Wood processing company in Näpi invests one million euros in new impregnation equipment

In Lääne-Virumaa, the village of Näpi, a French-owned wood processing company is installing new equipment for deep wood impregnation. The machinery is scheduled to be operational by August. This is the second such unit the company has brought to Estonia.

The plant’s main products are terrace boards and materials for interior and exterior finishing. The new autoclave significantly extends the service life of wood – for example, wood in contact with soil can begin to rot after about two years, but after impregnation it can last 20 to 30 years.

Executive director Eveli Opman notes that proximity to ports and expansion possibilities make Näpi a convenient location. However, attracting investment in Estonia is becoming increasingly difficult due to rising costs for energy, transport, labor, and raw materials.

“Our geopolitical position has become less favorable than before the war in Ukraine. Figuratively speaking, we are now at the edge of the world. Moreover, partly because of the war, the investment attractiveness of Estonia’s entire economic environment has deteriorated. Energy prices, labor costs, transport, and other production costs have risen. Therefore, the only way to operate successfully in Estonia and maintain export potential is to focus on products with higher added value,” Opman said.

Currently, 22 people work at the Näpi plant, and about 130 in the entire company. Over 90% of production is exported to approximately twenty countries.