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West Fraser fourth quarter 2024 results show “continued resiliency” of the company


US$744m and Europe EWP segment adjusted EBITDA was US$4m.


“The fourth quarter of 2024 Above: West Fraser’s OSB plant in Inverness, Scotland


West Fraser Timber Co Ltd’s financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024 (released on February 12) show sales of US$1.405bn and adjusted EBITDA of US$140m, representing 10% of sales. The lumber segment


showed an adjusted EBITDA of US$21m, while the North America engineered wood products (EWP) segment showed an adjusted EBITDA of US$127m.


The Europe EWP segment


showed an adjusted EBITDA of US$2m.


Annual highlights were sales of US$6.174bn and adjusted EBITDA of US$673m, representing 11% of sales. Adjusted EBITDA for the lumber segment was US$82m, including US$32m of export duty expense attributable to finalisation of AR5. The North American EWP segment’s adjusted EBITDA was


saw continued resiliency in our North America engineered wood products business, where supply and demand fundamentals remained relatively well balanced on the back of solid new home construction demand,” said Sean McLaren, West Fraser’s president and CEO. “We also realised modest


improvement in our lumber segment this quarter as we monetised some of the benefits of our portfolio optimisation strategy that allowed us to migrate more production from higher cost to lower cost mills within our platform. “In Europe and the UK,


we continued to experience somewhat challenging


Sunds Fibertech launches innovative solution for MDF and HDF recycling


Above: The Sonae Arauco mill in Mangualde, Portugal


Sunds Fibertech says it has developed an innovative solution for cleaning of recycled fibreboard for MDF and HDF production. Its first system will be


delivered in May 2025 to Sonae Arauco in Mangualde, Portugal.


Sunds Fibertech’s


technology represents the second process step for Sonae Arauco’s new MDF/ HDF recycling operation at the plant. Step one is being supplied by Andritz. WBPI understands that both are


believed to be individual direct contracts with Sonae Arauco. Sunds says as the panelboard industry increasingly focuses on sustainability, the use of recycled materials to produce new panels has become a top priority. The recycling of MDF and HDF has proved historically challenging though, due to the impact on the recycled fibre quality. The company says it has spent the past year developing a cleaning system to address the issue.


“The new cleaning system


integrates a compact fibre conditioning module with advanced technology for efficient cleaning while minimizing fibre losses,” Sunds Fibertech said. “The system eliminates the need for additional emission


points, highlighting its environmentally friendly and unique design.” “This shows Sonae Arauco’s dedication to innovation and sustainability, and we are proud to support their high goals with our technology,” said Jesper Eklund, managing director of Sunds Fibertech Sweden.


“The new recycling


technology for cleaning MDF is the result of over a year of dedicated R&D in close collaboration with our customer.” Developing new innovative solutions for the industry aligns with Sunds Fibertech’s mission “Boost your plant” – maximising the performance and efficiency of customer’s processes while driving the industry toward a more sustainable future.


markets as that region appears to be undergoing a protracted recovery. “Relatively high mortgage


rates remain an affordability challenge for consumers and housing markets, impacting demand for our wood building products,” continued Mr McLaren. “Further, potential for the US administration to impose broad-based tariffs on Canadian exports adds another element of demand uncertainty for the products we ship to the US from Canada. However, while we cannot control the threat of such tariffs, we can be proactive, creating a stronger organisation with a continued focus on improving the cost position across our mill portfolio and investing capital to modernise mills where it makes sense.


Unilin making €10m laminate investment in Brazil


Unilin is making a €10m investment in Brazil to build a state-of-the-art greenfield plant for laminate flooring. This new facility will be a


key step in expanding Unilin’s Quickstep brand across Latin America.


Unilin said that thanks to strong local manufacturing, a dedicated team, and the excellent market conditions, it had seen exponential growth in Brazil over the past few years. “Now, with the introduction of cutting-edge technology brought from Europe, we are poised to scale even further and bring the Quickstep brand to even more customers across the continent,” said the company.


www.wbpionline.com | February/March 2025 | WBPI


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