The latest stage of construction at the Mari Pulp and Paper Mill in Volzhsk, Russia was completed in June 2020. Penetron crystalline materials were applied to waterproof the new concrete structures.
Located in Volzhsk, a city of about 55,000 and part of the Republic Mari El metropolitan area directly east of Moscow, the Mari Pulp and Paper Mill offers a full range of cellulose products, such as: paper, cardboard, cellulose, paper bags, corrugated cardboard. The Volzhsk plant has the capacity to produce up to 120,000 tons of paper, 110,000 tons of cardboard, 50,000 tons of market pulp, 10 million square meters of corrugated cardboard, and 25 million paper bags – every year.
Originally built in the 1930s, the mill has recently undergone an extensive program of expansion, repair and modernization by adding a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and repairing/updating the existing mill buildings.
Cleaner and More Durable
“The commissioning of the wastewater treatment facilities will allow the Mari Pulp and Paper Mill to meet more stringent regulations on the discharge of pollutants into the Volga River basin,” says Igor Chernologolv, President of Penetron Russia.
To ensure the durability of the concrete structures, the Penetron system was specified by the project contractor. PENETRON, an integral crystalline waterproofing material, was applied to the various drainage tanks, settling tanks, and circulating water basins of the WWTP, and was utilized for repairs in various mill buildings. Used in combination with PENETRON, PENECRETE MORTAR was applied to fill any cracks, construction joints, form-tie holes, honeycombed and damaged areas in the concrete.
Achieving Permanent Concrete Protection
Applied by brush or spray to either the positive or negative side of the concrete structure – to simplify application and save time – PENETRON penetrates deeply into the structure in the presence of moisture. The ensuing chemical reaction fills microcracks, pores and capillaries with an insoluble crystalline formation, which prevents water and water-borne chemicals from entering, even under high hydrostatic pressure. Cracks that develop during the lifetime of the concrete are self-healed by PENETRON, resulting in permanent concrete protection.
“Work on the wastewater treatment plant will continue later this year with the addition of a post-treatment facility and emergency pools,” adds Igor Chernogolov. “Penetron will surely be part of the mix.”
All clear: A final view of the Mari Paper Mill’s clarifier tank before the new WWTP goes into operation. The concrete was waterproofed with the Penetron System.
Cleaning up: The new wastewater treatment facility allows the Mari Pulp and Paper Mill to meet stringent regulations on discharge of pollutants into the Volga River (in the distance).
Here comes the sludge: The aeration and sludge-drying tanks were waterproofed with Penetron crystalline materials to withstand the aggressive chemicals found in the Mari Paper Mill’s effluent.
