Valmet will supply Suzano Papel Celulose in Brazil with a complete tissue line, including tissue machines and converting equipment, from fiber to final paper. The order also includes a biomass boiler. This is Valmet's first comprehensive order for the full range of stock preparation, paper and finishing equipment since the acquisition of the tissue converting business at the end of 2023. In addition, the order includes a wide range of automation system packages, fluid control and Valmet's Industrial Internet solutions.
Orders for tissue lines and biomass boilers were included in Valmet's new orders in Q4 2023, while post-processing equipment was included in new orders in Q1 2024. The total amount has not been disclosed, and similar projects are generally around 100 million euros.
The tissue production line, processing equipment and biomass boiler will be installed at Suzano's Aracruz mill in Espírito Santo, Brazil. The aim is to meet the growing demand for high-end tissue products from customers in the country with good environmental benefits. The production line is expected to be completed and put into operation in the first quarter of 2026.
Jean Moraes, President of Engineering at Suzano, said: "With the new line at the Aracruz mill, Valmet's best-in-class and most comprehensive supply solution will allow us to expand our tissue production capacity. This is in line with our requirements in terms of business strategy, production capacity, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Valmet's proven technology, the availability of 100% integrated lines from the machine to the finishing process, and solutions that ensure consistent quality were key factors in Suzano's new investment decision and strengthened our determination to continue working with them." ”
Rogerio Berardi, Head of Paper Line for Valmet South America, said: "We are honored to have been selected by Suzano for this strategic project in Brazil. This is our first comprehensive order that includes tissue production lines and finishing equipment. The combination of tissue machines, converting equipment, mill engineering, automation systems, and fluid control technologies ensures the highest productivity and product quality on the market today. ”
Daniel Schroeder, Commercial Manager for Latin America for Valmet's tissue converting lines, says: "With the goal of meeting the customer's needs and based on the first-class operation of the customer's existing plant, Suzano chose our tissue finishing line. ”
Valmet's new bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) boiler will be ignited in the fourth quarter of 2025. It will use biomass as fuel to provide steam for fiber processing and electricity production. Biomass boilers can reduce the energy consumption of plants, improve operational stability, and significantly improve environmental benefits by reducing emissions.
Fernando Scucuglia, Head of South America at Valmet's Pulp & Energy business line, said: "Our mission is to turn renewable resources into sustainable benefits. The biomass boiler at the Suzano Aracruz paper mill is a great example of Valmet's technology and supply capabilities to continuously drive customer profitability and competitiveness. ”
Technical information on supply
The new tissue paper production line has an annual production capacity of 60,000 tons. Optimized to reduce energy consumption and increase yield.
Valmet supplies a complete tissue machine line, including the Advantage DCT 200 with Optiflo headbox and Yankee dryer. Other Advantage tissue production technologies, such as the Viconip Soft Shoe Press, ReDry technology, AirCap hood with air system, WetDust Wool Management and SoftReel reel, are also included in the supply. The delivery also includes detailed plant engineering, stock preparation equipment and automation systems such as the Valmet DNA Distributed Control System (DCS) with built-in machine condition monitoring, the Valmet IQ Quality Control System (QCS) and softness sensors. In addition, Valmet offers a Constellation finishing line based on the four-parent rewinding technology. Deliveries also include fluid control and big data operation center services.
Valmet will also supply a high-efficiency biomass boiler with bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) technology, fuelled by bark and pulp mill waste, as well as non-condensable gas and ethanol from the pulp mill. These gases are purified using Valmet's electrostatic precipitator (ESP) technology.
Suzano is the world's largest pulp company and one of the largest paper companies in Latin America, with leading products such as pulp, writing and printing paper, paper cups, carton packaging, sanitary napkins and toilet paper. These products are exported to more than 100 countries and have become an integral part of the lives of more than 2 billion people around the world.