NORTH CAROLINA (From news reports) -- Arauco announced that it will be closing its particleboard line in Moncure, N.C., as of April 2020. Arauco's Moncure medium density fiberboard (MDF) line will be integrated with a moulding line to create an advanced MDF millwork operation.

"The decision to close a line is difficult and we are working diligently to provide options for impacted personnel, including the new positions created at the millwork facility," said Pablo Franzini, president of Arauco North America. "We will continue to serve particleboard customers with our other platforms. Additionally, the new investment will strengthen our millwork footprint to better serve our customers."

The decision was based on an assessment over several years that the older manufacturing platform was less competitive in a challenging marketplace compared to the company's other particleboard platforms, reports the company.