Acon Timber, the Argentinian joint venture of HS Timber Group and its Belgian partner Forestcape in Gobernador Virasoro, in the Argentinian province of Corrientes, has commenced cutting during the pre-operational trial. Over the next three months, the plant with integrated further processing (drying, planing mill, pellets) will be gradually ramped up.
The plant is designed to process pine, which is sourced from sustainably managed plantations in the region. The wood species processed are Pinus taeda and Pinus elliottii.
The capacities in the first expansion stage are: 650,000 m³/year of sawn timber, 390,000 m³/year of drying and planing, and 132,000 tonnes/year of pellets. The energy required for drying is generated in two 20 MW biomass boilers.
Acon Timber provides 290 jobs. The total employment effect, including upstream and downstream sectors, is estimated at over 700 jobs. As in all HS Timber Group plants, emphasis is placed on comprehensive utilisation of the raw material. The thermal energy required is generated in the plant as green heat 100% from by-products of the manufacturing process or sourced locally, in line with the principles of the circular economy.
