Inside Algeria’s First Continuous Particleboard Plant

Why It Matters

The plant reduces Algeria’s dependence on imported wood panels and signals a maturing local manufacturing base, while strengthening Dieffenbacher’s position in the fast‑growing African market.

Key Takeaways

• Ghamoud launched Algeria’s first continuous particleboard line.
• 13‑metre Dieffenbacher CPS+ press produces 100,000 m³/year.
• Project delayed six years due to COVID supply chain issues.
• Plant targets domestic demand, reducing reliance on imports.
• Dieffenbacher now operates three CPS+ lines in North Africa.

Pulse Analysis

Algeria’s wood‑panel sector has long been dominated by imports, leaving the country vulnerable to price volatility and supply bottlenecks. By establishing a continuous particleboard line at El Eulma, Ghamoud not only creates a reliable source of domestically produced panels but also supports downstream furniture and construction industries that rely on consistent material quality. The move aligns with broader North African strategies to localize value‑added manufacturing and curtail trade deficits linked to raw‑material imports.

The heart of the new facility is a 13‑metre Dieffenbacher CPS+ press, engineered for a throughput of 100,000 cubic metres per year. Integrated with flaking, drying, gluing, forming and sanding modules, the line delivers a fully automated workflow that mirrors European standards. Although the order was placed in October 2019, COVID‑related logistics and component shortages pushed installation into early 2024, extending the project timeline to six years. Dieffenbacher’s partnership with its Shanghai‑based subsidiary SWPM facilitated the handover, underscoring the German‑Chinese collaboration that is increasingly common in heavy‑industry equipment supply.

Dieffenbacher’s expansion across Algeria and Egypt now totals three CPS+ installations, reflecting a strategic push into the continent’s emerging wood‑panel market. The technology’s scalability makes it attractive for family‑owned firms like Ghamoud, which prioritize budget discipline while seeking entry‑level automation. As more North African producers adopt continuous lines, the region is poised to become a net exporter of engineered wood products, reshaping trade flows and creating new opportunities for ancillary services such as logistics, maintenance and raw‑material sourcing.