Kebony Opens Modified Wood Factory in Flanders

Modified wood cladding and decking manufacturer Kebony has announced the opening of its factory in Flanders, according to Kebony CEO Bruno Van den Branden.

“The opening of our second factory is a momentous occasion in Kebony’s history and will be vital to our continued growth for many years to come,” Van den Branden says. “We are delighted to be in a position where we can significantly increase our production capacity of environmentally friendly products, which will only serve to help us to continue positively influencing the sustainable construction industry worldwide.”

Kebony is known for producing modified wood through patented technology. The production site was officially opened by Philippe Muyters, Flemish Minister for Work, Economy, Innovation and Sports, at its launch event.

Kebony has experienced continued annual growth with international sales rising by an average of 30 percent year-over-year for the past seven years. In order to meet demand, the factory has been opened to enable Kebony to double its current annual production capacity to more than 200,000-square-feet of Kebony Clear wood. Its original factory in Norway will continue to specialize in the production of Kebony Character wood while maintaining its status as a research and technology hub.

Muyters states, “The creation of new jobs and opportunities for local people, in addition to substantial investment will contribute significantly to a thriving economy in the region.”

Situated in the heart of Europe, the factory is located to benefit from a variety of European connections. The close proximity to the port of Antwerp will enable the export of Kebony products to European and oversea markets, such as North America, to be efficient and cost-effective. The plant lies in the vicinity of the Kebony machining partner, Rudy De Keyser, in Kruibeke, and next to the site of the chemical company LANXESS, at the Scheldt Chemical and Industrial Park (ScCIP) in Kallo, which will deliver utilities and site services to the new factory.

Construction of the facility was delivered within budget, with funding supplied by European investors, including the Flemish investment company PMV and SFPI-FPIM. Plans for further investment would give Kebony the potential to quadruple its current production to nearly 900,000-square-feet. The factory will support Kebony’s plans to accelerate sales in the coming years and will act as a catalyst for international expansion in key central European markets, like Germany and France.