One of the world's largest high-tech paper factories in the final construction phase: Progroup prepares for start of PM3 in Sandersdorf-Brehna
The company is paying particular attention to the issue of sustainability in constructing and operating the paper factory. Out of the total investment of 465 million euros, more than 100 million euros are being invested solely in resource-conserving technologies. For example, the integrated circulating water treatment plant will make it possible to reduce the amount of fresh water that needs to be used by around 80 per cent compared to similar factories. It operates like a biological kidney and cleans the water. It can then be used again. This means that more than 3.7 million cubic metres of fresh water are saved each year. This is equivalent to the amount of water used annually by more than 80,000 people in Germany.
This biological kidney not only saves water. It also produces energy – specifically biogas. This is fed into the boiler house, the powerhouse of the paper machine. This means that the plant overall consumes ten per cent less fossil resources.
Cleaning of the boiler house heralds the final construction phase
Before production can start at the paper factory, the steam pipes of the boiler house need to be cleaned. Before the plant starts operating, they are cleaned on the inside with high-pressure steam to remove any minute particles that may be present. The high pressure may cause noise emissions which may be noticed in the area around the paper factory by the B183 road, depending on the wind and weather conditions. The steam which is produced may also be visible for miles around if the weather is overcast. The cleaning work will be carried out in two stages. It will first commence on 9 July 2020 and will be completed on 11 July with up to six cleaning rounds in total. The second stage will then be carried out at the end of July/start of August with up to ten cleaning rounds. To keep the noise emissions as low as possible, the work will only be carried out on weekdays between 7am and 8pm, with each cleaning operation lasting no more than 90 minutes. This cleaning work is required once prior to commissioning and will not be carried out again once production starts.
Paper factory sets standards for low noise emissions
Progroup has implemented numerous measures to keep the noise emissions as low as possible while the plant is operating. The building itself has been provided with acoustic insulation. The paper will be dried using low-noise water ring pumps rather than noisy vacuum pumps. This means that the new paper factory meets the strict legal requirements governing noise protection in full.
