Wood-based panel manufacturer Kronospan has a project under way to build a wind farm next to its plant in Tortosa (Tarragona). These facilities, which already have solar panels on the roof, will thus improve their self-consumption capacity, thereby reducing their carbon footprint.

This is a priority project for the Austrian company, which manufactures wooden panels in Tortosa from recycled wood, thus providing a new life to a waste product. With the installation of wind turbines, it reinforces its commitment to sustainability and the environment. The project is currently at the study stage, pending the land classification being changed from agricultural land to industrial land, something which is required to install the mills there.

One of the largest foreign investments
Construction of the Tortosa plant, located on a 25-hectare plot of land, began in 2021 and it started production in 2022, following an investment of over 400 million euros. It was at the time, and according to the company itself, one of the largest foreign investments registered in the area and created around 180 direct jobs and some 1,500 indirect jobs.

In addition to solar roof self-consumption, the plant was equipped with a biomass boiler that generates the heat the production process requires. The boiler is fed with bark and processed wood waste that is not suitable for use in the panels manufactured at this plant. The raw material it uses consists of wood from discarded household furniture at the end of its useful life which is collected by its suppliers.

An additional 150 million euros
In July 2023, Kronospan announced a new investment at this plant, an additional 150 million euros to start up a new chipboard production line. Part of this investment was earmarked for the construction of the wind power plant, which will complement the 10 MWp-capacity solar roof. This investment is expected to create another 75 jobs.

^{Photo: Kronospan}