Commenting on the decision, the CEO of Sappi Southern Africa, Alex Thiel, said that "this is a significant development for Sappi Southern Africa and confirms the confidence that the company has in this region. The project will see various enhancements and changes to the mill, all aimed at further improving its prospects as well as improving its environmental footprint. The current bleached hardwood paper pulp capacity will be converted to produce chemical cellulose. Of special significance will be the replacement of the current bleach plant with a new process that will be chemically more efficient and will generate less effluent."
S.W. Engelbrecht, GM of the Ngodwana mill, noted that "we are all very excited by the faith shown in the mill and its people to help grow Sappi's business and of course the project, for which planning and consultation originally started in 2003, is a major boost for the local economy. As regards the environmental footprint of the mill, the project will further reduce mill odor, and improved efficiencies from new equipment will mean burning 61,000 metric tons less coal per year, which equates to 120,000 metric tons fewer carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, total mill effluent will significantly reduce and the revised project will require 200,000 metric tons less timber per year and 18,400 fewer trucks on the road compared with what was anticipated in the original project ."
Sappi is the world's largest manufacturer of chemical cellulose. Currently its Chemical Cellulose Division supplies customers around the world from the Sappi Saiccor Mill in Umkomaas, KwaZulu Natal but, in response to growing customer needs, it will also in the future supply customers from the Ngodwana Mill after being modified to also produce chemical cellulose.
TAPPI
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