Name of the Project
Project Vulindlela.
Location
Umkomaas, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Project Owner/s
Sappi.
Project Description
Sappi proposes to expand capacity and undertake various continuous improvement initiatives and upgrade projects at the Saiccor mill – collectively known as Project Vulindlela.
Vulindlela will increase the mill’s production from 780 000 t/y to 890 000 t/y of dissolving wood pulp. The projects will include a new evaporator, recovery boiler and screening and washing plant, as well as upgrades to bleach plant and pulp machines, improved recovery circuits and additional magnesium digesters.
Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to create significant job opportunities – during the peak of construction, between 1 800 and 2 100 contractors will work on site at a time.
Capital Expenditure
The project will cost R7.7-billion, which includes the capacity upgrade (R2.7-billion) and various environmental and continuous improvement projects (R5-billion).
The environmental projects constitute the majority of the total costs.
Planned Start /End Date
The project is scheduled for completion by mid-2020.
Latest Developments
Work has started on the project.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Andritz, Valmet, GL&V, ND Engineering, ABB, Karasek , Murray &Roberts, Franki and Stefanutti Stocks.
On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Sappi group corporate affairs head André Oberholzer, tel +27 11 407 8044 or email Andre.Oberholzer@sappi.com.