Nahaufnahme verwitterter Holzpfosten links, im unscharfen Hintergrund die Außenansicht des IHD Dresden mit Eingangsbereich, Fassade, Rasen und Weg.

The Institute

Since 1952, the IHD has been conducting applied research into wood and wood-based materials. The institute was privatised in 1992 and is now an independent, non-profit research institute with around 90 members from industry and academia.

Its main areas of focus are the development, processing and finishing of wood, as well as related testing, certification and consultancy services provided through its subsidiary EPH. The IHD has an international network spanning over 60 countries.

With more than 130 staff members and state-of-the-art laboratory technology, the institute offers comprehensive facilities for the manufacture, machining and coating of wood-based materials, as well as for the development of coating materials and adhesives.

Our visionOur vision

Wood is the most versatile renewable resource.

We are the first contact partner for the industry, science and the society when it is about the best possible use of wood and other renewable raw materials.

We apply our knowledge and our experience across sectors in order to be able to react flexibly to future issues. This is based on our committed staff, our technical state-of-the-art equipment, a large range of topics and our cooperation with renowned project partners.

Our missionOur mission

We are an independent research facility acting worldwide and focussing our work on industry-related and application-oriented research and development.

Thereby, we can look back on seventy years of experience and concentrate on

  • material properties and the use of material,
  • technological and product development,
  • environmental and health protection,
  • resource and energy efficiency.

We work interdisciplinarily and act in a market-oriented and results-based manner. We efficiently use the funds available to us for research and development and for stimulating the branches of industry. Our partners appreciate the expertise and reliability of our staff.

Pur core competencesPur core competences

  • Wood science and wood modification
  • Pulping methods and wood-based materials technology
  • Alternative bonding agents/additives
  • Materials development and functionalisation
  • Emissions and pollutant analytics
  • Surface and coating technology
  • Floor coverings
  • Development of structural parts, windows, doors and facades
  • Furniture development
  • Molecular biology
  • Test method development
  • Failure analysis