Klabin S.A., Brazil, this week signed a supply contract with Valmet, Finland, to provide two pulp drying lines to Klabin's new plant in Ortigueira, Paraná, Brazil. A project of this size and scope is typically valued at EUR 150 - 200 million, according to Valmet. 

 

The pulp dryer investment is part of Klabin's Puma project. The annual production capacity of Klabin's new plant will be 1.5 million metric tons and consists of both softwood fluff pulp and eucalyptus hardwood market pulp. Startup of the new plant is scheduled for the first half of 2016.

 

The employment impact of Valmet's project delivery to Klabin is expected to total about 500 man years, mainly in Finland, Sweden, and Brazil. 

Klabin is the largest paper producer and exporter in Brazil. It produces packaging paper and board, corrugated packaging, and industrial bags in addition to selling timber in logs. Klabin has 16 industrial plants of which 15 are in Brazil and one is in Argentina. The company was founded in 1899.