Braunschweig (June 16, 2026). Renowned wood researchers from all over Germany gathered in Braunschweig on June 16, 2026, to establish the research network “HolzForschung Deutschland.” The 30 initiators and founding members aim to pool the discipline’s strengths through this new network.
“This network is an important milestone on the path toward greater collaboration among wood researchers in Germany,” says Katja Frühwald-König. The professor at the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences is one of the spokespersons for the new network.
With the founding of “HolzForschung Deutschland,” the diverse research landscape surrounding wood as a resource gains a unified voice for the first time. Given the growing importance of wood for climate protection, sustainable construction, the substitution of fossil raw materials, and the circular economy, the network creates a strong platform for pooling scientific expertise and promoting the transfer of knowledge to society, business, and politics. “In the coming years, wood research will address strategic topics such as resource sovereignty, wood as a high-tech material, and Wood Intelligence, among others. Wood is not only a material with proven positive properties; it also represents a positive outlook on the future,” says Prof. Markus Rüggeberg of Dresden University of Technology and the network’s second spokesperson.
“HolzForschung Deutschland” brings together individuals from numerous universities, colleges, and research institutes. Its members include scientists from various disciplines, such as materials research, civil engineering, architecture, process engineering, chemical technologies, and the arts. The network thus reflects the diversity of German wood research.
“Renewable raw materials, above all wood, are the central pillar of our vision of a circular bioeconomy. We can only successfully overcome the major challenges on the path to a more sustainable future through trusting personal exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration,” says Prof. Raoul Klingner, director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research (WKI) in Braunschweig.
The goal of “HolzForschung Deutschland” is to sustainably strengthen the visibility, networking, and collaboration among scientists in Germany. In addition, the network aims to initiate and support joint research and technology transfer projects, promote scientific exchange on the topic of wood, and specifically introduce the younger generation to wood. “Wood is the most fascinating material in the world. However, wood species and their uses are so diverse that there is a great need for research. No single institute can meet this need on its own. I am very pleased to be able to enrich research through closer contact with my colleagues,” says Prof. Andreas Krause, director of the Thünen Institute of Wood Research and one of the initiators.
The founding event at the Fraunhofer WKI in Braunschweig was preceded by an intensive preparatory process. Since 2025, the participants have been developing the substantive and organizational foundations of the association during three meetings in Hamburg, Dresden, and Freising. The founding members hope for a strong influx of new members following the event. Membership is open at any time. A first general meeting is planned for later this year.
Contact:
Prof. Katja Frühwald-König, Dipl.-Holzwirtin, Ostwestfalen-Lippe
University of Applied Sciences Email: katja.fruehwald@th-owl.de
Prof. Dr. Markus Rüggeberg, Dresden
University of Technology Email: markus.rueggeberg@tu-dresden.de
Prof. Dr. Raoul Klingner, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research WKI
Email: raoul.klingner@wki.fraunhofer.de
Prof. Dr. Andreas Krause, Director of the Thünen Institute of Wood Research
Email: andreas.krause@thuenen.de