On a recent visit to China, the editor of WBPI, Mike Botting was advised by two established MDF/HDF making companies that they intend to go into OSB production in the near future.
ShaanXi Zhong Xing Timber Co Ltd of Xian, ShaanXi province, plans to launch shares on the Chinese stock market towards the end of 2009 and to use the money raised to invest in two OSB lines with a total capacity of 600,000m3/year. The company intends to use continuous presses for both lines.
Meanwhile, the Weihua Group, which has a total of nine fibreboard lines in China, intends to build an OSB line in Hubei province next year (2010) and expects to sell the production in the housebuilding market in China.
If either of these projects does go ahead, it will mean China is entering the OSB market in a serious way for the first time.
A previously existing small discontinuous pressline operation ceased OSB production some time ago.
