ECUADOR – Novopan, a leading Ecuadorian manufacturer of wooden panels, recently hosted a visit from Minister of Production Sonsoles García and her team as part of a six-year investment contract.

During the visit, Novopan unveiled a major project aimed at transitioning to a sustainable energy matrix, which includes a Biomass Plant and a Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP) with advanced technology. With an investment of over USD 14 million, this project will replace 89% of fossil energy with renewable energy from wood dust and biomass, reducing the use of non-renewable fuels in the wood drying process from 44% to 3%.

The project features the installation of a WESP filter to eliminate particles and aerosols from exhaust gases, significantly reducing the visual impact of emissions from the dryers. Ignacio Bustamante, Novopan’s CEO, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental regulations.

The company also updated the Ministry of Production on the progress of a USD 123 million investment contract signed in April 2019, which has exceeded its investment target and created 44% more jobs than initially planned, with all operational staff sourced from nearby communities. Novopan reaffirms its dedication to environmental care, innovation, and local community development.