On the 23rd of November 2023, 167 delegates from scientific research, industry, and policymakers from 11 countries gathered in Pulau Langkawi for the 2nd Wood and Biofibre International Conference (WOBIC 2023). As the hosting country, Malaysia ranked first by number of participants, followed by Indonesia, China, and India. This year the event features more than 117 Presentations from 406 authors and co-authors, 12 Technical Sessions, Stakeholders Dialogue titled ‘Fostering Bio-based Materials to Mitigate Climate Change through Good Governance’ and a Technical Visit. In this two-days conference, WOBIC 2023 provides a science-to-science and science-to-industry platform for knowledge exchange to discuss the latest scientific findings, industrial progress and policy landscape through keynote and plenary presentations, as well as specialised thematic sessions from the 23rd to 24th November 2023. The conference keynote session discussed “The Multiple Values of Forests, Biodiversity and Forest Products” on the first day and “Transforming Scientist into Entrepreneurs” on the second day as part of the long-term goal to make sure that science is conducted with good intentions to best serve communities and, to use data for discovery and innovation by optimizing the usage of wood and biofibres in the wider bio-economy with varieties of sustainable applications such as for building construction and automotive applications as well as for healthcare and food applications. As part of the conference programme, a technical excursion will be held on the 25th of November 2023. Apart from that, a Pre-Conference Workshop: Remote Sensing, Lidar, and Multispectral Imaging in Forest Application, has been conducted on the 25th to 26th July 2023 at Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

The conference is chaired by Dr. Ainun Zuriyati Binti Mohamed @ Asa'ari, Senior Research Officer, INTROP and constituted by the Conference Steering Committees comprising international wood and biofibre experts, political and industry members from various organisations. Thereby bringing together the strong and common interests of their countries in the political support and business opportunities for bioproduction and bioeconomy.

YBhg. Dato’ Prof. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, Vice Chancellor, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) represented by Prof. Ir. Dr. B.T. Hang Tuah bin Baharudin, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Industry and Community Relations), UPM: WOBIC 2023 endeavour stands as a commendable initiative that unites professionals from both the industry and academia, fostering meaningful dialogue on the most recent advancements in the fields of tropical wood and biofibre. Topics of discussion span the entire spectrum, ranging from upstream agricultural aspects to downstream fibre processing and product innovation. Moreover, the conference places a well-deserved spotlight on the socio-economic ramifications of these vital bioresources. As a main player in agricultural and forestry research, UPM takes great pride in its dedication to advancing the use of wood and biofibers as alternative future bioresources for our country, aligning seamlessly with our vision to become a university of international repute.

Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Khalina Abdan, Chairman of Steering Committee, Director of Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), UPM: WOBIC 2023 aims to showcase the latest developments in wood and biofibre resources and products, incorporating contemporary advancements in information and communication technology. The theme of WOBIC 2023, ‘Forest to Shelves: Roles in Mitigating Climate Change and Community Entrepreneurship’ is to emphasize the dual imperatives of combating climate change and fostering community-driven entrepreneurship for a sustainable and resilient future. This effort seeks to present the current state of related industries and effectively address the existing challenges. Embracing a holistic approach is paramount in ensuring the sustainable management of wood-based resources, thus allowing related industries to lead the way in sustainable bioresource stewardship.

Dr. Ainun Zuriyati Mohamed @ Asa’ari, Chairman of Organising Committee WOBIC 2023, Senior Research Officer, INTROP, UPM: With the theme “Forest to Shelves: Roles in Mitigating Climate Change and Community Entrepreneurship”, this conference aims to feature that science is conducted with good intentions to best serve communities and, to use data for discovery and innovation by optimizing the usage of wood and biofibres in the wider bio-economy with varieties of sustainable advanced applications such as for building construction and automotive applications as well as for healthcare, energy and food applications. WOBIC 2023 is an excellent initiative to bring together industry and academia to discuss the latest developments in wood and bio-fibre; from upstream forestry and agro-forestry topic to downstream fibre processing and product advancement, as well as the socio-economic impact of these bioresources. We believe there is tremendous innovation potential in advanced wood and bio-fibre products, as illustrated by the extremely high quality of submissions to the WOBIC 2023.

In conjunction with the opening ceremony of WOBIC 2023, book launch and collaborative agreements exchange ceremony were performed.

1. BOOK LAUNCH: Pulping and Papermaking of Nonwood Plant Fibers

This book was edited by Dr. Ainun Zuriyati Binti Mohamed @ Asa’ari, Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Sapuan Salit and Dr. Ahmad Ilyas Rushdan.

The main editor of this book; Dr. Ainun Zuriyati Binti Mohamed @ Asa’ari is a Senior Research Officer of Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Pulping and Papermaking of Non-wood Plant Fibres presents the latest technologies associated with the papermaking process. With chapters specific to each non-wood species, the book provides step-by-step guidance on processes such as pulping, bleaching, blending, and beating. Non-wood fibers are practical for pulp and paper production due to their chemical content of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin percentages. Beginning with a general overview of non-wood fibers in the papermaking process, chapters then take a deep dive into different raw materials and their processes, including bamboo, corn stalk, pineapple leaves and sugarcane. This book is an essential resource for researchers, scientists, and industry specialists.

The book is published by Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier in 2023. A selection of 14 famous nonwood plant fibers are discussed on their capabilities to be applied in pulp and papermaking sectors. It consists of 16 chapters contributed by 36 authors from 17 organisations of 8 contributing countries: Malaysia, Sudan, India, Algeria, Bangladesh, Indonesia, United States of America, and Canada.

Key features of the book:

• Provides comprehensive coverage of the processes involved in pulp and papermaking technology for each species of non-wood raw materials
• Written by the leading research and industrial experts in the field of pulping, bleaching, blending, beating and papermaking processes
• Includes step-by-step processes and methodologies. Read more at https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780323916257/pulping-and-papermakingof-nonwood-plant-fibers#book-description

2. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange between UPM and Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le (CIRAD)

UPM and CIRAD have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 10/08/2023, to define and organise their collaboration to jointly implement activities aiming at renovating the training system intended for the managers of perennial crop plantations - and possibly a wider audience - at the national level in Malaysia.

Date of Input: 06/12/2023 | Updated: 06/12/2023 | amallina.osman