23.06.2025
Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) visits Switzerland:
Zülpich/Birsfelden. A good 35 participants accepted this year's invitation to the IFN general meeting on 12 and 13 June 2025 at Roser AG in Birsfelden, Switzerland. The event was marked by European and international change and the establishment and expansion of relevant networks.
However, the focus was initially on paying tribute to Managing Director Ursula Geismann, who passed away in February 2025: IFN Chairman Axel Groh recalled her highly creative work for the industry and then welcomed the new interim Managing Director Dirk-Uwe Klaas, who will continue her work in her spirit.
Internationalisation and networking as further focal points
In addition to topics such as new applications for veneer, the EUDR and the field of EPDs, international networking and the European and international expansion of the IFN also took up a lot of space. Dr Oliver Kläusler from Swiss Wood Solution AG reported on new possibilities and ways in which wood and veneer can be used in completely new fields of application beyond existing applications. Dr Predrag Sretenovic from TIMBERplus then presented the latest developments in EUDR, and Axel Groh emphatically pointed out the importance of EPDs to the members. These are being prepared - based on extensive preliminary work by Ursula Geismann and the entire IFN - within the framework of a working group together with TIMBERplus and the Thünen Institute. Axel Groh commented: ‘More and more customers - not just public clients - are demanding this declaration.' It is important that interested companies agree to procure, compile and pass on the necessary data and participate in the working group.
Live link-up with new international partners
In keeping with the spirit of internationalisation, the presentations were followed by a live link-up with the Canadian Hardwood & Veneer Association, represented by its chairman Carlos Zarate, and the Timber Veneer Association of Australia, represented by its chairman Anthony Wardrop. In addition to a lively exchange about global markets and their problems, the economic prospects for the markets were discussed. ‘An important insight from these discussions is that global networking in the veneer industry is important and right, and must be expanded and continued,' said Axel Groh.
Supporting programme in impressive surroundings
An entertaining supporting programme rounded off the IFN general meeting: a family evening at the ‘Le Rhin Bleu' restaurant in Basel, a Rhine cruise in the border triangle and a tour of the ultra-modern ‘Novartis Campus', also located in Basel, made a lasting impression on the participants of the event. IFN/DS
Initiative Veneer + Nature (IFN)
The Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) e.V. was founded in 1996 by the German veneer industry and its partners. Today it is supported by European companies from the veneer industry, the trade and the veneer processing industry as well as trade associations of the wood industry. The aim of the association is to promote veneer as a natural all-round material.
Come and have a look
https://www.roser-swiss.com/en/
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Further information about the IFN at:
furnier.de/en
wood-veneer-stories.de
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Image 1: Participants at the IFN general meeting. Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
Image 2: Lectures were also on the agenda... Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
Image 3: ...as were personal conversations during the breaks... Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
Image 4: ...and quiet moments like this one. Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
23 June 2025
Initiative Furnier + Natur e.V. - Antonigartzem 1 - D-53909 Zülpich - m +49 171 2116 650 www.furnier.de - www.veneer.eu - presse@furnier.de
Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) visits Switzerland:
General meeting marked by European and international change
Zülpich/Birsfelden. A good 35 participants accepted this year's invitation to the IFN general meeting on 12 and 13 June 2025 at Roser AG in Birsfelden, Switzerland. The event was marked by European and international change and the establishment and expansion of relevant networks.
However, the focus was initially on paying tribute to Managing Director Ursula Geismann, who passed away in February 2025: IFN Chairman Axel Groh recalled her highly creative work for the industry and then welcomed the new interim Managing Director Dirk-Uwe Klaas, who will continue her work in her spirit.
Internationalisation and networking as further focal points
In addition to topics such as new applications for veneer, the EUDR and the field of EPDs, international networking and the European and international expansion of the IFN also took up a lot of space. Dr Oliver Kläusler from Swiss Wood Solution AG reported on new possibilities and ways in which wood and veneer can be used in completely new fields of application beyond existing applications. Dr Predrag Sretenovic from TIMBERplus then presented the latest developments in EUDR, and Axel Groh emphatically pointed out the importance of EPDs to the members. These are being prepared - based on extensive preliminary work by Ursula Geismann and the entire IFN - within the framework of a working group together with TIMBERplus and the Thünen Institute. Axel Groh commented: ‘More and more customers - not just public clients - are demanding this declaration.' It is important that interested companies agree to procure, compile and pass on the necessary data and participate in the working group.
Live link-up with new international partners
In keeping with the spirit of internationalisation, the presentations were followed by a live link-up with the Canadian Hardwood & Veneer Association, represented by its chairman Carlos Zarate, and the Timber Veneer Association of Australia, represented by its chairman Anthony Wardrop. In addition to a lively exchange about global markets and their problems, the economic prospects for the markets were discussed. ‘An important insight from these discussions is that global networking in the veneer industry is important and right, and must be expanded and continued,' said Axel Groh.
Supporting programme in impressive surroundings
An entertaining supporting programme rounded off the IFN general meeting: a family evening at the ‘Le Rhin Bleu' restaurant in Basel, a Rhine cruise in the border triangle and a tour of the ultra-modern ‘Novartis Campus', also located in Basel, made a lasting impression on the participants of the event. IFN/DS
Initiative Veneer + Nature (IFN)
The Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) e.V. was founded in 1996 by the German veneer industry and its partners. Today it is supported by European companies from the veneer industry, the trade and the veneer processing industry as well as trade associations of the wood industry. The aim of the association is to promote veneer as a natural all-round material.
Come and have a look
https://www.roser-swiss.com/en/
Further information about the IFN at:
furnier.de/en
wood-veneer-stories.de
Image 1: Participants at the IFN general meeting. Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
Image 2: Lectures were also on the agenda... Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
Image 3: ...as were personal conversations during the breaks... Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
Image 4: ...and quiet moments like this one. Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
23 June 2025
Initiative Furnier + Natur e.V. - Antonigartzem 1 - D-53909 Zülpich - m +49 171 2116 650 www.furnier.de - www.veneer.eu - presse@furnier.de
Image 1: Participants at the IFN general meeting. Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
Image 2: Lectures were also on the agenda... Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
Image 3: ...as were personal conversations during the breaks... Photo: ROSER AG/IFN
Image 4: ...and quiet moments like this one. Photo: ROSER AG/IFN