Leading European sawmiller Pfeifer Group has now completed construction of the new sawmill for its subsidiary Pölkky Oy in Kajaani and put it successfully into operation, thus more than doubling annual production capacity from 200,000 m³ to 450,000 m³ of sawn timber. The new mill is one of the most efficient and cutting-edge in the Nordic countries and marks a key step in the Group’s growth strategy.

Pfeifer Group acquired the site from Finnish timber processor Pölkky Oy in January 2023. The upgrading strategy at the site was to expand production capacity significantly while also consolidating the Group’s market position in Europe.

“In building our new sawmill in Kajaani, we’re investing for the future,” said Michael Pfeifer, CEO of Pfeifer Holding.

“It combines highly automated technology with sustainable construction and is a real flagship project within the Pfeifer Group.”

The new building is entirely made of wood materials – Pölkky supplied glulam in small cross-sections as well as various solid-timber parts, while large custom components such as props and beams were ordered in from Versowood. A total of 970m³ of Pfeifer cross-laminated timber (CLT) was also installed.

At Kajaani, Pölkky processes Nordic pine and spruce. The investment is part of the joint growth strategy being pursued by Pfeifer and Pölkky Oy, which is focusing on higher production capacity, a stronger international presence and greater added value.

Meanwhile, Pfeifer is also making major investments in Uelzen: including a new waste wood recycling plant to process regional class A1 and A2 waste wood to produce pressboard pallet blocks.

“The modernisation follows a coherent concept for site development,” explains Clemens Pfeifer, CTO of the Pfeifer Group. “Pfeifer is committed to Uelzen – and with the waste wood plant and the new sawmill, the site is now ideally positioned for the future.” Clemens Pfeifer CTO of Pfeifer Group.

In parallel with the recycling project, Pfeifer is also modernizing the log cutting process at the Uelzen site: a new, high-performance sawing line is set to replace the more than 30-year-old system in the second half of 2025. The aim is to reduce production costs, increase yields and boost output.

When the new line is finally commissioned in the coming months, the long-serving saw will be retired.

Source:pfeifergroup.com