Puma Unit in Ortigueira increases circularity, becomes self-sufficient in raw material supply and helps strengthen sustainability of mill 

Paraná, May 17, 2022 - Klabin consolidates its trajectory of innovation and sustainability by inaugurating the first concentrated sulfuric acid plant in the Americas at a pulp and paper mill.  Besides taking another step forward in the circularity of its waste, it has become self-sufficient in the raw material, whose surplus can be sold.  Production of the chemical started in May at the Puma Unit in Ortigueira, Paraná.

Sulfuric acid, one of the main inputs in pulp and paper production, is consumed in the drying machines, the tall oil plant, the fiber lines and other processes at the industrial unit.  The plant was designed and supplied by Andritz using technology from Haldor Topsoe.  At the Puma Unit, 150 tons of concentrated acid will be produced a day.  "The installation of a plant like ours makes it possible to intelligently use the byproducts generated throughout the production chain.  With responsible disposal in order to care for the environment, these become economically usable and add more value to our production process", explained Walter Oliveira, project manager at Klabin's Recovery and Utilities area.

Since the study and planning phase, the Puma Unit and Puma II Project were designed using technologies capable of increasing the self-sufficiency of diverse areas of the mill. “This new technology is both sustainable and aligned with the circular economy, besides reducing acid production costs, exposure and external risks”, said João Braga, executive officer - Projects and Engineering at Klabin. “This contributes to the Klabin Sustainable Development Goals (KODS),” he adds.

KODS are a set of goals and commitments for the Klabin 2030 Agenda established by the Company in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  The outcome of this effort relies on the responsibility of all the areas and units to generate value for society and stakeholders.  With the sulfuric acid plant, the company takes another step forward in its commitment to reducing the generation of industrial waste.

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