PR Rolls carried out the modernization of the drying section at Sappi group’s Ngodwana mill.

The project involved the drilling, grinding, and coating of nine drying cylinders in the first drying group. All tasks were completed on-site without removing a single cylinder from the machine. Four cylinders were converted to VAC rolls.

"All nine cylinders were ground and coated to enhance durability and corrosion resistance. The vacuum cylinders were also balanced for the designed speed of the paper machine," says Jani Westerlund, CEO of PR Rolls.

PR Rolls carried out the ten-day project with a team of nearly 30 employees. Staff participated from the company's locations in Finland, Estonia, and Indonesia.

"This was a very significant project for us in terms of scale, as it involved executing multiple work phases simultaneously. The actions taken primarily improve the operational reliability of the board machine, which translates to improved profitability," says Jani Westerlund.

The Ngodwana mill, part of the Sappi Group, is an integrated pulp and paper production facility that has been operational since 1966. The mill has grown organically, producing pulp for its own use and manufacturing corrugated cardboard and newsprint for local and export markets. Additionally, the mill produces dissolving pulp for the export industry.

Photo: Sappi Group's Ngodwana mill in South Africa.

Photo: The landscape of South Africa offered much interesting scenery.