COLOMBIA – Refopanel has announced the opening of its new plywood manufacturing plant in Zambrano, Bolívar. The inauguration event took on September 27, 2024.

As part of the Refocosta group, this new production facility will have an annual capacity of 27,500 cubic meters of finished boards, with thicknesses ranging from 9 mm to 25 mm and formats of 1.22 m x 2.44 m and 1.53 m x 2.44 m.

This positions Refopanel as the only company in the country with such manufacturing volume, providing a viable option for the Colombian market to replace imports of these products.

The boards are made from non-coniferous wood sheets, such as ceiba and gmelina, sourced from reforested trees with FSC certification. This ensures that the forest is managed to preserve biodiversity and benefit local communities and workers. The sheets are pressed with phenolic resins to create plywood. Proudly produced with wood from certified reforested plantations, these boards are crafted by local workers, contributing to the development of a region previously affected by conflict.

Refopanel will create 125 direct jobs and approximately 300 indirect jobs, primarily benefiting individuals from the region. The plant is expected to positively impact the community by providing these employment opportunities. Additionally, single mothers will be involved in the wood finishing process to support their livelihoods.

In terms of responsible resource use, the manufacturing process utilizes 100% of the harvested wood, recycles water, and manages rainwater. Low-impact adhesives are used, and air emissions are monitored. Future plans include implementing renewable energy in a second investment phase, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable development in the region.