Uniboard Starts New Particleboard Production Line at Val-d’Or, QC, Mill

On Monday, Uniboard announced that its Val-d’Or, Quebec, production team has successfully started up a new particleboard production line following a multi-phase modernization of the facility.

The project was completed in three phases, involving a total rebuild and modernization of the plant. Phase 3 centered on the installation of a new continuous particleboard press and finishing line. Uniboard said the new line is fully automated and supported by advanced manufacturing technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve productivity and process optimization.

Phase 3 also included an expansion of warehousing capacity, adding more than 300,000 square feet of space. The expansion enhances Uniboard’s “one-stop-shop” capabilities, allowing the facility to ship raw particleboard, raw MDF, laminated particleboard, and laminated MDF by rail and truck.

The new 10-foot continuous press line has an annual capacity of 272 million square feet, up from 170 million square feet on the previous line. With the added capacity, Uniboard said it becomes the largest producer of particleboard operating in Canada, the US Northeast, and the US Midwest.

In a statement, Uniboard President and CEO James Hogg said:

“The vision for the Val-d’Or modernization project was to be the benchmark in particleboard production in North America. What has been put into operation this week in Val-d’Or is a marvel of technology and will be the reference point for North America going forward for the next 50 years. The new line will offer the ultimate flexibility in terms of grades, sizes, thickness, and the ability to produce an ultra-thin particleboard, a first for North America. With a total project investment of over CA$350 million, the Val-d’Or project reflects Uniboard’s ongoing customer commitment to support growth, offer exciting new bio composite panel products, and be at the forefront of technology.”