At the Wood Technology Society of IOM3, our interests are in the study and utilisation of woody materials. Whilst wood comes from trees, our interest in growing trees is limited to ensuring that the resource remains sustainable. If trees are your main interest then please consult the Institute of Chartered Foresters. 

The UK wood industry is huge. According to the Office for National Statistics, it is valued at over £7.6 billion per annum and is the fifth most important industry in the UK. Consumption of timber and panels is currently running at 17.1 million m³ per annum. For more information please visit the Timber Trade Federation.

The Resource Material comprises the following - click on a hyperlink to go to a page giving more information

Confiners (softwoods) for thinnings for paper and pannels, sawlogs for veneer and sawn boards and biomass for energy production.

Broadleaves (hardwoods) for sawn timber, veneers and biomass

Bamboo and other woody materials and derivatives as cork and flax residues.

Our members have special interests in a great number of topics

Education and Training

The material

• identification
• strength properties
• durability
• wood chemistry

Wood processing

• wood machining - sawing, planing, moulding, finishing
• wood drying - natural and artificial (kiln) drying
• wood protection - decay organisms, preservation, chamical modification, heat treatment

Wood chemistry

Panel Products

• plywood
• chipboard
• MDF
• fibreboards and particleboards
• LVL
• OSB

Using Wood

Timber construction, timber engineering, joinery design and manufacture

Wood recycling

Wood energy

Wood conservation

Building surveying and conservation

Engineered Timber Products

Wood Plastic Composites

Joinery Design and Manufacture