Webinar – Innovation in timber industry in France and New Zealand

The French and New Zealand wood processing sectors face similar challenges, including lack of workforce, need for investment and for new solutions and technologies, competition on global markets. With high-quality research and innovation capabilities, and industries committed to addressing challenges of the future, France and New Zealand are well placed to develop collaborative responses.

Targeting the French and New Zealand timber industries and institutions, this webinar, organised by the Embassy of France to New Zealand, by the Bioeconomy Science Institute and by INRAe, aims at taking stock of research, innovation and operational solutions available and needed in the timber industry, to foster further collaboration.

The webinar will be conducted in English as follows:

Welcoming of attendees:

Mr Vincent Hébrail, Counsellor (Agriculture), Embassy of France to New Zealand

Opening remarks and main challenges to address:

• Dr Diego Elustondo, Portfolio Leader – Trees to High Value Products, Bioeconomy Science Institute
• Mr Ludovic Guinard, Director General, FCBA

Round of speakers:

• Ms Apolline Oswald, Director – Team Projects, Xylofutur
• Mr Mark Ross, Chief Executive, Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of New Zealand
• Pr Louis Denaud, Director, Laboratory of Materials and Processes
• Mr Jeff Ilott, Director, NZ Timber Industry Federation

Discussion with the audience

Closing remarks:

Mr Jean-Michel Carnus, Representative for Oceania, INRAe