Valmet to Supply Recausticizing Upgrade to Russia


Espoo, Finland 24 May 2016 -- Valmet will deliver a recausticizing upgrade to Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper mill in Novodvinsk, Russia. The upgrade includes both technology and automation deliveries. Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper is rebuilding the plant to increase capacity and replace obsolete equipment. The start-up of the delivery is scheduled for the fall 2017.

The order was included in Valmet's first quarter 2016 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed. An upgrade with this scope of supply is usually valued below EUR 10 million.

"The project is the second stage of bleached pulp production upgrade in order to increase the capacity. The first stage included the replacement of old drum washers and installation of three Valmet TwinRoll presses was successfully completed in 2015. The goal of the rebuild is to increase white liquor production, which will be followed by installation of an oxygen delignification plant in the future. The obsolete equipment will be replaced as well during the project", says Pavel Smirnov, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Arkhangeslk Mill.

"The rebuild will make possible to increase the capacity of the plant and reduce the considerable maintenance that is required today. The delivery is especially exciting since it is the first time we deliver our new generation lime mud disc filter - OptiDisc. The design will increase work safety and ensure mill runnability", says Thomas Malmqvist, Sales Manager at Valmet.

Technical details about the delivery

The delivery includes technology for the recausticizing plant consisting of cooling, slaking, white liquor filtration and lime mud washing & drying. In addition to main machinery and auxiliary equipment, the order also includes automation instruments related to machinery motors and a DCS process control system. The new design of the lime mud disc filter gives access to bearings and seals from outside the vessel, which makes maintenance easier and improves safety. With the new design the lifetime of the main shaft is doubled.

About the customer Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper

Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill is one of the leading wood chemical mills in Europe. Its main shareholder is Pulp Mill Holding GmbH. The company is the major container board manufacturer and one of the leaders in Russian pulp production. The company specializes on production of bleached sulfate pulp, board including uniliners, different paper grades, and copy-books.

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.

Valmet's net sales in 2015 were approximately EUR 2.9 billion. Our 12,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.