AkzoNobel's Specialty Chemicals business has completed the expansion of a Chemical Island in Brazil to support a major project for Brazilian forestry company Fibria. The world's leading producer of eucalyptus pulp from planted forests, Fibria has invested $2.2 billion to more than double pulp capacity at its mill in Três Lagoas to 3.25 million tons per year.
The expansion of the Chemical Island (a concept developed by AkzoNobel) includes the installation of a second chlorine dioxide plant, as well as increased space for storage and logistics. The Chemical Island concept provides pulp mill customers with a sustainable and cost-effective solution
for the production and supply of bleaching chemicals as well as services for other chemical processes.
"We are a dedicated partner with Fibria and have now supplied five of their six chlorine dioxide units, including the two at Três Lagoas," explains Antonio Carlos Francisco, General Manager of Bleaching Chemicals South America for AkzoNobel's Pulp and Performance Chemicals business.
"The close proximity to our customer provides important sustainability benefits by reducing transportation, and we also reduce our carbon footprint by operating the Chemical Island with 100% bio-energy from biomass that derives from the pulp mill."
The new production line in Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul state) is now the largest single pulp line in the world and strengthens Fibria's leading market position. The new Chemical Island is also the largest of the four being operated by AkzoNobel to serve the Brazilian pulp industry.
"We are proud to have a well-established and sustainable footprint for the pulp industry in Brazil," says Niek Stapel, Managing Director of AkzoNobel's Pulp and Performance Chemicals business. "It emphasizes our long-term strategic commitment to growing with our customers and also to this increasingly important market."
Click here for the video about Chemical Islands.
About AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people's lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 46,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do.
About Fibria
The world leader in eucalyptus pulp production, Fibria strives to meet - in a sustainable manner - the growing global demand for products from planted forests. With annual pulp production capacity of 7.25 million tons, the company has industrial units located in Aracruz (Espírito Santo state), Jacareí (São Paulo state) and Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul state), as well as in Eunápolis (Bahia state), where it operates Veracel in a joint operation with Stora Enso. Fibria has 1,056,000 hectares of forests, which include 633,000 hectares of planted forests, 364,000 hectares earmarked for environmental preservation and conservation, and 59,000 hectares allocated for other uses. The pulp produced by Fibria is exported to more than 35 countries and is the raw material for educational, health, hygiene and cleaning products. For more information please visit www.fibria.com