Metso delivers 3,000 valves for world’s first, second generation bioproduct mill
Finland based industrial manufacturing company Metso has supplied 3,000 valves and related devices for Metsä Fibre’s new bioproduct mill. It marks one of Metso’s biggest valve orders in Finland, and will also see the company provide a comprehensive maintenance and replacement parts service.
In 2015, Metso was selected as the main supplier of the bioproduct mill’s valve solutions.
"Metso not only has strong expertise in selecting valve solutions to meet the requirements of pulp mill processes, it also has a wide product selection as well as tried and true, reliable solutions for flow control," said Timo Merikallio, Project Director, Bioproduct Mill Project, Metsä Fibre, in a press release.
Metsä Fibre's new bioproduct mill is set to be the largest investment in Finnish forestry history, with a total value of EUR 1.2 billion. Once completed, the mill located in the central Finnish town of Äänekoski will be the world’s first next generation bioproduct mill. As well as producing approximately 1.3 million tons of pulp per year, the new mill will produce a range of other bioproducts, such as tall oil, turpentine, bioelectricity and wood fuel.
Such an ambitious undertaking requires reliable valves. "The collaboration between the equipment and process suppliers must be seamless; the operating experiences of the parties have been utilised during technical specifications. In terms of the process control needs, the valves must operate in the optimal operating range so that we can achieve the desired production efficiency targets," Merikallio said.
The order signed with Metso will see spare parts inventory for all essential valves available in the mill’s warehouse.
"Reliable flow control solutions can contribute to the operational reliability of production, a reduction in water consumption, energy efficiency, and minimised emissions. Valves selected specifically for each process increase the new mill's efficiency and achieve business advantages. We are proud that we have been able to participate in building the next-generation bioproduct mill in Äänekoski," said Mika Sjöholm, Vice President, Valves business line, Metso Flow Control business area, in the press release.
