Press ReleasesNippon Paper Chemicals Completes Machine No. 3 at Gotsu Mill---Entering the market for high-added value cellulose (*) applications and
strengthening diversified business---
Nippon Paper Group, Inc.
Nippon Paper Chemicals Co., Ltd. (President: Masami Yamaki), a Nippon Paper Group company, today completed the construction of a new pulp machine (no. 3 machine) at its main operation site Gotsu Mill (Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture)
The decision to build this machine was made in December 2009 with a view to strengthening the Group's businesses other than paper, and construction work has been in progress since November last year. With an investment value of 6.3 billion yen, the machine is able to manufacture dissolving pulp roll.
Nippon Paper Chemicals' Gotsu Mill is the only domestic manufacturer of dissolving pulp and supplies dissolving pulp sheet to both domestic and overseas makers of rayon and cellophane. By completing the no. 3 machine, Nippon Paper Chemicals will aim to enter the market for high added value cellulose (*) applications with a view to expanding its business domain and increasing its profitability.
- *High value-added cellulose
The main lumber constituents are cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Pulp used in paper making uses constituents other than lignin whereas dissolving pulp demanded for chemical industry applications is of higher cellulose content. Dissolving pulp sheet products are used as raw materials for rayon and cellophane, while rolled products are used for cellulose derivatives (methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, and other applications).