MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)- startup. Joint project in full operation

On 4/4/2000, MDF-Hallein, Hallein, Austria, started up a three-layer board operation, the start of a new era. The joint project involved Binder Holz, Fuegen, Austria, entering the European wood manufacture market, and Pfleiderer AG, Neumarkt, Germany, the 50% partner, rounding off its own board offerings. The companies will jointly produce and market, using existing sales systems. Corresponding to the partner structures, Binder Holz will focus on the Mediterranean and the existing customer base in Austria. Pfleiderer will focus on Germany, France, Eastern Europe, and some of Austria, as well as its own use. According to M. Rong (MDF-Hallein), the company will now be able to market medium density fiberboard (MDF) in thicknesses of 6 to 38 mm for warehousing. The material is bright, light, and easily worked. The raw material comes form the Binder sawmill in Fuegen. Thus, the Tirolen wood industry kills two birds with one stone: sales of the chips is guaranteed, actually more so than before, and there is the certainty now to receive for board production pure pine without bark. Urea resin is now used for gluing. Urea-melamine, phenol resin, and PMDI will also be used in the coming months. Then the company will be able to supply the construction field as well as furniture. MDF-Hallein facts: 1 billion Schillings investment; 11 hectares of grounds; 40,000 sq m plant area; chips feed of 1.1 million cu m/yr; 170,000 cu m production in 2000 and 220,000 cu m/yr in 2001.