Fortress Paper Ltd. has ramped up production of dissolving pulp at its Fortress Specialty Cellulose mill in Thurso, Que., to an average of approximately 92%. In recent weeks, the mill had averaged approximately 83%.
The mill commenced production of dissolving pulp at the end of 2011 and has been steadily improving its production efficiency and technical capabilities. Following initial delays, the mill recently took scheduled periods of downtime to eliminate process constraints.
Fortress reports that the dissolving pulp being produced is meeting customer specifications and shipments to viscose customers located in China are increasing in volume.
Chad Wasilenkoff, CEO of Fortress Paper, commented that the mill is well on its way to achieving the top quartile cost structure forecast by management, once its cogeneration facility is fully operational.
The co-gen plant is under construction, and expected to start up in 2013.
source: pulp&paper Canda