Expansion on the cards for Mondi

IN a bid to improve energy and water efficiency, decrease the consumption of fossil fuels and achieve compliance with legislated air quality emission standards, Mondi is implementing an expansion project which will see pulp production increase to over a million tonnes/annum from the current 770 000 tonnes.

The project will be implemented in two stages, the first being to increase production to 850 000 tonnes/annum.

This phase will begin next year and is set to be completed by mid-2020.

Phase two will be the increase of production to 1.015-million tonnes/annum.

Completion of phase two construction will be two or three years after the commencement of stage one.

Environmentally, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations have identified several project activities subject to a Basic Assessment (BA).

The project requires environmental authorisation from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), and approval of the amendment to Mondi’s existing Atmospheric Emissions Licence.

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Mondi’s need to increase production capacity is in response to the increase in demand for pulp and paper products.

A major component of the project is to replace recovery boiler one which is nearing the end of its lifespan.

The project will see the installation of new wood chipping and preparation equipment, upgrades to hardwood (eucalyptus) and softwood (pine) lines, upgrades to bleaching equipment, the replacement of two existing chemical recovery boilers, and upgrades to one paper machine and the installation of another.

A public meeting was held at which attendees were able to ask questions.

Concerned over the air quality and associated health conditions, Sandy Camminga of Richards Bay Clean Air

Association urged Mondi to clearly state that the upgrade is not merely about production, but also an improvement of conditions.

In response, Mondi’s Project Director Riaan Swart said the upgrades have been modelled on overseas plants they visited, which have experienced a decrease in public complaints.

Swart also said that Mondi’s normal conditions did not cause complaints. These arise from upset conditions.

‘If phase one is worse, then Mondi as a responsible entity will not continue to phase two without rectifying the problem,’ said Swart.

While the expansion will lead to an increase in truck traffic, Mondi said they may implement a 50/50 split between road and rail.

While water consumption will increase, Swart said the consumption per tonne produced will decrease and Mondi will remain below its allocation.

Capital expenditure for the project is estimated at 230-million Euros for phase one and between 180- and 200-million for phase two.

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