2820 Chapter 23 



• The higher production capacity (short press cycle) of the dry process for 

 the 7/16-inch siding significantly lowers the unit labor, supplies, admin- 

 istration and depreciation costs. 



• The total unit manufacturing cost is slightly lower for the wet process 

 than for the dry process. 



These estimates are based on cost levels in the United States in 1975. Further 

 increases in oil costs since 1975 may have shifted the picture even more towards 

 the wet process. For these reasons most dry process plants currently produce 

 medium density siding — high quality products that are cost competitive. For 

 additional data on the economics of a wet-process SIS siding plant, see section 

 28-30. 



Table 23-6. — Estimated capital costs for wet- and dry-process hardboard plants in 1 975 



(FAO 1976; Vajda 1976) 



Item Wet process' Dry process" 



Thousand dollars 



Equipment (including design engineering) 



Woodyard 800 800 



Fiber preparation 1 ,730 2,400 



Forming and pressing 4,570 4,780 



Heat treatment and humidification 2,880 1 ,560 



Finishing 650 650 



Auxiliary equipment 2,050 1 ,620 



Electrical 1,410 1,330 



Installation and construction management 4,200 3,260 



Subtotal 18,290 16,400 



Site preparation and buildings 



Site preparation and services including effluent 



treatment 2,000 750 



Building structures 3,850 2,950 



Subtotal 5,850 3,700 



Mobile equipment 250 250 



Freight, duty, and taxes (allowance) 1 ,100 1,100 



Contingency and escalation allowance (10 percent) .... 2,500 2,100 

 Siding priming and finishing line, including buildings, 



installation and engineering 2,700 2,700 



Total capital costs 30,690 26,200 



'26-opening press, 2,438 x 5,486 mm platen size; daily production of 200 metric tons of 3-mm 

 board or 222 metric tons of 1 1-mm board. 



^24-opening press; 1,524 x 5,486 mm platen size; daily production of 185 metric tons of 3-mm 

 board or 277 metric tons of 1 1-mm board. 



