Valmet Advances Ahead of Schedule on Arauco’s $4.6 Billion Sucuriú Pulp Mill Project

Construction of Arauco’s Sucuriú Project in Mato Grosso do Sul has reached a significant milestone, with Valmet reporting progress ahead of schedule one year after execution began in February 2025. The project, described as the world’s largest single-phase pulp mill construction, remains on track for startup in the second half of 2027, with a total capital expenditure of $4.6 billion.

Valmet, responsible for key process islands, has completed approximately 70% of civil construction works, supported by more than 3.5 million labor hours. The focus is now shifting toward electromechanical assembly as infrastructure consolidation continues.

Major equipment installations highlight the scale of the project. A 300-ton steam drum for the recovery boiler has been delivered from China, while assembly of the boiler structure—already incorporating over 3,000 tons of steel—began ahead of schedule. The unit will use bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) technology to generate energy from biomass and waste, supporting emissions reduction and energy efficiency targets.

In the fiber line, digesters exceeding 64 meters in height and pre-impregnation vessels nearing 45 meters underscore the vertical scale of operations. The drying area, covering roughly 30,000 square meters, will incorporate more than 25,000 blow boxes, requiring logistics involving 480 truck deliveries.

The wood handling system is designed for high throughput, with chipping capacity reaching 3,000 cubic meters per hour. The facility will also feature a distributed control system processing 60,000 interface signals, positioning the plant as one of the most digitized assets in the pulp industry.

Workforce mobilization is set to intensify in 2026, with personnel expected to double from 4,000 to 8,000 by September. Installation of piping, valves, and instrumentation is scheduled to follow completion of major boiler components, enabling commissioning and automation testing to proceed as planned.

Valmet stated that the project continues to meet contractual milestones, supported by integrated planning, governance, and risk management frameworks.