Paper Excellence Award Fund at Vancouver Island University

International technology group ANDRITZ has successfully improved performance of the pulp mill at Mondi Frantschach by implementing new advanced process controls. The target was to reduce the variability of Kappa, an indication of the lignin content in the pulp, in order to run the process a step closer to its maximum specification limits. This measure leads to higher production efficiency in the mill because less wood is needed to produce the same amount of pulp. As part of the optimization project, ANDRITZ Automation commissioned and fine-tuned three advanced process controls (APCs) in Mondi´s continuous cooking process. The controls implemented, including the chip level control for digester and impregnation vessel, the digester H-factor control (kinetic model for the rate of delignification in kraft pulping) and the blow-flow consistency control, were fully developed with Metris X – the distributed control system (DCS) developed by ANDRITZ Automation to simplify operational complexity, lower project risk, and improve plant performance. Metris X is a key application of the Metris UX Platform, a state-of-the-art digitalization platform that enables full functionality and support for industrial plants throughout their entire life cycle.

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. At Mercer, we’re committed to being part of the solution. We believe technology and innovation can help get us there. For us, accountability means that we are accountable individually and have a responsibility to our partnerships. We contribute and take ownership beyond our job descriptions. This definition is broad and multifaceted, but like our other values, accountability is in everything we do. We’re a producer of green energy, a partner in healthy forest practices, and innovators working to advance cleaner technology. We take these roles seriously. Every day, we strive to build a more sustainable, resilient future for us all. In 2021, Mercer Celgar is embarking on a capital investment project to upgrade our existing woodroom. This project has a total cost of $31.4 million, of which $4.5 million is funded through Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program. Completion of the woodroom upgrade project will improve the competitiveness of the pulp mill operation, reduce emissions, improve fibre utilization, and create local jobs during the construction phase.

January–September 2021 (1–9/2020) •Sales were EUR 4,457 million (3,698). •Operating result was EUR 652 million (279). Comparable operating result was EUR 694 million (274). •Result before taxes was EUR 616 million (242). Comparable result before taxes was EUR 658 million (236). •Comparable return on capital employed was 16.4% (7.0). •Net cash flow from operations was EUR 596 million (361). July–September 2021 (7–9/2020) •Sales were EUR 1,515 million (1,245). •Operating result was EUR 273 million (116). Comparable operating result was EUR 278 million (115). •Result before taxes was EUR 263 million (103). Comparable result before taxes was EUR 267 million (102). •Comparable return on capital employed was 18.8% (8.8). •Net cash flow from operations was EUR 222 million (158).