AkzoNobel’s Specialty Chemicals business has completed the expansion of a Chemical Island in Brazil to support growth of Brazilian forestry company Fibria, a leading producer of eucalyptus pulp in the world. The new production line in Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul state) is now the largest single pulp line in the world and strengthens Fibria’s leading market position.

The new Chemical Island is also the largest of the four being operated by AkzoNobel to serve the Brazilian pulp industry. Fibria has invested $2.2 billion to more than double pulp capacity at its mill in Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul state) to 3.25 million tons per year.

The expansion of the Chemical Island (a concept developed by AkzoNobel) includes the installation of a second chlorine dioxide plant, as well as increased space for storage and logistics. The Chemical Island concept provides pulp mill customers with a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the production and supply of bleaching chemicals as well as services for other chemical processes.

“We are a dedicated partner with Fibria and have now supplied five of their six chlorine dioxide units, including the two at Três Lagoas. The close proximity to our customer provides important sustainability benefits by reducing transportation,” informs Antonio Carlos Francisco, General Manager of Bleaching Chemicals South America for AkzoNobel’s Pulp and Performance Chemicals business.