Ilim Pulp Enterprise (IPE) has wrapped up the first part of a three-phase capacity expansion project at its Bratsk mill in Siberia, Russia. The firm aims to raise output on the plant's sole linerboard PM from 185,000 tonnes/yr to 220,000 tonnes/yr once the scheme is completed. The company is upgrading the machine's stock preparation unit before tackling the PM. Lang Regler has replaced the unit's steam system, while Metso Paper has installed an automated control system and a new mixing pump. Metso Paper is due to install new cleaning and refining equipment on the stock preparation unit under the second phase of the project in August. IPE will turn its attention to the PM in September when Metso Paper is scheduled to install a new headbox for the bottom ply of the two-ply linerboard machine. The Finnish supplier will also provide dilution equipment for the unit. IPE hired the Harris group to carry out a pre-feasibility study into reactivating Bratsk's mothballed pulp line #3 in the middle of last year. The company has received the results of the investigation, but has not yet revealed its plans for the northern bleached softwood kraft pulp line. Paperloop