A new production line for OSB boards and wood siding is being prepared in Cholguán, where the facilities of the old MDF1 line will be reused to incorporate the manufacture of a structural material intended for construction.
The forestry company Arauco plans to begin operations this year at the Trupán plant, located in the commune of Yungay, Ñuble region. Its proximity to Huépil, in the commune of Tucapel, gives the project labor relevance for the Biobío province, since hiring prioritized people from the area.
WHAT OSB IS AND WHERE IT WILL BE MANUFACTURED
In an interview with Diario La Tribuna, Ivonne Fernández, deputy production manager of the new line, referred to the product that the Trupán plant will incorporate.
"OSB is a board made from wood strands that are classified and oriented to form different layers. These strands are mixed with high-performance pMDI resin and then subjected to a pressing process at high temperature and pressure, giving rise to a board of great strength and stability. Thanks to its properties, it is used both in structural applications and in siding for homes and other buildings," she explained.
Referring to the changes at the plant, Fernández located the new line in a sector where medium-density wood fiber boards were previously manufactured.
"This project considers taking advantage of most of the existing infrastructure of the MDF 1 line. To do so, obsolete equipment was removed, equipment that met the process requirements was reused, and new equipment intended for OSB board production was incorporated," she specified.
According to Fernández, the traditional cholguán board was manufactured on the HB line, located in a different sector from the one now occupied by the new OSB line. The end of that production was announced in April 2019.
At the time of the interview, preparations were still underway, according to the deputy manager.
"We are in the dynamic commissioning stage, in which we test that the equipment, auxiliary systems, and control sequences work in an integrated manner to meet the criteria defined for operation. Once those tests are completed, we will be in a position to start production," she described.
In its 2025 Integrated Report, Arauco estimated the investment to enable the new line at close to US$100 million. Regarding the start-up, Fernández stated that the team is working toward the end of November.
STAFFING AND LOCAL HIRING
For the operation of the new OSB line, Fernández indicates that it has the defined team and is currently in a training process prior to the start of operations. In the interview, the deputy manager put the staffing at 86 people.
"As the plant is still under construction, today our team is in a stage of training and preparation to take on the operation of the line," Fernández noted.
Regarding the hiring process, the executive highlighted that priority was given to incorporating people from nearby communes, with the aim of contributing to development and the generation of opportunities in the Biobío province.
"When we recruit personnel, we prioritize that they be people from the area to also drive the development of the surrounding communes," she indicated.
Fernández added that, in addition to Arauco's own personnel, various service companies and contractors work at the plant supporting the different production processes, also contributing to the generation of employment and opportunities for people from the area.
The deputy manager also valued female participation in the operation of the future OSB line, highlighting their presence at different levels and functions.
"Today more than 30% of our team are women, who are part of the different areas and processes of the operation. This reflects our commitment to gender equity and to building diverse teams, where opportunities are generated based on people's capabilities and talent," she highlighted.
SIDING AND DESTINATION OF PRODUCTION
In addition to OSB boards, the new line will also manufacture siding, a cladding used on the facades of homes and buildings.
"Siding not only provides an attractive finish from an aesthetic point of view, but also helps protect homes against weather conditions and humidity," she specified.
Regarding the destination of production, the deputy manager stated that the focus will be mainly on supplying the domestic market.
"Our production will be oriented mainly to the Chilean market. The products will reach both industrial and construction sector clients as well as retail channels, allowing them to be available for different types of projects and consumers," she concluded.
Source:La Tribuna
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