PLAINFIELD, Ill. and SAO PAULO, Brazil, March 15, 2001— Aracruz Celulose S.A. has selected USFilter's HPD Products and Confab S.A. to design and install a seven-effect evaporation system as part of Aracruz's $620 million expansion project at its Esp�to Santo pulp mill.
The new seven-effect black liquor evaporation train is part of Aracruz's new 700,000 tons per year pulp production line, which will double its pulp capacity to 1.9 million tons per year. USFilter and Confab will provide full turnkey project support on the evaporator expansion from engineering and fabrication to installation and start-up.
The new train is USFilter's fourth HPD evaporator system at the Esp�to Santo facility. "Through our long-term relationship, USFilter and Confab bring an unmatched understanding of the operation, systems and people at the Esp�to Santo facility. They were selected in part because of this value, but also more importantly because of their long-term support, system operation and outstanding technology," said Walter L�o, Chief Operation Officer at Aracruz Celulose S. A., Esp�to Santo.
"We are excited to again work with our friends at Aracruz on this new project. We have worked with Aracruz for more than 20 years. As we move into the design stage, the HPD team looks forward to our continued relationship with Aracruz Celulose and the personnel at the Esp�to Santo facility," said Jim Brown, Vice President and General Manager of USFilter's HPD Products.
Aracruz Celulose S.A. is the world's largest producer of bleached eucalyptus pulp, used to make tissue, printing and writing papers. The company exports about 95% of its pulp mainly to North America, Europe, and Asia.
Through its partnership, USFilter and Confab will maximize their use of local labor and resources for the project. Confab S.A. of San Paulo, Brazil represents USFilter's HPD Products group in Brazil.
The new evaporation system is scheduled for start-up and operation by the summer 2002.
With nearly 600 installations in operation, USFilter's HPD Products is a leading global designer and supplier of evaporation and crystallization systems and has been a major supplier to the pulp and paper industry for more than 25 years.
USFilter, a Vivendi Water company, is the leading global provider of commercial, industrial, municipal and residential water and wastewater treatment systems, products and services, with operations in more than 100 countries. USFilter, which is based in Palm Desert, Calif., invites you to visit its web site at http://www.usfilter.com
