MEXICO –   The investment projects of Arauco in Mexico continue to face setbacks, with the company confirming new delays in the construction of its MDF/HDF plant and the expansion of impregnation and laminating capacity at the Zitácuaro facility.

Although the project was originally expected to be completed around mid-2025, assembly of the MDF/HDF line only began recently, and the short-cycle press has just started up.

The investment, initially announced at around USD 235 million in 2022, is now expected to begin operations in 2026.

The broader “Viking 2.0 Project,” valued at USD 290 million, includes a new melamine line, paper impregnation, and annual production capacity of 300,000 m³ of MDF and 150,000 m³ of melamine. The project also incorporates closed-loop systems and environmental monitoring.

Arauco’s additional expansion—the “Alacrán” project in Durango—was slated to start operations in the first half of 2025. It includes a new impregnation center and a melamine line to supply Arauco’s plants in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. However, no new updates have been released regarding its progress.