Siempelkamp and GIM Group: second MDF line for AGT!

Krefeld, April 16, 2018 – Siempelkamp concluded a contract with Göttinger GIM Export Group for a second MDF line for the Turkish wood-based panel manufacturer AGT based in Antalya. The order for the new line also includes the supply, installation, and startup supervision for the fiber dryer and energy plant by Siempelkamp’s subsidiary Büttner. The connection with the first MDF line, also made by Siempelkamp, opens up numerous advantages and allows a more economical production.

The scope of supply contains a Generation 9, 7‘ x 55.3 m, ContiRoll^Òpress, featuring the low density panel package, the forming and press line, and the glue kitchen with the innovative Ecoresinator resin blending and application system for MDF. The latter convinces with high resin savings. For years the Ecoresinator has been a fixed component in new Siempelkamp plants featuring low operational costs and technological flexibility. The order also includes the newly developed EcoSifter, which has been integrated into the planning processes of twelve new MDF plants and is meanwhile running successfully in the first few installations, the cooling and stacking line, and a masterboard sanding and cut-to-size line with the necessary intralogistics for the downstream board finishing. The new line is furthermore equipped with the energy-efficient servomotor EcoDrive, a low density panel package for the production of lightboards, and the innovative ProdIQ^Ò Next process control technology.     

Perfectly coordinated synergies

As usually, the synergies within the Siempelkamp Group once again take effect with this project: Our planning experts at Sicoplan in Belgium are responsible for the plant engineering. Their work has started with a precise 3D laser scan of the production site using state-of-the-art drone technology. Büttner, the specialist for dryer and energy plants, also contributes to the scope of supply for AGT: a dryer, designed for a material throughput of 45 metric tons/h bone-dry, which is integrated into the existing steel structure above the existing dryer. The dryer is heated with flue gas from the Büttner energy plant which is also part of the order, exhaust gases from both of the local gas turbines, as well as by a Büttner duct burner.

The energy plant is designed for a total combustion capacity of 64 MW and includes the grate furnace with various burners, the thermal oil heater, and the process steam generator. The distinctive feature is that the new ORC unit for electricity generation provided by the customer can be entirely supplied with thermal oil from the biomass-fueled energy plant by Büttner. The flue gases are cleaned by means of an energy-efficient and low-wear electrostatic precipitator. This concept was so convincing to AGT that Büttner also received an order for a new electrostatic precipitator for the existing energy plant. In only a few days of downtime the flue gas cyclone will be disassembled and the electrostatic precipitator installed in the same location.  

The focus is on energy efficiency

Not only this current order focuses on the benefits of resource efficiency: The first MDF line, which AGT ordered from Siempelkamp via GIM Export Group, was characterized by energy efficiency. The current order also honors this commitment. Connecting both lines opens up synergies in the cut-to-size and transportation area, and thus allows a more economical production. While the first MDF line was already regarded as a reference plant, attracting many Siempelkamp customers worldwide to come to Antalya, the benchmark status of the AGT equipment has now been raised once again. AGT is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of PVC-coated MDF/HDF for the furniture industry. Its product range also includes flooring, wall panels, and doors for the construction industry. On the existing ContiRoll^Ò line the company produces more than 500,000 m³ MDF/HDF annually, primarily for further in-house processing and the local market. 

“I am sure that the visionary and innovative attitude of Mehmet Söylemezs will lead his company AGT to an even more successful and prosperous future,” said Ulrich Kaiser, Head of Sales at Siempelkamp, acknowledging the formative involvement of the AGT board member. “We at Siempelkamp are proud to be supporting AGT as business partner and look forward to our common future!”

Last but not least, the project represents another milestone for Siempelkamp in the cooperation with GIM Export Group, managed by Michael P. Krocker. During the 24-year long cooperation, 25 ContiRoll^® presses and 12 gigantic MDF/HDF lines with a length of 55.3 m each were ordered for Turkish customers. In addition to financing, the core business of GIM Export Group includes the complete project handling, the after-sales service, the spare parts business, and the supply of raw materials and additional materials.