Luzales: In May Valutec started up two TC kilns at Russian sawmill Luzales
Worldwide continuous success for Valutec TC-Kilns
O As a leading developer and world leader in continuous kilns, Valutec has delivered more than 1,500 continuous kilns to sawmills around the world
ne year ago, the company commissioned North America’s first TC continuous kiln at Pleasant River’s site Moose River in Jackman, Maine and in April 2020 the second TC kiln was commissioned at Pleasant River’s site in Dover. “It does a great job, in a lot less time than we’re used to and puts out a much better product,” says Fred Haigis, Lumber Yard Supervisor Moose River.
The TC Kiln Valutec is the only company offering TC kilns. A kiln type that comes with distinguishing features such as high flexibility and superior capacity. It gives the operator the possibility to create the ultimate drying process with unlimited freedom to mix dimensions, minimal moisture content variation and reduced risk of checking. Annual capacity can reach 150 MMBF with target moisture contents down to around 12-18%. The principle is based on the timber package being fed length-wise through zones in which the air circulates laterally across the drying channel. This enables the separate regulation of the climate in different zones according to a schedule that comes very close to the ideal schedule of a batch kiln. The TC kilns are equipped with Valutec’s control system Valmatics 4.0, which
20 International Forest Industries | DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021
has an integrated simulator that enables simultaneous optimization of capacity, quality, and energy consumption. “The leap in technology has fundamentally changed the way of working at many sawmills. Higher flexibility creates significant advantages, particularly when it comes to planning. Competition is extremely tough in the sawmill business, where margins are tight. So, customers in this sector rely on high efficiency and quality,” says Wallocha. The TC-kiln has quickly become a favourite among sawmills around the world and during the past year Valutec has sold and installed
TC-kilns to North America, Central Europe, Scandinavia and Russia.
First Canadian TC The startup of Pleasant River’s TC kilns did not go unnoticed and before the Corona outbreak several sawmills visited Pleasant River to take a closer look at Valutec’s TC-kilns. The response from the visits were overwhelming and Valutec has already sold two more kilns to North America, including Canada’s first TC to a sawmill in New Brunswick. “I can honestly say that whoever sees the Valutec TC-kiln
Dover: Ingo Wallocha, MD Valutec Wood Dryers Inc, infront of Dover’s TC-kiln
