“We are proud of the fact that Pölkky chose our solution when considering how best to safeguard quality standards for this project,” says Mikko Pitkänen, Valutec’s Country Manager for Finland.
The progressive kiln will be used to dry pine with dimensions ranging from 44 to 63 millimetres. It is expected to be in production by November. The dried timber to be supplied by Pölkky in Kuusamo will be used for what is set to be Europe’s largest wooden quarter.
“Some of our kilns in Kuusamo have seen better days and will be replaced with this progressive kiln. Valutec was our natural choice for a supplier, because we have worked with them for so long. Outstanding facilities and excellent service made it an easy choice,” says Petteri Virranniemi, a product manager at Pölkky’s sawmill in Kuusamo.
The residential quarter is to be built in Vantaa just outside Helsinki and will comprise a seven-storey building of glue-laminated timber, with a total of 186 apartments and a residential floor area of a little over 10,000 m². It is estimated that a total of 3,000 cubic metres of timber will be used on the project. There has been great emphasis on both fire safety and soundproofing in the building, which will be constructed using passive house technology. Energy demands will be met by solar cells installed on the roof.
“It is incredibly exciting to be able to contribute to such an important project. This will be a fantastic building to live in and shows beyond any doubt how wood construction is contributing to sustainable development,” says Mikko Pitkänen.
As a leading supplier to sawmills throughout Europe, Valutec has long worked to enhance the quality of end products by offering a more precise drying process. Work has also continued alongside this to optimise the supply of energy during the drying process, which is the most energy-demanding operation at sawmills.
