Name and Location
Renewable sugar extraction demonstration plant project, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Client
Sappi.
Project Description
The project involves the construction of a second-generation sugar extraction demonstration plant to explore and optimise the extraction of renewable biochemicals. The plant will extract hemicellulose sugars and lignin from Sappi’s existing dissolving pulp line.
The sugars platform will include beneficiation to higher-value organic acids, glycols and sugar alcohols which have application in many everyday products. The plant is the precursor to Sappi’s consideration of the construction of commercial plants at its dissolving wood pulp mills.
The plant will also be used to improve the dissolving-wood-pulp manufacturing process.
The products from the demonstration plant will assist in developing various beneficiation options for the different dissolving-wood-pulp lines operated by Sappi.
Value
Not stated.
Duration
Start-up of the new plant is scheduled for the beginning of 2017.
Latest Developments
Sappi has entered into an agreement with leading global supplier Valmet for the construction of the plant.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Valmet (construction contract).
On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Sappi group head of corporate affairs André Oberholzer, tel + 27 11 407 8044 or email Andre.Oberholzer@sappi.com .