The Forest Engineering Network
Enabling resilient forest value chains through innovation
58th International Symposium on Forestry Mechanization
September 14-18, 2026, Prague, Czech Republic
Call for Abstracts 2026
We are pleased to announce that abstract submission for the FORMEC 2026 Conference will open on 15 January 2026.
Authors are warmly invited to submit an abstract for consideration as either an oral or poster presentation via the conference submission system, available at: https://indico.formec.org/event/3/abstracts/
The deadline for abstract submission is 28 February 2026.
Please note that the new submission system requires a one-time registration. Once created, your account will remain active and may be used for future editions of the FORMEC Conference.
Important Dates 2026
- 15 January 2026 – Abstract submission opens
- 28 February 2026 – Abstract submission deadline
- 27 March 2026 – Notification of acceptance
- 15 May 2026 – Registration opens
- 30 June 2026 – Early-bird registration deadline
- 31 August 2026 – Registration closes
First announcement Formec 2026
58th International Symposium on Forestry Mechanization (FORMEC) will take place in Prague, Czech Republic from September 14-18, 2026.
For years, FORMEC has brought together thought leaders from the forestry mechanisation and engineering community to exchange cutting-edge research, practical experience, and forward-looking ideas. Next year, the conference arrives in Prague, where we will, in line with the motto of “Enabling resilient forest value chains through innovation,” explore how new technologies, smart operations, and adaptive strategies strengthen the resilience and sustainability of forest-based industries worldwide.
Scientific Committee 2026
Chairs
- Martin Jankovský
- Ondřej Nuhlíček
- Karl Stampfer
Members
- Stelian Alexandru Borz, Transilvania University of Brașov, Romania
- Andreja Duka, University of Zagreb, Croatia
- Mohammad Reza Ghaffariyan, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
- Christian Kanzian, Boku University, Austria
- Ola Lindroos, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden
- Natascia Magagnotti, CNR IBE, Italy
- Thomas Purfürst, University of Freiburg, Germany
- Janine Schweier, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Switzerland
- Raffaele Spinelli, CNR IBE, Italy
- Dirk Jaeger, University of Göttingen, Germany
- Kalle Kärhä, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
- Eric Labelle, University of Laval, Canada
- Arkadiusz Stańczykiewicz, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland
- Petros Tsioras, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
- Tomi Kaakkurivaara, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czechia
- Mariusz Bembenek, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland
- Jori Uusitalo, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Martin Kühmaier, Boku University, Austria
- Nopparat Kaakkurivaara, Kasetsart University, Thailand
Organizing Committee 2026
- Martin Jankovský
- Ondrej Nuhlíček
- Radim Löwe
- Christian Kanzian
- Martin Kühmaier
- Karl Stampfer
Finland 2025 proceedings and presentations
The 57th International Symposium on Forestry Mechanization (FORMEC) took place in Joensuu, Finland, from June 9–13, 2025.
The theme of the symposium was “Harnessing Novel Technologies to Execute Sustainable and Low-Carbon Wood Supply.”
The proceedings of the 57th FORMEC Symposium are published by the University of Eastern Finland.
You can access the full text at: https://erepo.uef.fi/handle/123456789/35095
Upon presenters’ approval, slides of the presentations are provided below.
FORMEC 2025: At the Heart of Cutting-Edge Technology
The FORMEC 2025 conference was held in Joensuu from June 9 to 13, 2025. This year marked the 57th edition of the conference, attracting more than 270 attendees from 27 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. The event boasted more than 160 oral presentations and 40 poster sessions ranging from teleoperation of soil preparation machinery to assisting forest machine operators using mobile laser scanning technology.
Read more: FORMEC 2025: At the Heart of Cutting-Edge Technology
Special Issue – Silva Fennica
If you are presenting interesting and novel research results on any topic related to harvesting operations at the FORMEC 2025 Conference, consider complementing your work by publishing it in the upcoming Special Issue of Silva Fennica, titled "FORMEC 2025: Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Harvesting Operations". This issue will be guest-edited by Prof. Jori Uusitalo (University of Helsinki) and Chad Bolding (University of Georgia). All papers submitted before the deadline, September 30, 2025, will be considered for inclusion in this special issue. Submissions will undergo the standard peer-review process of Silva Fennica.
Forests monitor awards
At FORMEC 2025, young researchers (within 3 years of getting the PhD) will have the possibility of being selected for two awards for the best oral presentation (150 euros each) and one award for the best paper presented (150 euros). In addition to the monetary prize, each award recipient will receive a complimentary publication option in the Forests Monitor in 2025.
About forests monitor
The Forests Monitor is an international peer-reviewed open-access journal dedicated to the applied science of multifunctional forest ecosystems, with a primary objective of enhancing forest management and conservation in support of good governance worldwide.
Article Collection – International Journal of Forest Engineering (IJFE)
If you are presenting innovative and impactful research on any topic related to AI, Digitalization, or Automation in wood and biomass supply chains at the FORMEC 2025 Conference, consider enhancing your contribution by submitting your work to the upcoming Article collection, titled "FORMEC 2025: Leveraging Technology for More Sustainable Wood and Biomass Supply Chains."
Read more: Article Collection – International Journal of Forest Engineering (IJFE)
Organising committee 2025
- Kalle Kärhä, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Finland
- Mauricio Acuna, Natural Resources Institute (Luke), Finland
- Sanna Kasurinen, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Finland
- Heli Kymäläinen, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Finland
- Jukka Malinen, Metsäteho Oy, Finland
- Heikki Ovaskainen, Metsäteho Oy, Finland
- Teijo Palander, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Finland
- Jarkko Pesonen, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Finland
- Lauri Sikanen, Natural Resources Institute (Luke), Finland
- Jori Uusitalo, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Kari Väätäinen, Natural Resources Institute (Luke), Finland
- Christian Kanzian, Boku University, Austria
- Jade Sivén, Metsäteho Oy, Finland
