Andritz has received an order from Mpact Operations (Pty) Ltd. to upgrade a pulping line at its Mkhondo Paper Mill in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

The upgrade will boost the line's capacity and improve the strength properties of the product. This will help the customer respond to the strong domestic and international demand for high-quality sustainable packing solutions.

Andritz will upgrade the entire neutral sulphite semi-chemical pulping (NSSC) line, which processes eucalyptus and pine to provide fluting and linerboard for the production of containerboard. The comprehensive Andritz solution comprises key equipment for the wood processing, cooking, washing and refining sections to increase the line's capacity from 225 bdmt/d to 365 bdmt/d and at the same time enhance product quality.

Andritz will also provide the supervision over the erection, commissioning, and start-up as well as the training of the operating personnel. Start-up of the upgraded line is scheduled for the first half of 2025.

The upgrade to the pulping line is part of the bigger mill upgrade project where Mpact announced in December 2022 the approval of a R1.2 billion (~ Euro 60 million) capital investment project at its Mkhondo Paper Mill. It forms part of Mpact's portfolio optimization and strategically positions the mill to meet the increasing demand for quality, sustainable, fresh produce packaging solutions driven by robust growth in the South African export fruit sector.

Mpact Operations (Pty) Ltd is the largest paper and plastics packaging manufacturer and recycling business in Southern Africa. It is an accredited manufacturer of recycled-based packaging and industrial paper grades, such as containerboard and cartonboard.