SCA began production at the expanded Östrand pulp mill in Sweden. The company will investing SEK 7.8 billion ($881 million) in the operation and the project is on budget and schedule.
SCA decided in 2015 to invest in an increased production capacity at the Östrand pulp mill – from 430,000 tonnes to about 900,000 tonnes of bleached softwood kraft pulp (NBSK). Following an extended maintenance stop, which began in April of this year, the expanded pulp mill is now in operation.
Production capacity in the expanded pulp mill is expected to increase successively during 2018 and 2019. 2020 is therefore expected to be the first year with full production, corresponding to 900,000 tonnes.
“Just over 1,000 days after starting the project on August 28, 2015, after a great effort from all involved to deliver the project according to the plan, the new plant is in operation,” says Project Director Ingela Ekebro. “Our focus now is on calibrating the plant to quickly achieve full production and high product quality.”
Based in Sweden, SCA produces solid-wood products, pulp, kraftliner, publication papers and renewable energy.
