Borregaard and Sappi commemorate 20th anniversary of the opening of their lignin extraction plant in South Africa
Type of post: NEWS.
Last week, Sappi issued a press release to commemorate
20 years of a biorefinery investment carried out together with Borregaard: the lignin extraction plant
in Umkomaas (KwaZulu Natal, South Africa). Let us seize the opportunity to know
more about the history of the facility and its high value-added products that generates
export revenues for South Africa and has a positive impact on the environment.
Press release: “Sappi
and Borregaard celebrate 20 years of biorefinery investment”, 8/4/2019.
Figure 1. Lignin extraction plant in Umkomaas (taken
from Google Maps)
Timeline
1997: LignoTech South Africa was established as
a partnership joint venture owned by Borregaard (50%) and Sappi (50%). The
plant was designed to generate revenue from a previously-unused component of
the effluent stream from Sappi’s Saiccor mill. The location in South Africa was
chosen because of the ready availability of a sustainable supply of raw
materials, effective infrastructure, highly competent people, the relatively
low cost of production and proximity to export markets via the Port of Durban.
Its original nameplate capacity was 55 ktons/year.
1998: The plant was commissioned in December.
1999: Officially opening.
2003: First expansion capacity – From 55 to 155
ktons/year.
2008: Second expansion capacity – From 155 to 160
ktons/year.
2017: Third expansion capacity – From 160 to
180 ktons/year.
2018: Borregaard and Sappi agreed on an
extension of the finalisation date of the agreement governing the lignin co-operation
(from 2027 to 2032) and on a reduction in the annual production capacity for
lignin. With effect from 2021, the capacity will be scaled down from the
current 180,000 tons to 130,000. The reason is that Sappi's Saiccor dissolving
pulp mill, which supplies the lignin raw material, will be expanded in order to
increase total cellulose capacity on the site. The expansion will be based on
magnesium sulphite technology, whereas the current calcium sulphite capacity
will be reduced. The remaining calcium sulphite line will continue to supply
lignin raw material to the joint venture.
2019: 20 year after the official opening, LignoTech
South Africa continues to benefit all stakeholders and has matured into one of
the largest lignosulphonate manufacturers globally.
Products
Lignosulphonates are the end product of an
advanced lignin extraction process. Lignin is a natural binding agent found in
timber and is released during the pulping process. The released material is
enhanced by a process of evaporation, chemical modification and spray drying.
The lignosulphonates produced at LignoTech
South Africa are used as binding and dispersing agents in a wide range of
agricultural and industrial applications (dust suppression, concrete additives,
pelleting agents in animal feeds, mineral granulation…). Biodegradable and
non-toxic to both humans and animals, they are the perfect industrial and
agricultural additive. LignoTech South Africa’s output is sold in South Africa
and exported to countries in Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and South
America.
One example of end application is Dustex®, a binding additive that suppresses
the formation of dust. It is particularly effective in preventing gravel loss
on non-tarred roads, thus limiting the formation of corrugations and improving
the quality of the road surface. This in turn, improves road safety, makes
traveling more comfortable, decreases vehicle operating and maintenance costs
and decreases the cost of road maintenance.
