30.01.07
Cornish timber company takes green steps forward

Cornwall's first wood-burning kiln installation is being constructed at a long established sawmill and timber business in Lostwithiel – Duchy Timber will soon have two kilns available with a capacity to process 200 cubic metres of timber over a four day cycle.

A total investment of over £1 million is going into a major development project at Duchy Timber's Downend, Lostwithiel, site with an input of £245,000 from the Objective One EAGGF (the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund). The project includes the two kilns currently under construction and major improvements to the existing sawmill which will increase production capacity from 150 cubic metres of timber for sale weekly to about 450 cubic metres. Additional jobs have already been created on site and a project total of 15 extra jobs are likely with many other existing jobs being protected.

The kilns will give Duchy Timber much more flexibility in the market place at the same time as enabling the company to utilise increased amounts of local timber.

The project also has exciting environmental aspects – the kilns will be fuelled by the considerable volume of sawmill waste generated on site.

Duchy Timber's Managing Director, Adrian High explained: "The woodchip from the sawmill operations will be burnt in a specially designed furnace which has negligible emissions – as a result only a very small amount of external power will be required to power this considerable production installation and there are positive environmental savings as at present, five lorry loads of woodchip each week are transported around the UK for disposal.

"The kilns will facilitate the production of kiln dried timbers - a value added product that is currently imported - but, in addition, the availability of a quick dry facility will enable Duchy Timber to bring forward production of pressure-treated, tanalised timber which is often delayed because our Cornish timber is often so very wet – in fact, there is often a six week delay before the sawn timber can be treated at all!"

Roger Kendall, General Manager, added: "This is a great project for Cornwall, utilising local forestry to provide essential products for local industry, agriculture and retail customers. Our products are an 'import substitution' for Cornwall, distributing a local product which would otherwise come from abroad or other parts of the UK."

David Rodda, Cornwall Agricultural Council, said: "This project is an example of where economic and environmental benefits can be achieved at the same time. By investing in technology that adds value to the timber and then uses the subsequent waste product as a resource in the production process, Duchy Timber is making a significant contribution to the strategic goals of the Cornwall Agricultural Council as well as their own business development."

The kilns are being manufactured by Nardi of Verona in Italy and are due to arrive in Lostwithiel at the end of March this year.

For further information contact Clare Morgan, Media Relations Manager of the Objective One Partnership Office on 01872 223439 or email: cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Cornish Sawmill project through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

Editor's notes:

Duchy Timber was founded more than 50 years ago and was formerly part of the Royal Duchy of Cornwall. Duchy Timber have a complete range of timber for all uses and with a modern timber moulding facility and a bespoke service, have a customer base throughout Cornwall and Devon, supplying wholesalers, retailers, contractors and retail customers through their own shop and garden displays.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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