The 44th International Wood Composites Symposium was held March 29-March 31, 2010 at the Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue in Seattle, Washington.

Organised by Washington State University’s Composite Materials and Engineering Center (formerly known as the Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory, WMEL), the symposium was an industry-driven forum for producers, suppliers, and researchers that debated the latest market developments and advances in wood composites technology. The Symposium was established in 1967 by Thomas Maloney, who was the director of WMEL for 22 years.

This year the symposium opens at 1 pm Monday, March 29, with a special session on Adhesives for Wood Composites that will focus on low emission adhesive technology and recent developments in bio-based adhesives. Featured talks include:

• Overview of green adhesives
• Low emitting UF resins
• Low temperature and rapid curing processing technologies
• New bio-based resin systems with no formaldehyde emissions
• Bio-inspired adhesive strategies for structural applications

“The adhesive session during the symposium will provide an insight into recent developments in the area of bio-based and low emission resins for wood composites,” said Symposium Co-Chair Vik Yadama. “In addition, the opportunity to network with people you want to meet in the forest products industry is invaluable.”

On Tuesday, Keynote Speaker Lynn O. Michaelis, president of Strategic Economic Analysis, will address the “Road to Recovery for the Global Economy: Looking for Potholes!!” Dr. Michaelis previously held the position of Vice President of Marketing and Economic Research at Weyerhaeuser where he was a participant in the annual strategic reviews of each business. This role also included market research and competitor analysis. During 36 years with the company, Dr. Michaelis also managed the composite panels business for several years; led the initial scoping for entry into the OSB business; and led several special planning teams, including an Oregon sawmill optimisation effort and scenario assessment of fine paper business. Dr. Michaelis has a PhD in economics from Washington State University and a BA in mathematics from the University of Utah. He is a past president of the National Association of Business Economists (NABE). Currently Dr. Michaelis serves on the board of directors of CINTRAFOR at the University of Washington and is a member of the National Business Economic Issues Council. Strategic Economic Analysis, LLC provides business managers with objective and informed insights about the future of the economy as well as specific industries. The firm’s primary focus is housing and forest products issues.

Tuesday’s agenda also includes the Technical Forum poster session and the evening banquet. Sessions continue on Wednesday morning and adjourn at 12noon.

Please visit the Symposium web site at www.woodsymposium.wsu.edu for program information, to register online, or to submit abstracts for the Technical Forum poster session.

For more information, please contact Vik Yadama, Symposium Co-chair, at vyadama@wsu.edu or 509-335-2262