Feed aggregator

Canfor’s $10.5 million investment at its Mobile County, Alabama lumber facility marks more than a routine capacity upgrade — it signals a decisive shift toward high-throughput, continuous drying technology in the US South.

At the centre of the project is a dual-path continuous dry kiln, designed to expand drying capacity, improve operational efficiency and reinforce long-term competitiveness in one of the world’s most productive lumber regions.

Delivered through New South Lumber Company, the upgrade reflects a broader structural trend across Southern Yellow Pine operations: investment in technologies that remove bottlenecks, stabilise output and maximise fibre recovery.

From batch to continuous: a structural shift

Drying has long been one of the most persistent constraints in sawmill performance. Traditional batch kilns — while proven and flexible — inherently limit throughput and introduce variability between charges.

Continuous systems, by contrast, redefine the process:

• Higher throughput through uninterrupted material flow
• Greater consistency in moisture content and product quality
• Reduced handling and dwell-time inefficiencies
• Seamless integration with modern, high-speed sawline

For mills operating at scale in the US South, these advantages are no longer incremental – they are strategic.

Drying is no longer a support function. It is a core production driver.

Supplier still under wraps

Despite the clarity around the technology, one key detail remains undisclosed: the kiln supplier.

No OEM, EPC contractor or technology partner has been formally named in project announcements or trade coverage –  an unusual, though not unprecedented, situation for a project of this scale.  However, the specification itself significantly narrows the field.

A tight field of contenders

In North America, dual-path continuous kiln systems are delivered by a relatively small group of highly specialised suppliers –  each with distinct strengths in integration, energy systems and process control.

 Primary contenders

• USNR – a dominant force in US South mill modernisation, offering tightly integrated sawing and drying solutions and a strong regional footprint
• Valutec – gaining momentum in North America, with advanced continuous kiln technologies and a strong emphasis on energy efficiency
• Comact – a major North American player with deep expertise in optimisation, scanning and full-line integration; particularly well positioned where drying forms part of a broader, system-wide upgrade

Strong contenders

• Mühlböck – internationally recognised for high-capacity continuous kilns and advanced control systems, with a proven track record in large-scale installations

 Also, in consideration

• Wellons – especially relevant where biomass energy systems and thermal integration are central to the project
• Brunner-Hildebrand – known for high-end continuous drying solutions and precision engineering
• Italian Drying Group – an established European supplier with growing international reach, particularly in engineered kiln systems and flexible drying solutions

Given the project’s scale, compressed timeline and location in the US South, industry attention is now focused on which of these suppliers secures the contract.

 Why no announcement – yet?

The absence of a named supplier typically points to one of three scenarios:

1. A recent contract award, with OEM announcement pending
2. A bundled delivery model, where the kiln is part of a wider mill upgrade package
3. A staged communications strategy, with disclosure aligned to installation or commissioning

With construction scheduled between April and June 2026, a supplier announcement is widely expected in the near term.

 US South: a battleground for drying technology

Canfor’s investment is part of a broader wave of capital deployment across the US South – a region where mills are competing intensely on:

• Throughput and recovery rates
• Energy efficiency and cost control
• Product quality and consistency

As sawlines become faster and more sophisticated, drying systems must evolve in parallel. Continuous kilns are no longer viewed as optional upgrades – they are increasingly central to mill architecture.

The bigger picture

This project extends beyond Mobile County. It reflects a clear industry direction:

The transition from batch to continuous drying is accelerating – and competition among suppliers is intensifying.

When the kiln supplier is finally confirmed, it will do more than complete the story. It will signal which OEMs are gaining traction in one of the most strategically important lumber markets in the world.

To read previous Canfor related posts click here

Follow IFI on Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

The post Who Wins the Kiln? Canfor’s Mobile Upgrade Signals Shift to Continuous Drying   appeared first on International Forest Industries.