Kondopoga pulpmill launched PM5

Kondopoga pulpmill resumed production at one more papermaking machine, PM5, on June 13. Within first 16 days of June, the mill produced 23,684 tonnes of paper, including 23,213 tonnes of newsprint, out of which 82.5% were exported.

Company’s Chief Executive Dmitry Turkevich said that launch of PM1 is delayed for indefinite time, but this is not due to lack of wood resources or financing, but rather to lack of personnel.

In early June, the mill suffered from lack of wood chips. With the start of shipping season, three vessels delivered 6,300 m3 of spruce pulplogs to the mill.

For now, already six machines are running out of seven: #8, 9, 7, 4, 5, and 3. According to Chief Executive, problems with wood procurement are expected only during the autumn muddy season, so he set the goal for procurement department to accumulate 150,000 m3 of wood by 1 October.

However, the mill is still loss-making, and the management takes measures to cut costs and replenish working capital.