Applying modern technology in wood processing.

(Baonghean) - Thang Nam Forestry Joint Stock Company - the investor of the "Nghe An Wood Processing Plant" project - has now put into operation the production line for wood panels and is expected to put into operation the MDF production line in May 2016. Not only does this create jobs for thousands of workers and contribute to the sustainable development of Nghe An's forestry industry, but the application of leading-edge European technology by the plant is also considered an effective solution for environmental protection.

Investing in modern processing equipment and technology.

Visiting the MDF wood and fiberboard processing plant in early April, when the project was entering its final stages before commissioning, we witnessed the highly advanced, modern, and environmentally friendly processes and installation stages. The MDF wood and fiberboard processing plant project commenced construction in February 2013 on a 40-hectare site in the Nghia Dan industrial park with a total investment of 300 million USD.

Leading us on a tour of the project's environmental treatment facilities, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Toan – Head of the Occupational Safety Department of the company – said: “During the construction and operation process, the MDF fiberboard manufacturing plant has and will always fully implement environmental pollution control measures, and prevent and control environmental pollution incidents.”

The company has invested over 18 billion VND to install environmental treatment facilities with state-of-the-art machinery and equipment, notably including a dust treatment system (9 billion VND), a furnace exhaust gas treatment system (5 billion VND), a centralized wastewater treatment system (2 billion VND), a wastewater drainage system (695 million VND), and a rainwater drainage system (690 million VND), etc. In addition, with an investment of nearly 400 million VND for planting trees in the factory grounds, the plant promises to be an ideal and perfect environment in line with the structure of advanced industrial standards.

The production line for wood panel boards at Nghia Dan MDF Wood Factory.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Toan also added: “During the construction phase and the operational phase of the project, air, surface water, and groundwater pollution may occur. Therefore, the investor has established an environmental monitoring program with the goal of continuously collecting information on changes in environmental quality to promptly detect negative impacts of the project and propose measures to prevent and mitigate pollution; while ensuring the safe operation of the project.”

Accordingly, during the preparation and construction phase, ambient air quality will be monitored twice a year at the project site center, the project construction site entrance, the access road to the project construction site, and the western fence of the project. Wastewater and surface water quality will be monitored four times a year at the irrigation canal 200m from the project and at the outlet of the domestic wastewater treatment system. Monitoring of these environmental factors will continue even after the project becomes operational, and the frequency will be increased to meet requirements and adapt to production conditions.

Establishing professional operating methods

The project management board established a three-person environmental task force responsible for regularly inspecting the wastewater and stormwater runoff collection and treatment system; promptly detecting and repairing any malfunctions to ensure the system's effectiveness and prevent environmental pollution; developing regulations and rules on occupational hygiene and safety; creating a labor protection and environmental protection plan for the area; and disseminating information, educating, and raising awareness about environmental protection among staff and workers so that they understand and are conscious of protecting the environment.

Currently, Thang Nam Forestry Joint Stock Company is coordinating with 12 districts of Nghe An province to organize reforestation on planned land to supply raw materials for the Nghe An Wood Processing Plant. The area of ​​raw materials planned by the People's Committee of Nghe An province is 45,011.5 hectares (of which 11,589.1 hectares are leased land and 33,422.4 hectares are joint venture land).

With an estimated time from planting to harvesting of 5-7 years, supporting reforestation for farmers will help green barren hills and mountains. Therefore, economic benefits will be accompanied by effective and sustainable environmental protection. Comrade Vi Van Son, Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Cuong District, stated: “The Nghe An Wood Processing Plant project, invested by Thang Nam Forestry Joint Stock Company, has many advantages, including a positive impact on the environment of the midland and mountainous districts. By providing seedlings, fertilizers, termite control chemicals, etc., and conducting inspections of reforestation results each season, it will encourage farmers to actively plant trees. This will not only help farmers secure their livelihoods but also increase the forest area.”

Speaking about the company's business principles and objectives, Mr. Nguyen Cong Vinh, General Director of Thang Nam Forestry Joint Stock Company, emphasized: "Besides profit, our company is particularly concerned with ensuring environmental friendliness. In today's industrial age, if factories produce goods indiscriminately and operate according to unsafe and unreliable processes, they will quickly destroy the living environment of humankind. By applying leading-edge European technology, we are confident that we can harmoniously combine profit objectives with practical effectiveness in environmental protection."

Phuong Thao