Arauco has made a significant investment of EUR 1 billion to secure a fully-integrated pulp mill from Valmet. This massive project, which will be the largest single-phase pulp mill in the world, is set to commence operations in the second half of 2027.
Sep 25, 2024
The Board of Directors of Arauco has approved an investment of a complete pulp mill, choosing Valmet as the key supplier for the project. The new production line will be the world’s largest single-phase pulp mill project with a production capacity of 3.5 million tonnes per year. The project is expected to start in the second half of 2027.
The value of the order is over 1 billion Euros and will be included in Valmet’s orders in the fourth quarter of 2024. Talking about the new machine, Cristian Infante, Global CEO, Arauco, said, ”This is an important and decisive stage of our Sucuriú Project, which will feature high expertise and state-of-the-art technology. As the world’s largest single-phase pulp production project, our choice to partner with Valmet reflects Arauco’s commitment to partnering with those who share our vision for innovation and sustainable practices.”
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Thomas Hinnerskov, President and CEO, Valmet, says, ‘‘This investment is a significant milestone for the industry, and we are proud to be selected as the partner for Arauco in this major project. Arauco’s new pulp mill will be the largest single-phase pulp mill project in the world and will showcase Valmet’s sustainable technologies. In addition, the mill will generate a significant amount of bioelectricity, contributing positively to the sustainable energy supply of the area.”
The new equipment will offer the full benefits consisting of process technology, automation systems, flow control solutions, and service. The mill will feature leading process technologies especially tailored for large hardwood mills and has the most advanced automation systems and flow control solutions. The solutions are designed to deliver energy efficiency, optimized end-product quality, and high environmental performance.
Valmet will deliver the full production process from wood handling to ready pulp bales to produce hardwood pulp, as well as an automation system and related flow control solutions for the whole mill including Valmet’s Industrial Internet offering. The delivery scope includes the engineering, procurement, and construction, including civil construction and commissioning works at the site. The process technology will also include wood handling, cooking and fiber line, pulp drying and baling, non-condensable gases (NCG) handling solution, evaporation, recovery boiler, biomass boiler, recausticizing, lime kiln, biomass dryer, and gasifier.
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The automation delivery will also include the supplier’s latest distributed control system- Valmet DNAe, advanced process controls (APC), analyzers, and online measurements as well as mill-wide optimization covering all processes. The Industrial Internet solutions include simulators and connectivity to the Valmet Performance Center. The delivery will additionally include flow control solutions featuring valves and valve automation.
