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Enabling resilient forest value chains through innovation

58^th International Symposium on Forestry Mechanization
September 14-18, 2026, Prague, Czech Republic

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

58^th 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

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.

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.

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."

The Forest Engineering Network