Metso broke ground on a service center to be located adjacent to the greenfield pulp mill of Suzano Papel e Celulose in Maranhão.

Metso will expand its global service network by opening a service center to serve Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A.’s 1.5-million-tonne greenfield pulp mill in Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. The service center will supply roll-grinding and other maintenance services and will have storage for selected spare parts and consumables. The center will be located in Imperatriz, close to the Maranhão mill, and will be operational in late 2013.

As a part of the agreement, the two companies have agreed that Metso will establish mill maintenance for the entire Maranhão mill, which means Metso will take responsibility for establishing the mill’s maintenance management system. Metso also will support Suzano in establishing materials management operations.

 “We have decided to contract Metso to bring equipment manufacturer’s process knowledge and maintenance expertise in establishing maintenance for the Maranhão mill. We expect to have efficient maintenance plans and organization in order to contribute to a reliable start-up and quick learning curve, from the first days of operation,” says José Alexandre, Industrial Director, Suzano Papel e Celulose.

All main technology for the Maranhão pulp mill is being supplied by Metso. The scope of supply includes wood handling, the cooking plant and fiberline, pulp drying and baling, evaporation, power boiler, recovery boiler, causticizing and lime kiln, and an integrated automation solution for all process areas. The mill is scheduled to start up in the second half of 2013.