Wood-based panel producers in Europe are likely to face a complicated winter due to the multiple challenges of reduced demand and increased energy and raw material/supply costs, a top industry executive told a 300-strong panel sector audience in Hamburg on October 13.  Martin Brettenthaler, chairman of the European Panel Federation (EPF), speaking at the 12th international Wood Based Panels Symposium, admitted the industry was facing a “perfect storm” due to soaring energy prices, heavy increases in resin prices and also increased wood raw material costs because of less timber being exported from Belarus and Russia ...