Kemira, Finland has been awarded a startup contract at Pro-Gest Mantova in Italy, the only greenfield containerboard machine in Europe in recent years. Kemira will supply the startup with all water treatment and wet end chemistries in line with its Total Chemistry Management (TCM) concept. The contract is for three years. Start-up of the machine is scheduled for the second half of 2017, and the production capacity will be 550,000 metric tpy of high-quality lightweight recycled board.

 

"Kemira is proud to have the opportunity to participate in the new Pro-Gest Mantova board machine start-up," said Kimmo Strengell, marketing manager, strength products export manager, Kemira Pulp & Paper EMEA. "Our TCM model makes chemistry management carefree in all different phases of the mill lifecycle – from start-ups and conversions to day-to-day operations. With our expertise, service capability, and broad portfolio of board making chemistries, we are able to support Pro-Gest in reaching the desired quality and productivity targets of the new board grade."

Francesco Zago, GM and shareholder of Pro-Gest, said that "we are convinced that Kemira is the most capable partner for Pro-Gest to handle the chemistry on the board machine during the start-up period. The whole team is very excited about the close cooperation in this high capacity and high quality board machine start-up."

Pro-Gest is a leading integrated producer of packaging in corrugated board, active in all fields, from the collection of raw materials to packaging production. It operates in eight Italian regions with 22 production sites, employing more than 1,100 people. In 2016 Pro-Gest generated a consolidated annual turnover of EUR 435 million.

 

Kemira is a global chemicals company serving customers in water-intensive industries. It provides expertise, application know-how, and chemicals that improve customers' product quality, process, and resource efficiency. The company’s focus is on pulp and paper, oil & gas, mining, and water treatment. In 2016, Kemira had annual revenue of around EUR 2.4 billion and 4,800 employees.