SWEDEN -- Södra announced this week that the final leg of the expansion Värö project is approaching and on 7 May, all production at Södra Cell Värö will cease, followed by five intensive weeks of dismantling the old machinery, and installing new and larger machinery.

The company said that every month throughout the course of the project, the managements of Södra and Valmet have held regular meetings to follow up the investment and ensure that the project is on schedule.

A major process now lies ahead when the five-week shutdown commences on 7 May, and an additional workforce of about 2,700 contractors will arrive every day in addition to the existing employees, Södra said.

"The shutdown will bring two major challenges - the digester and the machine hall. Removing the old drying cabinet and installing a new one in such a short time will need a world record in advanced installation. But we're aiming for a world record," says Pasi Laine, CEO of Valmet.

Valmet is the main supplier of machinery to Expansion Värö, entailing an investment of more than SEK 4 billion, which is also Valmet's largest project in Europe right now.