GERMANY (News release) -- Sonae Arauco is officially inaugurating a state-of-the-art particleboard line at the Beeskow plant in Germany.

The investment in the new line amounts to over Euro 50 million and is part of the Beeskow 50+ project, which refers to both the investment and the site´s more than 50 years of existence.

Although the particleboard line was already commissioned in July 2020, it was only now possible to formally open the new production facility due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I am proud that together we are celebrating a significant investment here today - it is part of a broader investment plan of Sonae Arauco to increase production capacity and operational efficiency, expand the range of value-added wood-based solutions and strengthen the company's commitment to the sustainability of the business and the planet," said Steffen Körner, Managing Director of Sonae Arauco Deutschland GmbH.

According to Arman Fatunz, Plant Manager at Sonae Arauco Beeskow, "We are pleased to officially introduce the new continuous particleboard line to our community. This investment demonstrates the importance of the region to the Sonae Arauco Group and the commitment to both our employees and the local community. And it represents a major step forward in terms of production efficiency. We are now able to produce better wood-based material solutions while reducing carbon emissions."

The start-up of the first plant in Beeskow dates back to 1966. Today, the site is of strategic importance for the company due to its geographical location, the production of a wide range of wood-based materials (PB, MDF and MFC) and its great know-how.

The Beeskow plant currently employs 300 people and many other indirect jobs also depend on the plant´s activities.

Sonae Arauco is a leading international wood-based materials manufacturer.