Manufacturer of interior and construction products Unilin plans to invest over €100m in modernising its Unilin Panels Oostrozebeke (Belgium) site, where it produces particleboard panels commonly used in kitchen cabinetry, furniture and wall or floor applications.
The project marks one of the largest industrial upgrades in the company’s recent history and underlines Unilin’s long-term commitment to future‑proof, sustainable manufacturing in Belgium.
With this planned investment, Unilin aims to strengthen its production capabilities while further improving efficiency, product quality and safety.
The Oostrozebeke plant, previously known as ‘Spano’, employs around 370 people. The plant produces particleboard using 100% recycled waste wood (of which more than 90% is post-consumer). It is also connected to the A&S waste-to-energy facility, which covers 95% of its electricity and thermal energy needs. Unilin intends to further develop the site into a leading example of circular, low-carbon panel production in Europe.
At the heart of the project is the planned installation of a new continuous particleboard press, replacing two existing presses, combined with a broader renewal of key production processes across the site. The new installation will maintain a similar production capacity of 575,000m³, while being less energy intensive (-8%) and more efficient in raw material use.
“This investment is about preparing our Oostrozebeke production plant for the next decades,” says Bert Vandenkendelaere, the president of Unilin Panels. “By combining state-of-the-art technology with 100% recycled wood as raw material and a clear product focus across our different sites, we aim to confirm our reliability as a supplier and set our customers up for success in the years to come. With this investment, we build a solid foundation for further innovation, and at the same time, we are creating an even safer and more efficient working environment for our people.”
The project will receive up to €6m in support from the Flemish government, half for strategic transformation support for training and the other half for strategic ecology support for the investment project.
“Even in challenging economic times in Europe, we continue to invest,” says Bert. “This project reflects our commitment to a strong industrial footprint in Belgium and to sustainable manufacturing of interior and construction products for our customers. It shows our confidence in the future and our determination to keep strengthening our organisation.”
The company intends to carry out the project in close dialogue with employees, authorities and the surrounding community throughout the permitting and implementation process. If the necessary permits are obtained, the modernisation programme will start in Q3 2026 with preparation and engineering. The next phase will be the installation of the new press and supporting systems, and a testing phase to ensure safe and stable operations. If progress continues as planned, the upgraded installation is expected to be fully operational by 2029.
