Displaying items by tag: Rottneros

A new high consistency bleaching system was started up according to plan at Rottneros pulp mill in Sweden on September 19, 2016. The start-up was smooth and the 48 hours test run was approved.

The bleaching system is the first step in a larger rebuild project, called Agenda 500, at the mill. The long term goal is to increase both availability and the total production volume of Rottneros two pulp mills to reach a capacity of 500,000 ton per year.

2016 10 26 103021

A part of Valmet's team during start-up in front of the screw presses. From left: Zhi Ping, Technical Sales Manager, Lars Spjuth, Start-up Manager and Kim Rökman, Service Engineer showing pulp samples before and after the new bleaching tower.

"The check-out and start-up of the plant went beyond expectation, as you want it to do, and we have already been able to lower the peroxide charge. We are very satisfied with the equipment we have bought and it looks promising for the future. We will now continue to ramp up production," says Jan Viper, Project Manager at Rottneros mill.

"This has been a great project, well organized by Rottneros. Having all instruments and surrounding connections prepared made a fast start-up possible. Commissioning took only three days. When we started the project, the time table was very tight, but in the end we were actually ahead of schedule. This is the first installation of the FKC screw presses in Europe, so this is a good reference case for us," says Lars-Olof Larsson, Project Manager at Valmet.

About Valmet's bleaching system for mechanical pulp

Bleaching is part of the pulp production process. In bleaching the brightness of the pulp in a mechanical pulping line is increased by peroxide. The new bleaching system consists of a chemical mixer and a bleaching tower, two washing stages with screw presses, and medium consistency pumps. Before the bleaching tower the pulp is washed and pressed to a high consistency. Bleaching in high consistency gives an effective bleaching reaction and less chemicals are needed.

About the customer Rottneros

Rottneros produces market pulp and has an annual production capacity of just under 350,000 tonnes of pulp, produced at two mills in Sweden. In 2014 Rottneros employed around 250 people, the majority in Sweden and had sales amounting to approximately SEK 1.5 billion. Rottneros' shares have been listed on what is now Nasdaq Nordic, Stockholm since November 1987.

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.

Valmet's net sales in 2015 were approximately EUR 2.9 billion. Our 12,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

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Wednesday, 19 October 2016 22:36

Rottneros appoints Monica Pasanen as new CFO

Rottneros has appointed Monica Pasanen as new CFO of the Group. She succeeds Krister Lindgren, who has been interim CFO since 2013.

rott logo ppwMonica Pasanen most recently comes from Stora Enso, where she is responsible for Supply Chain within the business unit Consumer Board. She has more than 20 years of experience in various management positions in both the financial and the sales & marketing area of Stora Enso and Bulleh Shah Packaging (Pvt) Ltd Pakistan. She will take office no later than 1 February 2017. Krister Lindgren will continue as CFO until then.

It is very gratifying that Monica Pasanen has accepted the post as CFO of Rottneros. She is a strong leader with an extensive experience in international forestry products. With her background in both finance and sales & marketing Monica will become a key figure in developing Rottneros within the framework of our growth strategy. Simultaneously, I would like to thank Krister Lindgren for the important work he has done for Rottneros since he took office in 2013, says Lennart Eberleh president and CEO of Rottneros.

Rottneros is an independent producer of market pulp. The Group comprises the parent company Rottneros AB, listed on NASDAQ Stockholm, and its subsidiaries Rottneros Bruk AB and Vallviks Bruk AB with operations involving the production and sale of market pulp. The Group also includes the wood procurement company Rottneros Baltic SIA in Latvia. The Group has just over 260 employees and had a turnover of approximately SEK 1.8 billion in the 2015 financial year.

For further information, please contact:

Lennart Eberleh, President and CEO Rottneros AB (publ), +46 270-622 65

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Friday, 09 September 2016 12:43

Per Lundeen new Chairman of Rottneros

The Board of Rottneros has decided to appoint board member Per Lundeen as new Chairman until the Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2017. Rune Ingvarsson has for personal reasons decided to leave the post as Chairman.

rott logo ppwIn conjunction with Rune Ingvarsson's decision to resign as Chairman, but remain as a member of the Board, Per Lundeen has been elected by the Board as new Chairman until the AGM 2017. Per has been a member of the Board of Rottneros AB 2013 - 2015 and from the AGM 2016. Between November 2014 and 31 August, 2016, Per Lundeen was CEO of the Rottneros Group.

Together with the Board, Rune Ingvarsson and Per Lundeen have developed Rottneros into a profitable and financially strong company. Per accepting the role as Chairman of the Board ensures that the Group continues to develop in line with the established strategy aimed at long-term profitable growth.

The Board would like to thank Rune Ingvarsson for the valuable work he has done for the Rottneros Group and is pleased that he will continue as a member of the Board and thereby put his extensive expertise and industry knowledge to the Group's disposal.

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Rottneros Packaging AB and Rottneros Bruk AB are participating in a new project, PULPACKTION, to develop completely bio-based packaging trays.

rott logo ppwPULPACKTION is a project funded by the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking within Horizon 2020, the EU program for research and innovation, and involves 12 partners within the Union. The total scope of the project is just under SEK 120 million and is financed to 74 percent by the EU. Rottneros, with its vast expertise in the manufacturing of special pulp and moulded fibre trays will get the biggest part of the budget, approximately 25 million, and will therefore also be the coordinator of the project. In addition to project coordination, Rottneros will lead work streams within the tray moulding and pulp development. The project will begin 1 October 2016, and runs for four years.

Rottneros Packaging is already leading in trays made of fibre and has a great knowledge of the development of these. The packages produced by Rottneros today are mainly bio-based. With the innovation project PULPACKTION the objective is to develop a completely bio-based packaging at a competitive price, and thus contribute to a more sustainable development in the packaging industry.

The Board of the Rottneros Group has also made a strategic decision to grow in the area of ​​sustainable packaging. The initiative is a way to meet the increased demand for fossil-free products and is an important part of the Group's growth ambitions.

Rottneros is an independent producer of market pulp. The Group comprises the parent company Rottneros AB, listed on NASDAQ Stockholm, and its subsidiaries Rottneros Bruk AB and Vallviks Bruk AB with operations involving the production and sale of market pulp. The Group also includes the wood procurement company Rottneros Baltic SIA in Latvia. The Group has just over 260 employees and had a turnover of approximately SEK 1.8 billion in the 2015 financial year.

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Comments by the President  

A strong quarter despite lower prices

rott logo ppwThe Rottneros Group reports a strong first quarter. Corrective measures within the scope of our development programme Agenda 500 continue to bear fruit, in the form of increased efficiency and a steadily rising pace of production. Both mills report good profitability. The impact of the action programme is emphasised by the strong results for the quarter, despite lower prices in both USD and SEK. The average of published prices for NBSK pulp fell by 13 per cent in USD and 11 per cent in SEK, compared with the first quarter last year.

  • Profit after net financial items amounted to SEK 69 million (103) for the first quarter of 2016.  
  • Cash flow before investments totalled SEK 29 million (62). Rottneros is debt-free and at the end of the quarter, cash and cash equivalents totalled SEK 159 million (116).  
  • Net turnover for the first quarter was SEK 432 million (454).  
  • NBSK pulp price quotation continued to decline and was USD 792 on the average during the first quarter. Denominated in SEK, the quotation was 11 per cent lower than in the first quarter of 2015 and 4 per cent lower than in the fourth quarter of 2015.  
  • Production volumes in the first quarter increased by 1 per cent and delivery volumes by 2 per cent, compared with the same period last year. Growth was limited to some degree by production disturbances at Vallvik Mill.  
  • During the quarter, it was decided that a new energy- and emission-efficient biomass boiler would be installed at Rottneros Mill. Following the investment, energy consumption at both mills will for all practical purposes be fossil-free.  
  • The Board of Directors has appointed Lennart Eberleh as new President and CEO of Rottneros AB. He will take up his post on 1 September 2016.  
  • The Board of Directors has resolved to increase its proposed dividend for 2015 and recommends that the Annual General Meeting approve an ordinary dividend of SEK 0.30 per share and an extra dividend of SEK 0.20 per share, i.e. a total dividend of SEK 0.50 per share.

Production volumes in the first quarter increased by 1 per cent compared with the same period in 2015. Growth was limited to some degree by production disturbances at Vallvik. However, production there improved gradually during the quarter and a new monthly record was set after the quarter in April.

Our market remains stable and prices for long-fibre sulphate pulp are showing signs of an upturn since the end of the quarter. Several major players have announced price rises. With our plans both to expand in selected niches and to further improve efficiency we have a strong position from which to move forward.

High investment activity
The current year is dominated by an intensive focus on investments within the Agenda 500 programme. In all, the Group is investing more than SEK 250 million over the year, in capacity expansion, energy efficiency, product quality and environmental improvements. The investments are highly value-creating and the investment amount is relatively evenly spread between the two mills. Installations under these investments will for the most part take place during the autumn maintenance shutdowns.

The Board has also allocated SEK 98 million to Rottneros Mill for a new biomass boiler, which is due to be commissioned at around mid-year 2017. Energy consumption at the mill will become entirely fossil-free and at the same time energy efficiency will increase substantially. As part of the investment we will also remodel the mill’s energy system to bring about major energy and environmental gains. Overall, it is estimated that this highly value-creating investment will result in annual savings of around SEK 25 million.

Solid balance sheet creating sound platform for extra dividend
The Group’s solid finances and the Board’s objective of improving the Company’s capital structure are the basis on which the Board recently revised its dividend proposal. Under the proposal, the Company will pay an extra dividend of SEK 0.20 per share for 2015, in addition to an ordinary dividend of SEK 0.30. At year-end, the Company was debt-free, had a substantial liquidity reserve and reported an equity/assets ratio of 76 per cent. As a result of the proposed extra dividend, Rottneros’ capital structure will be improved.  

New President and CEO Another important event during the quarter was the appointment of Lennart Eberleh as new President and CEO. He has more than 20 years’ experience of a variety of management positions in the paper industry, and will continue the work of implementing the Agenda 500 programme and further advancing Rottneros’ world-leading position in specialised pulp. He will take up his post on 1 September 2016.

Per Lundeen

(For the complete interim report click pdf link below)

Q1_2016_Rottneros_AB_ENG_4761e.pdf

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The Board of Rottneros AB (publ) has decided to increase the dividend proposal and propose to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of 0,30 SEK per share and an extra dividend of 0,20 SEK per share, i.e. a total dividend of 0,50 SEK per share.

rott logo ppwThe Board has previously proposed an ordinary dividend of 0,30 SEK per share, announced in the year-end report for 2015, published February 12, 2016, and in the profit allocation proposal in the Annual Report for 2015, published March 21, 2016.

The background of the increased proposal is the positive development of the Group during the past two years, resulting in a very strong balance sheet with a high equity ratio. At the end of 2015, the company was debt-free with a large liquidity reserve and the equity ratio was 77 percent. The proposed extra dividend improves Rottneros’ current and future financing and capital structure and the rate of return on capital employed will increase. The Board's long-term objective is to transform the company's financial structure through increased borrowing.

The Board believes that the Group's very strong financial position enables continued investments and expansion of the operations and that the increased dividend therefore is defensible.

Decision regarding dividend will be made at the Annual General Meeting May 20, 2016.

For further information, please contact:

Rune Ingvarsson, Chairman of the Board of Rottneros AB (publ), +46 70 288 79 76 Per Lundeen, President and CEO of Rottneros AB (publ), +46 70 518 33 47

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rott logo ppwLennart Eberleh most recently comes from BillerudKorsnäs where he is head of the business area Corrugated Solutions, one of BillerudKorsnäs’ three business areas. Lennart has more than 20 years of experience in various management positions within the paper industry, including in Stora, Billerud and BillerudKorsnäs. Lennart has a M.Sc. in Engineering from the Technical University of Braunschweig.

Many of us have followed Lennart's success over the years, and we are very pleased to have recruited a person who has both substantial expertise in the paper industry as well as solid experience of business acumen, says Rune Ingvarsson, Chairman of the Board of Rottneros AB.

Lennart is definitely the right person to continue the work with our long-term industrial plan, Agenda 500, and to develop Rottneros' strategy further. It feels very good to hand over to him, says Per Lundeen, acting President and CEO.

Lennart Eberleh will take office no later than October 1, 2016. Until then, Per Lundeen will continue as CEO. Per took office as CEO in November 2014 after serving on the Board of Rottneros AB since 2013.

We are very grateful for the work that Per has performed. Under his leadership, Rottneros has developed into a very profitable and financially strong company. We are also delighted that Per will make himself available for further work as a member of the Board of Rottneros AB, says Rune Ingvarsson.

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Rottneros’ Board of Directors has granted Rottneros Mill to invest SEK 98 million in a new energy and emission efficient biomass boiler. It will replace fossil oil as the energy source used to dry pulp in the mills flash dryers. The investment will also lead to large parts of the mill’s energy system being rebuilt, which will increase energy efficiency significantly. The detailed planning work has begun and the new biofuel boiler will be completed and put into use around mid-2017.

rott logo ppwRottneros Mill produces two different kinds of high yield pulp for paper producers, CTMP and groundwood pulp, and has for many years used oil to dry the pulp. When the new biomass boiler is completed, the biomass will replace all oil used today, and the mill's energy consumption will thus be entirely fossil-free. The new biomass boiler has an effect around 18MW and will replace an older biomass boiler. Supplier of the new boiler will be selected in the near future.

When we’re now investing in a new biofuel boiler, we will also optimize and rebuild our energy system at the mill. It will result in significant energy efficiency improvements and environmental benefits in terms of lower emission levels. The extents of the savings are at least SEK 25 million per year, says Olle Dahlin, CEO of Rottneros Mill.

The capacity-increasing investments Rottneros Mill has previously been granted, within the framework of the Group's strategic development and action plan Agenda 500, in combination with the new biofuel boiler will solidify Rottneros Mill’s position as a world class manufacturer of CTMP and groundwood, says Per Lundeen, President and CEO of Rottneros AB.

For further information, please contact:

Olle Dahlin, CEO of Rottneros Bruk AB, +46 703 66 73 00

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valmet logoValmet will deliver a new high consistency bleaching system to Rottneros pulp mill in Sweden.

This is the first step in a larger rebuild project, called Agenda 500, at the mill. The longtime goal is to increase both availability and the total production volume of Rottneros two pulp mills to reach a capacity of 500,000 ton per year.

Planned delivery time for the bleaching system is in July 2016.The order is included in Valmet's fourth quarter 2015 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed. Typically an order of this scale is valued at around euro 2-4 million.

"In our investment project we aim to increase capacity and lower our chemical consumption. We have had a long and good relation with Valmet over the years, which is one of the reasons for choosing them as supplier," says Nils Hauri, Production Manager at Rottneros mill.

"Valmet's bleaching system offers high availability with low operational cost, including energy and chemical consumption and maintenance costs. We are convinced that this bleaching system will live up to all expectations in this project," says Johan Eurenius, Sales Manager at Valmet.

Details about the delivery

Valmet's delivery includes machinery and erection, training, commissioning and start-up services. The new high consistency bleaching system consists of a chemical mixer and a bleaching tower, two washing stages with screw presses and mc pumps. This project aims to lower the peroxide consumption, increase capacity and keep maintenance costs to a minimum.

About the customer Rottneros

Rottneros produces market pulp and has an annual production capacity of just under 350,000 tonnes of pulp, produced at two mills in Sweden. In 2014 Rottneros employed around 250 people, the majority in Sweden and had sales amounting to approximately SEK 1.5 billion. Rottneros' shares have been listed on what is now Nasdaq Nordic, Stockholm since November 1987.

For further information, please contact:

Johan Eurenius, Sales Manager, Fiber Processing, Pulp and Energy Business Line, Valmet, tel. +46 70 592 55 29

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. Valmet's vision is to become the global champion in serving its customers.

Valmet's services cover everything from maintenance outsourcing to mill and plant improvements and spare parts. The strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bio-energy production. Valmet's advanced automation solutions range from single measurements to mill wide turnkey automation projects.

Valmet's net sales in 2014 were approximately EUR 2.5 billion. Our 12,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.

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Wednesday, 13 January 2016 10:19

Vallvik Mill granted a new environmental permit

rott logo ppwRottneros' subsidiary Vallviks Bruk AB has on January 12th been granted permission by the Land and Environment Court in Östersund to produce the requested 255,000 tons of sulphate pulp. It is a comprehensive permit under the Swedish Environmental Code, which is associated with a number of conditions, which are broadly in line with the company's previously stated position.

"The new permit will ensure that we can continue with our long-term industrial plan, Agenda 500 and increase the capacity of both our mills. The permit also ensures that we can continue to develop the company and our organization,” says Per Lundeen, CEO of Rottneros.

For further information, please contact:

Per Lundeen, CEO of Rottneros AB, +46 70 518 33 47

Rottneros is an independent producer of market pulp. The Group comprises the parent company Rottneros AB, listed on NASDAQ Stockholm, and its subsidiaries Rottneros Bruk AB and Vallviks Bruk AB with operations involving the production and sale of market pulp. The Group also includes the wood procurement company Rottneros Baltic SIA in Latvia. The Group has around 250 employees and had a turnover of approximately SEK 1.5 billion in the 2014 financial year.

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