Winter Conference 2026 – “And what if the spruce does run out?” and MainWood in focus

Dübendorf, January 29, 2026

@ S-WIN

Under the theme "And what if the spruce does run out?", the S-WIN network brought together experts from research, industry, and administration for its winter conference in Dübendorf on January 28 and 29, 2026. The ETH Zurich collaborative project "MainWood - mainstreaming wood in construction," which presented initial findings on the future development of the timber industry, was also a central focus.

Research findings and future perspectives

During the working day at the Empa Academy, key results of the MainWood project were presented. The event began with analyses of forest development: while a temperature increase of +4 degrees Celsius was previously considered an extreme scenario, it now forms the basis of the modeling. The results clearly illustrate the sharp decline of spruce. However, the amount of softwood that can be harvested in Swiss forests in the future also depends heavily on the chosen management scenario – whether the focus is on biodiversity or on maximizing timber production. The acceptance of different management scenarios and the provision of new assortments were also the subject of a survey of forestry operations presented at the event. Other topics included split rods for wood-based panels and fiber-reinforced glulam for robust load-bearing structures.

Strategies for an industry in transition

Under the guiding question "What if the spruce does run out?", experts then discussed challenges along the value chain. Topics included developments and strategies in the European sawmill industry, the use of previously underutilized wood assortments for load-bearing components, and requirements for the adhesive industry.

A high-level panel discussion with representatives from business, engineering, and the federal administration addressed these findings and explored potential pathways to a resilient and sustainable timber industry. A key point was more efficient resource allocation: since only a small percentage of harvested timber is currently used in construction, enormous potential remains despite the decline in spruce stands. The experts called for timber to be "protected from fire", at least during its initial use cycles, and to be increasingly used in timber construction.

Conclusion

The winter conference made it clear that the future of timber construction depends heavily on innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the responsible use of resources. New materials, alternative raw materials, and sound market analyses can contribute to strengthening timber construction in the long term while simultaneously supporting ecological goals.