Mercer International Inc. reports third quarter and nine months 2020 results

The Kuura textile fibre is produced in Äänekoski, Finland, at Metsä Spring and Itochu’s jointly-owned demo plant. The joint demo phase project, which is built around the Äänekoski demo plant, aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel production process and textile fibre product, from both a technical and economic standpoint. This advanced direct dissolution method saw its beginnings in a collaboration with universities and research institutions over a decade ago. The demo phase began in late 2020 and it is estimated to last approximately two years. “We are testing a novel way of producing textile fibres from undried pulp, based on safer and more environmentally friendly chemicals. Our project has now reached a point where we can shift our focus more on investigating the fibre’s market potential and its suitability in different applications. Our partner ITOCHU, which has operated in the textile industry for over 100 years already, plays a key role in this. The launch of the Kuura brand supports ITOCHU work at the customer front,” says Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of Metsä Spring.

Sales of $5.0 billion in the third quarter of 2021 increased 7 percent versus the prior year. In North America, organic sales increased 3 percent in consumer products and 16 percent in K-C Professional. Outside North America, organic sales were up 6 percent in developing and emerging (D&E) markets and were even with year-ago in developed markets. Third quarter operating profit was $657 million in 2021 and $666 million in 2020.

The energy-efficient tissue machine has a design speed of 1,300 m/min and a paper width of 2.85 m and produces high-quality tissue grades made of either 100% virgin or 100% deinked pulp (DIP). It is equipped with a 15 ft. steel Yankee with a PrimeDry Hood COMBO from ANDRITZ Novimpianti. The innovative hood design – a pressurized wet chamber heated with steam and a special dry chamber – enables highly efficient drying while saving energy. The scope of supply includes a separate DIP line (to be started up this month), a stock preparation system for LBKP/NBKP market pulp, an approach flow system, a fiber recovery and broke handling system, machine clothing by ANDRITZ Fabrics and Rolls, basic and detailed engineering, as well as process pumps for water and pulp. The entire line is equipped with an ANDRITZ PrimeControl automation package and an advanced multi-motor drive system.