Austrocel enters biofuels production and increases dissolving pulp capacity

In Austria, a dissolving pulp manufacturer, Austrocel, is investing about €60 million ($70 million) to expand and diversify production at its Hallein plant in Austria. Austrocel will install equipment for bioethanol production from wood sugars. The biofuel facility is reportedly designed for the production of some 30 million litres per year and is scheduled to go into operation in 2020.

The expansion also includes dissolving pulp capacity from 150,000 to 170,000 by 2021, in addition to the production of biofuels. Upgrades are planned for the dissolving pulp areas such as pulp drying, prebleaching and waste water treatment.