ECUADOR - In September 2024, Ecuador’s particleboard exports reached USD 18.2 million FOB, marking a 15.6% increase from the previous year. The primary destination countries for Ecuadorian exports were Colombia, Peru, and Panama. Exports to Colombia grew by 24.8% to...
Ligna 2025 More Than 105,000 sqm Already Booked
GERMANY - In its 50th anniversary year, Ligna reflects on its origins, which began in 1975 when it branched off from Hannover Messe during the oil crisis to become an independent trade fair. Now, half a century later, the woodworking and wood processing industry is...
Sascha Groß, Managing Director of Hettich, to Leave at Year-End
GERMANY – Sascha Groß , Managing Director of Hettich Holding, has decided to leave the company at the end of the year. During his 20 years at Hettich, Groß has played a key role in the expansion of international production sites and has made significant contributions...
Robot Adoption in Factories Accelerates Worldwide
GERMANY - Robot adoption in factories worldwide continues to accelerate. In 2023, the global average robot density reached a record 162 robots per 10,000 employees—more than double the 74 units recorded seven years ago, according to the World Robotics 2024 report by...
Surteco Rejects Banasino Investments Mandatory Offer
GERMANY – On November 19, 2024, the Management Board and Supervisory Board of Surteco Group SE published a joint statement regarding the mandatory offer from Banasino Investments S.à r.l., in compliance with Section 27 of the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover...
Ikea accelerates energy transformation with EUR 1.5 billion investment
NETHERLANDS - Ingka Group, Ikea’s largest retailer, is investing EUR 1.5 billion to accelerate its shift away from fossil fuels, aiming to reduce its climate footprint by 85% by 2030 (from a 2016 baseline). The funds will retrofit existing stores with renewable...
NYRIA is Impress Decor’s Color of the Year 2025
BRAZIL - Impress Decor has revealed its Color of the Year for 2025: Nyria. Chosen after extensive research into global trends and the emotions shaping our daily lives, Nyria represents the search for stability and calm amid today’s uncertainty. In a time of global...
European Parliament Vote Confirms Delay of EUDR Implementation
BELGIUM - The European Parliament has voted to delay the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by one year. Originally set to take effect on December 30, 2024, the law will now apply from December 30, 2025, for large companies, and June 30, 2026, for small businesses....
Hendrik Rawe Appointed New Department Head at Deutsche Messe
GERMANY - As of November 1, 2024, Hendrik Rawe (34) has assumed the position of head of the “LIGNA, INTERSCHUTZ, parts2clean, and SurfaceTechnology GERMANY” department at Deutsche Messe. He will report to Arno Reich, Senior Vice President of the “Trade Fair &...
Dieffenbacher Receives Order for OSB plant in Chile
CHILE - Chilean company Celulosa Arauco y Constitución S.A. (Arauco), the world’s second-largest wood panel manufacturer, has commissioned Dieffenbacher to supply an OSB plant to replace an existing MDF line at its Trupan site in Cholguán, Bío-Bío region. The plant is...
Novopan Reinforces Sustainability with Recycling Lab
ECUADOR - Novopan, a leader in the wood based panels industry, continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability through active participation in the Recycling Lab, Latin America's first thematic park focused on promoting the circular economy and responsible...
Home Depot Reports 6.6% Sales Growth in 3Q-2024
USA The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, reported 3Q-2024 (3Q-2024) sales of USD 40.2 billion, a 6.6% increase from USD 37.71 billion in 3Q-2023. However, comparable-store sales declined 1.8%, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of...



