UPM Pulp Matters 2024

FIBRE PHENOMENA

The UPM Paso de los Toros pulp mill has been created as an efficient single-line operation representing state-of-the-art design in the industry.

T he UPM Paso de los Toros pulp mill achieved an important milestone in the first half of this year when it reached full nominal capacity – a month before its first scheduled maintenance shutdown in June. With an annual production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of eucalyptus pulp the mill increases UPM’s pulp capacity by more than 50%. According to Marcos Battegazzore , VP Pulp and Forestry Operations at UPM Uruguay, the first 18 months in operation have been an intensive period, requiring a steep learning curve. All activities and services including subcontractors along the entire

“WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THE MILL.” value chain – from tree nurseries and harvesting to maintenance and logistics – are now up to speed. “The start-up and ramp-up periods of a pulp mill are kind of a discovery phase where you find out which things were perfectly implemented during the design and installation phases, and where there is need for adjustments and improvements. We are now in the normal running phase and looking forward to seeing the full potential of the mill,” Battegazzore says. He adds that the shutdown was a complete success, and the overall stability of the mill has been at very good level after starting up again. “Maintenance shutdowns are important in securing stable, safe and environmentally sound operations. We have continued to develop and fine-tune our production and have been running consistently even above the designed capacity for the last few months,” Battegazzore notes.

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PULP MATTERS 2024