Efficiency as the basis of our development

On a day-to-day basis, we achieve efficiency gains through a combination of process automation and mechanisation, energy efficiency, and measures to reduce downtime and improve work efficiency.

 

Birch leaf structure closeup

On a day-to-day basis, we achieve efficiency gains through a combination of process automation and mechanisation, energy efficiency, and measures to reduce downtime and improve work efficiency.

 

Birch leaf structure closeup

Work Efficiency Programme

Latvijas Finieris is implementing a comprehensive efficiency programme to continuously develop, increase production capacity and focus on safety.

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DEP (work efficiency program) logo
Visual management with 5S: sort, organise, clean, standardise and self-monitor/self-check in Latvian
Process improvements PDCA (Plan/Do/Check/Act) visual in Latvian
Kaizen logo
Quick Changeover with SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Die) logo
Working instructions with TWI (Training Within Industry Job Instruction) logo
Scheduled maintenance with TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) logo

A fossil-free future


85%

we acquire energy from renewable sources, and we aim to increase this share. Our belief is that unused energy is the cheapest and at the same time the most environmentally friendly, which is why we focus on the efficient use of energy resources in our Energy Policy.

Wood chips being shoveled by a tractor in a truck
Wood chips being shoveled by a tractor in a truck

Electricity

The sustainable origin of the electricity consumed in the Group’s Latvian factories is confirmed by the “Powered by Green” certificate issued by Latvenergo. We are gradually taking steps in the self-generation of electricity – solar panel parks have been installed at the Likmere factory and the associated company SIA Troja.

Solar panels on the roof of a plywood further processing mill "Troja" from a bird's-eye view
Solar panels on the roof of a plywood further processing mill "Troja" from a bird's-eye view

Thermal energy

In birch plywood production, heat energy is mainly used for the hydrothermal treatment of the logs and drying of veneer. More than 20 years ago, we took the decision to phase out the use of natural gas and have switched to renewable wood fuels, including by-products from the plywood production process where it is rational to do so.

Wood chips
Wood chips

By-products of production – our ability to add value to them

We are confident that there is and can be no residue in the birch plywood production process – each piece of wood is a valuable by-product that we responsibly recycle both locally at the Group’s facilities and at our partners’ factories.

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Betulin powder on top of dried birch bark
Stack of Riga Poliform in matt grey, yellow, red, natural
Pressed sawdust briquettes

Reuse of water

In birch plywood production, we use water in the hydrothermal treatment of veneer plywood, in the production of synthetic resins, and in the cooling and maintenance of equipment. Our technical solutions allow us to reuse most of the water, which significantly reduces the first consumption, and we clean the used water in flotation plants.

Mechanical arm pulling logs out of swimming bay
Mechanical arm pulling logs out of swimming bay

Reduced waste

Our aim is to minimise the amount of waste generated in our production processes, but it is impossible to avoid it. This is why we are a part of the circular economy value chain and carefully sort waste at all our plants, wherever possible diverting it for reuse or recycling to obtain valuable raw materials.

View from Sarkankalns of a foggy forest from Sarkankalns
View from Sarkankalns of a foggy forest from Sarkankalns