CMPC is investing US$92.6 million in two wood operations in Chile\u2019s Biob\u00edo region, allocating most of the spending to further processing while expanding lumber capacity at its Mulch\u00e9n sawmill. The projects cover the Los \u00c1ngeles remanufacturing plant and Mulch\u00e9n, which supplies dried, planed and structural lumber to construction and other markets.<\/p>\n
Los \u00c1ngeles accounts for US$72 million of the investment. The plant converts sawn timber into panels and mouldings, and the programme combines expansion with automation across several production stages. Approximately US$33 million is allocated to equipment for automated cross-cutting, planing, pressing, panel and moulding finishing, and finger-jointing. CMPC expects the upgrades to increase output and productivity, reduce fixed expenses and direct operating costs, and improve product quality, safety and material recovery. www.cmpc.com<\/p>\n
Mulch\u00e9n capacity to increase by 30,000 m\u00b3<\/strong><\/p>\n A further US$20.6 million will modernise debarking, sawing and drying at Mulch\u00e9n. Annual capacity is expected to rise from approximately 335,000 to 365,000 m\u00b3, an increase of about 9%. The project will also increase the share of dried lumber in the mill\u2019s output, with greater emphasis on products serving the construction market.<\/p>\n More than three-quarters of the combined investment is directed to Los \u00c1ngeles, putting further processing at the centre of the programme. The allocation indicates that CMPC is prioritising the conversion of lumber into more finished products alongside the increase in sawmill volume. At Mulch\u00e9n, the investment combines additional capacity with upgrades to processing and drying.<\/p>\n Mat\u00edas Lagos, CMPC\u2019s vice-president of Wood and Packaging, said the projects support the long-term development of the company\u2019s wood business, including more value-added products and a stronger industrial base for customers in Chile and overseas. Both investments sit within CMPC\u2019s two-year capital programme exceeding US$1 billion, which also covers forestry, pulp and its Softys consumer-products business.<\/p>\n Founded in Chile in 1920, CMPC produces pulp, wood products, packaging, tissue and personal-care goods. Its wood business includes sawmills, remanufacturing plants and plywood production in Chile, with a commercial office in Hamburg. The group expanded its wood-processing presence into the United States in 2023 through the acquisition of Powell Valley, which operates two plants in Kentucky.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CMPC is investing US$92.6 million in two wood operations in Chile\u2019s Biob\u00edo region, allocating most of the spending to further processing while expanding lumber capacity at its Mulch\u00e9n sawmill. The projects cover the Los \u00c1ngeles remanufacturing plant and Mulch\u00e9n, which … Continue reading