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Catalyst upgrading recovery boiler at Rumford mill

Catalyst Paper has announced an investment of nearly $16 million in the Rumford pulp and paper mill in Maine. It will constitute the company’s single largest maintenance expenditure in 2015.

Catalyst Paper has announced an investment of nearly $16 million in the Rumford pulp and paper mill in Maine. It will constitute the company’s single largest maintenance expenditure in 2015.

Approximately $11.4 million will be invested in various maintenance projects including upgrading the Rumford mill’s Recovery Boiler C. This includes the complete replacement of the 35-year-old generating bank. An additional $4.5 million in capital investments will be made in the second quarter of 2015, with $1.8 million being invested in Q1.

The company said the Rumford mill is exposed to significant seasonal energy cost fluctuations, and with record cold in 2015 resulting in higher-than-average first quarter energy costs of $3.0 million. The planned maintenance projects are expected to maximize the overall operation and reliability of Recovery Boiler C, leading to improved energy efficiency and reduced energy costs to help mitigate future seasonal energy cost exposure.

“Today’s announcement reflects the strategic investments we’re making in our recently acquired US assets to accelerate operational excellence improvements that will ultimately deliver enhanced performance and results,” said Joe Nemeth, president and CEO.

Catalyst expects the replacement of the generating bank and additional, related maintenance work at the Rumford mill will be complete by May 30.

Catalyst Paper manufactures diverse printing papers and market pulp at five mills across North America. For more details about Catalyst Paper’s purchase of the Rumford and Biron mills, see the May/June edition of Pulp & Paper Canada, here.