Logs from young small diameter Blue Gum plantation trees, 8–10 years old and/or residues/thinnings from State managed forests are stranded into thin strands. The timber strands are then impregnated with resins and treatments and formed into a large mat. The timber strands are aligned either uni-directionally for ESL® or bi-directionally for ESB® like plywood to give strength in two directions.
Non–toxic bonding resins and treatments for termite, mould and wet rot resistance are incorporated within the manufacturing process resulting in materials that are much safer and healthier to work with. The billets are compressed (in a steam press) to form an exceptionally strong product, which is then cut into the final product dimensions. Steam presses can produce thicker sections than continuous presses (up to 120mm) due to the rapid heating of the core of the mat/billet so the resin cures in an even manner.
Lignor’s plant is being designed to produce products in a range of sizes from 19-140mm thickness by up to 1.25m wide and up to 2.25m long. The Lignor hardwood process is based upon proven technology developed by the German engineering company Siempelkamp and Dieffenbacher, world leaders in presses for Engineered Wood Products.
Lignor will be the first company in the world to produce Engineered Strand Lumber (ESL®) and Engineered Strand Board (ESB® both registered internationally (Patents Pending/Granted)) from eucalyptus plantations and certified eucalyptus forests.
Lignor’s team is highly experienced with operational, engineering, financial and marketing expertise. Lignor is working with key engineers who have extensive experience working in and commissioning similar plants in North America, Europe and Asia.
