Para, Brazil, South America 09 Aug 2013 --  Jari Celulose, Papel e Embalagens has announced plans as regards its currently idled Monte Dourado mill in Brazil. The company is converting the pulp line at the site to the production of dissolving pulp.

Jari Celulose, Papel e Embalagens plans to restart its pulp mill in Monte Dourado in the Brazilian state of Pará at the beginning of 2014. The mill's facility would be converted to produce dissolving pulp grades instead of paper pulp, a company spokeswoman told EUWID. Several industry experts had already expected a rebuild measure at the site. The modernisation project has already started, according to information from the company.

The production of bleached eucalyptus pulp at the site in Northern Brazil has been standing still since the middle of January. The stoppage of the 410,000 tpy plant was said to have been essential due to technical problems and competitive disadvantages on the hardwood pulp market. The company's management then examined different options allowing to maintain the site. The current plan now aims at converting the line to the production of dissolving pulp.

Jari said it could not disclose any detailed information on the project at the moment. The Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico reported that the company's rebuilt facility would have an annual capacity of 240,000-250,000 t of dissolving pulp. The investment sum is said to amount to US$80-100m with the Brazilian development bank BNDES (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social) providing a credit which partly covers these costs.