GERMANY – More than 80 global wood-based panel manufacturers gathered at the NH Collection Hotel in Heidelberg, Germany, July 2-4, 2024, for the first Dieffenbacher Technology Symposium.

The event began with an afternoon networking session, facilitating exchanges among attendees, which included plant owners, general managers and technologists. The second day was highlighted by informative presentations, beginning with Prof. Dr. Andreas Michanickl addressing raw material challenges, followed by Dieffenbacher discussions on adhesive saving techniques and MDF recycling.

After each session, participants took part in live polls to explore industry trends and operational challenges. They also had the opportunity to visit Dieffenbacher’s headquarters in Eppingen, where they toured the Technical Center and its research facilities.

The third day focused on crucial topics such as sustainability, process optimization and the application of artificial intelligence in the industry. The symposium concluded with a panel on the transformative effects of digitalization.

Feedback from attendees highlighted the importance of the event in providing practical insights and fostering valuable professional connections, reaffirming its role as a pivotal gathering to advance innovation and collaboration in the wood-based panel manufacturing sector.