Praxair Starts up Oxygen Plant to Supply Eldorado in Brazil

White Martins, the Brazil-based subsidiary of Praxair Inc, has started up a new air separation plant in the state of Mato Grosso, in Brazil's Midwest region. As part of a long-term contract, Praxair will supply Eldorado Celulose e Papel's single-line pulp mill, which will be the largest in the world.

The new air separation unit will have the capacity to produce 220 metric tpd of oxygen, nitrogen, and argon. Oxygen is a critical component in Eldorado's manufacturing process. Oxygen delignification, used in the pulp bleaching process, reduces active chlorine requirements, providing significant operating cost advantages and environmental benefits. The plant will also supply local merchant liquid customers in the Brazilian Midwest and in the neighboring state of Sao Paulo in markets such as petrochemicals, metals, and healthcare.

"This is Praxair's fifth plant in this region, which further enhances our production and distribution capabilities," said Domingos Bulus, president of White Martins. "We look forward to playing an important role in Eldorado's ongoing growth and contributing to the industrial and economic development of this region."

Eldorado Brasil is a Brazilian company that officially opened in December 2012 and is the world's largest single line pulp mill. The company whose main shareholder is J&F has the capacity to produce 1.5 million metric tpy of bleached eucalyptus pulp. Production is mostly targeted to export markets for paper producers including North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as to Brazilian customers.

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