An Altech Solution
Byline: Arauco – North America implements Altech’s recommendations from an energy efficiency audit and engineering study resulting in an annual savings in electricity costs of $135,000.
Company Profile
Arauco – North America (“Arauco”), formerly known as Flakeboard Company Ltd., manufactures medium density fibreboard (MDF) panels used in construction. The company is a global leader in the development of sustainable forest products.
Problem
Arauco realized that there were potential energy efficiencies resulting in cost savings at its operations in Sault Ste. Marie. Programs offered by the local power utility provided an incentive to explore and implement energy efficiency opportunities.
Solution
Altech was retained by Arauco to conduct a detailed engineering study (DES) on improving energy efficiency at the company’s facility in Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario.
Altech was a key participant in finding energy efficiencies at the manufacturing facility. One major source of potential energy savings was in the drying of fibreboard during the manufacturing process. The replacement of the existing set-up for drying fibreboard with a new system that included a fan with a variable speed drive (VSD) had the potential to provide significant energy savings.
