80 Years of iVTH and 80 Years of Fraunhofer WKI: Two Anniversaries, One Shared History

Joint Anniversary Event on Campus

Braunschweig, June 17, 2026

Exactly 80 years ago, on June 7, 1946, the iVTH—then still known as the “Verein für Technische Holzfragen e.V.”—was founded in Braunschweig on the initiative of Dr. Wilhelm Klauditz. The need was urgent: After World War II, there was an acute shortage of wood, stocks of high-quality timber had been depleted, and low-grade wood had to be put to use. The statutes of the newly founded association summed it up: The goal was to use the available wood in such a way that “the greatest possible economic success is achieved with the least possible effort.”

What is known worldwide today as Fraunhofer WKI has its roots directly in the iVTH: In its early years, the association served as the sponsoring organization for the “Institute for Wood Research,” thereby enabling the establishment of institutionalized wood research in the postwar period. With great personal dedication, Klauditz drove forward efforts to secure the institute’s future - by securing government funding, establishing ties with the Technical University of Braunschweig, and building networks with the German Society for Wood Research (DGfH). In 1972, the institute was finally incorporated into the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and has been known as Fraunhofer WKI ever since. The iVTH continues to support this development to this day as a close partner and sponsor. On June 17, 2026, Fraunhofer WKI invited approximately 150 guests from politics, research, and business to Braunschweig for the “80 Years of WKI” ceremony. The iVTH was, of course, also represented.

Dr. Klaus Merker, President of the Lower Saxony State Forestry Department and Vice Chair of the iVTH, delivered the keynote address on the topic “Wood from Local Forests - The Importance of Forest Restructuring”. He highlighted the role that climate-adapted forests and changing wood assortments play in a sustainable timber industry, thereby setting an important tone for the subsequent panel discussion. High-ranking speakers underscored the significance of the anniversary: Professor Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, praised the Fraunhofer WKI’s ongoing contribution to the bio-based circular economy. State Secretary Professor Joachim Schachtner (Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture) and Braunschweig’s Mayor Dr. Thorsten Kornblum emphasized the national and regional significance of wood research.

Eight decades dedicated to wood research and knowledge transfer represent a remarkable history of which the iVTH is very proud. We extend our thanks to all those who have helped shape and support the association over the decades - especially our members. True to our mission statement, “Shaping the future naturally with wood,” we look ahead with confidence. This anniversary serves as an incentive for us to continue advancing research and development in the fields of wood and renewable raw materials.