https://www.engineeringnews.co.za
Business|Logistics|Packaging|Paper|Service|Technology|Packaging
Business|Logistics|Packaging|Paper|Service|Technology|Packaging
business|logistics|packaging-company|paper|service|technology|packaging

Sappi starts work on developing furfural pilot plant

17th February 2021

By: Marleny Arnoldi

Deputy Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

JSE-listed paper and packaging manufacturer Sappi says it has made progress in the development of its biorefinery capacity.

The company confirmed in a release on February 17 that it will build a pilot plant using technology developed in-house to prove the feasibility of a future commercial furfural plant.

The plant will be located at Sappi’s Saiccor Mill, in KwaZulu-Natal, and use the co-product of the dissolving pulp process – hemicellulose sugars.

Sappi says the pilot plant should be operational early in 2022 and, pending successful results and further approvals, Sappi may build a commercial furfural plant at the mill.

“We are happy with the progress being made by our biorefinery team. Biomaterials and biochemicals are integral to Sappi’s strategy of extracting maximum value from wood fibre as a natural resource.

“We have taken a significant step towards generating meaningful revenue from this new business segment,” states CEO Steve Binnie.

Sappi Biotech executive VP Louis Kruyshaar adds that furfural is a sustainably sourced biochemical with a variety of established and future market uses, including resins, solvents and platform chemicals to replace oil-based chemicals.

Additionally, the cost advantages offered by Sappi’s scale mean that Sappi will have a globally competitive cost base for furfural production, what with the commercial plant potentially being co-located at the mill.

The company will also be able to leverage its competencies in logistics and customer service to support global customers, thereby earning additional foreign exchange and supporting the country’s balance of trade.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

Showroom

Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East

Weir Minerals Europe, Middle East and Africa is a global supplier of excellent minerals solutions, including pumps, valves, hydrocyclones,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Yale Lifting Solutions
Yale Lifting Solutions

Yale Lifting Solutions is a leading supplier of lifting and material handling equipment in Southern Africa. Yale offers a wide range of quality...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.1 0.153s - 139pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now