone +49(0)531·2155-209, Fax +49(0)531·2155-334

www.ivth.org

Statute: Agreed at the ordinary General Meeting on

17.09.2009 in Braunschweig.

§ 1 Name, domicile, legal capacity, fiscal year

1. The Association bears the name „Internationaler Verein für

Technische Holzfragen e.V.“.

2. The Association has its domicile in the city of Braunschweig.

3. The Association is recorded in the association register of

the District Court of Braunschweig.

4. The fiscal year is the calendar year.

§ 2 Non-profit status, application of funds

1. The Association pursues, exclusively and directly, nonprofit

purposes in accordance with the provisions of the

paragraph “tax-privileged purposes” of the German tax

regulations.

2. The Association is non-profit-making; it does not pursue

primarily its own economic purposes.

3. Association resources may only be used for purposes

stipulated in the Statute. The members receive no gratuities

from Association resources.

4. No person or establishment may receive benefit through

issues which are alien to the purpose of the Association or

through disproportionately high remuneration.

§ 3 Purpose and duties

1. The purpose of the Association is the promotion of science,

research and technology in the field of forestry and the

timber industry as well as related economic sectors.

2. The Association‘s purpose is realized in particular through:

a) The promotion of research and development projects, the

awarding of research contracts, the execution of scientific

events and the appointment of advisory groups and consultant

circles.

b) The conveyance of research results to members and associations

as well as government bodies.

c) The promotion of research for principally small and

medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which serves the purpose of

pre-competitive knowledge acquisition (joint research).

3. The purpose and tasks of the Association are primarily realized

in co-operation with the „Fraunhofer lnstitute for Wood

Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut (WKI)“ in Braunschweig.

4. The purpose and tasks of the Association serve in equal

measure the co-operation with the supporting organization

of the WKI, the “Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (FhG) zur Förderung

der angewandten Forschung e.V.” (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

(FhG) for the Promotion of Applied Research in Munich).

§ 4 Membership

Members of the Association are:

a) Full members (§ 5)

b) Honorary members (§ 6)

§ 5 Full members

1. Full members may be natural or legal persons, business

partnerships and associations and societies without legal

capacity (coalitions), who wish to promote the work of the

Association.

2. The application for membership is to be made to the

Executive Board of the Association informally in writing. The

application must state who shall exercise membership in the

Association; a subsequent change in representation must be

notified. Admission shall be pronounced in writing by the

Executive Board of the Association.

3. Members of the Executive Board and Advisory Board are

full members through their election and/or appointment.

4. Membership provides no entitlement to Association assets.

5. The annual membership fees for the full members shall be

defined through a membership fee scale which is determined

by the General Meeting.

6. Members of the Executive Board and Advisory Board are

exempt from the payment of membership fees.

§ 6 Honorary members

1. Members, supporters and scientists who have rendered

outstanding service to science and research, wood technology,

forestry and the wood industry can be elected as honorary

members of the Association by the General Meeting or

the Executive Board. They are exempt from the payment of

membership fees.

§ 7 Termination of membership

1. Membership is terminated by death, in the case of legal

persons and coalitions through dissolution.

2. Membership ends through resignation of the member.

Resignation is only possible at the end of a financial year

and with adherence to a three-month period of notice. The

resignation must be given in writing by the member to the

Executive Board.

3. The Executive Board may exclude a member for important

reasons, in particular:

- when the member is, despite reminders, in arrears with 2

years‘ membership fees, or

- his behavior impairs the reputation and interests of the

Association.

The decision shall be communicated to the member in

writing. The decision regarding an appeal shall be made by

the next General Meeting.

§ 8 Elements of the Association

Elements of the International Association for Technical Issues

related to Wood are:

1. the General Meeting (§§ 9f)

2. the Executive Board (§§ 11f)

3. the Advisory Board (§ 13)

4. the auditors (§ 14)

§ 9 General Meeting

1. In the General Meeting, each member has one vote;

he can be represented by another member by means of a

written power of attorney.

2. An ordinary General Meeting shall take place at intervals

of a maximum of three years.

3. Extraordinary General Meetings shall be convened

a) if the Executive Board Council decides with a majority to

do so,

b) if at least one third of the full members apply for this to

the Chairman, enclosing thereby the agenda.

4. The General Meeting shall be convened and conducted by

the Chairman or a Deputy. The invitation shall be sent to the

members in writing, with a notice period of one month, and

shall specify the location, time and agenda.

5. Each legitimately-convened General Meeting shall be

quorate regardless of the number of persons present.

6. The decisions of the General Meeting shall be recorded

and subsequently signed by the Chairman or a Deputy.

7. The Chairman may induce a decision of the members or

a statute amendment by means of a written ballot. Such

a decision shall only be valid if two-thirds of the members

agree to his decision in writing.

§ 10 Responsibilities of the General Meeting

The General Meeting has the following tasks:

a) election of the Executive Board

b) receipt of the activity report and the annual accounts

c) discharge of the Executive Board

d) election of auditors

e) election of honorary members

f) determination of membership fees

g) decisions concerning appeals against the exclusion of

members (§ 7, paragraph 3)

h) passing of resolutions concerning amendments to the

Statute (§ 15)

i) passing of resolutions concerning the dissolution of the

Association (§16).

2. Decisions may only be taken on items which have been

declared in the invitation agenda or which have been placed

on the agenda during the Meeting following agreement

from two-thirds of the persons present or being represented.

Decisions concerning amendments to the Statute and the

dissolution of the Association cannot be subsequently incorporated

into the agenda.

3. Decisions shall be taken through a simple majority of the

persons present or being represented. In the event of a tie,

the Chairman shall have the casting vote.

§ 11 Executive Board

1. The Executive Board of the Association consists of:

a) the Chairman

b) two Deputy Chairpersons

c) the Treasurer and

d) other Executive Board members.

2. The Executive Board should fundamentally be represented

by the forestry sector, the wood industry and the Technical

University of Braunschweig.

3. The Executive Board of the Association is elected by the

General Meeting for a period of three financial years. Reelection

is permissible.

4. The Executive Board shall execute its activities on an

honorary basis.

5. Executive Board as laid down by § 26 BGB (German Civil

Code) are the Chairman, his Deputy and the Treasurer. Each

of these persons is entitled to represent the Association.

§ 12 Responsibilities of the Executive Board

1. The Chairman or a Deputy conducts the business matters

of the Association, provided these are not statutorily reserved

for the General Meeting. He shall execute the decisions of

the General Meeting and the Executive Board.

2. The Chairman or a Deputy shall convene and preside

over the General Meeting. He shall distribute invitations to

Executive Board meetings, with a notice period of one month

and accompanied by a suggestion for the Agenda.

3. The Executive Board shall decide on all significant matters

of the Association. As part of the purpose of the Statute,

these include, in particular:

- determination of the annual budget

- promotion and advising of the WKI

- participation on the WKI Board of Trustees

- co-operation with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

- assessment and promotion of projects involving joint

research

- raising of funds for research and development

- appointment of a Managing Director.

4. The Executive Board is quorate when at least three

members are present. It takes its decisions through a simple

majority. In the event of a tie, the Chairman shall have the

casting vote.

5. The Chairman may also induce a decision of the Executive

Board by means of a written ballot. Such a decision shall only

be valid if all members of the Executive Board agree to his

decision in writing.

6. The Executive Board may appoint advisory groups and

consultant circles.

§ 13 The Advisory Board

1. The Advisory Board serves to maintain relations with

offices and authorities, particularly those from the fields of

science and the state, which support the objectives of the

Association.

2. The Advisory Board members are appointed by the Executive

Board. The term of office for members of the Advisory

Board ends with the new election of the Executive Board.

Re-appointment is permissible.

3. The Advisory Board is assigned to the Executive Board of

the Association for consultation.

§ 14 Auditors

1. The General Meeting elects two auditors for a period of

3 years.

2. The auditors audit the annual accounts.

3. The auditors report to the General Meeting concerning the

results of their audit.

4. Re-election is permissible.

§ 15 Amendments to the Statute

1. Amendments to the Statute shall be determined by the

General Meeting. The proposed amendments to the Statute

must be notified in writing together with the letter of

invitation and the agenda for the General Meeting. Decisions

concerning amendments to the Statute require a majority of

two-thirds of the members present or being represented.

2. Amendments may also be executed in writing (§ 9,

number 7).

§ 16 Dissolution of the Association

1. The dissolution of the Association can only be decided by

the General Meeting. For such a decision, the agreement of

three-quarters of those members present or being represented

is required. The dissolution petition shall be delivered to

the members together with the letter of invitation and the

agenda.

2. If the Association is dissolved or its legal capacity is withdrawn

or if its purpose hitherto is fundamentally changed, its

assets shall then fall to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur

Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. in Munich for its

Institute for Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut - WKI.

Decisions concerning the future application of the assets may

only be taken with the prior consent of the tax authority.

§ 17 Supplementary provisions

Provided this Statute does not prescribe a deviating regulation,

the provisions of the German Civil Code apply to the

Association.

Statute

Internationaler Verein fürTechnische Holzfragen e.V.iVTH

International Association for Technical Issues Related to Wood (iVTH)

Bienroder Weg 54 E38108 BraunschweigGermany Tel. +49 531 2155-209Fax +49 531 2155-334 [email protected]

annual report 2015/2016 - ivth · annual report 2015/2016 shaping the future naturally - with wood....

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