Komatsu Europe International N.V. announces the launch of the new WA800-8 wheel loader. Designed for maximum operating comfort, the WA800-8 proposes many customer advantages, among which a Modulation Clutch and Variable Traction Control, an Auto Kick Down and an RPM set. Combined with Komatsu’s redesigned extra-large 11,5 m³ bucket and its optimised maximum fill factor, the WA800-8 offers superior efficiency.

The all-new Komatsu WA800-8 rewrites the rules for stability, giving the operator a safe and comfortable work environment. With a 115 tonnes operating weight, the WA800-8 allows for 20,700 kg rated load capacity in a standard boom configuration.

Power, Performance & Efficiency
Environmental concerns are growing worldwide, along with a need for cleaner engines. The Komatsu WA800-8 meets the latest EU Stage V emission regulations with Komatsu-designed, developed, and manufactured engine and aftertreatment systems.

Two Diesel Particulate Filters, two Variable Geometry Turbos, a Heavy Duty and cooled exhaust gas recirculation system, new engine control modules, a Closed Crankcase Ventilation system – and no AdBlue® required, will allow WA800-8 customers to be competitive in tenders and keep their Komatsu machine at work for many years.

As standard, Komatsu offers up to 11,5 m³ buckets, that have a redesigned spill guard, increased radius and floor angle, and provide better penetration and higher fill factors to boost productivity and income. Their ultra-strong teeth and enlarged sweeper wings increase uptime and reduce tire damage to also reduce maintenance costs.

A standard high accuracy Payload Meter (PLM) lets you easily monitor and track your work’s productivity and efficiency within 1.5% accuracy, to avoid overloading dump trucks.

The Modulation Clutch system gives operators precise control of rim pull, for fast work equipment speeds, and a smooth approach for truck loading. The Variable Traction Control system optimises rim pull on all ground conditions, minimises tire slippage and lowers maintenance costs.

On-board Komatsu SmartLoader Logic, a fully automatic engine control, yields precisely enough torque for each work phase, based on the application. By automatically switching between Economy & Power modes it considerably reduces fuel usage, with no loss of productivity.

The new generation WA800-8 wheel loader’s hydraulics are improved with a CLSS hydraulic system that delivers power on demand via the variable displacement piston pumps. It keeps the hydraulic oil cool and increases both your work speed and fuel economy. Fuel savings are further promoted through the Auto Idle Shutdown system and by ECO guidance tips on the in- cab monitor.

Combined with the unique Komatsu CARE support package, the WA800-8 offers truly unbeatable customer value.

Safety, Reliability & Durability
A new supersized ROPS/FOPS cabin provides a completely redesigned, spacious, sturdy and safe operating environment, with a wide and unobstructed view of the work area. After dark, visibility and safe maintenance are improved by 22 LED lights, a new standard factory-fit comprehensive package.

For increased safety and operating confidence, KomVision, a visual aid designed by Komatsu to help avoid contacts or collisions due to blind spots, reduces risks of machine damage and injury. On the WA800-8, five network cameras create a bird’s-eye view of the immediate surroundings on a dedicated monitor. An extra rear-view camera sends a colour image with a distance indicator line on the cabin monitor.

Catwalks and handrails on the counterweight provide an additional standard safe exit and easier maintenance. In option, Komatsu proposes a hydraulically operated 45° ladder to the cabin.

For easy servicing, even high up, technicians can attach lanyards to safe anchored tie-off points well-placed around the WA800-8. Standard safety lockout switches at the rear of the machine can be quickly reached from ground level, in an emergency or a critical situation.

Engine maintenance points are grouped, and various ladders, stairs and handrails provide safe access to all filters. The optional service centre enables the wireless download of KOMTRAX Plus data, along with faster and easier oil servicing and sampling.

The radiators have a swing-out reversing hydraulic fan, for safe access and easy cleaning with compressed air or water. To reduce clogging, the modular core radiator features widely spaced cooling fins.

Brake life was increased with an improved fully sealed hydraulic brake system. The front frame and the loader linkage were redesigned to be stronger and more durable.

Comfortable & Easy Operations
The redesigned interior of the new and enlarged cabin offers better ergonomics to reduce fatigue, for a happy and more productive operator. Sound insulation and a quieter engine keep noise levels low and help you stay focused and safe.

A new fully adjustable seat, air-suspended, heated and ventilated, with an adjustable bolster and integrated standard EPC levers, makes life on the jobsite easier, as do the colour TFT monitor and a range of new tools and functions. A new fold-up trainer seat allows in-cab operator training. For less experienced operators or just for easy operation, the Auto Digging system, the Semi-Auto Approach and the Semi-Auto Dump can assist to provide a consistent performance.

The new right-hand side console is integrated in the seat. Switches and Bluetooth radio are easily accessible on the overhead console, and the new front panel is styled with a similar look and feel as other Komatsu machines.

Available now at Komatsu Europe, the WA800-8 wheel loader offers unbeatable customer value, whatever and wherever the job.

Quick Specs

• Engine Power – 638/854 kW/HP ü
• Max Bucket Capacity – 11,5 m³ ü
• Payload – 20,700 kg ü
• Operating Weight – 115,5 tonnes

“Komatsu has set new standards for stability, comfort and safety and we are very proud to be able to offer this to our customers

“Our WA800 has always been well-appreciated for its reliability and productivity”, says Jo Monsieur, Group Manager for Large Machines at Komatsu Europe. “And this latest generation surely continues this legacy. Furthermore, Komatsu has set new standards for stability, comfort and safety and we are very proud to be able to offer this to our customers.”

Jo Monsieur, Group Manager for Large Machines at Komatsu Europe.

Komatsu WA800-8 Wheel Loader – New features & benefits

• Best in class 20700kg rated payload, with 11,5m³ bucket as standard.
• Superior performance – higher productivity through
  • Modulation clutch
  • Variable traction control
  • Rpm set function
  • PLM meter
  • CLSS & EPC control
• A range of standard Safety features:
  • Komvision
  • Emergency Engine stops
  • Machine lock out switch for hydraulics, battery and starter
  • Starter receptacle
  • Certified anchorage (tie off) points
• LED lamps all around – better vision for safer & more productive operation.
• Auto Idle Shutdown System – helps reduce wasteful idling of machine.
• Automatic functions – help reduce fatigue and help unexperienced operators
  • Auto digging function
  • Semi-auto dump truck approach system
  • Semi-auto dump system
  • Auto kickdown
• EU Stage V emissions compliant
• Komtrax Step 5 and Komtrax Plus, Peace of Mind, Cost Down, Profit Up through
  • Individual operator ID system
  • Usage and trend reports
  • Fuel abnormality (theft) reports
  • Auto idle ON/OFF records
  • Integrated communication antenna (includes wifi antenna)
• Komatsu CARE – Peace of Mind, Cost Down and Profit Up
  KDPF systems included in the Komatsu CARE product support package
  • 3 year / 2000 hrs scheduled maintenance interventions
  • 5 year / 9000 hrs KDPF cleaning [every 4500 hrs]
  • 5 year / 9000 hrs warranty on the KDPF

Timo Ylänen, Director, John Deere Forestry Oy, has been appointed Vice President, Worldwide Forestry, Deere&Company. In his new position Ylänen will be responsible for full-tree and cutto-length machine business globally and will be a member of the Construction & Forestry senior leadership team. 

In June 2020 Deere announced a new Smart Industrial operating model targeting the development of production systems, technology solutions and support capabilities across the full lifetime of products.

The new operating model is designed to generate clear added value for customers and support their profitability. In line with the operating model, product development capital will be allocated to the most promising, most profitable technologies that drive value creation for customers in an effort to integrate smart technology innovations also into existing production. Also organizational structures will be renewed to support the new operating model.

In his new position Ylänen will report to Construction & Forestry President John Stone. Timo’s strong sales and marketing experience, expertise in the global forestry industry, and sound business acumen are solid qualifications for the new responsibilities.

Ylänen will work from the Tampere location.

John Deere Forestry Oy’s Finance Director Tarja Tuomela has been appointed to lead Deere&Company´s Forestry business financials management globally. Tarja also will work from Tampere.

Timbeter and Cind enter into partnership and launch first cooperation project in Sweden

Timbeter, an Estonian company providing an AI-based digital workflow management solution for the timber industry, and the Swedish image processing technology provider Cind (a spin-off from SAAB AB) have signed a cooperation agreement and launched the first joint project for the automation of timber trucks measurement.

Timbeter uses Artificial Intelligence and machine learning for timber measurement, combined with Cloud Computing for data management and logistics planning, while Cind develops solutions that automate and optimise labour intensive activities related to timber measurement and inspection.

The first cooperation project between the two companies has been launched in Sweden with the accuracy and measurement method certified by Biometria (Swedish forest measurement association).

The joint solution helps Cind to fully automate the diameter measurement of the truck loads. In the process, the loads on the truck are being measured, while the number of logs and diameters of the logs are detected and divided into different diameter classes. The joint solution helps to detect logs in specific diameter range, and optimize the production input.

Marcus Schelin, the CEO of Cind commented: “Our joint solution Timspect is helping customers to reduce error rate and labour cost thanks to its high level of automation. We are providing the turnkey solution that has been validated by Biometria and therefore proven its accuracy and reliability”

“Thanks to our cooperation, timber companies can save costs, have the needed data in digital format and optimize their processes. We are happy to work together with Cind and bring our technology to the Swedish market” the CEO of Timbeter, Anna-Greta Tsahkna said.

About Timberer
Established in 2013 in Estonia, Timbeter powers the digitalization of the forestry sector by bringing transparency and efficiency to the measurement process from the field to the factory. Timbeter enables quick and accurate timber measurement and data management using artificial intelligence. The software can count the number of logs, as well as to measure the diameters of the logs, volume and the pile density ratios for pulp-and fuelwood. All the measurements have a geotag, therefore the origin of the timber is always known, meaning that illegal logging can be prevented. The timber measurement is done digitally with the help of a smart-device (tablet, smartphone) and all the measurement data is stored in a cloud, providing real-time overview of the activities. Timbeter helps the forestry industry to save time and costs, making processes more objective and transparent and enabling better control.

Timbeter has demonstrated its success on the local and global markets, collaborating with the largest international corporations like CMPC (Chile), International Paper (Brazil), Faber-Castell (Brazil), Siam Forestry Group (Thailand), Mekong Timber Plantations (Laos) in the sector.

About Cind
Cind helps sawmills, pulp mills and heating plants to optimise their raw material supply chain by fast and accurate volume measurement of roundwood and woodchip loaded on trucks. Global corporations like SCA, Stora Enso and Smurfit Kappa are trusting Cind’s solutions in their daily operations and more than 30,000 trucks are measured on a monthly basis.

Carlos Fonseca
Marketing Manager
mobile: +372 5394 1866
skype: timbeter

Teaduspargi 3/1 21/1, Tallinn,
Harjumaa, Estonia 12618
Reg code: 12578543
VAT: EE101724227

Enviva Partners, LP (“Enviva” or the “Partnership”), a leading global energy company specializing in sustainable wood bioenergy, today announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of a world-class, industrial scale wood pellet production plant in Waycross, Georgia, and associated contracted terminal capacity in Savannah, Georgia. Enviva’s growing operational footprint across the U.S. Southeast now includes nine wood pellet production plants and five deep-water export terminals across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

“We are excited to welcome the entire Waycross team into the Enviva family,” said John Keppler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enviva. “This is an important step for Enviva’s growth and we look forward to continuing to be a great employer, customer, and neighbor, and an important contributor to the State of Georgia, a community we now call home.”

The newly acquired Waycross plant has been operating since 2011 and has a production capacity of approximately 800,000 metric tons per year, all of which is exported through the Port of Savannah to Enviva’s customers under long-term take-or-pay off-take contracts, many of which extend until the mid-2040s. Following the acquisition, Enviva’s total annual wood pellet production capacity is approximately 4.9 million metric tons. With the acquisition complete, the Waycross plant is now called, “Enviva Pellets Waycross.”

“The Waycross plant, its leadership, and the entire team are a perfect match for Enviva,” said Royal Smith, Executive Vice President of Operations of Enviva. “The Waycross team, under the exceptional leadership of Mark Gaddy, has been recognized for years for their commitment to and strong track record of safe operations and high performance. We look forward to working with Mark and his team in the years to come as we seek to build on their success, grow the business, and continue making a meaningful difference right now in the effort to fight climate change around the world.”

Enviva’s mission is to displace coal, grow more trees, and fight climate change. The Waycross plant acquisition diversifies Enviva’s manufacturing footprint and expands its operations in a region that supplies one-fifth of the timber used globally each year. Enviva currently is integrating the plant into the wider Enviva organization and looks forward to working closely with local leaders, private forest landowners, and conservation organizations to continue to make a positive impact across the State of Georgia.

BMO Capital Markets advised the Partnership and Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal counsel on the transaction.

South Coast Lumber has purchased a GradeScan with Perceptive Sight 2.0 from Lucidyne for installation in their Brookings, OR mill.  South Coast chose the Lucidyne GradeScan after researching scanning systems over the last couple years.

Nick Johnson, South Coast’s Operations Manager, stated that along with showing great results, Lucidyne’s excellent customer service is what led them to choose the GradeScan system. South Coast lumber has been sawmilling since the early 1950’s.

All new Lucidyne GradeScan’s come standard with the Perceptive Sight Intelligent Grading platform, using deep learning artificial intelligence for unmatched defect detection and grading results. The South Coast GradeScan will be installed and started up in mid-October of 2020.

Holmen has signed an agreement to acquire Martinsons, one of Sweden’s leading players in sawn and processed wood products. The purchase price is SEK 1.0 billion for 100 per cent of the shares. The acquisition will almost double Holmen’s sales of wood products to over SEK 3 billion, while also advancing positions in wood construction and providing Holmen with the capacity to process the majority of the raw material from its own forests in its own industry.

Martinsons consists of two well-invested sawmills in northern Sweden with extensive processing of wood products for Scandinavian wood construction, as well as a project operation for construction of complete frames made of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam beams for purposes such as offices, sports centres and apartment buildings. The company has 470 employees, most of whom work in processing.

“Martinsons is an extremely well-run family-owned company that has built a strong brand and succeeded in achieving growth with solid profitability. As our largest timber customer, we have followed their progress for a long time and have been impressed by of how they have developed a leading position in sustainable wood construction in Sweden. Backed by our large forest holdings, we look forward to continuing to grow the business and to contributing to increased construction using wood, which is part of the solution to the climate challenge”, says Henrik Sjölund, President and CEO of Holmen.

Left: Henrik Sjölund, President and CEO of Holmen.

“Holmen has met all of our high expectations for a new owner. It is a stable company with the power to grow, though equally important for us is their genuine interest in the knowledge and experience accumulated in our operations. We are particularly pleased to have found an owner with a corporate culture that we believe will be an excellent fit with the culture that we have built up”, says Lars Martinson, CEO and one of the owners of Martinsons.

Left: Lars Martinson, CEO and one of the owners of Martinsons.

After completion of current investments, Bygdsiljum, the larger sawmill, will be able to produce 500 000 m³ of wood products annually, while the annual production at Kroksjön is over 100 000 m³. Bygdsiljum also manufactures CLT and glulam beams, while Kroksjön processes wood products through trimming, planing, painting, treatment and finger jointing. Annual timber consumption is 1 million m³, which corresponds with Holmen’s annual timber harvest in northern Sweden.

MAIN PHOTO: Bygdsiljum sawmill

“In recent years we have invested in gradually increasing value-added and sales to Swedish builders’ merchants. Martinsons provides a good complement to our “In recent years we have invested in gradually increasing value-added and sales to Swedish builders’ merchants. Martinsons provides a good complement to our offering and strengthens our position on the market. Demand for processed wood products, especially CLT and glulam beams, is growing and with rising interest in wood construction we see great opportunities to further develop the business”, says Johan Padel, Senior Vice President Wood Products, Holmen.

Left: Johan Padel, Senior Vice President Wood Products, Holmen.

In 2019 Martinsons turn-over was SEK 1.8 billion, where SEK 1.1 billion came from sales of sawn and processed wood products, SEK 0.3 billion from major wood construction projects and the remainder from sales of by-products and timber trading. Martinsons’ underlying EBITDA totalled SEK 157 million in 2019 and operating profit amounted to SEK 99 million. The acquisition will be funded from existing credit facilities and is expected to positively contribute to earnings per share from the time of takeover, which is expected to occur during the fourth quarter.

The deal is subject to approval from the relevant competition authority, which is expected in the fall.

Holmen’s wood products business had sales of SEK 1.7 billion in 2019 and EBITDA amounted to SEK 159 million. Production takes place at three plants, Braviken Sawmill with a production capacity of 600 000 m³ after recent investments, Iggesund Sawmill with a capacity of 400 000 m³ and Linghem Sawmill of just under 100 000 m³.

For more information, please contact:
Stina Sandell, Senior Vice President Sustainability and Communications, +46 (0)73 986 51 12

One of the U.K.’s largest rail freight operators, DB Cargo U.K. will operate an average of 60 trains per week from the ports of Immingham and Hull to Drax Power Station in Selby, Yorkshire.

Each train will carry around 1,650 metric tons of sustainable biomass to Drax Power Station, which provides flexible and reliable renewable power for millions of UK homes and businesses.

Drax supplies 12 percent of the U.K.’s renewable electricity. Using sustainable biomass instead of coal at Drax Power Station has reduced emissions by more than 80 percent and helped the U.K. power system decarbonize faster than any other country.

Roger Neary, head of Sales at DB Cargo U.K., said, “We are delighted that Drax has chosen to extend our existing contract with them for another five years. We are proud of the important role our people continue to play in delivering an efficient and sustainable source of renewable energy for use here in the U.K.”

Mike Maudsley, U.K. portfolio generation director at Drax, said, “These rail deliveries are a critical part of our global supply chain for sustainable biomass that supports thousands of jobs and has delivered economic growth across the north of England, while supplying renewable electricity to millions of homes and businesses.

“We’re very pleased to extend our existing contract with DB Cargo U.K. for another five years and look forward to continuing to work with the team.”

Left: Mike Maudsley, U.K. portfolio generation director at Drax

About Drax
Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030.

Its 2,900-strong employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production.

Power generation:
Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low carbon and renewable electricity generation assets across Britain. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies five percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted two thirds of Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator and the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

Its pumped storage, hydro and energy from waste assets in Scotland include Cruachan Power Station – a flexible pumped storage facility within the hollowed-out mountain Ben Cruachan.  It also owns and operates four gas power stations in England.

Customers:
Through its two B2B energy supply brands, Haven Power and Opus Energy, Drax supplies energy to 250,000 businesses across England, Scotland and Wales.

Pellet production:
Drax owns and operates three pellet mills in the US South which manufacture compressed wood pellets (biomass) produced from sustainably managed working forests. These pellet mills supply around 20% of the biomass used by Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses.

Enviva Partners LP has completed the previously announced acquisition from its sponsor of Enviva Pellets Greenwood Holdings II LLC, which, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns a wood pellet production plant in Greenwood, South Carolina.

In connection with the Greenwood acquisition, our sponsor has assigned to the partnership five firm, long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with creditworthy Japanese counterparties that have maturities between 2031 and 2041, aggregate annual deliveries of 1.4 million metric tons per year, and an aggregate revenue backlog of $5.3 billion. Including the associated off-take contracts, the partnership’s total weighted-average remaining term of off-take contracts has increased from 11.4 years to 12.7 years and its total product sales backlog has increased from $10.2 billion to $15.5 billion, as of April 1, 2020.

To finance the Greenwood acquisition, as well as the partnership’s previously announced purchase of Georgia Biomass Holding LLC, which, through its wholly owned subsidiary, owns a wood pellet production plant in Waycross, Georgia, the partnership has completed the issuance of an aggregate of 6,153,847 common units in a private placement in exchange for gross proceeds of $200.0 million on June 23, 2020, and expects to close its previously announced private placement to eligible purchasers of $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.5 percent senior unsecured notes due 2026 on July 15, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.

Canfor Corporation (TSX:CFP) announced today that its 70%-owned subsidiary, Vida Group, has entered into an agreement to purchase three sawmills located in Sweden from Bergs Timber for a purchase price of CAD$43 million plus working capital.

“We are excited that Vida’s strong performance and balance sheet has enabled them to grow their operating footprint in Sweden,” said Don Kayne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canfor. The three mills, which are located in Vimmerby, Mörlunda and Orrefors, Sweden, will add approximately 215 million board feet to Vida’s annual capacity.

With additional investment, Vida anticipates the production capacity of the mills can be increased to 300 million board feet. After taking into account this additional production capacity, Sweden represents 22% of Canfor’s globally diversified operating platforms, plus 43% in British Columbia, 31% in the Southern United States and 4% in Alberta.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020 and is subject to due diligence, completion of certain transaction documents and other customary closing conditions, including any required regulatory approvals. Following downtime related to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vida is operating at full capacity and Canfor continues to employ variable operating schedules in North America with sawmills in the United States operating at almost full capacity and Canadian sawmills operating at approximately 90% effective June 18, 2020.

Canfor is a leading integrated forest products company based in Vancouver, British Columbia (“BC”) with interests in BC, Alberta, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas, as well as in Sweden with its majority acquisition of Vida Group. Canfor produces primarily softwood lumber and also owns a 54.8% interest in Canfor Pulp Products Inc., which is one of the largest global producers of market Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft Pulp and a leading producer of high performance kraft paper.

PHOTO left:  Don Kayne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canfor

The new woodroom includes three lines with an aggregate capacity of 5 million cubic meters of chips per year. The project investments amounted to USD 125 million. The woodroom lines are interchangeable with the distinction between them being the type of processed species. The lines handle SW and HW species, as well as their mix. A completely automated process control from debarking to feeding of chips to a storage area allows not only to minimize losses during the chip production process, but also to significantly improve chips quality. Production of chips of the required species mix by better controlling the wood mix will have a positive impact on the pulp quality.

An important environmental effect involving reduction of water consumption and, consequently, reduction of the effluents sent to the waste water treatment plant will be achieved through the use of a dry debarking method that is now one of the best available technologies. Sand, stones and small hard particles will be captured and sent to the waste collecting container. These efforts will allow to minimize the impact on a water body where wastewater is sent after treatment at the waste water treatment plant. Moreover, automated water supply and temperature adjustment will drive a significant reduction of electric energy consumption.

Construction of a new woodroom required an upgrade of a chip handling system used to transfer chips to the new outdoor chip storages, as well as an upgrade of the chip storages themselves. A conveyor-based chip feeding system has been installed at chip storages. This system (as compared to a pneumatic system) allows to maintain the quality of chips fed to the Cooking Area. Moreover, Ilim’s storage areas have implemented the FIFO principle ensuring an optimal duration of storage before feeding chips to the Cooking Area.

Reference information: 

By the end of 2021, total amount of investments into the Bratsk mill projects will reach RUB 38 billion. The KLB line upgrade has become the key project for the Bratsk Mill. With a focus on best available technologies (BAT) and global best practices, additional facilities are being built to support capacity growth in Bratsk. In 2019, Ilim allocated more than RUB 18 billion to reduce the environmental footprint, which is equal to one third of all Ilim’s investments in 2019.