€500m panels investment mooted in Belarus

Up to seven particleboard and MDF plants are expected to be built in Belarus during the next five years costing €500m, according to recent statements of Vladimir Semashko, the country’s deputy prime minister.

The construction of new plants is part of the state programme of the development of the Belarus woodworking industry which runs until 2016.

Rechitsa, Gomel, Borisov and Vitebsk are among cities expected to see new plants constructed.

New factories will allow Belarus to reduce imports of panels for the furniture industry, as well as increasing panel exports.

The Belarus government hopes to see up to 50% of particleboard and MDF production exports from 2015-16.

The first new plant is under way at Ivatsevichdrev, one of the largest woodworking enterprises of Belarus. It could be operational by the end of 2012.

The particleboard capacity of the plant is estimated at 250,000m³, with the possibility of a further increase up to 320,000m³.

Foreign companies , including Kronospan and Egger have also expressed interest in establishing factories in Belarus.