Kemira, a global leader in the manufacture of high quality wet strength resins, supplied under the FennoStrength name, celebrates the one-year anniversary of the best-in-class manufacturing site located in Villatuerta and known as the Estella site. The celebrations took place on May 17th, 2018 with customers and government officials joining the event.
Strength technologies, including wet strength, are critical in manufacturing paper and board and the strength chemical market is growing. The market also demands for high performance differentiating technologies as well as compliance with stricter environmental regulations. Kemira has consistently been investing into the development of new strength technologies and into modern manufacturing sites, most recently in wet strength resin production at Äetsä, Finland (2015), in dry strength resin production at San Giorgio, Italy (2015) and last year at Estella (2017).
"This anniversary marks an important milestone for Kemira - says Mr. Tommi Kankkunen, VP of Manufacturing. Thanks to a multi-million investment and dedicated efforts from R&D, this state of the art facility with a large production capacity now produces a highly efficient wet strength resin."
Kemira's investments in manufacturing are complemented by investments in R&D, resulting in a successful outcome for the new wet strength offering. "We are proud to announce first deliveries of high solids wet strength resin in response to the current market demand. And in anticipation of the upcoming E.U. regulatory restrictions, lowering the limit of adsorbable organic halides (AOX) in the effluent, a new low AOX FennoStrength resin was developed with first deliveries taking place already in June," reports Dr. Vladimir Grigoriev, Sr. Manager, Applications & Marketing.
After recent developments, the Estella site now offers a complete portfolio of wet strength resins with dedicated lines also for the latest product generations geared towards the most stringent regulatory profiles. Moreover, high performance Yankee coating adhesives are also produced at the site. "A focus of the Estella site," adds Mr. Roberto Zulian, Director of Tissue Sales, "is also directed towards the demands of the tissue industry, which include the needs for creping adhesives. The new R&D developments in this area and established manufacturing at Estella have addressed the tissue industry wishes for a complete Yankee coating portfolio with the most up-to-date regulatory profile. We are well positioned now to deliver our customers the strength aids and Yankee coating technologies they desire."
"We are excited about the one-year anniversary, says Mr. Anibal Cermano, Site Manager. This investment demonstrates a strong commitment to our customers and partners. We appreciate the support given by the local authorities in the surrounding communities and the Navarra Government."