The addition of plastics to some forms of lightweight panel core is being enabled by technologies from BASF and EconCore.

Innovative wood manufacturing technology news is flowing in at a quickening pace as the industry gears up for Ligna and Interzum - the big global shows for technology and supply held in Germany in May.

Wood technology at trade shows were most viewed reports this week: a stronger, thinner lightweight panel technology, a new panel laminator at IKEA Poland, both to be seen at Germany's Ligna in May; and a powerful hand-held automated tenon joiner at Cabinets & Closets Expo next week.