Arboreal’s story begins with the acquisition of the country’s largest pine sawmill in Tacuarembó, with an annual lumber production capacity of around 280,000 m³. The two pine species, Pinus taeda and Pinus elliottii, are sawn from FSC-certified plantation timber. For decades, Uruguay had established eucalyptus and pine plantations. However, the country lacked an industrial base for further processing. “Timber construction has no tradition here in Uruguay. We had to create the necessary structures from scratch – always with European standards in mind,” Carlos Mazzey, Head of Design and Commercial Department at Arboreal’s office in Montevideo, says.
The first step in this direction was the installation of a sorting line based on European standards. “We deliberately adhered to European regulations because they represent a functioning system. It was easier to integrate into an existing structure than to invent our own standards,” Mazzey explains and emphasizes: “We not only operate according to European standards, we are certified to them, just like every production site in Europe. Our construction timber, finger jointing, and glulam are certified, and our CLT has ETA approval.” Following the sorting line was a combined production line for glulam and CLT with an annual output of 50,000 m³ (35,000 m³ of CLT and 15,000 m³ of glulam).
We didn’t want experiments, but a solid solution. Ledinek was the obvious choice for us – because of their reliability, quality, and experience.
Key partner for industrial launch
For the technical implementation of the production lines amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Arboreal chose Ledinek, the European machine manufacturer with the most experience in turnkey cross-laminated timber projects. “We didn’t want experiments, but a solid solution. Ledinek was the obvious choice for us – because of their reliability, quality, and experience,” Mazzey tells us. “Our goal was to build one of the best plants in South America, and Ledinek made exactly that possible.”
Ambrož Ahec, who oversees the South American market at Ledinek, also emphasizes the strategic importance of the project: “From the very beginning, Arboreal was a partner with a clear vision. They wanted to bring European precision and performance to South America – and we did our best to support them.”
The line supplied by Ledinek encompasses the entire production process, with all the main machines, the mechanization and the X-Lam-Manager, the overarching control computer. Key components of the production line include a Kontizink 2000 finger jointing line, a Multiplan 4V-S200 calibration planer, an X-Press CLT press for elements that are up to 12 m long, 3.5 m wide and 0.35 m thick, a Maxipress 1000-12 for standard glulam, and a Europlan-600-4V+4F-S60 finishing planer for maximum glulam cross-sections of 600 by 300 mm. For bonding, a one-component PUR adhesive is used.
Completion in record time
The speed with which Arboreal carried out the project is remarkable. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the planning and order processes for the plant were done via video conferences. Assembly and commissioning went smoothly. “Our team and Ledinek’s team worked together exceptionally well. The ramp-up was easy because both sides were well prepared,” Mazzey recalls.
Ledinek not only supplied the machines but also brought in its expertise. “The work culture in Uruguay is impressive,” Ambrož says. “Employees stay with their machines long-term, and knowledge remains within the company – that is a strength we’re increasingly losing in Europe.”
Arboreal only uses renewable energies, sources its wood from within a 100 km radius, and has an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) for all its products. “According to external audits, the carbon footprint of our production is among the lowest worldwide in the mass timber sector. Our transport routes are short, the energy we use is clean, and wood is a renewable resource. Our product is leading not only in terms of technology, but also ecologically,” Mazzey emphasizes.
Beyond regional borders
Since the start of production, Arboreal has undergone rapid development. Within just three years, the company’s in-house engineering office in Montevideo grew from three to 20 specialists – architects, construction engineers, and designers working on timber projects for the regional and international markets. In 2023, only two buildings were completed as part of pilot projects. The following year, Arboreal carried out as many as 25 projects in Uruguay. In 2025, the company exported mass timber projects to Chile, Brazil, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the Maldives. Commercial expansion is set to continue in 2026, supported by American certification.
“From the very start, our goal was to build a plant that could compete with European production facilities in terms of quality and efficiency,” Mazzey emphasizes, adding that this has been achieved thanks to Ledinek, and that Tacuarembó is now home of one of the most modern glued timber plants in the Southern Hemisphere.
