A Strategic Research Agenda for the Forest-Based Sector 

During February 2006, after nearly one year of thinking, writing and debate involving an estimated investment of 3.4 million EUR, over 700 proposals were condensed into a Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) for the Forest-based Sector Technology Platform (FTP). The SRA is based on proposals from across Europe, encompassing the full range of complexity and variety the sector represents, from paper to packaging, from building with wood to bio-energy from wood, from trees to new trends. Through joint innovative R&D activities, the FTP will strengthen the competitiveness of the sector and contribute to the improvement in the quality of life of European citizens.

Stakeholders from all areas including industry, forest owners, researchers and public bodies, have taken an active part in the process of formulating the SRA, with representatives from the European Commission as observers. Sustainability, development and manufacturing of innovative products, resource availability, multiple forest use, biodiversity, the production of bio-energy and energy efficiency - in tackling these areas and more, the Strategic Research Agenda is clearly an ambitious undertaking.

The Strategic Research Agenda and the Annex of the Forest-Based Sector Technology Platform are available as a pdf-file. If you wish to receive a paper copy, please contact the FTP secretariat.