Kemira has successfully started up its new sodium chlorate production line in Joutseno, Finland

Kemira has finalized its approximately EUR 50 million investment into a new sodium chlorate production line in Joutseno, Finland. The production of sodium chlorate as well as customer deliveries have started, well ahead of the original schedule. Full capacity is expected to be achieved by the end of the year.

The new production line is based on Kemira's proprietary in-house technology and it will significantly increase Joutseno site's current sodium chlorate capacity. Sodium chlorate is the raw material for chlorine dioxide (ClO2), which is produced on-site at the pulp mills and it is the primary bleaching agent for kraft pulp.

"The consumption of bleaching chemicals is increasing due to the recent pulp mill expansions and the announced greenfield projects in the Nordics. We are ready to respond to the new demand and can now even more effectively serve our customers with high quality products for many years ahead.

Our strategy is to grow faster than the market and to strengthen Kemira's position as the leading chemical supplier for the pulp & paper industry, and our investment in Joutseno supports these targets", says Kim Poulsen, President, Pulp & Paper segment.

After the accomplishment of the expansion, Joutseno site is employing 80 persons and produces a wide range of chemicals for pulp and paper industry.

For more information, please contact
Kemira Oyj
Kim Poulsen, President, Pulp & Paper
Tel. +358 50 387 2063
Tero Huovinen, Communications
Tel. +358 10 862 1980
Olli Turunen, Investor Relations
Tel. +358 10 862 1255

Kemira is a global chemicals company serving customers in water intensive industries. We provide expertise, application know-how and chemicals that improve our customers' product quality, process and resource efficiency. Our focus is on pulp & paper, oil & gas and water treatment. In 2016, Kemira had annual revenue of around EUR 2.4 billion and 4,800 employees. Kemira shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
www.kemira.com

Globenewswire  -  FINLANDIA  .  05 setiembre 2017