EU Forest-based Industries: the track to 2050Monday 18 November 2019

Registration and welcome coffee

Session I: The state of the EU forest-based sector in the wider world – Chaired by Mr Peter Handley, Head of Unit, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials, DG GROW, EC

Keynote address - The EU’s future forests & wood-supplies:

Prof. Gert-Jan Nabuurs, Professor European Forest Resources, Wageningen University and Research, and
Mr Simo Jaakkola, Vice Managing Director of Koneyrittäjien liitto

Clarifications and Q&A

F-BI success stories pave the way for further sectoral changes:

BauBuche: innovative veneered beech beams for building with resource-efficiency and customer focus – Ms Doris Tegelkamp, Director Sales and Marketing BauBuche

Furniture 4.0: digital tech & skills – Mr Julio Rodrigo Fuentes, Innovation Manager in CENFIM – Home & Contract Furnishings Cluster

Bio-based products old & new – Dr Åsa Ek, Director Business Development, Cellutech, Stora Enso

Lessons from another biotic sector:

Sustainable and Resilient Natural Rubber Supply Chain – Ms Fazilet Cinaralp, Secretary General, European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA)

Open discussion
Session conclusions: DG GROW

Networking coffee break

Session II: How the EU F-BI will meet the challenges and reach the goals of 2050 – Chaired by Ms Malwina Nowakowska-Ketterle, Deputy Head of Unit, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials, DG GROW, EC

Presentation of the F-BI sectoral strategic initiative towards 2050 by Mr Jori Ringman, Director General of CEPI & Ms Margherita Miceli, CEI-Bois, other F-BI « Core Group » members

Panel Discussion

Industries – Ms Patrizia Gatti Gregori, Head of Environmental Performance Department at SNCF RESEAU

Trades unions – Mr Rolf Gehring, Political Secretary Wood and OSH, European Federation of Building and Woodworkers

ENGOs – Ms Chantal Van Ham, EU Programme Manager Nature Based Solutions, IUCN

Circular Economy waste management – Mr Jan Van Mierlo, Wood Market Director, Suez

Academia – Prof. Gert-Jan Nabuurs, Professor European Forest Resources, Wageningen University and Research

End note: How a bottom-up, regional bio-economy strategy can help provide sustainable growth and jobs - Mr Risto Poutiainen, Region Mayor of North Karelia, Finland

Closing remarks by DG GROW

Networking Cocktail