LIGNA 2027, to be held May 10-14, in Hanover, Germany, will be held under a unifying theme: Woodbound Future. With this theme, the organizers Deutsche Messe and the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Assn. establish a clear strategic direction for the world’s leading trade show for the woodworking and wood processing industry: wood is the material, innovation is the path forward, and a competitive future is the shared goal. Woodbound Future brings together technological advancement, industrial value creation, and responsible resource use in a shared vision for the future.

Stephanie Wagner, Global Director of LIGNA at Deutsche Messe, explains the theme: “The term ‘wood’ extends beyond the material itself. It is the starting point for industrial value creation, the foundation for new material solutions, and a driver of technological advancement. With Woodbound Future, we highlight how closely the industry’s future is linked to the intelligent processing and responsible use of wood.”

Woodbound Future exemplifies the transformation of the woodworking industry, from digitally connected production processes, automation, and AI to innovative materials, resource-efficient manufacturing, circular economy approaches, and reduced CO₂ emissions. The theme provides a unifying narrative across all of LIGNA, encompassing all seven exhibition areas as well as the outdoor exhibition area featuring LIGNA.Builds and LIGNA.TruckStop. It covers the entire value chain, from raw material sourcing and industrial processing to new materials, applications, and the use of wood for energy production.

LIGNA is the world’s leading trade show for the woodworking and wood processing industry and has been held every two years since 1975, in odd-numbered years, in Hanover. It showcases the complete range for both the primary and secondary industries: Tools, machines and systems for custom and mass production, surface technology, wood-based panel production, sawmill technology, energy from wood, machine components and automation technology, as well as machinery and equipment for forestry technology.

Visit www.ligna.de.

With more than 60 years of engineering expertise, long-standing customer partnerships, and 16 locations across 12 countries, Envanio maintains a strong local presence in key markets across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and the Asia-Pacific region (APAC). The company serves critical sectors including automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical, and surface treatment.

Envanio is a global market leader in regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) systems. These systems treat industrial exhaust air streams with heavy VOC loads, achieving purification efficiencies exceeding 99.8%.

“Envanio represents what our customers value most: in-depth expertise in industrial air pollution control, cutting-edge innovation, and measurable emissions reduction,” emphasizes Simon Ottmar, Senior Manager of Global Marketing, Envanio. “Our new brand identity brings that commitment to life and reinforces our position as the partner of choice for sustainable industrial processes.”

The company says, “Whether you know us from the past as Dürr, Universal, MEGTEC, LTB, KBA-Clean Air, or by another name, the high level of expertise and strong commitment of our employees have remained unchanged throughout the years.”

Siempelkamp reports it is taking over the SicoScan measurement technology systems from the previous manufacturer, Electronic Wood Systems (EWS).

A majority shareholder of EWS of Hameln, Germany reportedly has sold out to the Kronospan Group. As part of this transaction, Siempelkamp states it is assuming production, global sales and service, as well as R&D activities for the SicoScan brand measurement technology systems.

For direct EWS customers, EWS will remain the point of contact for products, service, maintenance, and installation, according to the report. EWS will continue to independently offer and distribute its product portfolio worldwide.

Siempelkamp states it will manufacture the SicoScan product line in-house and distribute it worldwide. In addition, service for existing Siempelkamp systems has been integrated into the global service network. 

By integrating the product portfolio, Siempelkamp says it is taking another logical step as part of an organizational realignment. “This creates clear lines of responsibility in the market and for customers and ensures the long-term further development of the SicoScan measurement systems,” the company states.

Siempelkamp and EWS began their collaboration in 2007.

With more than 60 years of engineering expertise, long-standing customer partnerships, and 16 locations across 12 countries, Envanio maintains a strong local presence in key markets across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and the Asia-Pacific region (APAC). The company serves critical sectors including automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical, and surface treatment.

Envanio is a global market leader in regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) systems. These systems treat industrial exhaust air streams with heavy VOC loads, achieving purification efficiencies exceeding 99.8%.

“Envanio represents what our customers value most: in-depth expertise in industrial air pollution control, cutting-edge innovation, and measurable emissions reduction,” emphasizes Simon Ottmar, Senior Manager of Global Marketing, Envanio. “Our new brand identity brings that commitment to life and reinforces our position as the partner of choice for sustainable industrial processes.”

The company says, “Whether you know us from the past as Dürr, Universal, MEGTEC, LTB, KBA-Clean Air, or by another name, the high level of expertise and strong commitment of our employees have remained unchanged throughout the years.”

Wood panel industry professionals gathered in Amelia Island, Fla., for the 2026 APA-EWTA Info Fair and Annual Meeting, bringing together manufacturers, equipment suppliers and industry leaders for networking, technical discussions and updates on the engineered wood products sector.
Panel World Senior Editor Jessica Johnson was on hand to capture the event, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the people, exhibits and conversations that make the annual gathering hosted by APA–The Engineered Wood Assn. and the Engineered Wood Technology Assn. (EWTA), a must for the industry.
Watch the video for a quick look at the 2026 APA-EWTA Info Fair and Annual Meeting through the lens of Panel World.

West Fraser announced that it will indefinitely curtail its Huguley oriented strandboard (OSB) mill in Lanett, Ala. and sawmill in Leola, Ark. These curtailments are expected to take effect in the fourth quarter following orderly wind-downs.

These decisions are the result of continued weakness in demand for wood products used in new home construction and repair and renovation applications, according to the company. These actions are expected to reduce West Fraser’s OSB capacity by 500MMSF and southern yellow pine lumber capacity by 225MMBF on an annual basis.

“Over the last quarter, housing affordability continued to be a key constraint for wood products demand, which remains soft,” says Sean McLaren, West Fraser President and CEO. “We were also impacted by higher energy-related input costs. Our teams responded by running mills to demand, reducing inventory and controlling costs.

“Decisions like this are never easy because of the impact they have on our employees, their families and the communities where we operate. We are grateful for their hard work and contributions, and we are committed to supporting them through this transition.”