APRIL chose the kraft process for its pulp mill, as it is a closed loop system that delivers stronger fibre, higher yield and good chemical recovery.

The process begins with the harvested logs which are debarked and cut into small wood chips. The bark is recovered for use as fuel to produce steam and electricity. Nothing is wasted.

After removal of dirt and other contaminants, the chips are fed into APRIL's 28 Superbatch digesters. Chemicals are added and the chips are cooked under pressure at high temperature to dissolve the lignin, the natural glue that bonds wood fiber.

The pulp is then washed to separate it from "black liquor", the mixture of pulping chemicals and dissolved lignin. The black liquor is processed to recover pulping chemicals and to generate energy.

Meanwhile the pulp undergoes further processing, culminating with bleaching to remove the dark colour of residual lignin. The resulting product is not only whiter but also more resistant and absorbent. APRIL bleaches the pulp using the Elemental Chlorine Free process.

After bleaching, the pulp is dried, finished, baled, and shipped to customers, where it is used to make office paper, coated paper, tissue and other paper products.