A tank caught between operation and shutdown.
A single error would have been enough. A incorrectly installed transition or an unclear interface – and production would have ground to a halt. It was precisely to address this risk that BUTTING took on responsibility for a project in Finland. In operational industrial plants, problems often arise from minor deviations that only become apparent during operation – at a time when corrections are costly and have immediate consequences. This was the context for the project at the Metsa Group’s Simpele pulp mill in Finland.
The aim was to integrate a new, large-scale tank – as a central plant component, including the associated pipework – into an existing plant. No new construction, no spare time slot, but a targeted intervention in the ongoing process. Corrections after commissioning were out of the question. The stakes were high for the client: any adjustment would have meant further disruption to production – with implications for availability, deadlines and costs. The demands on planning, material selection and implementation were correspondingly high.
Supported by the collaborative efforts of the BUTTING Group
The vessel was manufactured by our BUTTING subsidiary Textoris in Düren from 1.4462 duplex steel – a material used in the paper and pulp industry for corrosion-resistant, continuous-service applications. The design, wall thicknesses and connections were precisely tailored to the operating conditions of the existing plant. PrePipe was responsible for assembling the tank as well as prefabricating and installing the pipework on site in Finland. The coordinated interaction between the specialist units was crucial: interfaces and handovers were defined in advance across the group in order to shift risks from the construction phase to the planning phase.
Local expertise as a key to success
Simpele is situated in south-eastern Finland, close to the Russian border. Continuous industrial production under demanding climatic conditions places particular demands on materials, design, assembly and staff – especially in the case of large-volume tanks. The Finnish BUTTING site specifically contributed its regional expertise to the project preparation. In close coordination with other sites within the BUTTING Group, the work was precisely planned and coordinated. Assembly took place within a tightly defined timeframe whilst operations continued. Prefabricated assemblies, clearly coordinated processes and well-coordinated teams enabled the new tank to be integrated on schedule, including all interfaces. In the end, what was crucial was what did not happen: no rework, no additional interventions, no further downtime.
For the customer, this meant a smooth commissioning process without any unplanned production interruptions or follow-up costs. Ultimately, what matters to the customer is what stands the test of time in day-to-day operations: stable production – underpinned by the BUTTING Group’s collaboration and diverse expertise.
BUTTING – more than pipes – for a better quality of life
