Innovative Wood Product Competition 2024: Pushing the Boundaries of Timber at the University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury School of Forestry recently hosted the highly successful Innovative Wood Product Competition for the 2024 academic year. Sponsored by the WIDE Trust, this event brought together undergraduate students to explore and redefine the possibilities of structural timber products through innovation and creativity.
Event Highlights and Sponsorship
This year’s competition saw the enthusiastic participation of students, who were tasked with designing and constructing composite timber prototypes. The event was generously supported by industry leaders including Nelson Pine Industries Ltd, McVicar Timber Group Ltd., Henkel New Zealand Ltd., and John Fairweather Specialty Timber Solutions. These sponsors provided materials and other in-kind contributions, ensuring that the students had everything they needed to bring their innovative ideas to life.
Competition Format and Judging Criteria
Participants were grouped to create 3-meter and 0.75-meter-long composite prototypes, which were subjected to rigorous destructive tests. The prototypes were evaluated based on several criteria: structural performance, innovation, product quality assurance, commercialisation potential, environmental impact, and presentation. A panel of eleven esteemed judges from both academia and the industry assessed the entries.
Thomas Lim, WIDE Trust Senior Lecturer at the School of Forestry, reported that the event was a resounding success, with participants displaying remarkable ingenuity and skill. The judges were particularly impressed with how quickly the forestry students adapted to timber engineering concepts within a single course.
Award-Winning Innovations
The competition culminated in the announcement of three prestigious awards, each recognising outstanding achievements in various aspects of timber product innovation:
Best Performance Award ($1500): Wes Hitchcock, Campbell King, and Flint Rogers were honored for their 3-ply CLT with pine surface layers and an LVL core layer.
Innovation and Environmental Sustainability Award ($500): Hayden Bartlett, Jack Munro, Harry Low, and Stanley Rust received this award for their 3-ply pine CLT with pine dowels, which remarkably did not use any glue.
Innovation and Environmental Sustainability Award ($500): Mia Gordon, Daniel Raikes, Samuel Taylor, and Ben Thompson were recognized for their light panel system with LVL flanges and triangular plywood webs.
Future Opportunities and Industry Impact
The competition not only highlighted the talents of the participating students but also opened doors to exciting opportunities. Paul Adams from Forest Growers Research extended an invitation to the best performance group to present their work at their annual conference, offering them a prestigious platform to showcase their innovation. Additionally, Kai Kruse from Nelson Pine expressed interest in supporting the School of Forestry with scholarships, further encouraging the next generation of forestry and timber engineering professionals.
The event also caught the attention of structural engineers from BRANZ and PTL Structural Engineering, who were fascinated by the students' creativity and deep understanding of wood as a material. Their admiration underscores the significant impact that such academic competitions can have on the broader industry.
Sustainable and Innovative Future
The 2024 Innovative Wood Product Competition at the University of Canterbury was a testament to the talent and innovation within New Zealand's forestry and wood industries. Through the support of the WIDE Trust and industry sponsors, the competition has not only fostered a spirit of creativity and excellence among students but also highlighted the potential for sustainable and innovative wood products in the future.
As these young innovators continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with timber, the future of New Zealand's forestry and wood industries looks brighter than ever. The WIDE Trust remains committed to supporting this growth, ensuring that the next generation of industry leaders is well-equipped to lead the way in sustainable and innovative practices.