U.S. - Arauco announced an investment project that will expand particleboard and TFL (thermally fused laminate/melamine) capacity for its site in Bennettsville, South Carolina.

The particleboard expansion, with a scheduled start-up of Q4 this year, will increase production by 60 million ft2 (¾" basis or 100,000 cubic meters) annually through increased dryer capacity. This project will also improve the plants flexibility to source a broader range of raw material in response to regional changes in the wood supply mix.

To complement the panel expansion, Arauco is also investing in a next generation fast-cycle press for TFL production, which is also slated to start in Q4. The new installation will add to the three existing fast-cycle TFL presses in the region. The new line will further equip the particleboard and MDF site with a state-of-the-art press featuring higher throughput, faster change-over capabilities, higher pressure for deep textures and paper alignment technology for registered emboss designs.

The company's goal with these investments is to meet the growing demand for particleboard, and to broaden its TFL design offering in the region.