Tag Archives: Jussi Venäläinen

Metso celebrates opening of new filtration tech centre with upgraded Larox PF 60 launch

Metso has introduced the upgraded Larox® PF 60 series pressure filter at the opening ceremony of the new machining unit at the company’s Filtration Technology Center in Lappeenranta, Finland.

The Larox PF 60 series filter is part of Metso’s Planet Positive offering, thanks to its advanced features that decrease water and oil usage by up to 90% and 75%, respectively. In addition, it can reduce the need for installed electric power by 25%, Metso claims.

The filter has a compact and open design, which translates to less floor space required and a significant improvement in ease of maintenance. The structure has also been upgraded to meet the latest seismic standards. To ensure optimised lifelong performance, Metso offers a comprehensive service portfolio including remote support.

Jussi Venäläinen, Vice President of the Filtration business line at Metso, said: “The new version of the Larox PF 60 series filter marks a step change in the technological development of tower filters. It significantly improves safety, process efficiency and dewatering capacity in mining and other process industry applications, thanks to its novel technological solutions. This upgraded model is fully automated to enable flexible operation for process variations and is future-ready for different plate pack configurations to provide consistent and homogenous filter cake with efficient solids wash.”

The investment into a new machining unit at the Filtration Technology Center in Lappeenranta goes hand in hand with the development of the Larox PF 60 pressure filter and Metso’s ambition to offer customers the best and most responsible filtration technology available, according to Tero Tiainen, Director for Filters Manufacturing at Metso. “The highly automated machining unit significantly increases our manufacturing capacity and enables the production of high-quality filter components in a safer, more environmentally friendly manner.”

Besides the manufacturing of advanced filters used in various process industries, Metso’s Filtration Technology Center operates a globally unique Dewatering Technology Center, which is focused on solid-liquid separation, the OEM says. Metso has carried out more than 14,000 filtration tests and delivered more than 5,000 filters for various applications worldwide.

Eldorado turns to Metso Outotec for dry stack tailings solution at Skouries

Metso Outotec says it will deliver sustainable filtration technology for dry stacking of tailings to Eldorado Gold’s Hellas Gold Skouries copper-gold concentrator project in northern Greece.

Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery consists of the engineering, manufacturing and supply of several Planet Positive Larox® FFP3512 filters as well as installation and commissioning advisory services. The fully automatic, fast-opening filter press (FFP) combines the benefits of membrane technology and sidebar design with high mechanical and process performance, providing safe and sustainable high-volume dewatering of tailings at low operating and life cycle costs, according to the company.

Brock Gill, SVP Projects & Transformation for Eldorado Gold, said: “Skouries is a world-class project, and we are aiming for best-in-class sustainable technologies in the project design. For tailings management, the Skouries project will use dry stack tailings impoundment, which requires less space, reduces water consumption and maximises recovery of process water for reuse. Metso Outotec filters were selected as key and proven technology for the dry tailings facility not only because of their performance, but also because of their energy efficiency.”

Jussi Venäläinen, Vice President, Filtration business line at Metso Outotec, added: “Eldorado Gold and Hellas Gold were looking for a reliable partner to help ensure the safety and sustainability of the Skouries tailings dry stacking facility. We are pleased having been chosen to deliver this core technology for the project. Previously, we’ve supplied proprietary technologies for grinding, flotation, thickening and automation to Skouries.”

The value of the order is approximately €14 million ($13.8 million), according to Metso Outotec.

Metso Outotec says its filtration product portfolio is the largest in the field, with the company having carried out over 14,000 filtration tests and delivered more than 5,000 filters for various applications worldwide.

A 2021 feasibility study on Skouries highlighted a 20-year operation able to produce 140,000 oz/y of gold and 67 MIb (30,391 t) of copper.

Metso Outotec to provide PT Huafei Nickel Cobalt with Planet Positive Larox filters

Metso Outotec has been awarded what it says is a major contract for the delivery of sustainable tailings filtration technology to PT Huafei Nickel Cobalt’s greenfield laterite nickel ore project in Indonesia.

Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery consists of the engineering, manufacturing and supply of the Planet Positive Larox® FFP3512 filters, as well as installation and commissioning advisory services and spare parts.

The fully automatic fast-opening filter press (FFP) combines the benefits of membrane technology and sidebar design with high mechanical and process performance, providing safe and sustainable high-volume dewatering of tailings with low operating and life cycle costs, Metso Outotec said.

The hydrometallurgical plant has a targeted annual output of 120,000 t of nickel metal and is expected to be in operation during the June quarter of 2023.

Metso Outotec’s Planet Positive portfolio, which the Larox FFP3512 filters are a part of, focuses on the most environmentally efficient technologies – of which there are more than 100 – in the company’s current portfolio, responding to the sustainability requirements of its customers. The customer requirements relate to energy or water efficiency, reduction of emissions, circularity and safety, Metso Outotec says.

Jussi Venäläinen, Vice President, Filtration business line at Metso Outotec, said: “For our customer, the key criterion for selecting Metso Outotec’s filtration technology was safe and sustainable tailings processing with proven service capability. In addition, we were able to meet the customer’s wish for a quick delivery time.

“We are very pleased to have been chosen as the solution supplier, and we look forward to working together with our customer on this important project.”

Metso Outotec’s filtration product portfolio is the largest in the field and the energy, emission and water efficiency is in a league of its own, the company said. It has carried out over 14,000 filtration tests and delivered more than 5,000 filters for various applications worldwide. Most of the filters are sold under the Larox product name along with Metso Outotec corporate branding. Metso Outotec also accommodates all filtration-related service and spare parts needs through its global service network.

The value of the order is over €30 million ($33 million), and it has been booked in Minerals’ Q1 (March quarter) 2022 orders received.

Metso Outotec invests in Lappeenranta filtration technology centre

Metso Outotec is opening a new laser welding unit, customised for demanding production conditions, at its filtration technology centre in Lappeenranta, Finland.

The new laser welding unit will add to the centre’s manufacturing capacity and enable the production of higher-quality welded structures in a safer and more environmentally friendly manner, the company says. The value of the investment is approximately €1 million ($1.2 million).

Markku Teräsvasara, President of Metso Outotec’s Minerals business, says: “Investing in an efficient laser welding unit is one example of our desire to focus on being an industry leader also in filtration technology.

“In Lappeenranta, we produce several types of filters used in demanding industrial applications. We have systematically developed our capabilities in Lappeenranta over the years. Today, the technology centre for solid-liquid separation, which we opened in 2015, serves customers around the world.”

In addition to Lappeenranta, Metso Outotec provides filtration technology to customers worldwide from its Turku and Suzhou facilities in China, Jussi Venäläinen, Vice President of Metso Outotec’s Filtration Business Line says.

“Our filtration equipment is used, for example, in the mining, chemical and food industries,” he says. “All of them require reliable filtration to ensure high quality of their end products.”

Metso Outotec says its filtration technology centre in Lappeenranta plays an important role in the development of industry innovations. In addition to manufacturing, the centre operates a Dewatering Technology Center, which is focused on solid-liquid separation. It also has continuous cooperation with the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, among others.

Venäläinen added: “We have a long legacy of filtration expertise – our first filters were made as early as the 1930s in Sala, Sweden. Our selection of filtration technologies is the largest in the field, and their energy, emission and water efficiency is in a league of its own.

“Most of the filtration solutions are part of our Planet Positive range of products. Our filters are safe, easy to use, and quick to maintain, and their high level of automation enables continuous optimisation and remote support. We also provide comprehensive filter maintenance, including lifecycle services.”

Metso Outotec has carried out more than 14,000 filtration tests and delivered more than 5,000 filters for various applications worldwide. Most of the filters are sold under the Larox® product name along with Metso Outotec corporate branding.

In Finland, industrial filter production began in 1977 in Lappeenranta under Larox Oy. In 2009, it continued under Outotec (Filters) Oy, and, after the Metso Minerals and Outotec merger, the filtration technology centre became a part of Metso Outotec. The Lappeenranta site employs around 200 people.