Malindu Group pioneers environmental solution: Chipboards from wood waste
 

by Irangika Range

A chipboard manufacturing plant using local wood waste was set up in Katubedda, Moratuwa by the Malindu Group of Companies investing Rs. 250 million. The project aims to utilise wood waste as raw material for chipboard production, which are used to manufacture furniture.

Malindu Group of Companies, Chairman and Managing Director Gamini Ranasinghe said there are over 4500 carpentry shops in the Moratuwa area, and wood waste is the biggest problem, that harms the environment.

"We found the best solution to this problem conducting research survey for the last five years," Ranasinghe said.

The factory uses about 10 tonnes of wood waste per day to manufacture chipboards. This has created more income generation avenues in the Moratuwa area as well. "Carpentry shops and furniture manufacturing companies dumped their wood waste at the area and it was a big problem for people as well as the Municipal Council in Moratuwa.

All these groups have pledged to give their fullest support to us now by supplying wood waste. This wood waste gains value addition at the production process. The plant can manufacture over 400 chipboards per day. Although this project is completely natural and eco- friendly, the company faces many problems.

Presently Sri Lanka imports over 8,000 chipboards from India, Malaysia and Indonesia per month. This is discouraging us and the government should help local manufacturers by increasing import duty for import of chipboards.

Ranasinghe urged government organisations which takes policy decisions to encourage entrepreneurs to do their best by solving problems of local manufacturers and protect local industry. "We have a big demand in the local as well as the foreign market. The company was able to capture the export market within a short period and the first shipment of 8000 chipboards will be exported to India next month.

Chipboards in this nature are more durable and made to American and British standards. The company is awaiting and SLSI standard certification.

He said that he will do more developments in the future and has paid attention to manufacture various other products by using this local wood waste.