Arkhbum Tissue Group Mulls Further Expansion of Vorsino Mill

Arkhbum Tissue Group, part of Russia’s Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill (APPM), is mulling further expansion of its Vorsino tissue mill in the Kaluga region.

The firm held an inauguration ceremony for its new tissue machine, which has been ramping up since its launch back in in January, in mid-September. In a statement marking the event, APPM board of directors member Vladimir Kupchak said that the firm had already begun construction work for the planned second stage of the plant’s expansion, which will see the installation of another machine and increase production at the site to 140,000 mtpy. In addition to the Rouble 8.5 billion ($112 million) investment, Krupchak said a third expansion was under consideration.

While the timeline for a third expansion has not been determined yet, the company representative said it would be a “clone” of the second phase, would cost a further Rouble 8.5 billion and would increase the mill’s total capacity to 210,000 mtpy.

A tender to select an equipment supplier for the second stage of the project is ongoing, according to the firm.

The Vorsino mill is expected to reach its current target capacity of 140,000 mtpy by the end of 2021 or beginning of 2022.

Around half of the plant’s production will be sold on the domestic market, and around 50 percent, will be exported to Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the company said.

Currently, the company also sells finished products under its own Soffione brand name in Russia, and countries of the former Soviet Union as well as eastern and western Europe. It also supplies paper towels and toilet paper to large Russian retail chains and is also targeting the rapidly growing demand in the HoReCa segment.

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