DIEFFENBACHER has received an order from Quito-based particleboard manufacturer Novopan del Ecuador for a 30 MW energy plant that uses reciprocating grate technology to combust waste wood. The order also includes a MAIER Big Crusher and MAIER Rechipper to process waste wood and eucalyptus bark. Delivery of the components is planned for December 2024, with installation starting in January 2025 and commissioning expected in May 2025.
“This new energy plant moves us away from burning oil and toward biomass, further accelerating our sustainability efforts,” says Ignacio Bustamante, CEO of Novopan del Ecuador. “We were impressed by DIEFFENBACHER’s expertise in combining the drum dryer and hot gas generator and their grate design tailored to waste wood. The Novopan and DIEFFENBACHER teams have always worked extremely well together. I’m confident that teamwork will lead to success in our energy plant project.”
The new order continues the relationship between Novopan and DIEFFENBACHER, which began in 2008 when DIEFFENBACHER took over the wood-based panels business from Metso, the original supplier of Novopan’s first continuous particleboard line. Other milestones in the cooperation between the two companies were the expansion of the forming station, the addition of a second cooling wheel, replacement of the prepress and retrofitting of an EVOjet P glue-saving system for the first line. The most significant achievement, however, was the delivery, installation and commissioning of Novopan’s second continuous particleboard line in 2019.
“Based on our excellent experiences with MAIER machines, from our very first plant in 1978 to our latest DIEFFENBACHER line, we’re certain of a positive outcome in waste wood processing for our new energy plant,” says Bustamante. Novopan will use the MAIER Big Crusher to shred large-volume and bulky residues from plywood and particleboard production, as well as waste wood. The Rechipper will be used to resize eucalyptus bark.
“We face a demanding schedule to deliver, install and commission the plant,” says Diego Coelho de Oliveira, Area Sales Director at DIEFFENBACHER. “The project includes connecting the new energy plant to an existing vertical combustion chamber, replacing the heavy oil burner. As always, we look forward to tackling these challenges together with Novopan,” he concludes.
