Norske Skog Brings New TMP Plant on Stream at Halden Mill

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Norway’s Industry Minister Monica Mæland officially opened the new thermomechanical pulp (TMP) plant at Norske Skog Saugbrugs in Halden, Norway, this past week. Norske Skog has invested NOK 220 million (approximately $36.73 million) in an expansion and renewal of the TMP pulp plant. The old pulp plant has been replaced by a modern facility that will supply pulp to the paper machines at a much lower cost.

Cost savings consist mainly of lower energy and pulp consumption and lower maintenance costs. Increased use of wood pulp in the paper will also improve quality. Enova has subsidized the project with NOK 50 million, because of the significant energy savings from the project.

"Investment in the new pulp plant gives increased competitiveness through a significant improvement in energy efficiency. We are doing this as part of efforts to maintain the continued operations at Saugbrugs. We wish in particular to thank Enova, which has given significant financial support for this project," said Norske Skog President and CEO Sven Ombudstvedt.

"This is an exemplary project. By adopting this technology, Norske Skog will become a world leader in energy-efficient pulp production. We support improved energy efficiency in industry because such projects are essential to strengthen the reliability of supply in Norway," said Enova CEO Nils Kristian Nakstad. "We support energy and climate solutions that contribute to reduced energy consumption and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. With such projects, Norske Skog has become a spearhead in its efforts to create a greener industry in Norway, and we look forward to new projects."

Norske Skog Saugbrugs has 520 employees. The mill has an annual production capacity of 530 000 metric tons of magazine paper.

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