Beyond Testing: Engineering the Future of Wood-Based Materials

An interview with Ewelina Depczyńska, PhD, President of Paged LabTech and Director of R&D at PAGED Group (based on the Experts' Lounge by Jacek Obarski, Chied Editor of Kurier Drzewny)

We spoke with Dr. Ewelina Depczyńska about the role of R&D in the modern wood industry, the future of sustainable materials, and why laboratories should be seen as strategic business partners rather than testing facilities.

Paged LabTech has grown significantly since its launch. What has been the most important change?

Ewelina Depczyńska: Without question, the team. Buildings, equipment and laboratories are important, but innovation is created by people. Over the years, we have built a multidisciplinary team that includes biotechnologists, chemists, wood technologists, material engineers and construction specialists. The most valuable innovations rarely come from a single discipline. They emerge where different perspectives meet and challenge each other.

At the same time, we have stayed true to our roots. From the beginning, we wanted our headquarters to demonstrate confidence in wood and plywood as materials of the future. We work with wood every day, so it was natural to create a workspace that reflects that belief.

You often describe the laboratory as a business partner rather than a testing service. What do you mean by that?

Ewelina Depczyńska: Testing should never be the final step. The greatest value comes when laboratories are involved from the very beginning of product development. Research helps manufacturers understand their raw materials, identify risks, optimize production processes and verify performance before a product reaches the market.

Ultimately, this means greater confidence that customers will receive exactly what they expect. Quality is not something that appears at the end of production. It has to be engineered from the start.

The industry is facing increasing regulatory requirements, from Environmental Product Declarations to digital product passports. How do you see this transformation?

Ewelina Depczyńska: Transparency is becoming a competitive advantage. The digital product passport will require manufacturers to provide much more information about their products, materials and environmental performance. Companies that already collect data and understand their products in depth will be in a much stronger position.

However, I believe regulations should ultimately deliver real benefits. Compliance should not be viewed solely as a cost. Better information about products leads to safer products, greater consumer confidence and better decisions throughout the value chain.

Sustainability is one of the key themes shaping modern materials. What achievements are you most proud of?

Ewelina Depczyńska: Paged FreePly and Paged GreenPly are among the projects I am most proud of. These formaldehyde-free plywood solutions address one of the industry's long-standing environmental and health challenges. They were developed through years of research, including cooperation with Politechnika Gdańska.

People often underestimate how much scientific work is required to bring a truly innovative material to market. Research and development is never a two-day project. While one innovation is being launched, we are already working on the next generation of solutions.

Fire safety and durability are becoming increasingly important, especially in construction. What role does research play here?

Ewelina Depczyńska: A critical role. We conduct extensive mechanical testing, durability studies and accelerated aging simulations. Using environmental chambers and weathering tests, we can assess how materials will perform years into the future. In many cases, we can predict how a product will behave after five, ten or even fifteen years of service.

For fire-retardant plywood, this is particularly important. A product must not only achieve a required fire performance classification when it leaves the factory. It must retain that level of safety throughout its service life. Buildings are expected to protect people for decades, and our testing philosophy reflects that responsibility.

What are the most common issues manufacturers discover through laboratory testing?

Ewelina Depczyńska: Durability is often the key challenge. We frequently investigate coating performance, resistance to weathering, mechanical damage and long-term structural stability. Outdoor furniture, for example, must withstand temperature fluctuations, moisture and UV exposure for many years.

Another area is emissions and material safety. Customers increasingly want confirmation that products meet higher environmental and health standards. This trend will only accelerate as regulations and consumer expectations continue to evolve.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for Paged LabTech?

Ewelina Depczyńska: We recently completed a long-term strategy that defines where we want to be by 2029. The direction is clear: deeper collaboration with customers, broader innovation capabilities and stronger support throughout the entire product development process.

The laboratory of the future is not simply a place where products are tested. It is a place where ideas are refined, risks are reduced and innovation becomes commercially viable. Our ambition is to help customers not only meet today's requirements, but also anticipate tomorrow's opportunities.

Final thought?

Ewelina Depczyńska: Wood and plywood still have enormous untapped potential. We often forget how much innovation can be built around materials that have been with us for generations. The challenge for our industry is not only to create new products, but also to use science and knowledge to unlock possibilities that have not yet been explored.

Full interview in Polish here: youtube.com/watch?v=dWQwvuMW-d8