Kruger Pulp Mill (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

ULTRA CLEAN PULP

Kruger announces new first-of-its-kind technology for ultra-clean pulp

Sep 12, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — B.C. Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey was in Kamloops on Thursday morning (Sept. 12) for a joint announcement with Kruger about a multi-million-dollar investment into new technology at the Kamloops pulp mill. The provincial and federal governments are providing Kruger with $5 million each toward a $32.4-million project locally to help diversify the Kamloops product, allowing Kruger to enter new markets.

Kruger will be making the specialty pulp through the process in which they chemically wash the pulp in a pressure diffusion washer with new first in the world technology allowing a cleaner final product.

“We wash all that chemical out, that chemical gets reused within the craft (pulp) process — so we are one big recycling facility. It also allows us to use green power, so our pulp, once we add in this new technology, is going to be an ultra-clean pulp that will allow us to enter into new markets,” said Irene Preto, general manager of Kruger Kamloops Pulp Mill.

The full process to switch the entire Kruger mill over to the new washer began on Thursday (Sept 12) and will take approximately three years, including build time on site of the new machinery.

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“That is our major maintenance shutdown that got reference for the 25 days in 2025. This project will be some work happening but it’s not driving the full length of that shutdown. It will be a bigger build that can happen while we are running the mill over the next few years,” said Preto.

The project has come to life with the help of the BC government providing $5-million to Kruger through the Manufacturing Jobs Fund.

“It is to help this company continue to be competitive and keep these wonderful local jobs right here in Kamloops. They currently employ about 340 workers. We will add a few more into that with this new technology that is coming in and most importantly keep this company competitive so these jobs are secure in Kamloops,” said B.C. Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Minister Brenda Bailey.

The investment from the government however can only go as far as the fibre supply in the province allows.

“We are seeing some really innovative work happening here at Kruger. Our Ministry of Forests is working with them on the fibre access and that is why they are making investments and we are making investments into the future of this pulp and paper mill,” added Bailey.

The project, once completed, will help sustain 340 jobs at the Kamloops mill, while also indirectly supporting 1,000 others.

“It will be around sustainability and longevity and competitiveness for Kruger Kamloops going forward,” said Preto.