Berneck postpones second continuous press MDF line
23 January 2012Brazilianwood panel producer Berneck’s plan to launch its second continuous press MDF line late last year has been postponed and is currently re-scheduled to turn out its first board early 2012 according to the Paraná state family-run firm.
Originally, it predicted the 500,000m2 Siempelkamp ContiRoll, being assembled as part of an integrated wood products complex at Curitibanos, Santa Catarina state, would start-up last October.
However, continuing delay by the local power supplier in connecting Berneck’s 250ha greenfield site with mains electricity means the MDF line has been unable to turn out its first board before the end of January.
Up to 50% of the power required by the wood products complex is set to be supplied by Berneck’s own biomass based co-generation energy plant while the rest will come from the grid.
By December, the main equipment of the MDF plant, including the panel formation, pressing and finishing sections were assembled and power connected. The upstream Metso-supplied fibre preparation area was in the final phase of mechanical and electrical installation, according to the panel maker. The commissioning process at the plant was already underway.
Berneck plans to operate two melamine laminating lines, one, a 216,000m3/year Wemhöner delivered last August, at the Curitibanos site. The firm expects the second to be supplied prior to the addition of a second panel line, probably for MDP.
