Production of Thermowood heat treated wood will begin at Stora Enso Timber‘s Kotka sawmill in August.
Initial investment in the venture will be about €2.4m and capacity will start at 20,000m³ a year. Once production has begun, the company intends to build a second plant.
The Kotka sawmill will process spruce sawn timber, chosen for its sound knots and uniform properties. It will then go to the Kotka planing mill where separate processing and packaging lines will be installed.
Stora Enso product development manager Jouko Silén said heat treatment was environmentally friendly as no chemicals were used.
He added: ‘This has attracted a lot of interest, especially in western Europe. The properties of heat treated wood are ideal for the joinery industry and wood structures exposed to the weather.’
