CANADA - Tolko Industries has commissioned Dieffenbacher to supply the core components of a OSB plant for its production facility in High Prairie, Alberta, Canada.

The Dieffenbacher twelve-opening press, which Tolko had commissioned in 1995, was severely damaged beyond repair on May 20, 2022, by a fire in the press building along with much of the surrounding machinery. The existing press will be replaced by a cutting-edge CPS+ continuous press.

Dieffenbacher’s scope of supply for the rebuild of Tolko’s High Prairie site also includes the forming station and forming line, and the raw board handling system. In line with Dieffenbacher’s CEBRO smart plant concept, the Press Emission Control System and the Intelligent Air Management System will improve the plant’s sustainability by creating cleaner air inside and outside the production hall.

“It’s great that Dieffenbacher stepped up so quickly to help us after the fire,” says Fred Chinn, Vice President Strand-Based Business at Tolko. “Once we rebuild, High Prairie will be better than ever, and our new CEBRO smart plant will be a big part of that.” Chinn believes the plant will produce its first new board by year’s end.

Once operational, the plant’s production capacity will reach up to 734,000 m³ of OSB per year.

Tolko is a leading manufacturer of a wide range of forest products, including lumber, plywood, veneer and OSB.