Paper Technology International 2024 - Journal - Page 152
PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
“We basically have everything here a pulp or paper maker could ever
dream of and make whatever they want.”
Rodrigo Vendramini
Klabin’s Project and Technology Manager
Covid challenges “We were really strong together”
“The Puma II project kicked off in May 2019 and was going
really well, with all the plants we were working better than the
schedule,” says Vendramini. “And then came the pandemic!
“This was obviously a major challenge. We suddenly had
to shut down the site construction and installation activities of the
project, and somehow demobilize the 6,000 people we had on site
and move them back home under the governmental conditions of
the pandemic. As everybody else, we had no experience like that
before and, of course, the safety of our people and those working on
the project was of paramount importance. We then had to 昀椀gure out
how we could continue the project under these adverse conditions.
Remobilizing the workers took long, following strict protocols set by
authorities, Klabin, and ANDRITZ.”
This turned out to be a real test of the relationship between
Klabin and ANDRITZ, as this was not just a question of health
and safety. There was also a major project to continue with all the
attendant challenges of equipment deliveries held up in ports and
ongoing construction activities with a severely depleted work force
due to the raging pandemic.
Sirtoli says, “This was a dif昀椀cult time, and there were some
major headaches due to equipment delays with ports being shut.
There were also challenges on the ground; for example,
there were days when as many as 100 construction workers didn’t
turn up due to positive COVID tests.
“But it has to be said, the cooperation with Klabin was
brilliant, the lines of communication were fully open, and the
company was very empathetic to our needs and challenges. At this
stage we had weekly meetings where the project leaders from both
sides covered all the eventualities that were affecting the project and
found solutions that worked for both parties.
“This was a dif昀椀cult phase we went through, but we
were really strong together,” adds Vendramini. “And with open
and transparent communication we all understood very well the
challenges both parties were facing, which enabled us to move
forward in a decisive way.”
As well as dealing with COVID-19 as the project got back on
track, there were still major challenges, including the 昀椀rst capacity
increase of the cooking plants during the maintenance shutdown of
the mill.
“In the end, the whole project had gone under replanning
and deviated for some weeks from the original schedule, which was
impressive considering the impact COVID had,” says Vendramini.
A World of opportunities
After the start-up of ANDRITZ pulping technology and two
paper machines, PM27 (which started up in 2021) and PM28, the
Puma mill is now producing some of the most varied ranges of paper
and board seen at any mill around the world. PM28 started up in late
June 2023 and is now adding value to the mill’s output by satisfying
numerous customers from specialist liquid packaging grades to
100% Eukaliner for corrugated packaging, and almost every grade
in between.
But the work doesn’t stop. Ricardo Cardoso, Industrial
Director of Klabin Puma Mill, says, “We are very pleased with how
ANDRITZ supported us in the Puma II project. Through a close
collaboration between the Klabin team and our suppliers, we are
now fully equipped to provide sustainable solutions, encompassing
all sorts of paper and cardboard types and varieties that our clients
require to enhance their business success.
“The technology for SulfoLoop and gasi昀椀cation of the lime kiln
from ANDRITZ 昀椀ts in well with our own ambitions to improve
our environmental performance.”
Francisco Razzolini
Klabin’s Director of Industrial Technology
Innovations and Sustainability
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