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Kemira to expand sodium chlorate capacity in South Carolina

| By Mary Bailey

Kemira Oyj (Helsinki, Finland; www.kemira.com) is investing $20 million at its Eastover, South Carolina site to increase available sodium chlorate capacity. Sodium chlorate is the main component used in the production of chlorine dioxide (ClO2), which is produced on-site at pulp mills and is the primary bleaching agent for Kraft pulp in the pulp and paper industry.

Construction on the capacity expansion began earlier this year and the new production unit is expected to be operational in early 2020. The construction has contributed to local employment with about 50 sub-contractors working on the Eastover project.

“As global consumption of bleaching chemicals continues to increase, we are excited about this investment in our sodium chlorate capacity in the Americas to ensure our ability to effectively serve our customers globally. This investment not only supports our strategy to grow profitably in pulp & bleaching chemicals, but also overall strengthens our position as a leading chemical supplier for the pulp & paper industry”, says Kim Poulsen,  President, Pulp & Paper and Region Head, Americas.