UPM, Uruguay
Efficient system delivery to UPM's new pulp mill
The UPM Paso de los Toros mill started operations in 2023 in Paso de los Toros, Uruguay. Designed as a highly efficient single-line operation, the mill incorporates state-of-the-art technology to ensure high availability, maintainability and consistent premium pulp quality. As part of the mill project, Andritz OY, a major technology and equipment supplier, selected together with UPM Prevas to design the low-pressure piping systems for the recovery; power and NCG boilers.
Leading the design of three key components
Prevas’ piping engineering team was responsible for designing and implementing the low-pressure piping systems for three critical components: the recovery boiler (which processes 9,000 tons of dry solids per second), the power boiler, and the non-condensable gas (NCG) boiler.
“Our team’s extensive 20-year experience in boiler plant piping design proved invaluable in this project,” says Juha Kortessalo, Project manager at Prevas. “It enabled us to price the work accurately and minimize the need for later adjustments. The daily coordination and smooth cooperation with both UPM and Andritz contributed significantly to the project’s success.”
A tight timeline and broad scope – delivered without compromising on quality
One of the biggest challenges was the tight schedule and scope of the project. However, close monitoring through monthly progress reports and monitoring the progress of pipe meters, plus a highly skilled team ensured that the schedule was met without compromising quality.
“During the final project meeting, the client emphasized that Prevas was one of the few design agencies to meet the schedule while maintaining high quality and keeping additional work under control,” says Juha Kortessalo.
34,000 meters of piping – and a complete solution
The extensive scope of the project included using AVEVA plant model data service (PMDS) for piping design, piping layout development, fabrication and erection drawings, pipe stress and strength calculations, and pipe support drawings. In total, the project involved 34,000 meters of piping, reflecting the scale and complexity of the work.
In early 2024, the Paso de los Toros mill was officially handed to UPM by Andritz.
Prevas was recognised by the customer as one of the few partners to deliver on time.
Juha Kortessalo, Project Leader at Prevas
Successful delivery
In early 2024, the Paso de los Toros facility was formally handed over to UPM by Andritz – a project that not only delivered results, but also set a new standard for collaboration, technology, and delivery precision.