Eka Bahia is Eka Chemicals, first full-scale Chemicals Island. Constructed at Veracel pulp mill, the largest and most advanced eucalyptus single-pulp line in the world. Online as of May 2005, 900,000 tons of bleached eucalyptus pulp is produced annually from sustainable forest plantations.
On-site Eka produces sodium chlorate, chlorine dioxide and oxygen. Eka also handles the total supply of pulping chemicals for the Veracel mill.
A unique partnership
The relationship between Veracel and Eka Chemicals is based on a unique partnership between a chemical supplier and pulp mill. Part of the strategy of the Veracel project was the ambition to get the total supply of chemicals to the mill from one single supplier on-site. This meant putting the full responsibility for the construction of the chemicals plant, as well as the production and supply of chemicals, in the hands of one qualified company.
The Veracel intention worked hand in hand with the Eka Chemicals strategy to use its expertise in chemicals processing and production, thereby taking a bigger responsibility for the value chain in pulp and paper production. To the benefit of both parties in terms of a more rational, reliable and safe production, Eka Chemicals do Brazil, the leading supplier of bleaching chemicals to the Brazilian pulp industry for many years, saw the Veracel project as a great challenge and a golden opportunity for Eka Chemicals to fully introduce its concept on a scale not experienced before. A 15 year supply agreement for the delivery of chemicals was signed.
With our know-how and experience from several similar, but smaller-scale projects in Europe, the project was completed according to plan. Eka today provides a safe and reliable chemicals supply, allowing Veracel staff and management to concentrate on their core business - pulp production.
Complete chemicals supply
Chlorine dioxide is the workhorse in the environmentally compatible ECF (Elemental Chlorine-Free) bleaching process, which is used by the Veracel pulp mill. It is produced by the Eka Chemicals patented SVP-SCW® process.
Although it is an independent production unit, the Chemicals Island is part of the pulp mill infrastructure, with a cost-efficient supply of electrical energy, water, steam and other utilities used.
Eka Chemicals has built a 58,000 t/year production plant for sodium chlorate. The production meets the Veracel demand but is also an important contribution to meeting a growing need for chlorate for the expanding Brazilian pulp and paper industry.
The Chemical Island comprises:
- Sodium Chlorate plant (58,000 tpy)
- Chlorine Dioxide plant (39 tpd)
- An Oxygen plant (69 tpd)
- Hydrogen and Sodium Sulfate and Sesqui Sulfate delivered to Veracel.
- A tank farm and storage facilities for outsourced products.: caustic (55 tpd), hydrogen peroxide (21 tpd), sulfuric acid (55 tpd), methanol (5 tpd), and sulfur dioxide (8 tpd). Products are handled by Eka on behalf of Veracel.
Eka’s total on-site investment amounted to EUR 50 million, with the factory employing about 40.
Environmentally compatible
Together with Veracel, Eka Chemicals is making strong efforts to ensure a safe and environmentally compatible operation. The processes chosen are well established and proven and will not have any negative effect on the surroundings, or in terms of discharged water or waste. Eka Chemicals on-site production contributes to minimizing the transport of chemicals on the road.
Recruiting and employment at Eka Bahia
Veracel is the largest private employer in the south of Bahia. The company is responsible for more than 2,000 direct jobs just through its eucalyptus forest plantations and operations to recover the Atlantic Forest remnants. With the mill in full operation, the company generates 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.