An edge-banding system comprising an edging strip having a heat activated layer; and an apparatus configured to apply the edging strip to the edge of a substrate or work piece comprising a panel having the edge, the apparatus comprising: a. an edging strip feeding device to feed the edging strip along a predetermined path towards the substrate or work piece; b. the apparatus being configured to comprise, or be in fluid communication with, a source of combustible fuel; c. the apparatus further comprising a fuel delivery device in fluid communication with the source of combustible fuel such that combustible fuel can be delivered to the fuel delivery device; d. the apparatus further comprising an ignition device configured to ignite the combustible fuel at or near the fuel delivery device such that a controlled flame is generated by the fuel delivery device; e. the apparatus further comprising one or more controllers configured to control one or more properties of the controlled flame of combustible fuel such that the heat from the flame activates the heat activated layer of the edging strip just prior to the heat activated layer being pressed into contact with an edge of the substrate or work piece such that the edging strip is applied to the substrate or work piece, wherein the fuel delivery device when aligned with the edging strip, is spaced between 1 and 5 mm from the edging strip. an edging strip having a heat activated layer; and an apparatus configured to apply the edging strip to the edge of a substrate or work piece comprising a panel having the edge, the apparatus comprising: a. an edging strip feeding device to feed the edging strip along a predetermined path towards the substrate or work piece; b. the apparatus being configured to comprise, or be in fluid communication with, a source of combustible fuel; c. the apparatus further comprising a fuel delivery device in fluid communication with the source of combustible fuel such that combustible fuel can be delivered to the fuel delivery device; d. the apparatus further comprising an ignition device configured to ignite the combustible fuel at or near the fuel delivery device such that a controlled flame is generated by the fuel delivery device; e. the apparatus further comprising one or more controllers configured to control one or more properties of the controlled flame of combustible fuel such that the heat from the flame activates the heat activated layer of the edging strip just prior to the heat activated layer being pressed into contact with an edge of the substrate or work piece such that the edging strip is applied to the substrate or work piece, wherein the fuel delivery device when aligned with the edging strip, is spaced between 1 and 5 mm from the edging strip. a. an edging strip feeding device to feed the edging strip along a predetermined path towards the substrate or work piece; b. the apparatus being configured to comprise, or be in fluid communication with, a source of combustible fuel; c. the apparatus further comprising a fuel delivery device in fluid communication with the source of combustible fuel such that combustible fuel can be delivered to the fuel delivery device; d. the apparatus further comprising an ignition device configured to ignite the combustible fuel at or near the fuel delivery device such that a controlled flame is generated by the fuel delivery device; e. the apparatus further comprising one or more controllers configured to control one or more properties of the controlled flame of combustible fuel such that the heat from the flame activates the heat activated layer of the edging strip just prior to the heat activated layer being pressed into contact with an edge of the substrate or work piece such that the edging strip is applied to the substrate or work piece, wherein the fuel delivery device when aligned with the edging strip, is spaced between 1 and 5 mm from the edging strip.