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Birch plywood demand stays stable despite pandemic


provided by the internet, and an increase in goods traffic, where a high level of service and fast delivery is important.”


In addition, the growing number of supporters of the green lifestyle have led to the introduction of new light vehicles suitable for transporting goods, such as environmentally friendly hybrid cars and electric cars. Sales volumes in this


Riga Ply overlaid product


Latvian birch plywood producer Latvijas Finieris says demand for birch plywood products in the construction and transport industries remains high despite the pandemic.


The manufacturer says its sales figures show the stability in the construction sector, explaining this as the active development of various types of large-scale projects around the world, often funded by local or regional authorities.


“There is also a positive change in the demand for birch plywood for interior use, which can be explained by a change in people’s habits, with a greater focus on renovation work as a result of the pandemic,” it said.


“In addition, birch plywood is gaining increasing popularity as a material for interior fittings, as it is friendly to the environment and human health.” Valdis Kulpe, head of sales of Latvijas Finieris, said this year had demonstrated a sharp increase in demand for birch plywood in the heavy commercial vehicle industry. Compared to the figures of the previous year, the increase in sales volume of Latvijas Finieris in this industry has already exceeded the figures of 2020. “Also, positive changes in demand can be experienced in the light commercial vehicle industry, due to both a change in people’s shopping habits by using more opportunities


industry in 2021 are already higher than the annual figures presented in 2018, 2019 and 2020.


At the same time costs


in raw material prices have been increasing. This includes wood, glue, finishing materials, various plywood overlays and packaging materials, as well as the costs for production and transportation. “Unfortunately, it has not been possible to compensate this by increasing the prices for finished products,” the company said. “We expect the high demand in all industry sectors to continue next year, especially in the transport industry. “Many countries are anticipating economic growth, which is also likely to have a further positive effect on market demand for birch plywood.


ZAO Murom OSB line reaches another milestone


Siempelkamp says its new OSB plant installed at ZAO Murom in the Vladimir region of Russia achieved acceptance during the summer. The 280,000m3


plant


originally produced its first board in November, 2020 and then started three-shift operation in March this year. Siempelkamp said it was pleased with the project’s


success, especially due to challenges presented by the pandemic and extreme winter weather in Russia.


The centre of the plant is a


ContiRoll Generation 9 press in the 8.5ft x 30.4m format, with additional technology from group companies Pallmann, CMC Texpan, Büttner and Sicoplan. Also included are


Siempelkamp’s new developments for OSB production: the press heating system, a release agent application device for pMDI use, and the ‘strand catchers’. Raw material intake includes waste from plywood production. The plant now also produces very thin OSB with a board thickness of 6mm.


Roseburg closes Dillard PB plant


Roseburg is closing its Dillard particleboard plant in Oregon as part of a larger strategic reorganisation of the company’s western operations.


The announcement was made at the end of August to take effect within 60 days. Some 179 people currently


work at the plant and Roseburg leaders met with crew members in September to inform them that each would be provided a position opportunity with Roseburg. The factory has operated since 1965. The company will undertake a wider multi-million dollar investment in new technology at its other western plants to update and automate processes and further improve safety for employees. The company will continue


to manufacture particleboard at its other plants in Missoula, Montana; Simsboro, Louisiana; and in Taylorsville in Mississippi.


SICAM gathers again after pandemic break


The international furniture industry exhibition SICAM finally got back to a physical show in October after having to cancel the event in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. SICAM – The International


Exhibition of Components, Semi-finished Products and Accessories for the Furniture Industry – was open from October 12-15 at Fiera Di Pordenone, near Venice. A total of 542 exhibitors were booked for the event, including wood-based panels producers Egger, Fundermax, Gruppo Frati, Kastamonu and Kronospan.


The 2019 show attracted


over 8,000 enterprises and over 600 exhibitors.


www.wbpionline.com | October/November 2021 | WBPI


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