BO Paper Invests In Modernizing Its Refining Plant To Expand Packaging Paper Production Using Voith Technology

Voith Paper, a global leader in paper industry technologies, supplied the InfibraFiner refiner to the BO Paper plant in Jaguariaíva, Paraná, Brazil. BO Paper is a traditional producer of printing and writing papers and a major player in thermomechanical fiber-based papers in Latin America. This investment is part of the company's industrial modernization process, which is diversifying its traditional newsprint operation by expanding its production of packaging papers, keeping pace with the segment's growth trends in Brazil.

The new equipment will be installed for refining recycled paper scraps, a crucial step in ensuring the quality and performance of packaging paper, especially in a context of increasing use of recycled fibers. The plant operates predominantly with mechanical pulp (virgin fiber) and, with the acquisition of the refiner, expands the integration of recycled fibers in a more strategic way into the production process.

With the implementation of InfibraFiner, Voith's latest development in refining, featuring the most advanced technology on the market, BO Paper is taking a technological leap by replacing three old refiners with just one modern piece of equipment, capable of offering greater process consistency, higher quality refining, and a significant reduction in energy consumption.

“The InfibraFiner represents a significant advancement in the waste paper refining process, bringing greater energy and operational efficiency. Replacing three refiners with a single piece of equipment provides direct gains in both energy consumption and maintenance, as well as ensuring greater stability and capacity to meet future planned revenues and the new demands of the paper machine,” highlights Rodrigo Ruffo, Sales and Applications Manager for Fiber Systems at Voith Paper.

In addition to supporting increased production capacity and the new fiber mix configuration, the project also contributes to reducing manufacturing costs. One of the main expected gains is a significant improvement in energy performance: the plant estimates achieving a significant reduction in no-load power during refining, potentially reaching around 45%, a key factor in optimizing the industrial process.

Modernization also brings positive impacts on maintenance costs, since the new arrangement reduces the number of operating equipment and, consequently, decreases the need for mechanical interventions and scheduled shutdowns.

With this supply, Voith Paper reinforces its role as a strategic partner for manufacturers seeking technological modernization, energy efficiency, and competitiveness, supporting the transformation of the sector in the face of growing demand for sustainable packaging and solutions based on a circular economy.