Focus on Italy: IMAL PAL Group | 33
IMAL PAL GROUP LOOKS TO FUTURE
The IMAL PAL Group is a leading wood-based panels technology manufacturer based in Italy, with expertise right across the panel production process. Stephen Powney spoke to IMAL PAL Group CEO Loris Zanasi
S
ituated near Modena, the IMAL PAL Group, has a longstanding history in the
provision of technologies for the wood- based panels industry, with reference projects all across the world. The Group comprises three divisions - IMAL (glue dosing and resination systems, steam injection technology, forming lines and continuous presses, belt dryers, measuring and lab equipment), PAL (wood recycling technologies, cleaning and sorting equipment) and GLOBUS (chipping technology, grinding and stranding). When WBPI caught up with the energetic
CEO of IMAL PAL Group Loris Zanasi, the background of current wood-based panels markets was of course a feature of conversation. Many global panels markets have been struggling with poor demand and low product prices. Not to be deterred, Mr Zanasi said the
IMAL PAL Group was looking to position itself into a stronger position, sharing that
the company is expected to acquire another company by the end of the year. He couldn’t share precise details yet. “It’s a synergy company and something
our competitors do not have, and gives us additional abilities,” Mr Zanasi explained. “Our planning is to be able to complete it before the end of the year.” Mr Zanasi cited the trend in recent years of most panel producers in Europe preferring to invest in turnkey projects with one main technology supplier, in order to maintain cost certainty and avoid supply issues. IMAL PAL Group already covers the complete range of services and equipment, but will look to further position itself as a one-stop-shop supplier. “Within our group we have the strength and possibility to supply everything – turnkey for the right customer.” In terms of performance of the IMAL PAL Group, Mr Zanasi said the overall business - IMAL, PAL & GLOBUS combined – will record
a turnover in excess of €180m once again in 2025. The active aggregated order backlog is approximately €270m, a “big number” in these difficult times, said Mr Zanasi, and comprising projects both this year and into 2026.
Some customers are delaying projects
– a common experience for all machinery suppliers currently – which may result in some project deliveries being pushed back into 2026.
Mr Zanasi said a couple of North American
customers were concerned about the new tariffs and wanted to see if the tariff rates might reduce in the future. “The tariffs are 15% now on equipment, which is a lot of money if you have to import machinery worth €10m,” he said. “But it is also a risk to wait as the tariffs
could increase. Because of that one or two supply projects scheduled by the end of this year could be delayed until next year.” With several orders almost ready to be shipped, such delays cause knock-on issues with space availability in the factory. Again, this is an issue being faced by technology suppliers across the board. However, some turnkey projects that IMAL
Above: IMAL PAL Group belt dryer installation in France
PAL Group has been involved in demonstrate how efficient the project process can be without market-related / customer delays. For a German board producer/panel manufacturer, IMAL PAL Group is supplying a large belt dryer installation. The project involves the IMAL PAL Group doing the erection, cabling, automation/conveyors and commissioning of the dryer, with only the concrete base being completed by an outside contractor. Such turnkey developments inevitably speed the efficiency of the installation process and provide cost and installation certainty for both customer and supplier. The forecast commissioning is the end of next March. “We are even planning to be ready one month earlier than that,” added Mr Zanasi. “The customer is replacing a drum dryer, which used to have a capacity of 19t/hr, with the new one being 24t/hr of evaporated
www.wbpionline.com | October/November 2025 | WBPI
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