Espoo, Finland 18 December 2018 -- Valmet has received an order for a new baling line and a cutter layboy rebuild as part of the Vulindlela project at the Sappi Saiccor mill in South Africa. The start-up of the rebuilt cutter and the new baling line is scheduled for the third quarter of 2019.

The order was included in Valmet's third quarter of 2018 orders received. An order with this scope of supply is usually valued around EUR 4 million.

The overall targets for the Vulindlela project are to reduce the environmental footprint of the mill and to increase its total production from 783 000 ADt/a to 890 000 ADt/a.

"Valmet was selected as the supplier of this equipment for their cost effective and innovative solution that meets the required production rate," says Wayne Weston, Vulindlela Project Director, Sappi.

"We are pleased to receive this order from Sappi and see our long and good cooperation continue along with this project. This time we can also offer automation services close to the customer through our office in Durban, which we hope will add value to the overall project," says Ulf Thorén, Sales Manager, Wood and Pulp Handling Business Unit, Valmet.

Details about Valmet's delivery

Valmet's delivery includes a new cross cutter roll, new baling line machinery with a bale quality system. In addition, a bale quality system will be installed on the existing baling line. The existing conveyors between the cutter and the new baling line will be upgraded to fit the new production. The capacity of the new baling line will be 1200 ADt/d.

About the customer Sappi Southern Africa Ltd., Saiccor Mill

The Saiccor mill, situated 50 km south of the port of Durban in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, is one of the production facilities for Sappi Dissolving Wood Pulp. The mill has the capacity to produce approximately 800,000 tons per annum of Sappi Verve, its dissolving wood pulp (DWP) grade, mostly for export market. DWP is sold to converters to manufacture a wide range of consumer products, but in particular for viscose staple fibre (VSF) used in clothing and textiles.

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.

Valmet's net sales in 2017 were approximately EUR 3.1 billion. Our more than 12,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.