With a capacity to produce 2.1 million tons of eucalyptus pulp per year, the mill is the largest in Uruguay and the world’s biggest single line mill in operation. It will also contribute around 1 TWh of surplus green electricity per year to the Uruguayan power supply.
Andritz supplied the complete mill, including a wood processing plant, a fiberline, a pulp drying system, an evaporation plant, a white liquor plant, a HERB recovery boiler, a biomass power plant, a biosludge drying system and all the process pumps for the mill. UPM also concluded a maintenance contract with Andritz for the entire mill process areas.
“Our new world class mill boosts our pulp production capacity by over 50%. It represents the latest and best available technology that ensures highest performance at minimal environmental impact and optimized maintenance,” said Aki Temmes, EVP, UPM Fibres Business Area. “Our collaboration with Andritz throughout the project was excellent.”
UPM will use the pulp from the Paso de los Toros mill to meet the rising demand of existing customers, particularly in China, but also to target new markets. Having successfully established itself as a reliable pulp supplier in the Asia-Pacific region and in Europe during the last decade, UPM is now using this experience, as well as the increased capacity, to develop the North American market.