Russia’s Vyborg Cellulose starts WTK production

Vyborg Cellulose, a Russian producer of unbleached kraft pulp and containerboard which went bankrupt at the end of 2018, started white-top kraftliner (WTK) production in September, market sources confirmed to PPI Europe. The company is now under the management of Russia’s Segezha Group.

Vyborg began trial production at the end of Q3 and manufactured 500 tonnes of WTK in September. Production may increase to up to 1,500 tonnes/month in the near term, according to a source familiar with the project.

Vyborg Cellulose was declared bankrupt in November, 2018. According to bankruptcy statements, the assets of the company were valued at Rouble 15 billion ($71.8 million).

According to Russian press reports, Segezha Pulp and Paper Mill, which is part of Segezha Group, registered a new company, Vyborg Pulp and Paper Mill, on October 7, and Segezha Group vice president Maxim Pisarev was appointed general director of the new entity.

Vyborg Cellulose is located in Karelia, in north-western Russia.