Raute Corporation has signed a contract worth Euro 44.6 million with the Thebault Group, for the technology delivery of a new greenfield LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) production plant in France. Following the terms of the contract, the project has become effective by the signing of a delivery contract.

The plant, which will be the first LVL plant in France, will eventually produce 100,000 m3 of LVL entirely ''Made in France'', with this agreed delivery covering a first phase at 70,000 m3.

The order for Raute’s technology includes all the production processes from veneer peeling to LVL billet handling, including extensive service package. The lines are a complete solution compiled of the latest most automated R7-Series technologies.

The ordered machinery and equipment will be delivered during 2024. They will be manufactured at Raute’s production units in Lahti and Kajaani in Finland, and in the company’s partnership network.

This new plant, which will be in full operation in 2026, is part of Thebault’s development to extend its offering particularly to the construction industry. Driven by a fast-growing market, this French production of engineered wood products will expand the offer of bio-sourced materials contributing to the decarbonization of the building sector.

The Thebault Group, a family-owned industrial company, is the leading French plywood manufacturer with annual production of 125 000 m3 making almost 50% of the total domestic plywood production and ranks among the top five European producers.

Raute is a technology and service company that operates worldwide. Raute’s customers are companies operating in the wood products industry that manufacture veneer, plywood, LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) and sawn timber.