Andritz has increased the efficiency and cut costs at a Brazilian pulp and paper mill for the firm Suzano, which in the São Paulo state of the same name.
The project began operations in 2015 and is replacing existing batch digesters and one continuous digester. The new device cuts costs by reducing the amount of natural gas consumed while improving the quality of the pulp create, according to Andritz. The cooking time yield is increased, which cuts costs while increasing output of bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK). At full production, 55,000 metric t/a is produced. That is an increase of 33,000 metric t/a over the legacy system, according to Andriz.
Pulp mills are not thriving everywhere, however. WMTV.com reported late last month that the pulp mill in Old Town, ME will be closed down at the end of the year by Expera Specialty Solutions. Expera president and CEO Russ Wanke blamed the decline of the Canadian dollar exchange rate and a glut of pulp. Maine Governor Paul LePage said that pulp mills in the state are having trouble due to the high cost of energy.