Italy’s Burgo Group to convert graphic paper line to containerboard

Finland-based Valmet Oyj has announced it will supply and help undertake a paper machine grade conversion rebuild for Italy-based Burgo Group S.p.A., at that firm’s mill in Verzuolo, Italy.

As part of the project, an originally Valmet-supplied paper machine known as PM 9 and related stock preparation systems currently producing lightweight coated (LWC) paper grades will be rebuilt to produce recycled-content containerboard grades.

The project is part of Burgo Group’s plan to focus on containerboard grades and to continue its diversification strategy, ranging from publishing to packaging, from printing paper to paper for corrugators. The start-up of the rebuilt machine is scheduled for the end of 2019.

“Valmet and Burgo have had a long and successful cooperation over the years at the Verzuolo mill,” says Jari Vähäpesola, president of the Paper Business Line at Valmet. “By having all the process equipment, process automation and mill engineering from one supplier, [it] binds it all into one. This assures a very good flow of information, a reliable project schedule, short installation time and an energy-efficient operation. Valmet’s expertise on grade conversions [is] a great asset for Burgo, and that this paper machine was originally supplied by Valmet in 2001, so we know it well.”

Valmet’s delivery includes a new old corrugated containers (OCC) handling line and major modifications to the existing paper machine. The OCC line, an OptiRefiber recycled fiber line, contains two bale handling and vertical pulper systems, cleaning and screening systems with fractionation and disc filters for short and long fiber lines. It also includes a new reject handling system for OCC rejects. Modifications to the existing paper machine include a headbox rebuild, modifications to the forming section, press section and pre-dryer section, a new after dryer section with a high humidity hood, modifications to the size press, a continuous cooking system for surface size starch and the relocation of the existing reel.

The project also includes related air systems, a large Valmet paper machine clothing package and changes to the automation including machine control, quality management, and process control and condition monitoring systems.

PM 9 will have an annual production capacity of 600,000 metric tons. The cost of Valmet’s order for the Burgo mill will not be disclosed, though Valmet indicates “the total value of an order of this type is typically around €40 million to €60 million ($46.8 million to $70.1 million).

Burgo Group is a producer of graphic and specialty paper, and soon containerboard, involved in pulp and paper production, distribution, processing of forestry products, factoring and energy. The group employs more than 3,600 people and has 11 plants in Italy and one in Belgium, with 16 paper machines. In 2017, Burgo Group produced more than 2 million metric tons of paper and had a consolidated turnover of more than €2 billion ($2.34 billion).