VALMET will deliver a new high capacity chipping line and chip handling system to Sappi Southern Africa’s Saiccor mill at Umkomaas on the KZN South Coast.
The upgrade is aimed at increasing the chipping capacity, improving chip quality and minimising wood losses. The chipper will be delivered and installed at the end of 2018 and the start-up is planned for January 2019.
The order was included in Valmet’s third quarter 2017 orders received.
“Valmet’s high capacity drop feed chipper was found to be favourable for the new wood yard’s current and future mill capacity requirement,” said Ryno Eksteen, Senior Regional Project Manager at Sappi.
Jussi Taskinen, Manager, R&D, Product Portfolio & Strategy at Valmet said the company’s South African wood handling business continues to flourish.
“With our biggest drop feed chipper this project will be extremely important to us and we are delighted that Sappi once again trust our technology and capabilities. We look forward to working with the Sappi team,” Taskinen said.
The order consists of a chipping line with a Camura GS1300 chipper and chip handling with storing and screening, including machinery, commissioning, training and start-up supervision. Mechanical installation of the chipping line will also be carried out by Valmet.
The Saiccor mill, situated 50 km south of Durban, is one of the production facilities for Sappi Specialised Cellulose. It has the capacity to produce approximately 800 000 tons of elemental chlorine free (ECF) dissolving pulp (DWP) per annum, mostly for export market.
DWP is sold to converters to manufacture a wide range of consumer products, but in particular for viscose staple fibre (VSF) used in clothing and textiles.