The association of the German wood based panel industries, VHI, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.
The association represents the professional, economic and technical interests of the manufacturers of particleboard, MDF, OSB and plywood, as well as internal doors and wood plastic composites.
“With an annual turnover of €5.6bn and 15,000 employees, the German wood based panel industry is the market leader in Europe,says VHI.
The association hosted the annual general meetings of the European Panel Federation (EPF) and Plywood Federation (FEIC) in Dresden in June where its president Hubertus Flötotto said that VHI represents 60 companies.
He said that the industry in Germany had been badly affected by the economic crisis and he estimated it would be three to four years before there was a full recovery.
“Sixty percent of the German population are concerned about the future of German wood and felt that it should be used for furniture and building before combustion. The VHI says that wood for energy should be stopped immediately.”
