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forming line with pre-press, a CSS continuous steam press system, the raw board handling system, electrics and automation and the MyDIEFFENBACHER digital service platform. “The change of location and the procurement crisis during the pandemic made this feat all the more remarkable,” said Andreas Sandner, commercial managing director at Ziegler Group.
In addition to the plant just completed, Ziegler Group commissioned Dieffenbacher to supply another fibre dryer for flexible insulation mat production at the Grafenwöhr site, with the 10-tonne-per-hour capacity dryer going into operation in 2022. “It makes us proud to be able to say that our insulating fibre board plant is one of the largest and most modern plants of its kind,” said Ziegler.
Moving into France, insulation giant Soprema is moving forward with several projects, one of which involves additional woodfibre insulation board capacity for its Pavatex Brand.
A plant is currently being assembled in Chavelot, France, near the existing site in Golbey.
Two other Soprema insulation projects are non-wood, though one involves natural products – rice waste for a natural insulation board facility near Nimes, which is being commissioned in 2023. The additional ‘Pavatex 3’ woodfibre insulation plant in Chavelot involves Siempelkamp technology, with assembly due to start in the final quarter of 2023. Its design capacity is approximately 55,000t of boards per year; which effectively doubles Pavatex woodfibre insulation board capacity to 110,000t per year.
It is the second Siempelkamp plant for the production of its Pavatex wood-fibre insulation, with the scope of supply being almost identical to the Golbey plant, which started up in 2013.
The technology focuses on the dry production process, with a ContiTherm calibration press. After screening, the wood chips are thermally and mechanically defibreed and dried in the long flash dryer supplied by Siempelkamp’s subsidiary Büttner. The Siempelkamp control system Prod-IQ. quality is also part of the plant concept. Another feature is flexibly applicable gluing units, where the fibres are glued only after drying. The Pavatex products manufactured meet the strict requirements of natureplus, the quality label for ecological, health, environmental and function-compatible building products, and carry numerous other environmental labels.
Going back to Steico’s capacity expansions, the new production plant using the dry process at Casteljaloux has started regular operations, with a capacity of 250,000m3
.
Schilliger Holz AG says the absence of such a plant currently in Switzerland has created a large gap in the Swiss wood processing chain. Its development plans focus on the Perlen
Papier AG factory site near Lucerne and involve the erection of a factory building with a maximum height of almost 40m on a floor area of 6,000m2
. Production of the insulation
boards will be distributed over two floors. Boards will be made under the “Lignatherm” product label.
“This will add an important element to the wide range of Schilliger wood products and the comprehensive customer service,” the company said.
The CPH Group is believed to be leasing the company a 20,000m2
land plot for the plant’s
construction, and will also supply power and water for the new operation.
Commissioning is scheduled for 2024. TIMBERHP
In North America, the first wood fibre insulation plant has been taking shape in Madison Maine and the commercial roll-out of products is getting ever nearer. And with the nearing of completion, the company name itself has changed from GO Lab to the brand name of TimberHP. “We are fortunate to have such a strong, recognisable brand name and identity in TimberHP,” the company said. “The change is timely with the launch of our new website and our entrance into the market with our product line in early 2023.”
Top: Wood fibre insulation boards Above: Pavatex’s Golbey plant
The new 135,000m3 capacity production
plant for wood fibre insulation materials from the wet process at the Czarna Woda site is still in the commissioning phase.
And at the new Gromadka site, work on the construction of the new insulation plant is progressing. Commissioning is expected to start in mid-2023. Valmet succeeded with orders for two second-generation EVO Defibrator systems for the new plant at Gromadka. Valmet says this move further strengthens its position as a supplier of fibreboard and insulation board front-end systems.
In addition, Steico has plans for other large production plants: two for flexible wood fibre insulation mats with a production capacity of over 1 million m3
fibre insulation boards with a 500,000m3
year capacity using the dry production process.
In Switzerland we have an update on plans to recommence wood fibre insulation board production in the country.
/ year and one for wood /
Loose fill wood fibre insulation is being launched in the spring, followed by 4in flexible batts in the summer and then rigid wood fibre insulation boards in the autumn. The rigid boards are composed of softwood fibre, PMDI adhesive and paraffin. TimberHP is utilising the dry manufacturing process. The rigid TimberBoard product is designed as a vapour open, continuous insulation with a stable R-value, high heat capacity and high compressive strength.
A grand opening ceremony is due to be held on July 21.
It’s been a long journey for the US$125m project, which was originally announced back in 2015.
Much of the equipment was sourced from the European wood fibre board producer Homanit and shipped to the US. The equipment had originally been installed by Dieffenbacher at the latter in 2009. Dieffenbacher supported the company in financing the relocation and planning of its re-installation. Dieffenbacher has also modernised the plant and installed new equipment, including a gluing system and dryer.
Building Green has already named TimberHP as one of its top 10 new products for 2023. ■
www.ttjonline.com | May/June 2023 | TTJ
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