Veolia to deliver cutting-edge chemical recovery technology at one of the largest pulp mills in the world

The state-of-the-art chloride removal system is designed by Veolia Water Technologies to optimize the recovery process in the industry of transformation of hardwood cellulose into pulp for textile fibers and fine paper making.

Rising paper consumption in Asia and growing global demand for more environmentally friendly fibers for the apparel industry are driving the increase in pulp making capacity to convert renewable fibers into a variety of fine paper products and viscose staple.

In tropical Indonesia, the Riau province is a major hub for the forestry industry and is home to the operations of the Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Limited (APRIL) Group, the world’s second-largest producer of bleached hardwood kraft pulp.

APRIL-owned Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (RAPP) produces pulp of the highest purity at one of the world’s largest paper mills in Kerinci (Riau). As a result, RAPP performs pulping washing and cleaning steps which produce an organics-rich liquid stream. When this liquor is burned in the recovery cycle, it generates renewable power that helps the mill become energy self-sufficient. Over time, however, the process creates chloride and potassium accumulation which, if not tightly controlled, causes corrosion and boiler fouling increasing maintenance costs.

Hence, to prevent efficiency losses and boiler downtime, these chemicals need to be managed. To this end, Veolia will treat 550 tons per day of precipitator ash through its Enhanced Chloride Removal Process (ECRP™). Featuring best-in-class HPD® crystallization technology, this advanced system is designed to yield the best control of sodium recovery and chloride and potassium removal steps while minimizing energy consumption and related emissions.

“Once again, we are pleased to work with APRIL and build on the success we have achieved together over the years. Veolia’s chemical-saving HPD® technologies will be key components in the expansion of this important production site in Riau helping its pulping operations become more resource-efficient and sustainable” stated Jim Brown, CEO of Veolia Water Technologies Americas.

Through the continuous improvements in HPD® evaporation and crystallization systems, Veolia provides the safest, most-efficient solutions to pulp and paper mills around the world to further reduce their environmental impacts and create economic value derived from the responsible management of closed-loop industrial processes.