Merebank looks to add value

Mondi Merebank Mill, located on the outskirts of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa has invested in high-end cut-size production. Mondi Shanduka Newsprint is responsible for running PM 42 and PMs 31,32,and 33 are the province of Mondi Business Paper South Africa (MBPSA). PM 32 produces offset 60-110 g/m2 paper that is made into folio sheets. PM 33 makes 80 g/m 2 offset paper for cut-size sheeting. The mill has invested &euro179 million, which is aimed at reducing mill's specific power consumption and at cutting water consumption by an estimated 10%. Merebank has started up a new sheeting line, cut-size line 5, to complement the replacement of PM 31. The 14-pocket line is capable of churning out 210 reams/min and with an integrated palletizer that can pack boxes on 13 different pallet types. Mondi has also installed a new flue gas desulfurization plant whose coal-fired boiler has resulted in SO2 emissions being reduced by 66% to less than 3 tonnes/day.