Suzano Papel e Celulose Starts up Two New Voith Tissue Machines

As part of its strategy to expand into the tissue segment, Suzano Papel e Celulose, São Paulo, Brazil, the world’s second-largest eucalyptus pulp producer, commissioned Voith Paper, Germany, to supply complete production lines for sanitary (tissue) paper. 

Voith Paper has now successfully concluded the startup of two complete double-width XcelLine VTM 4 machines installed in the Brazilian paper manufacturer's plants in Imperatriz (state of Maranhão) and Mucuri (state of Bahia). Each machine has the capacity to manufacture approximately 220 metric tons of paper per day at a speed of 2,000 m/min. 

According to Fabio Prado, executive director for Consumer Goods at Suzano Papel e Celulose, Voith's partnership is strategic for the company's operational and business objectives. "Voith has been Suzano's partner for decades, and we are absolutely convinced that the high-performance machines supplied to our sanitary paper mills in the Northeast of Brazil and Voith's management service in the supply of auxiliary equipment will enable us to achieve excellent productivity rates, as well as to offer the best paper in the Brazilian market," stated Prado.

Voith's XcelLine machines feature seamlessly coordinated and integrated components, technologies, and services that enable fast startup, excellent performance, and high added value for its customers' investments. Voith's scope of supply includes technologies that enable increased productivity and a lower use of energy and natural resources, including the MasterJet Pro T headbox, the Crescent Former, the modern NipcoFlex T shoe press, the EvoDry Y steel plate yankee cylinder, the high-efficiency EcoHood T drying hood, the EcoChange T reel with automatic spool exchange, and complete automation packages.

Voith supplied both projects in the PLP (Process Line Package) concept, including all auxiliary equipment and services for the machine's complete operation. The new VTM 4 in Mucuri (state of Bahia) was put into service in September 2017, while the machine installed in Imperatriz (state of Maranhão) was started up at the end of November.

Suzano Papel e Celulose is the world's second largest producer of eucalyptus pulp and Latin America's leading printing and writing paper manufacturer. As a subsidiary of Suzano Holding and part of the Suzano Group, it has a tradition of more than 90 years operating with cutting-edge technology in the pulp and paper industry. It runs five paper mills in Brazil, international offices in six countries, and a global distribution structure to supply its products to more than 60 countries. Besides pulp, the company produces coated and uncoated printing and writing paper, packaging paper, tissue (sanitary) paper, fluff pulp (used in diapers and sanitary napkins), and lignin (a byproduct that can be used as a replacement for oil derivatives in high-end applications). It works on the genetic development of forest crops and the biotechnology industry through its FuturaGene subsidiary.