Features Equipment & Systems Pulp
Domtar upgrades evaporator train at Ashdown

Domtar has contracted Valmet to supply equipment for an evaporator train upgrade at the company’s Ashdown mill in Arkansas, with the aim of significantly reducing energy consumption and fresh water usage. The upgrade will also improve reliability and performance of the evaporator train.

The upgraded evaporator train is scheduled to begin operation in the fourth quarter of 2015. The value of the order was not disclosed.

“Domtar selected Valmet for this project because of the technology proposed for the upgrade, total cost of ownership considerations and the successful long-term relationship we have with Valmet,” said Jimmy Evans, strategic contracts manager for Domtar.

Raymond Burelle, regional sales manager for Valmet, said the chosen technical solution will provide a system that is simpler and safer to operate.

Valmet will supply new evaporator vessels, the components needed to upgrade the existing concentrators as well as several other smaller vessels and other miscellaneous equipment.

Domtar’s Ashdown mill has three pulp lines and three paper machines. The mill’s annual paper production capacity is 680,000 tons and pulp production capacity 700,000 tons.