Sauerland Spanplatte, a leading producer of wood-based materials, has partnered with Siempelkamp to construct an innovative waste wood processing plant at its Gotha site. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in advancing sustainability and circular economy principles within the woodworking industry. Currently, the project has reached a milestone, with the recycling tower standing at 24 meters out of its intended 34-meter height, showcasing both the progress and ambition of the endeavour.
Sauerland Spanplatte, based in Arnsberg, Germany, is committed to environmentally responsible production. The company sources raw materials from local sawmills, primarily natural wood scraps and chipboard, from the Sauerland and Thuringian regions. This approach ensures that the raw materials are used optimally while minimizing environmental impact. Through innovative methods, the company is dedicated to turning waste wood into high-quality products that contribute to a sustainable future.
The collaboration with Siempelkamp, a recognised name in technology and industrial engineering, is designed to clean and purify waste wood by removing contaminants such as metal, plastic, glass, paper, and stones. The goal is to produce a pure wood fraction suitable for particleboard production, a material widely used in the furniture and construction industries. Once purified, the contaminants are separated and channeled into respective recycling streams, promoting a circular economy that reuses waste materials effectively.
Technical challenges
One of the most significant technical challenges in the construction of the plant is the development of a steel structure within an active production facility. However, through intensive and close collaboration between Sauerland Spanplatte and Siempelkamp, the project is progressing smoothly, setting a benchmark for future industrial sustainability projects. This partnership is especially notable for its holistic approach, considering every step of the waste processing and contaminant removal process.
Both companies received validation for their innovative recycling concept. “Our concept is about ensuring the highest quality in recycling waste wood, allowing us to reuse materials that would otherwise be discarded, all while reducing our carbon footprint,” says Dorothee Flötotto, Managing Director of Sauerland Spanplatte. The aim is to process up to 15 tons of waste wood per hour, which could contribute to producing up to half of the plant’s total particleboard output using purified waste materials.
Setting industry benchmarks
Germany’s woodworking industry has seen a steady increase in the use of recycled materials, particularly in the particleboard sector. The decision to integrate this recycling technology at Sauerland Spanplatte further strengthens the company’s commitment to sustainability. The new plant is designed to achieve an almost 100% removal rate of contaminants, ensuring that the waste wood is as pure as possible for reuse in high-quality products like extruded particleboard. These boards are utilized in a variety of industries, including the construction and packaging sectors, offering benefits like high compressive strength, low thickness swelling, and excellent sound and fire protection properties.
“This project marks a milestone in our sustainability efforts. The future of the wood-based materials industry depends on innovative and responsible approaches to production. We’re not just talking about sustainability as a buzzword, but as a key principle that shapes how we approach every project,” explains Christine von Rüden, Managing Director of Sauerland Spanplatte.
The plant is scheduled to begin operations at the end of 2025. Once completed, it will support the production of eco-friendly particleboards while maintaining the highest standards of quality and sustainability. The plant’s design and functionality reflect the growing demand for responsible sourcing and recycling within the woodworking industry.
For Siempelkamp, this marks a significant milestone as well. The company is leveraging its decades of experience in industrial engineering to implement advanced recycling technologies. “Siempelkamp’s extensive planning expertise and technological innovation have been crucial in bringing this project to life. Working closely with Sauerland Spanplatte, we’ve refined the design to meet the highest standards of performance and sustainability,” says Moritz Schränkler, Development Engineer for Technology and Innovation at Siempelkamp.
In the words of Dr. Lars Kloeser, Technical Director at Sauerland Spanplatte, the collaborative effort between the two companies has been invaluable. “We analyzed the entire process step by step, addressing contaminant removal at each stage and confirming our approach with thorough testing,” he adds.
The teamwork between the two companies has also been on full display throughout their interactions. The constructive exchange of ideas and dedication to long-term environmental responsibility have allowed them to refine their approach to building a truly sustainable production facility. The successful completion of this plant will not only contribute to the recycling of waste wood but will also open the door to a more sustainable future in the woodworking industry. With sustainability at its core, this project sets a new industry benchmark, with an emphasis on recycling, reducing waste, and reusing materials. For Sauerland Spanplatte and Siempelkamp, the focus is clear: it’s about taking responsibility for the environment, society, and the industry itself.
“Teamwork, technology, and sustainability are the pillars of this exciting project,” says Samiron Mondal, Managing Director of G. Siempelkamp GmbH & Co. KG. “We are looking forward to the successful commissioning of this plant, which will be a testament to what the future of the wood industry can look like—one that values recycling and sustainable growth.”
This groundbreaking partnership between Sauerland Spanplatte and Siempelkamp is a significant milestone in the journey toward a greener, more sustainable woodworking industry. As the world increasingly turns toward circular economy practices, projects like this will serve as a model for others to follow.
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