Thermory, one of the world’s largest producers of thermo-wood materials, has completed its new thermo-complex at the Loo production plant to help the company meet growing global demand.
Thermory invested 7.5 million euros in the construction of a 3,000 m2 thermal complex, of which 700,000 euros was financed in cooperation with the Enterprise Estonia (EAS) and the Norwegian financial mechanism Green ICT.
At the end of November, an introductory event for employees, management, and partners took place at Loo, together with a tour of the new thermal complex. Four new thermal kilns have been installed in the new complex and a co-combustion system for the gases in the thermal chambers has been created, which is more environmentally friendly than in other thermal furnaces. The new thermal complex has successfully passed the first tests and will reach full capacity by the end of the year. A modern solar park was built on the roof of the thermal complex. The main contractor of the construction was Maru Ehitus, the thermo kilns come from the Finnish manufacturer Jartek.
According to the company’s CEO Simmo Soomets, the construction of a new thermal complex was necessary to increase production capacity, as the demand for thermally modified, chemical-free wood material from Thermory has grown significantly worldwide. The new thermal complex will help meet increased demand in an environmentally friendly manner.
“New kilns are efficient and use less energy. All kilns were placed indoors, which are heated using the residual heat of the kilns, ie essentially free of charge,” explained Soomets. “This allows us to shorten the heating cycles because the material is preheated and does not need as much cooling at the end. The whole process emits significantly less CO2 and is safe for the environment. ”
The acquisition of the CEETEC painting line was also part of the project. According to Soomets, the new painting line allows using less third-party services, which will result in lower transport costs and thus CO2 emissions and a faster process. “Wood brushing and paint drying are now also integrated into the painting process, which makes the whole process smoother, faster, and more efficient,” said the head of the company.
Thermory produces thermally modified wood – ordinary wood is made long-lasting, durable, and weather-resistant with special technology only with the help of water and heat. In terms of their properties, such wood is a better alternative to chemically impregnated wood or plastic and wood fiber composites, which must be treated as hazardous waste at the end of their life.
Thermory has grown successfully in recent years, both organically and through mergers. In 2018, the thermal wood producer HaServ joined the company, in 2020 Thermory acquired a 100 percent stake in the Finnish producer of painted wood materials Siparila. In the same year, Thermory acquired a stake in the Latvian sawmill VMS Timber. In the summer of 2020, a significant change of ownership took place when the investment fund Livonia Partners sold its majority stake to UG Investments OÜ.