ANDRITZ has handed over the UPM Paso de los Toros pulp mill in Uruguay to the forest industry company UPM. ANDRITZ supplied energy-efficient and environmentally leading technology for UPM’s largest investment to date. With a capacity to produce 2.1 million tons of eucalyptus pulp per year, the mill is the biggest in Uruguay and the world’s biggest single line mill in operation. It will also contribute around 1 TWh of surplus green electricity per year to the Uruguayan power supply.
“Our new world class mill boosts our pulp production capacity by over 50%. It represents the latest and best available technology that ensures highest performance at minimal environmental impact and optimized maintenance,” said Aki Temmes, EVP, UPM Fibres Business Area. “Our collaboration with ANDRITZ throughout the project was excellent.”
UPM will use the pulp from the Paso de los Toros mill to meet the rising demand of existing customers, particularly in China, but also to target new markets. Having successfully established itself as a reliable pulp supplier in the Asia-Pacific region and in Europe during the last decade, UPM is now using this experience, as well as the increased capacity, to develop the North American market.
ANDRITZ supplied the complete mill, with core equipment manufactured at ANDRITZ’s production facilities in Finland, Sweden, Austria and China. The scope of supply included a wood processing plant, a fiberline, a pulp drying system, an evaporation plant, a white liquor plant, a HERB recovery boiler to maximize steam production for power generation, a biomass power plant, a biosludge drying system and all the process pumps for the mill. UPM also concluded a maintenance contract with ANDRITZ for the entire mill process areas.
The exceptional project management is emphasized by the fact that despite the challenging restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the project has experienced only minor delays.
“We are very happy that UPM entrusted us with this milestone project and look forward to continuing our support in maintaining the mill. Our goal is to assist customers in maximizing the performance of their plants throughout the entire life cycle,” said Joachim Schönbeck, CEO of ANDRITZ.
UPM today operates two eucalyptus pulp mills in Uruguay. The mill in Fray Bentos, which started operations in 2007, was also supplied by ANDRITZ. With the Paso de los Toros project, ANDRITZ solidifies its leading position as a supplier of complete pulp mills. In addition to the pulp mill, UPM’s overall investment included a deep-sea port terminal, a new eucalyptus tree nursery and investments in the local facilities.
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