Europe’s 20 biggest sawmills are on full throttle

Sawmills in the US as well

While there have been few changes in Stora Enso’s sawmill division in recent months, the opposite is true for the number two in Europe. In 2020, Binderholz of Fügen acquired two sawmills in the US for more than $140 million (see article “First US sawmill already operative”).

The new saw line in Oberrot, an increase in production in Fügen and, in particular, the start-up of Binderholz’s first sawmill in the US led to a 13% jump in production, bringing the total to 3.6 million m³.

In 2022, another line will be started up in Baruth, production will start in the second US sawmill, and Oberrot will be fully operative. Then, output should increase by another 1 million m³ a year.

From 12th to third place

After the takeover and integration of Bergs Timber, Vida Wood now holds the third place in Europe. With the three Bergs Timber sawmills, the Canfor subsidiary bought an annual production capacity of 550,000 m³. This and big increases in production helped the company to jump from 12th place to the podium of Europe’s sawmill elite.

Two Austrian companies follow in fourth and fifth place. HS Timber of Vienna was able to improve its supply in the past few years and thus significantly raise production. This year, the target is 2.2 million m³ (+11%). In the second quarter of 2022, sawmill number five will be added in Belarus.

One site less, production up 6%

Pfeifer Holz of Imst, the number five in Europe, has one sawmill less. The group’s oldest and smallest saw line in Imst was shut down. Its capacity is more than compensated for by the fully overhauled line in Kundl. The Tyrolean family company predicts a 6% rise in production this year.

With an 11% increase in output, Rettenmeier Holzindustrie has one of the highest growth rates. This is the result of the start-up of the new chipping-profiling line in Wilburgstetten. In a full year, the company plans to cut 1.2 million m³ of logs or produce 660,000 m³ of softwood lumber at the site.

Ante group with the biggest increase

In relative terms, ante-holz of Bromskirchen/DE is going to record the biggest increase in production, i.e. +29%. This year, 825,000 m³ are to be produced at the company’s headquarters and 660,000 m³ in Rottleberode/DE. “We were able to increase cutting in 2020 and 2021. On the one hand, we are in the middle of the Germany’s damaged wood hotspot, on the other hand, we hardly manage to satisfy the demand for lumber.”

Recently, ante-holz has implemented several optimization measures. “We have been working in four shifts since October 2020. This will have its full effect this year. Also, productivity has been increased,” says managing director Jörn Kimmich, who is also President of the German Sawmill and Timber Industry Association (DeSH).

In terms of output, Ilim Timber operates the most productive sawmills in Europe, i.e. two sawmills with an average production of 745,000 m³ in 2021.

Europe’s Top 20 softwood lumber producers