Valmet to deliver key pulp mill technology and automation for Lenzing’s and Duratex’s joint pulp mill project in Brazil


Valmet will deliver key process islands for Lenzing’s and Duratex’s joint venture named LD Celulose S.A. The new 500,000 ton/year dissolving pulp mill is located in the cities of Indianópolis and Araguari in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Valmet’s delivery includes a fiber line, a pulp drying and baling line, an evaporation plant, a white liquor plant and a mill-wide automation system.

The order is included in Valmet’s orders received of the first quarter 2020. The value of the order is not disclosed. The value of a delivery of this size and scope is typically around EUR 200-250 million.

Valmet’s delivery is part of the Lenzing and Duratex joint venture investment of approximately USD 1.3 bn in the 500,000 tonnes dissolving wood pulp mill where Lenzing holds a 51 percent and Duratex a 49 percent stake. The start-up of the new mill is planned for the first half of 2022 and will create approximately 8,000 direct jobs during the construction phase. When it is ready, LD Celulose S.A. will employ approximately 1,100 people to operate the industrial plant and the plantations that will supply it. The dissolving pulp is a key raw material for manufacturing Lenzing’s wood-based textile and speciality fibers.

“Wood-based cellulosic fibers offer an important contribution to enhance sustainability in the textile industry and this investment is in line with our growth strategy and a key milestone to structurally strengthen our cost leadership position. In planning the new production facility, particular importance was given to sustainability aspects. The plant will be among the most productive and energy-efficient mills in the world,” states Stefan Doboczky, CEO of the Lenzing Group.

“LD Celulose S.A. will bring a positive socioeconomic impact throughout the region. We are working with the best environmental practices and with leading companies in the pulp industry, such as Valmet,” emphasizes Luís Künzel, CEO of LD Celulose S.A.

“With our good references in dissolving pulp production technology and strong presence in Brazil we were able to meet the customer’s needs of high quality and energy efficiency as well as supporting high productivity and reliability with our automation solutions. We are happy to be a key partner in delivering a world class mill for Lenzing and Duratex and thus being part of turning renewable raw materials for sustainable textile fibers,” says Bertel Karlstedt, President, Pulp and Energy Business Line, Valmet.

Valmet will supply key process islands with an extended scope of supply. Valmet’s technology is proven for dissolving pulp production with several references. The equipment for this project is tailored for high availability and energy efficiency resulting in low operating costs.

The fiber line features Valmet TwinRoll technology for high washing efficiency with low chemical and water consumption. The pulp drying and baling line secures flexibility and high-quality pulp with easy operation supported by Valmet Quality Control System. The evaporation plant features Valmet Tubel technology for high availability and produces clean condensate quality for 100% reuse in the mill. The white liquor plant includes recausticizing and lime kiln and is designed for high reliability and less maintenance.

The mill-wide automation system, Valmet DNA, offers unique integration with process solutions including process analyzers. In addition, the delivery includes Valmet Industrial Internet solutions for Operator Training Simulator for the whole plant as well as basic hardware for connectivity for Performance Center services.