Veolia Deploys Mobile Water Treatment System to Support Suzano Imperatriz Operations

Veolia has deployed a mobile water treatment system at Suzano’s Imperatriz unit in Maranhão to ensure operational continuity during a scheduled maintenance shutdown.

Water plays a critical role across all stages of pulp production, from wood preparation to bleaching and wastewater treatment, requiring consistent supply and strict quality standards. Interruptions in water availability or treatment can halt production and impact financial performance, making continuity solutions a strategic priority for producers.

At Suzano Imperatriz, the challenge was to supply an additional 150 m³/h of high-purity demineralized water to feed a high-pressure boiler during a 95-day general maintenance shutdown. Any disruption in supply or quality could have affected operations and the shutdown schedule.

To address this, Veolia mobilized a containerized mobile treatment system under a three-month “Bridge” contract. The solution, fed by treated water, integrates filtration, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange polishing technologies. Veolia managed testing, logistics, installation, and commissioning, with support from Suzano, enabling provisional start-up and subsequent system hibernation until final commissioning on December 28, 2025.

The system operated continuously, delivering a stable flow of 150 m³/h of high-purity water. Reported performance included conductivity below 0.2 µS/cm, silica levels under 0.01 ppm, and hardness below 0.01, alongside stable pH levels between 5.5 and 7.5. Continuous monitoring and instrumentation supported operational reliability and transparency.

“The ability to mobilize, commission, and operate a high-performance system 24/7 is what sets us apart,” said Nelson Antonino, Senior Services Manager for Integrated Services at Veolia | Water Tech.

Following commissioning, the system was placed in hibernation and is scheduled for reactivation, demonstrating flexibility to align with operational timelines.

The project highlights the role of mobile water treatment solutions in maintaining production continuity and supporting industrial resilience in the pulp and paper sector.