Tafisa completes particleboard line upgrade

PHOTO: Tafisa

LAC-MÉGANTIC, Que. – Particleboard and decorative panel manufacturer Tafisa Canada announced on April 23 the completion of a major investment to modernize its Line 1 continuous particleboard press.

The $23 million project saw the complete refurbishment of the company’s original press, responsible for producing particleboard panels used in the company’s thermally fused laminate (TFL) line of decorative panels.

In collaboration with system supplier Siempelkamp, the effort involved specialized contractors on site at the company’s Lac-Mégantic plant over a nine-week period.

The project began in February and was nearing completion when government authorities declared a public health emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The project proceeded at a reduced rate following the implementation of strict sanitary measures.

“Our commitment to operational excellence and high-quality products has been part of our corporate fabric since day one,” said Tafisa CEO Louis Brassard, in a prepared statement. “This latest investment brings our Line 1 particleboard press to the most advanced, state-of-the-art industry standards, delivering a wide range of benefits to our customers.”

The new continuous press enables Tafisa to prepare for a potential capacity increase to Line 1. According to Brassard, this investment will provide for more consistent physical properties, better surface characteristics and more precise control over panel thickness.

“With this investment in the latest technology, our customers will get a more consistent product that in turn will allow them to gain efficiencies in their internal processes,” Brassard said.

The project consisted of removing every component of the press, leaving only the structure of the original frame and replacing the heating platens as well as hydraulic, electronic and mechanical components.