IFN General Assembly 2026:More than 30 guests gather for a discussion at Decospan in Belgium
Zülpich/Menen. This year’s general meeting of the Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) took place on June 18 and 19, 2026, in Menen, Belgium, at the invitation of Decospan. The traditional industry gathering, attended by more than 30 experts from the veneer industry, once again offered a successful mix of professional exchange, insights into industrial practices, and personal interaction.
The event kicked off on Thursday afternoon with the participants’ arrival at Decospan. Starting at 4:00 p.m., the members gained fascinating insights into the production, processing, and professional storage of high-quality veneers during an in-depth tour of the facility. The day concluded in the evening with a group dinner at the Parkhotel Kortrijk, where the guests also spent the night.
The official IFN General Assembly began on Friday morning around 9 a.m. In addition to opening remarks by IFN Chairman Axel Groh, IFN Managing Director Dirk-Uwe Klaas reported on the association’s work. In addition, Piet Vanhuyse, CEO of the Wood-Based Materials Division at Decospan, explained Decospan’s history, development, goals, operations, and product lines to the attending guests. Following this, Peter Desmet, Wood Director and co-owner of Decospan, presented his company’s activities and vision. The event also focused on other current industry topics, discussions about IFN’s activities, and personal dialogue. Due to the forecasted heat wave, the event concluded early in the morning.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Decospan for their generous hospitality and are already looking forward to seeing them again soon,” said Dirk-Uwe Klaas, executive director of the initiative
Furnier + Natur (IFN). The next IFN General Assembly will take place on June 10 and 11, 2027, in Estonia, near Tallinn, at the premises of IFN member Balti Spoon. IFN/DS
Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN)
Die Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) e.V. wurde 1996 von der deutschen Furnierwirtschaft und ihren Partnern gegründet. Heute wird sie von europäischen Unternehmen aus der Furnierindustrie, dem Handel und der furnierverarbeitenden Industrie sowie Fachverbänden der Holzwirtschaft getragen. Ziel des Vereins ist die Förderung des natürlichen Werkstoff-Allrounders Furnier.
Weitere Infos zum Thema Furnier unter www.furnier.de oder www.furniergeschichten.de sowie auf Instagram unter #furnier_und_natur
Image 1: Axel Groh, Chairman of the IFN, welcomes the participants. Photo: IFN/Decospan
Image 2: Dirk-Uwe Klaas, IFN Managing Director, reports on the association’s activities. Photo: IFN/Decospan
Image 3: Piet Vanhuyse, CEO of the Wood-Based Materials Division at Decospan, explains Decospan’s history, development, goals, operations, and product lines. Photo: IFN/Decospan
Image 4: The guests listen intently to the presentations. Photo: IFN/Decospan
Image 5: Peter Desmet, Wood Director and co-owner of Decospan, presents his company’s activities and vision. Photo: IFN/Decospan
June 24, 2026
Image 1: Axel Groh, Chairman of the IFN, welcomes the participants. Photo: IFN/Decospan
Image 2: Dirk-Uwe Klaas, IFN Managing Director, reports on the association
Image 3: Piet Vanhuyse, CEO of the Wood-Based Materials Division at Decospan, explains Decospan
Image 4: The guests listen intently to the presentations. Photo: IFN/Decospan
Image 5: Peter Desmet, Wood Director and co-owner of Decospan, presents his company