Another string to our bow?

Södra currently only supplies toviscose staple fiber (VSF) producers but viscose filament is another potential application for Södra’s textile pulp. Filament, as the name suggests, is supplied to the textile weavers as one long yarn on a roll, eliminating the need for an intermediary spinner (as opposed to VSF which is supplied in cut lengths). As a result, viscose filament requires consistently high strength to ensure it does not snap during weaving, which means the quality of the fibres going into the process is key. Very few hardwood producers are accepted for the filament process.

While Södra does not currently supply viscose filament, Rayon was keen to take the opportunity to visit Södra during its trip to Europe, having conducted some tests using Södra pulp in its labs. “We really have come a long way fast,” commented Dag Benestad, Sales Director for dissolving pulp. “Just six months ago, supplying filament producers was not within our sights, but now we have a major player about to run our pulp through trials in its mills. This is very exciting. The reason for this is very much due to a considerable improvement in our quality after all the investment in the Mörrum mill.”

“Regardless of what happens as a result of this meeting,” added Annica Larsson Ahlstedt, Development Manager at the mill, “customer visits like this one are important events for the mill. They are an opportunity to gather direct feedback from the customers and potential customers. We get the chance to show them the mill and what we do to achieve the correct quality and product for our customers. We learn a lot about our customers´ needs this way.”  

Stefan Sandberg, Mill Manager, Annica Larsson Ahlstedt, Process Development Manager, Ann Öhlin, Process Engineer, and Camilla Skagerlind, Supply Coordinator, welcomed visitors from Century Rayon to Mörrum in late September. The weather was ordered in specially!