ALEMANIA – Sonae Arauco officially inaugurated its state-of-the-art particleboard plant the Beeskow.  Although the plant started operations in July 2020, it was only now possible to celebrate the opening of the new production plant due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the company, the new particleboard line increases production capacity and operational efficiency, expands the range of high-quality engineered wood solutions and reduces carbon emissions associated with production. The investment in the new plant amounts to more than 50 million euros and is part of the “Beeskow 50+” project, which refers to the more than 50 years of existence of the location and provides an outlook for the next 50 years.

“I am proud that we are celebrating a significant investment together here today. It is part of a broader investment plan aimed at increasing efficiencies and conserving resources. It expands our range of wood-based panel solutions with added value for our customers and reinforces the company’s commitment to the sustainability of the company and the planet,” says Dr. Steffen Körner, Managing Director of Sonae Arauco Deutschland GmbH.

The commissioning of the first plant in Beeskow dates back to 1966. Today, the location is of strategic importance for the company due to its geographical location, the production of a wide range of wood-based materials and its great know-how. Chipboard (PB), medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and coated boards (MF MDF and MFC) are manufactured at the Sonae Arauco Beeskow plant.

At present, 300 direct jobs have been created at the Beeskow plant. Many other indirect jobs also depend on the operations of the plant.