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West Fraser announces $37-million Hinton Pulp upgrade of boiler and pulp machine

VANCOUVER, B.C. — West Fraser will proceed with an energy efficiency upgrade of the pulp machine at its Hinton Pulp operation in Hinton, Alta. The project, which is expected to cost approximately $37…

VANCOUVER, B.C. — West Fraser will proceed with an energy efficiency upgrade of the pulp machine at its Hinton Pulp operation in Hinton, Alta. The project, which is expected to cost approximately $37 million, will be funded with credits earned under the Canadian government’s Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program.

PPGTP funding will be used to install new components and upgrade an existing boiler and pulp machine in order to increase energy efficiency and renewable electricity generation at the mill. Combined, these capital improvement projects will produce more than 10,000 megawatt hours of additional green power per year. These projects will also enable the mill to reduce its natural gas consumption by more than 112,000 gigajoules per year and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 5,600 tonnes annually.

“The upgrades to the recovery boiler and pulp machine will allow the mill to produce more green power, reduce its natural gas consumption, and lower its carbon footprint. The successful completion of these projects is an important step for Hinton Pulp in improving its overall competitiveness and long-term outlook,” said Brian Grantham, general manager, Hinton Pulp.

As a result of this project and other initiatives, pulp production is expected to increase to 420,000 tonnes, returning the mill to levels achieved when it ran two production lines.