St. Petersburg, Russia, 25 August 2011 -- A new automated process control system has been introduced at the Ust-Ilimsk Branch of Ilim Group. The system was installed in the cooking and bleaching shops of the Branch's Pulp Line 1. Total investment cost is USD 1.5 million.

The goal of installing the new process control system by Yokogawa (Japan) is to replace the obsolete ABB system. This will increase the production output at PL-1, and improve the cooking, washing, and bleaching processes. Moreover, the new system will help reduce the consumption of chemicals and pure cold water and decrease the environmental impact on the Angara River.

The new process control system in PL-1 will allow the mill to control all production processes according to unified algorithms. This will significantly improve the manufacturing performance indicators and quality of the product.

The new Yokogawa automated process control system was installed as part of Ilim Group's investment project aimed at upgrading the washing area in Pulp Line 1. The upgrade project will also include replacement of the old liquor presses and improvement of the washing process flow.