May 28, 2026 — Valmet has been selected by Sappi Southern Africa to deliver a full EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) package for the replacement of recovery boiler components at the Saiccor Mill in South Africa. This upgrade of critical boiler parts will improve operational safety, reduce the risk of unplanned downtime and improve overall reliability of the mill.
“The project will address key operational challenges by restoring the structural integrity and thermal performance of critical boiler components," said Jan Burger, engineering manager at Sappi Saiccor. "This upgrade is an important step in maintaining reliable and safe operations at the Saiccor Mill. Valmet’s in-depth knowledge of our site and proven experience in complex shutdown projects support the successful execution of this work."
“Valmet’s lifecycle approach supports customers throughout the entire lifetime of their assets — from early project phases to operation, maintenance, upgrades and long-term performance improvement," said Amit Roy, senior sales manager, Pulp, Energy and Circularity Services at Valmet. "Our long-standing relationship with Sappi and extensive experience in executing shutdown projects at the Saiccor Mill give us strong site-specific knowledge that enables accurate planning and efficient execution during critical outages. Combined with skilled teams and specialized tools, this ensures safe and reliable pressure part replacement and further demonstrates Valmet’s role as a trusted partner for recovery boiler and energy solutions in the pulp and paper industry."
The order was included in Valmet’s orders received for the first quarter of 2026. The value of the order is not disclosed. The delivery and installation work will take place during the major outage in February 2027.
Delivery’s technical information
Valmet’s delivery includes the replacement of the recovery boiler rear wall and economizer in the existing MgO1 boiler which utilizes magnesium closed-loop recovery technology. The scope of supply covers project management, engineering, manufacturing, materials, installation planning, and erection of the recovery boiler pressure parts.
About the customer
Sappi is a global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. In South Africa, Sappi operates four mills. The Saiccor mill is situated south of the port of Durban in South Africa. With a capacity of 890,000 tons of dissolving wood pulp mostly for manufacturers of viscose staple fibre, used in clothing and textiles.
About Valmet
Valmet is a global technology leader in serving process industries. We work with our customers throughout the lifecycle, delivering cutting-edge technologies and services, as well as mission-critical automation and flow control solutions. Backed by more than 225 years of industrial experience and a global team of 18,500 professionals close to customers, we are uniquely positioned to transform industries toward a regenerative tomorrow.
In 2025, Valmet’s net sales totaled approximately EUR 5.2 billion. Our head office is in Espoo, Finland, and we have experts in approximately 40 countries around the world. Valmet’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.