Kemira, Finland, has been awarded a startup contract in the "Flying Eagle" project of Kotkamills mill in Kotka, Finland. During the project, the current magazine paper machine (PM 2) will be converted into a high performance food service board (FSB) machine. 

Kemira will supply the startup with sizing, retention and drainage, board hygiene, and microbe control technologies. The startup of the rebuilt machine is scheduled for June 2016, and the production capacity will be 400,000 metric tpy of high quality Nordic folding boxboard and recyclable barrier board for the food industry. 

"Kemira is proud to have the opportunity to participate in the new Kotkamills board machine startup," said Kimmo Strengell, marketing manager, Kemira Strength & Tissue Additives, Pulp & Paper EMEA. "With our expertise, service capability, and broad portfolio of board making chemistries, we are able to support Kotkamills in reaching the desired quality and productivity targets of the new board grade." 

Kemira microbe control programs ensure hygienic quality of the food service board. Hygienic quality control is critical for FSB machines. If the final board doesn't meet the expected hygienic quality standards, converters can reject the whole production. Optimal retention and drainage programs are a prerequisite for improved runnability, productivity, and board quality. Kemira sizing technologies are applied to control liquid resistance and to improve the printability of the board.

By converting the paper machine to packaging boards, Kotkamills secures its position as a globally significant manufacturer of forest industry products. Kotkamills' BCTMP (Bleached Chemi-thermomechanical Pulp), high-quality Nordic folding boxboard, and recyclable barrier board products are suitable for various types of end-use applications, such as frozen, chilled, and dry food, beverages, cup-stock and plates, confectionery, pharma, and cosmetics. The Flying Eagle contract will further strengthen the long-lasting and strong partnership that utilizes core strengths of both parties. 

Kotkamills’ pulp and paper operations consist of the new board machine BM 2 (PM 2) and Absorbex paper machines PM 1 and PM 7, as well as corresponding pulp lines—CTMP (Chemi-thermomechanical Pulping) for board, RCF (recycled fiber), and sawdust kraft for PM 1, and PM 7. Laminating paper capacity of the two machines is 200,000 metric tpy. In addition, Kotkamills has a 200,000 cubic meter/yr. sawmill and two impregnation machines, which utilize approximately 25,000 metric tpy of laminating paper in vertical integration.