The 11th International Hardwood Conference (IHC) took place in Antwerp on 5 and 6 November 2026, attracting approximately 170 participants, the largest attendance in the event’s history.
Hosted by Fedustria, the Belgian federation representing textile, furniture, wood, and design sectors, the conference was organised in collaboration with the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) and the European Organization of the Sawmill Industry (EOS).
The programme began with attendees touring the port of Antwerp, before the conference opened with welcoming addresses by EOS Hardwood vice president Maria Kiefer-Polz and ETTF president Ad Wesselink.
Early sessions included research presented by Katja De Vos of Fedustria on the benefits of wood in human environments, noting findings that suggest wood may help reduce stress and enhance well-being.
Jean-François Guilbert of French Timber examined trade trends, discussing the long-term decline in temperate sawn hardwood production and the continued export of unprocessed logs from Europe and North America.
Guilbert observed that these exports represent a lost opportunity for local value creation and suggested European producers could focus on higher-value niche markets.
KU Leuven professor Bart Muys commented on the long-term outlook for wood supply, explaining that while European forests, especially those dominated by broadleaved species, are expanding, forest health is under threat due to more frequent disturbances.
He said an increase in available hardwood could create opportunities for new uses.
Market overviews highlighted persistent challenges. Ducerf Group’s Florence Perrucaud reported a subdued European oak market, with weak construction activity affecting demand.
Abalon Hardwood’s Roland Feit outlined a decline in German beech production, with exports and use of logs for firewood limiting industrial supply.
Feit noted ongoing research into new beech applications but flagged climate change and EU legislation as concerns for future availability.
Speakers also discussed hardwood markets outside Europe.
Michael Snow of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) stated that American hardwood production has fallen amid declining consumption and noted the sector’s efforts to diversify exports after a peak in 2017 driven by Chinese demand.
Sessions on tropical timbers included overviews of Ghana’s FLEGT licensing system, Congo Basin export trends, and Guyana’s expanding sawmill sector.
Technological developments were addressed by Fordaq president Sampsa Auvinen, who described opportunities for artificial intelligence in automated timber grading.
Speakers cited stable European furniture production share globally, but noted a fall in production volumes since 2022.
The next International Hardwood Conference is scheduled for 2028 in Rome.
