Wood Technology Co. orders MDF plant to use rice straw from Siempelkamp

WOTECH is promoting the environmental credentials of the project as the raw material used would otherwise be burned as a waste product. It also offers alternative solutions for countries such as Egypt, which do not have sufficient wood resources for industrial use.

"We have been pursuing research into the raw material and the development of a market-ready plant for processing rice straw for many years. In this respect, we are very pleased about the order from our Egyptian partner who is breaking new ground in sustainable wood-based products production with us," says Jürgen Philipps, managing director Siempelkamp Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH.

WOTECH is the second customer after CalAg, LLC, California, to ask Siempelkamp for an MDF plant based on rice straw. The production process is comparable to that of MDF production. The greenend process, however, the straw preparation, requires specific adjustments which Siempelkamp has developed. The value of the new project is the third-largest single order ever placed with Siempelkamp.

"Among other things, the preparation, handling, and processing of the rice straw were newly developed in the production process," explains Jochen Dauter, sales director Siempelkamp.

WOTECH was founded by companies of the Egyptian oil and gas industry and have received positive feedback on the political level. The new plant supports the Egypt’s efforts to push a more environmentally friendly agenda.