Latvijas Finieris, a global leader in birch plywood production, has inaugurated a new veneer mill in Kuldīga, Latvia, which began test operations at the end of March. This state-of-the-art facility introduces groundbreaking technology designed to maximize veneer yield from each birch log, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in wood processing.
The Kuldīga mill, a new branch of the Furniers plywood division of Latvijas Finieris, represents a significant investment of €16 million in construction, equipment, advanced technology, and environmental landscaping. This investment underscores the company's commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.
Once fully operational, the mill will employ 4-5 workers across two shifts, producing 40 m³ of wet veneer from 80 m³ of veneer logs per eight-hour shift. The facility is managed by Rinalds Larsens, formerly head of the peeling department at Furniers.
The veneer produced initially at the Kuldīga mill will supply raw materials for plywood production at the Lignums mill. Plans are underway to transition the mill's output within the next 18 months to support the Furniers mill exclusively in Riga, as part of the ongoing expansion of the Verems RSEZ SIA in Rēzekne.
A unique hybrid peeling machine, which combines both shaft and shaftless technologies, allows for efficient peeling of logs, including those up to 25 mm core, optimizing the use of each log. "To produce one cubic meter of plywood, approximately 2.5 m³ of birch veneer logs is required," explains Arvis Švanks, Director of Furniers. The introduction of this machine not only increases yield but also supports the use of smaller diameter and lower grade birch logs that would otherwise be exported or used for lower-value products.
Artis Podnieks, Director of the Birch Solid Wood Supply Service at Latvijas Finieris, highlighted the strategic importance of this new technology: "The Kuldīga mill with its unique machine is a major milestone in wood processing. By enabling the peeling of thin wood, we are now purchasing additional, new C-grade birch logs."
This strategic shift is expected to redirect an additional 300,000 m³ of birch wood annually into higher-value plywood production, previously destined for pulp in Scandinavia or lesser products. Latvijas Finieris continues to strengthen its position as a top birch plywood producer not just in the Baltic region and Finland, but globally.