As part of the KZN International Investment Conference, the Sappi Saiccor mill in Umkomaas recently hosted a high-level delegation from the office of the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube. The MEC was accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Ethekwini, Councillor Belinda Scott and KZN Trade & Industry (TIKZN) Chairperson, Ms Ina Cronje.
The Sappi Saiccor mill recently hosted a high-level delegation from EDTEA.
Speaking on behalf of Sappi Southern Africa, the CEO, Alex Thiel welcomed the delegation to the mill, stating that Sappi Southern Africa was honoured to be included in the main programme of the 2020 South African Investment Conference in KwaZulu-Natal and to showcase the investment programme worth R7.7-billion at Sappi Saiccor Mill, known as Project Vulindlela.
The programme was first announced during the inaugural Presidential Investment Conference in 2018, when it supported President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for significant investment into the South African economy.
The combined R7.7-billion investment is aimed at increasing capacity and global competitiveness, significantly reducing the environmental footprint of the company and upgrading equipment and processes to achieve productivity improvements at its Saiccor Mill in Umkomaas. Not only will fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions be halved, SO2 emissions will be reduced by 37%, water use efficiency will improve by 17% and waste to landfill reduced by a massive 48%.
This while increasing the mills’ capacity by 110 000 t/y and creating additional future permanent employment for 120 people and saving the company at least R300-million per annum through improved and more efficient processes.
These are all excellent advantages for the company, but there are other winners too – like the province of KwaZulu-Natal which will earn an additional R1-billion per annum of direct benefit to the economy. The construction phase of the programme, which will conclude towards the end of 2021, is creating employment for about 2 000 people, with 1 670 employees from the local communities surrounding the mill already having benefited through the Vulindlela on-boarding facility.
Environmentally, Sappi recognises the science of climate change and acknowledges the role it needs to play in reducing its emissions. Upon completion of this project the company will be better placed to meet its future emission reduction targets which are aligned with the global Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) objective to limit the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2.0 °C or 1.5 °C.
Sappi exists to build a thriving world by unlocking the power of renewable resources to benefit people, communities and the planet. By using a renewable resource such as wood fibre to manufacture a versatile and necessary product such as dissolving pulp (DP) - the core product made at the Saiccor mill – the company believes that it is fulfilling its purpose.
DP is mostly used to make viscose fibres for use in textiles, offering a sustainable and renewable alternative. Viscose is a versatile and beautiful fabric that is highly moisture-absorbent and cooler on the skin. It is luxurious and soft to the touch and also drapes very well, which are reasons why fashion houses are moving away from other fabrics. Besides textiles, higher cellulose content DP is used in a myriad of other application – from industrial products such as the cord used in tyres, rayon staple for high-quality fabrics, non-woven applications in healthcare, disposable industrial products, acetate, microcrystalline and other speciality products.
The Vulindlela project will increase the mill’s production of DP from 780 000 to 890 000 t/y. The expansion and upgrades will include a new evaporator, recovery boiler, screening and washing plants, as well as upgrades to the bleach plant and pulp machines, improved recovery circuits and additional magnesium digesters.
Sappi’s focus remains to conclude the capacity expansion and related items projects at Saiccor Mill. Progress is very good after the interruption of the COVID-19 lockdown. With the concomitant delay the capacity expansion project is now expected to be completed around June/July 2021, along with substantial completion of the other related modifications.
The upgrade to Pulp Machine 4, consisting of the screening plant, extended nip press, baling line and a winder upgrade have now been successfully completed, commissioned and are now in operation.
