Sappi Saiccor dissolving pulp mill nears startup

BRUSSELS, July 11, 2008 (RISI) - Sappi is close to bringing a new pulp line on stream at its Saiccor dissolving pulp mill in Umkomaas, near Durban, South Africa. The $460 million investment will boost the plant’s capacity from 600,000 tonnes/yr to 800,000-850,000 tonnes/yr.

Andritz provided the bleaching, evaporation and pulp drying equipment for the new 300,000 tonne/yr line. At the same time, some older, calcium digesters, with a total capacity of 75,000 tonnes/yr, are being decommissioned, to give a net increase in output of some 225,000 tonnes/yr.

Most of the components are now online and Sappi is currently putting the finishing touches to the project, which should be completed next week. The company expects to start commercial production toward the end of the month. The rebuild will also result in environmental improvements, such as a reduction of the mill’s reliance on fossil fuels and an improvement of wastewater quality.