Friday, February 20, 2026
Valmet has secured a significant order from The Price Companies to supply a new high-capacity debarking and chipping line at one of its operations in Georgia, United States. The investment is aimed at increasing wood handling capacity and ensuring a stable supply of wood chips to meet rising market demand.
The order was recorded in Valmet’s fourth quarter 2025 intake. The financial value has not been disclosed. Commissioning is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027.
The project marks another step in the long-standing cooperation between Valmet and The Price Companies. Both companies have worked together across multiple service and equipment initiatives in North America.
Demand for high-quality wood chips continues to grow across the pulp and paper sector. Capacity expansion has therefore become essential. The new line will allow Price to process larger volumes of roundwood efficiently. It is designed for 425 tonnes of roundwood per hour.
The Georgia site plays a strategic role in regional fibre supply. Reliable throughput is critical. Operational uptime is equally important.
The new system covers the full wood handling process. It begins at log infeed and continues through debarking and chipping. The solution integrates a powered infeed conveyor, a trunnion design debarking drum, a Carthage™ disc chipper and belt conveyors. Each component has been engineered for high availability.
The equipment is designed for tree-length logs. Stable chip quality is prioritised. Low wood loss is targeted. Performance reliability is expected to be strengthened.
The Price Companies is recognised as the largest independent woodyard operator in the United States. The company processes nearly 30 million tonnes of wood annually. It also contributes significantly to water stewardship, saving more than 10 billion gallons of water each year across its sites.
The Georgia investment supports long-term growth. Larger and more robust operating sites are being developed. Production continuity is being reinforced. Wood flow efficiency is being improved.
Frank Hutchison, Project Manager at The Price Companies, stated that Valmet was selected based on long-standing cooperation and proven equipment reliability. Strong local technical support was also highlighted as a key factor in the decision.
For Valmet, the order strengthens its presence in the North American wood handling market. The company has extensive global experience in woodyard systems. Its service model spans spare parts, wear components, field services and advisory support.
Tiago Silveira, Senior Sales Manager, Service, North America, Pulp, Energy and Circularity at Valmet, emphasised the strategic value of the partnership. He noted that the Georgia installation represents advanced wood handling technology tailored for high capacity and dependable performance.
The trunnion design debarking drum forms a central element of the line. Efficient bark removal is critical for chip quality. The Carthage™ disc chipper is engineered to deliver consistent chip dimensions. Uniform chips are essential for downstream pulping processes.
Automation integration will support process stability. Throughput optimisation is expected. Maintenance accessibility has been incorporated into the layout.
The system is designed for continuous heavy-duty operation. Chip consistency is expected to be maintained under varying log conditions. Reliability has been prioritised across mechanical components.
The line has been engineered to meet strict operational requirements. High-capacity conveying ensures smooth material flow. Bottlenecks are minimised. Downtime risks are reduced.
Valmet operates as a global technology supplier to process industries, including pulp, paper, energy and circularity sectors. The company employs approximately 18,500 professionals worldwide. Operations span around 40 countries. Its headquarters are located in Espoo, Finland.
In 2025, Valmet reported net sales of approximately EUR 5.2 billion. Its shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. The company provides lifecycle services in addition to capital equipment deliveries.
The Price Companies continues to expand its footprint in sustainable fibre services. Its operations support both the pulp and paper industry and agricultural markets. Environmental performance remains central to its operating model.
The Georgia expansion is aligned with broader industry trends. Fibre supply chains are under pressure to deliver higher volumes with improved efficiency. Investment in advanced woodyard technology has therefore accelerated.
Start-up of the new line is scheduled for late 2027. Production ramp-up is expected to follow commissioning. Increased throughput will support customer demand across the region.
The installation will reinforce Price’s leadership in woodyard operations across North America. It will also further consolidate Valmet’s role as a technology partner in the forestry value chain.
The collaboration reflects continued confidence in high-capacity, technology-driven wood processing systems. Growth in fibre demand remains steady. Infrastructure investment is responding accordingly.
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Tags: North America forestry, The Price Companies, Valmet, wood and panel, wood chip production, woodworking and processing, woodworking industry, woodyard operations
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