World News | 9
Accsys increases Accoya modified wood capacity at Arnhem factory by a third
Accsys has invested over €30m in expanding the Arnhem site, including improving the wood handling for the whole site. The new acetylation chamber, which weighs in at 65 tonnes and is over 14m long, increases the production capacity at Arnhem by a third, up from 60,000m3
to 80,000m3 a year.
Above: Rob Harris, CEO cutting the ribbon at the opening of R4
Accsys, the manufacturer of Accoya wood, has successfully expanded production capacity at its facilities in Arnhem, the Netherlands. The first commercial batch of Accoya wood has been produced from its new, fourth acetylation chamber.
In addition to the new acetylation chamber, Accsys has also invested in developing the Arnhem plant’s facilities. The improvements include: new capabilities to support safe and rapid handling and logistics of the increased volumes of wood; and a new quality monitoring and assurance technology with cameras, infrared scattering and X-rays to examine every board to ensure customer satisfaction. A new 20,000m2
warehouse
opened in October at Hoevers, which will provide 35,000m3
close to the Arnhem site. “The world urgently needs solutions for
International Hardwood Conference discusses hardwood market stresses in France is exported to Asia, mainly to
The International Hardwood Conference, organised in Lyon by the French National Wood Federation (FNB), the European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) and the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF), took place on October 28. EOS hardwood members expect a production decline of at least 3% this year following a double-digit increase in 2021. After a good 2021 and a bright first half of 2022, demand slowed down over the last few months and production was adapted to weakening sales, both in home European markets and in overseas markets (in Asia supply chain disruptions as a consequence of the pandemic are still present). The current situation is challenging, with high energy prices taking a toll on the industry, particularly in the more energy- intensive beech sector.
Hampered by high inflation and increasing mortgage rates, demand from consumers is now weaker. Stocks at sawmills are high and many producers expect a difficult few months ahead. Lack of labour is also reported by many countries. This complicated situation is compounded by the increasing export of oak logs to Asia and China.
For example, 30% of the oak harvested
China, without bringing any added value in France.
An increase of imports of about 15% of temperate sawn hardwood (EU27+UK, compared to the first five months in 2021), mainly oak and beech is expected. North American producers have reported a slowdown in economic growth in China, with a housing market that is rapidly declining and having a direct impact on the selling of furniture.
Neither the US nor Europe is the leading hardwood lumber exporter to China, which now imports large volumes of wood from Russia and Thailand due to lower costs. Delegates heard that business opportunities might instead be found on the Indian market. The Indian economy grew at 13.5% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2022. Growth prospects remain sound and the large companies are continuing to invest while the building material market is expected to grow in the coming five to six years.
The next International Hardwood conference will take place in Vienna, Austria, in 2024.
Download the presentations at:
https://www.ihc2022.fr/presentations
of raw material storage
sustainable construction,” said Rob Harris, Accsys CEO. “Durable, sustainable, and with incredibly high performance, Accoya is in high demand – and we’re working as hard as we can to produce much more of it. We have earned a loyal customer base and our priority is to deliver more of what they need. Our expansion at Arnhem is a significant step in the right direction of getting more Accoya out to the market. It’s part of our ambitious growth plan to expand production and fulfil our purpose of changing wood to change the world.” Alongside the expansion at its existing site in Arnhem, Accsys is developing a facility in North America. In April this year Accsys began groundwork for a new factory in Kingsport, US, which is anticipated to begin producing in 2024. The project is a joint venture with Eastman Chemical Company and is due for completion and first production batch in Q1 2024.
Stora Enso forms partnership with Voodin Blades
Stora Enso and German-based start-up company Voodin Blade Technology GmbH have signed a partnership agreement to develop wind turbine blades from wood. Under the agreement, the two companies are committed to developing sustainable alternatives for wind turbine blades and creating a competitive and reliable supply chain. They are currently producing and installing a 20m blade for a 0.5MW turbine and have plans for an 80m blade. “With the current energy crisis and ambitious decarbonisation goals, wind energy has never been more in demand,” said Lars Völkel, Stora Enso’s executive vice-president, Wood Products Division. “Through this partnership with Voodin Blades we further accelerate our ability to develop a sustainable and competitive supply chain for the growing market of wind turbine blades.”
The first 20m blade will be developed using Stora Enso’s LVL, a mass timber product that has a high load-bearing capacity that easily supports large scale rotary blades. The 20m blade will be installed on a 0.5MW turbine near Warburg, Germany by the end of this year.
www.ttjonline.com | November/December 2022 | TTJ
World News
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