Demand for Kemira's calcium sulphate pigment in the paper industry has been increasing heavily. To meet with the higher level of demand, Kemira will make an investment of EUR 10 million at Siilinjärvi to expand the calcium sulphate pigment plant and to make improvements at the connected energy plant. The new production line for calcium sulphate pigment will raise the plant's total capacity from 110,000 tonnes a year to 150,000 tonnes a year. The new production line will be operational early next year.
The production technology for calcium sulphate pigments has been developed by Kemira, and the product is unique in the world. Calcium sulphate is used as raw material, and it is gained as a by-product from Kemira GrowHow's production plant. The new production line will make it possible for Kemira to supply paper plants with pigment qualities which are specially made on the basis of our customers' changing needs. At the same time safe delivery times can be kept.
Calcium sulphate pigments, sold under their brand name CoCoat, are used for coated printing paper to improve the brightness, opacity and printability of paper. Calcium sulphate also facilitates the production of lighter paper as it has a lower density level compared with other pigments. In addition to coating pigments, Kemira produces calcium sulphate pigments used as fillers in paper. These products are produced and sold in Spain under the trade names Calpak and Oparex.
The share of mineral pigments in papers is constantly growing as paper grades become increasingly advanced. It has been estimated that the global annual growth rate of paper pigments will be 3-4 % over the next ten years.
Pulp & Paper Chemicals is one of Kemira's core business areas. In addition to coating pigments, Kemira offers its pulp & paper customers a wide variety of products and services, from pulp bleaching through the wet end to coating. The net sales of Pulp & Paper Chemicals totals approx. EUR 570 million, and the SBU employs approx 1,700 persons.
For further information, please contact:
Kemira Oyj
Pulp and Paper Chemicals
Juha Savolainen, Vice President
Pigments business unit
Tel. +358 (0) 10 862 1832, gsm +358 (0)50 387 6216