ANDRITZ annual report 2012 - ANDRITZ Vertical volute pumps

38
the SuStainaBle Spirit oF eldorado
Eldorado Brasil started up the world’s largest single pulp production line with a design capacity of 1.5 million tons per
year in November 2012. With a single investment, this new company is on its way to becoming the fifth largest producer
of hardwood pulp in the world. More importantly, the mill is designed to be sustainable at all stages of the process,
having been equipped with the best available technologies and best practices in sustainability.
Located near Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, the Eldorado mill construction and start-up was overseen
by a very small internal group, relying very much on the expertise of EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction)
partners like ANDRITZ.
The scope of ANDRITZ’s delivery was the woodyard (three chipping lines and the chip storage systems), the fiberline
(the world’s largest digester, washing, screening, and bleach plant), the drying/baling plant (two pulp drying systems
with automated baling lines), and the white liquor plant (preparation of cooking chemicals and the largest lime kiln in
South America). In addition, ANDRITZ supplied its IDEAS simulator and web-based training tools to prepare the local
operators for taking over the plant.
The technical challenge on this project was one of scale. The main production technologies have been proven in
other installations, as Eldorado did not want to take risks with prototypes of unproven systems in this large single-line
installation. But, the scale-up of the technologies to this world-record volume of production was critical. Many of these
systems are the largest ever manufactured by ANDRITZ or any other supplier.
Environmental sustainability is ensured through sustainable forestry and pulp production practices. Systems for spill
control and the minimal release of air and water emissions are best available technologies. Social sustainability as
practiced by Eldorado is also more than empty words in an annual report. The company is reaching out to the local
communities with projects combatting child abuse, improving the schools, and supporting local programs that are far
removed from the business of making pulp.
The Eldorado mill is one of the largest private investments in Brazil. At its height, there were close to 8,000 construction
workers in the area and the mill provides permanent employment to thousands when the forestry operations are
taken into account.
The new pulp mill of Eldorado
Brasil focuses on ecological,
social, and economic sustainability.
The photo shows a
Brazilian forest worker with
eucalyptus seedlings, one of
the mainstays of gentle forestry
management.