José Ferraz : INNOVATION AND ACCELERATED DIGITALIZATION OF THE WOOD INDUSTRY

LIGNA 2025 stood out as a milestone in the digitalization of the wood industry, presenting technological innovations that are transforming production, automation and
sustainability in the sector. Here is a summary of the main novelties: in the area of wood finishing — especially varnishing and painting — it stood out with innovations
that combine energy efficiency, process flexibility and intelligent automation. Several of the companies present presented solutions that promise to transform the way wood surfaces are treated. From what I was able to witness, this Fair set a milestone in the digitalization of the wood industry, presenting technological innovations that are transforming production, automation and sustainability in the sector. Connectivity was one of the central themes, focusing on the vertical and horizontal integration of systems along the value chain. Connecting machines, sof tware and operators efficiently, regardless of the level of digitization of each company is the desire of many of the companies present. The solutions I witnessed use artificial intelligence to monitor and optimize the production of wood-based panels in real time, providing greater efficiency and performance in terms of advanced automation, and I was also able to appreciate the combined proposals in which processing centers combined with intelligent robotic systems, allow continuous production to be integrated with flexible production encompassing cutting, edge gluing and drilling, a llowing t he s et p rocessing s peeds u p t o 1 ,200 components per shif t. The integration of robots and automated storage systems was another evidence of this Fair. Predictive maintenance through the use of AI has been present in several proposals and is, at the moment, a striking trend. Solutions that offer AI-based production time forecasts, making it easy to control machines and production cells. Also present was large format 3D printing, aided and complemented by CNC milling, allowing the production of complex structural elements for stairs, doors and furniture. This hybrid approach represents a significant advance in production flexibility and customization. “Engineered” wood, (a term used to designate wood products that are manufactured from fibers, particles, blades or pieces of natural wood glued together with resins or other industrial adhesives and that offer greater stability, strength and versatility than solid wood), was one of the novelties present and presented with great emphasis on sustainability.
As for the finishes (varnishing and lacquering), the VACUMAT FlexCoat system stands out. This vacuum coating equipment allows the application of water-based lacquers, UV, solvents and 2K, with a color change in just 10 seconds. Thanks to a patented development, the system significantly reduces cleaning time and increases flexibility in the production of profiles and edges. Excimer UV technology, with and without ozone, is, from what I have seen, the most suitable for sustainable growths in the coating of surfaces that are intended to be resistant and durable, eliminating the constraints related to scratch and shine resistance, usual for matt and extra mate finishes. It works, in general, by UV action under special conditions that causes the microtexture of the varnish surface, creating optical effects of deep mattness of high resistance to scratch and glare.
This innovation offers high-strength surfaces, ideal for demanding applications such as countertops and outdoor areas, allowing you to switch between UV and EBC curing without major technical modifications.
Advantages:
Creates super mate finishes without chemical additives.
Increases resistance to scratches and fingerprints.
Improves adhesion between layers.
Allows high quality tactile surfaces with natural wood appearance.
Typical applications:
Premium furniture.
Kitchen and bathroom f ronts.
Floors with deep matt finish.

TALK TO US, at Lusoverniz we have these solutions to
present to you. So many innovations reflect a clear
trend in the industry: the search for solutions that
combine sustainability, efficiency and customization. We
are at your disposal for any more detailed information
you deem necessary.