Strength Grading: Grup Boix builds new CLT plant with a complete MiCROTEC strength grading solution

In 2025, Grup Boix decided to expand their product portfolio from pallets to CLT panels for construction. As part of this strategic move, the company built a new factory from the ground up and chose MiCROTEC as the scanner supplier for this greenfield project. All the logs for this factory, mainly Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Black pine (Pinus nigra), are locally sourced, coming from within a 100 km radius of the factory.

In addition to the main CLT line, the factory includes a separate line for timber grading. Here, every board that arrives is classified according to its strength properties before being processed into CLT panels. Grup Boix has integrated a complete MiCROTEC strength grading solution in this line, enabling local grading along the entire length of each board rather than assigning a global grade based on an average value of each board.

This full-length grading approach allows for precise cross-cutting based on actual board quality. Sections that are not suitable for structural use can be removed, while lower-grade areas can be cut out to improve the overall grade. As a result, each board can be optimized for maximum value, leading to higher overall yield.

The heart of the strength grading line is a Goldeneye scanner. It evaluates each board based on both visual and internal characteristics. Visual grading is done using proprietary color cameras that assess surface properties. Internal quality is analyzed using X-ray technology, detecting features such as knots.

The strength grading line also includes various MiCROTEC inline components. First, an Endscan looks at the year rings of each board. Then, the M3 Scan checks the moisture content of the boards, ensuring that they are all in the same target range. Next, the Warpscan measures the board’s geometry and its degree of warping. Lastly, the Viscan measures the modulus of elasticity of the boards to ensure that they don’t bend excessively.

The complete strength grading solution is certified in accordance with European standards. As the wood species used by Grup Boix had not previously been certified by MiCROTEC, this required a dedicated certification process tailored to the project. MiCROTEC worked closely with the customer to develop and validate grading models for both Scots pine and Black pine, ensuring accurate and reliable strength classification.

The certification covers sorting for Scots pine and Black pine individually, as well as mixed species. In addition, it applies to wood sourced from the Catalan Coastal Range and the Pyrenees, not only in Spain but also in France and Andorra.

“MiCROTEC technical service has always been up to the task, through every single stage of the project” says Josep Ferrer, Head of Production, about the collaboration with MiCROTEC.