SO Modular installs biomass boiler at timber frame facility

UK timber frame manufacturer SO Modular has installed new machinery at its facility in South Wales, including production lines, a treatment tank and a biomass boiler.

The development of the facility in Neath began in April 2020 and is set to open at the end of the summer. Once completed, with all the new machinery installed and running, the site will immediately be able to expand from its current production capacity of 500 homes per year to 3,500 homes per year on a single shift.

SO Modular’s manufacturing facility will also be a zero-carbon, sustainable site, creating several skilled employment opportunities in the local area. The new machinery is considerably more efficient in terms of speed and energy usage. It will also produce less waste and will contribute towards us sustainably manufacturing low carbon homes.

The new machinery includes a treatment tank, production lines, a biomass boiler, a Hundegger TURBO-Drive II Saw, a vertical saw, and a factory blow insulation machine. The biomass boiler will ensure waste timber is used to reheat the facilities and prevent it from being sent to landfill. As well as heating the factory and offices, the boiler is also used to dry treated timber in SO Modular's new in-house treatment tank, helping to reduce fuel costs and aiding the company in its goal to create a sustainable, renewable process for timber frame manufacturing.

Charlotte Hale, operations director at SO Modular, said: “We’re very excited to announce the purchasing and acquirement of new machinery, with the help of the IHP Tai Tarian loan.

“These new, efficient machines will go a long way in aiding us to establish a state-of-the-art, sustainable manufacturing facility in Wales. Furthermore, this acquirement will allow us to create new jobs in the area and provide even more affordable, low carbon homes to help the UK meet zero-carbon targets, protect the environment and address the country’s need for affordable housing.”