Technology Suppliers Brought Their A-Game To Ligna

More than 1,400 exhibitors from 49 countries participated in the 50th anniversary Ligna held May 26-30 at the Exhibition Grounds in Hannover, Germany. They showcased their technologies to 78,000 visitors from 156 countries.     

A significant portion of those exhibitors and attendees represented the wood-based panel and engineered wood products segments.

Numerous developments surfaced during the course of the show and one of the main ones was the re-emergence of Hexion Inc. as something more than an adhesives producer. Purchased by a private equity firm in late 2021, Hexion purchased AI-driven Smartech in late 2024 and this integration came on strong at Ligna.

Siempelkamp hosted a press conference to reveal a new modernized logo, along with an umbrella brand structure where “Siempelkamp” is incorporated into the names of all companies within the group.

Last November Weyerhaeuser announced its plan to invest $500 million to build a new TimberStrand laminated strand lumber facility near Monticello, Ark. The news at Ligna was that Dieffenbacher has received the order for a considerable amount of the technology, including the forming station and forming line, single daylight hydraulic press, and billet conveyors, along with the power plant—a bubbling fluidized bed boiler cogeneration system that will provide steam and thermal oil to heat the press.

Several exhibitors addressed a popular subject on the Hall floor—MDF recycling with post-consumer materials.

Read full Ligna coverage in the July issue of Panel World.