The inaugural AFWI Innovation Workshop will be headlined by Prof. John Warner (USA), a world leader in green chemistry and sustainable materials innovation, who will share insights shaping the future of bio-based industries.
When: Friday, 24 October 2025 | 9:30am to 2:00pm
Venue: 750 Collins Street, Docklands, Melbourne (Monash University) [Map link]
Capacity: Up to 100 in-person participants
Partners: Monash University, Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA), Forestry Australia, Victorian Forest Products Association (VFPA), Scion Group, and the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Keynote Address: Professor John Warner, Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, USA / Green Chemistry Institute, LLC, USA.
Facilitator: Dr Joseph Lawrence, Executive Director, AFWI
Registration is essential.
Event Description
The AFWI Innovation Workshop will showcase the next wave of bioproducts and value-added opportunities from forest fibre and residues.
Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) is a $100m+ national research institute, backed by Commonwealth funding to drive innovation across the forest and wood products sector.
In partnership with Monash University, FWPA, AFPA, Forestry Australia, VFPA, Scion, and DAFF, the workshop will unite leading researchers, industry, and policy makers to explore breakthroughs in composites, packaging, construction, energy, biochar, and sustainability.
Headlined by Professor John Warner (Monash Distinguished Professor / Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, USA / Green Chemistry Institute, LLC, USA) — a global pioneer of green chemistry — the program features a keynote address and interactive roundtable discussions to help our industry unlock Australia’s forest fibre future.
Agenda
- 09:30 – 09:45 | Arrival & Registration
Light refreshments and networking opportunity. - 09:45 – 10:00 | Welcome & Opening Remarks
MC Dr Joseph Lawrence, acknowledgement of Country, welcome from AFWI guest speaker (TBC), and recognition of partners. - 10:00 – 10:45 | Keynote Address: “Green Chemistry and the Future of Forest Fibre Innovation”
Professor John Warner (Monash Distinguished Professor / Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, USA / Green Chemistry Institute, LLC, USA), covering the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry, sustainable materials from forest fibre, and global opportunities for Australia. - 10:45 – 11:15 | Breakout Roundtables – Innovation from Forest Fibre
1. Forest Fibre Integrated Advanced Composites
2. Bio-packaging & Circular Economy
3. Bioproducts in Construction & Housing Innovation
4. Forestry Fibre Enabled Energy & Carbon Products
5. Biochar & Pyrolysis Pathways
6. National & Market Signals for Forest Fibre Products
7. Global Markets & Trade Opportunities for Forest Fibre & Residue Innovations
8. Sustainability & Life-Cycle Benefits of Forest Fibre Products
9. Applying Green Chemistry Principles to Value-Added Forest Fibre Innovations
10. Innovation Skills & Capability Development for Forest Bioproducts - 11:15 – 11:30 | Morning Tea & Networking Break
Light refreshments and informal networking. - 11:30 – 12:30 | Table Insights Report Back
Each table shares 1–3 headline insights (~5 minutes each), followed by a synthesis facilitated by Professor John Warner. - 12:30 – 13:00 | Lunch & Networking
Standing lunch served on site with networking across tables and partners. - 13:00 – 13:55 | Closing Thoughts – Unlocking Australia’s Forest Fibre Future
Professor John Warner. - 13:55 – 14:00 | Vote of Thanks
Dr Henri Baillères – Scion Group / AFWI Research Advisory Committee member. - 14:00 | Event Close
Event Partners
