“The paper pulp market is growing globally, and now it will be possible for us to continue to grow together with our customers. The expansion at Södra Cell Värö is a measure which will reinforce our market position. We already supply high-quality pulp to a number of different customer segments, and we can now develop and underpin this. Our aim is to be the first choice for customers,” said Lars Idermark, Södra’s CEO.

Valmet and NCC have been selected as the main suppliers for the project. Valmet will be supplying a new continuous digester and upgrades to wood handling, the fibre line, evaporation plant, soda recovery boiler, causticisation, flashdryer, drying machine and baling. Pasi Laine, Group President of Valmet, took part in the ceremony. 

The expansion of Södra Cell in Värö will create 400 FTEs over a period of ten years. The investment will also create new job opportunities at the mill and 220 job opportunities within surrounding businesses. The expanded  mill is scheduled to start up in the autumn of 2016. This expansion involves increasing the current production capacity of 425,000 to 700,000 t/y of pulp .