UPM Pulp Matters 2/2023

F IBRE PHENOMENA W “We are moving towards reaching nominal capacity by the end of the year and then likely even pushing beyond it,” says Marko Sundqvist . The first pulp deliveries to customers were delivered in May. The UPM Paso de los Toros pulp mill has an annual production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of eucalyptus pulp. The mill represents the latest and best available technology, featuring best-of-class energy efficiency with minimal environmental impacts and optimised maintenance. The total USD 3.47 billion project – covering the mill and Montevideo port terminal as well as investments in the local infrastructure – marks the largest investment in UPM’s history. Sundqvist acknowledges that running the vast undertaking has required extremely diligent planning and vigorous execution.

The UPM Paso de los Toros pulp mill features best-of-class energy efficiency with minimal environmental impacts and optimised maintenance.

“The final push took place in mid-April as we began starting up various production departments,” says Sundqvist, a UPM veteran whose first stint in Uruguay was way back in 2006. EYE ON QUALITY During an intense six-week troubleshooting period, Sundqvist and his team made the final adjustments for the big kick off. “We got off to a good start and have been able to maintain the quality of the product from the beginning,” he says, adding that the pulp produced at the mill stands toe-to-toe with Fray Bentos, the other local UPM pulp mill, with regards to quality. Fray Bentos, of course, is a key reason behind the smooth sailing of the new mill – the expertise gained from launching and running Fray Bentos has proved invaluable at Paso de los Toros. “We have people working here that had their start as UPM employees 17 years ago with the Fray Bentos project.”

“OUR PULP MILL IS A CLEAR FORERUNNER IN GLOBAL, SUSTAINABLE PULP PRODUCTION.”

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PUL P MAT TERS 02/2023