Oct. 15, 2007 - Metso Panelboard said it will deliver, in cooperation with Siempelkamp, a complete continuous MDF production line to Vanachai Group Public Company Ltd's Surat Thani site in Thailand.

The value of the order was not disclosed. However, Metso said, in general, the market value of these types of deliveries is over EUR 20 million.

Metso's delivery will include the complete equipment for wood yard, fiber preparation, drying and forming, continuous pressing, and equipment for panel handling and finishing. Metso will also deliver the start-up and erection supervision services for the new line. The forming equipment and continuous 38-meter press will be supplied by Siempelkamp.

Capacity of the new MDF line is approximately 935 cubic meters of 8-15 mm MDF panels per day, and it uses rubber wood as raw material.

Start-up for the new line is scheduled for the first quarter of 2009.

The Vanachai Group has been in the timber and wood-based panel industry since 1943 and is the largest panelboard producer in southeast Asia. The company is headquartered in Bangkok.

The Machinery and Plants division of Siempelkamp (Germany) specializes in the development and construction of machinery and plants for the production of board-type materials for the woodworking industry, such as particle boards, MDF and OSB boards, as well as boards made from rubber, mineral aggregates and plastics.

SOURCE: Metso Corp.