E & I project in South Africa

Automation and power equipment will help increase mill efficiency and lower fuel consumption

ABB has been awarded a large Electrification and Instrumentation (E&I) and Distributed Control System (DCS) order by Sappi Southern Africa.

ABB will engineer, procure and supply equipment for Sappi’s Ngodwana mill in Nelspruit (ZA). This scope forms part of Sappi’s Project Go Cell, which entails the expansion of the current mill for the production of chemical cellulose. This order follows ABB’s successful implementation of Sappi Saiccor’s Amakhulu project in 2007.

Among the products to be supplied are Medium Voltage switchgear, Low Voltage MCCs incorporating intelligent motor controls, Profibus intelligent instrumentation, Variable Speed Drives and ABB’s state of the art 800xA control system. These products will support the mill’s goals of increased efficiency and lower energy consumption.

Due to the size and complexity of the project and to meet Sappi’s project deadline, ABB will have an international team of Pulp and Paper composite plant experts from South Africa, Finland and Singapore work on this project. The project team will ensure the seamless installation and completion of the electrification and automation equipment in Sappi’s required timeframes (plant production is expected to begin in 2013).

Sappi Southern Africa is a global leader in the production of chemical cellulose, which is used in the production of a wide range of consumer products such as clothing, plastics, food and pharmaceutical products.

“ABB South Africa’s contribution to the expansion and modernization of Sappi Ngodwana is a proud achievement for ABB and a further testament of our capabilities in the Pulp and Paper for this giant player in the industry”, said Carlos Pone, CEO of ABB South Africa. “The project teams from the two companies will develop synergies and capabilities to benefit processes in the production of chemical cellulose at Sappi.”