Brazil's NQB eyes new sodium chlorate capacity
30 January 2003 15:23 [Source: ICIS news]
SALVADOR, Brazil (CNI)--Nexen Quimica Brasil (NQB) said Thursday it is evaluating a major expansion of its sodium chlorate production in line with a new project by its principal customer, Aracruz Celulose.
NQB managing director Pericles dos Santos told CNI today that the company is hoping to either expand its existing 60 000 tonne/year sodium chlorate plant in Aracruz, Espirito Santo or build a new plant in Aracruz or adjacent to the new Aracruz Celulose project in Eunapolis, Bahia.
NQB, formerly part of Aracruz Celulose, is in discussions with Aracruz Celulose affiliate Veracel Celulose about supplying sodium chlorate to the Eunapolis cellulose project. Sodium chlorate is used as a bleaching agent in cellulose production.
Veracel, which is owned 50:50 by Aracruz Celulose and global forest products group Stora Enso, is conducting a feasibility study for the $1bn (Euro934m) Eunapolis cellulose project. The study is expected to be completed in first half this year, and the plant is expected to take about 24 months to build from the date of the first tender.
Depending on the outcome of discussions with Veracel, Santos said, NQB could either build a sodium chlorate plant exclusively for Veracel or build a larger plant, which could also supply the local market.
The investment cost for the sodium chlorate expansion will depend on the size of the project, he said, which in turn depends on the market. "I hope we can provide further information at the end of March or early April when we hope to have more information from Veracel."
Santos said no decisions have yet been taken concerning expansions of NQB’s other production: chlorine, hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorate and caustic soda.
By: Anna Jagger
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