The concept of a “Technology Platform” was established by the European Commission to promote an integrated research approach based on private-public partnerships. The Platform brings together, amongst others, producers, industry, research institutions and European level regulatory authorities, to define a common long-term research agenda. This agenda is based on a common Research & Development (R&D) vision for that sector, signposting how it will move forward.

The mobilisation of scientific, economic and personnel resources, at national and European, public and private levels will form the reasearch steps for the future.
What is the common VISION of the Forest-Based Sector for 2030?
“The European forest-based sector plays a key role in a sustainable society. It comprises a competitive, knowledge-based industry that fosters the extended use of renewable forest resources It strives to ensure its societal contribution in the context of a bio-based, customer-driven and globally competitive European economy.
How will it progress?
A number of strategic objectives will have to be achieved in order to realize the vision. They include:
• Meeting the multifunctional demands on forest resources and their sustainable management. Enhancing availability and use of forest biomass for
products and energy.
• Development of intelligent and efficient manufacturing processes, including reduced energy consumption. The sector has used its network to establish some 20 National Support Groups across Europe and adopted a bottom-up approach to defining the sector’s research
goals for the future. The collection of research priorities was based on a cross-cutting approach of different value chains (forestry, pulp & paper products, wood products, bioenergy chain, specialities/new businesses) and impact dimensions (consumer & society, environment, energy, competitiveness). The result has been a wide-ranging pool of research proposals (around 700). These proposals have fed into the development of the Strategic Research Agenda at a European level; by its nature the SRA is a “living” document that can respond to future developments.
Who is involved?
The Forest-Based Sector Technology Platform is an initiative by the three European confederations representing its interests in Europe: Confederation of European
Forest Owners (CEPF), European Confederation of Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois), and Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI). The national expertise is secured by the contribution of National Support groups that are strongly interlinked with the thematic approach of the different value chains.
• Development of innovative products for changing markets and customer needs.
• Establishing a more efficient innovation system, including a better-structured research community with higher efficiency.
• Deepening the sector’s scientific basis, including taking advantage of emerging sciences.
• Establishing education and training schemes that meet high requirements.
• Improving communication with the public and policy makers.
Work plan
• Autumn 2003: work initiated
• June 2004: a technology platform proposed
• February 2005: Launching event and publishing of the Vision document 2030
• November 2005: Presentation of a Strategic Research Agenda (SRA)
• May 2006: Event to start the SRA implementation phase, Austria
The forest-based sector: jointly defining its future research agenda
The platform is the basis for strengthening the competitiveness of the forest-based sector through joint R&D activities. For the first time, the whole European forest value chain is working together on a common research agenda.
VISION 2030 foresees that the sector’s unique network of forest-based companies, organisations and institutions across the EU-25 are part of this process. In order to progress the Platform’s goals, a broad organisational structure has been developed that not only  involves all stakeholders but allows liaison with the entire network and exploits the potential for input from a multitude of different perspectives.