Kemira’s new production plant in Ortigueira, Brazil successfully started up

Kemira Oyj has successfully started up production in its new sodium chlorate plant located in Ortigueira, Paraná, Brazil. The sodium chlorate produced at the plant is used for on-site generation of chlorine dioxide, a key bleaching agent in bleached pulp production.

Kemira’s plant is built adjacent to Klabin SA‘s new pulp mill securing a long-term partnership between the two units. This concept is a good example of sustainable circular economy where the production facilities make use of renewable energy from the pulp mill, Kemira providing the pulp production sodium chlorate it needs. Electricity is the main raw material for sodium chlorate. “Kemira is a global leader in the production and supply of chemicals for the pulp and paper industry and has the most comprehensive offering for pulp production. The new plant strengthens our capabilities to serve the growing demand for pulping chemicals in the South American market”, says Billy Ford, Senior Vice President, Pulp & Paper, The Americas.

The new pulp mill in Brazil (Puma Project) is the largest investment in Klabin’s history and will almost double the company’s production capacities. The unit has a capacity of 1.5 million tons of pulp, with 1.1 million tons of bleached hardwood pulp (eucalyptus) and 400,000 tons of bleached softwood pulp (pine). The new mill will also generate a renewable and sustainable bioenergy surplus of 150 MWh/h.