Valmet will supply an extensive board machine rebuild and automation solution for machine and quality control to the ITC Bhadrachalam mill in India.
The rebuilt production line (PM1) is planned to produce high-quality lightweight coated board with a wide range of produced grades. The start-up of the rebuilt machine is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2017.
The order is included in Valmet's second quarter 2016 orders received. Typically, a project of this type and scope is valued at EUR 30 - 40 million.
"ITC has been the pioneer in Indian paper industry for introducing folding box board of international quality standards. Our investment in a state of the art paperboard machine PM 4 from Valmet way back in 1997 changed the experience of Indian printing industry. Selecting Valmet as partner for the new PM1 rebuild project is in line with our focus on enhancing the customer experience while aligning with the philosophy of "triple bottom line" i.e. for improved environmental, economic and social factors. With the support from Valmet, we will be introducing globally best available technology into this machine. I am sure that our customers are going to benefit immensely out of this project," says Sanjay Singh, CEO of ITC Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division.
"Long term relationship with the customer forms a solid base for this project - another machine PM 4 at the site is Valmet-delivered and Bhadrachalam values it as their flagship board machine. Energy and raw material savings were among the most important issues that were discussed in the negotiations of this new rebuild project. High quality furnish combined with our latest technology and automation and with the competence of ITC personnel give a good base for enabling an excellent end product. The rebuild will enable ITC to be among the best folding boxboard producers globally when it comes to lightweighing or improving bulk - leading directly to raw material savings," comments Petri Paukkunen, Vice President, Sales and Marketing from Valmet.
