Friday, January 16, 2026
The woodworking industry is witnessing a significant transformation in Germany as the EGGER Group officially begins lamination operations at its Markt Bibart plant. This development marks a pivotal moment for the facility, which became the 22nd plant in EGGER’s global network following its acquisition in autumn 2023.
In a move that signals confidence in the European wood-based materials market, the Austrian-headquartered giant is currently deploying a massive investment strategy exceeding EUR 200 million. The goal? To turn the Markt Bibart site into a state-of-the-art center for sustainability, automation, and upgraded production capabilities.
Until recently, the Markt Bibart location was known exclusively for producing raw particleboard, boasting an impressive annual capacity of up to 650,000 cubic meters. While raw boards remain a staple—and existing customers will continue to receive the high-quality supply they rely on—the plant’s capabilities have now fundamentally evolved.
Following a “roofing ceremony” in August and a rapid installation phase, the plant’s first short-cycle press has officially started production. This technology allows EGGER to apply decorative overlays to raw boards, creating the laminated particleboard highly sought after for furniture and interior design.
The significance of the moment was underscored by the presence of owners Michael and Fritz Egger, who traveled to the site to witness the very first laminated board roll off the line.
Markus Scheran, Plant Director Technical/Production, highlighted the magnitude of the achievement:
“The start of the first short-cycle press marks the beginning of a new era for our plant in Markt Bibart. It brings us a big step closer to our goal of becoming a modern wood-based material plant. The speed at which we are developing our plant is unbelievable, and we are doing it during ongoing operation. A great achievement by the project team, all our colleagues on site and our partners.”
The new short-cycle press is a powerhouse, capable of producing up to 8 million square meters of laminated particleboard annually. This expansion does more than just increase volume; it opens the door to EGGER’s comprehensive design portfolio. Customers sourcing from Markt Bibart will now have direct access to a wide array of trendy decors and diverse surface textures that define modern joinery and manufacturing.
EGGER’s investment is not solely focused on aesthetics and output; it is deeply rooted in the circular economy. Parallel to the lamination upgrades, the company has been ramping up a new recycled wood processing facility since September.
This facility enables the plant to integrate recycled wood into the production of new high-quality particleboard. By closing the loop on wood usage, EGGER is ensuring that the massive production capacities at Markt Bibart are supported by sustainable, resource-efficient practices.
While the start of lamination is a headline-grabbing success, it is only one component of a multi-stage plan scheduled for completion in autumn 2026. The EGGER Group is moving at an aggressive pace to finalize the transformation of the site.
Upcoming phases of the project include:
Beyond the machinery and infrastructure, this investment is a win for the local economy. The modernization of the Markt Bibart plant is expected to create approximately 70 new jobs. By upgrading the facility to handle value-added processes like lamination, EGGER is securing the site’s long-term viability and generating positive economic impulses for the region.
As the industry watches, the Markt Bibart plant is rapidly transforming from a raw material supplier into a fully integrated, modern powerhouse for wood-based materials.
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Tags: EGGER Group, laminated particleboard, Markt Bibart plant, SUSTAINABLE WOODWORKING, Wood Industry Investment
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