HALDEN, Norway -- International technology Group Andritz has received an order from Saugbrugs Bioenergi AS - a part of the Norske Skog Group - to supply a new sludge dewatering line for thickening and dewatering of fibrous sludges for its mill in Halden, Norway.

The sludge dewatering line is a part of the upgrade to the effluent plant at the Halden mill. The goal of the investment is to increase the capacity for anaerobic treatment in order to produce marketable biogas that is used for vehicles in public transport. Start-up of the new Andritz line is scheduled the first quarter of 2017.

The order comprises the delivery of a Gravity Table GT and a Sludge Screw Press SCS, which will process up to 58 tons of mixed sludge per day. The sludge to be dewatered consists of a mixture of fibrous and biological sludges from primary and secondary clarifiers, the TMP plant, the paper machine, and from the effluent treatment plant.

The Andritz sludge press dewaters the mixed sludge to the highest possible dryness that can be achieved by mechanical means today. This will enable Saugbrugs Bioenergi to feed the power boiler with sludge dewatered to the maximum possible and thus operate the boiler with higher efficiency.

Andritz Pulp & Paper is a leading global supplier of equipment, systems, and services for the production and processing of all types of pulp, paper, tissue, and cardboard.