Chemical company Kemira has completed the expansion of its sodium chlorate production line in Joutseno, Finland. The company invested around €50m ($59m) in the project, which doubled the site's production capacity. Kemira is the largest supplier of pulp and paper chemicals globally, and the expansion will help it meet increasing demand from the industry. The project employed 200 people during construction.
The first production line for sodium chlorate started in Joutseno around 40 years ago and the latest expansion announced in March 2016 was finalized slightly ahead of the planned schedule. Kemira is globally the biggest supplier of pulp and paper chemicals, and the global leader in the chemical water treatment in Europe and USA.
Kemira invested approximately EUR 50 million in the new production line which is among the biggest manufacturing site investments in Finland made in recent years. In addition, it is South Karelia’s second-largest industrial project in 2016–2017. The construction project employed 200 people during the most active construction phase.
The new production line for sodium chlorate uses Kemira’s own patented technology, and the new expansion nearly doubled the manufacturing site’s production capacity. Daily, about 10 sodium chlorate trucks leave the site to Finland and abroad.
“This investment strengthens Kemira’s position as the leading chemical supplier for the pulp & paper industry globally. The consumption of bleaching chemicals is increasing due to the recent pulp mill expansions and the announced greenfield projects in the Nordics. We want to be ready to serve our growing customer industry even better now and in the future” says Kim Poulsen, President, Pulp & Paper segment.
”Kemira will turn 97 this year. During these almost 100 years, we have gained extensive knowledge and technology to serve our customers in the best possible way. The Joutseno expansion is one example of our know-how and of our long-term commitment to serve the pulp and paper industry. Our goal is to be the most customer oriented company in the industry and we want to be the first choice in chemistry for our customers” continues Poulsen.
>> Welcome to our new plant in Joutseno (YouTube video)