In order to “further strengthen its position as global supplier of high-quality engineered wood and market leader in cross-laminated timber”, Stora Enso announced that it is planning to invest around € 79 million in a new CLT production at its Czech site in Ždírec. The annual production capacity is said to be 120,000 m³. Construction is to start in the first quarter of 2021 and the start of production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2022. With the new plant, the company wants to generate € 70 million in sales each year.
Stora Enso operates a sawmill and a solid structural timber production in Ždírec. The company already obtained all the required permits for the project which is going to create around 110 new jobs in Ždírec.
Overall, Stora Enso has an annual CLT production capacity of 270,000 m³ at the moment (Gruvön/SE, Bad St. Leonhard/AT, Ybbs/AT). In future, it is going to reach 390,000 m³ a year.
“This investment allows us to speed up our growth on the cross-laminated timber market. The project is in line with our strategic integrated plant concept. Cross-laminated timber has a considerable growth potential,” comments Lars Völkel, Executive Vice President of Stora Enso’s Wood Products Division. The return-on-operating-capital of the Wood Products Division is to be 20%.
