Södra Timber has procured three progressive kilns for the sawmill in Värö to meet the needs of the planned increase in production. Installation will start immediately and production is expected to start by September 2013.
Södra Timber Värö is planning to introduce a three-shift pattern in September 2013, involving a capacity of 600,000 cubic metres.
"We are seeing an increase in the demand for Södra Timber products from Asia, as well as the USA and a number of countries in Northern Europe. This is why we are planning to introduce a third shift in the autumn. Production will be 80 per cent spruce and 20 per cent pine, which is optimal for the catchment area of the Värö sawmill," said Håkan Svensson, Acting President of Södra Timber.
This increase in production will require additional drying capacity.
"The decision was made to invest in progressive kilns from Valutec, as their operating costs are low. These are fitted with heat recovery and require no staffing. These progressive kilns are also particularly well suited to drying side boards containing a lot of water. This means that they will provide a good complement to the existing chamber kilns, which are more suited to centre cut volume," added Svensson.
The sawmill is currently being fine-tuned so that it can achieve the planned production rate by next autumn.