Arauco/Stora Enso Montes de Plata Pulp Complex Inaugurated in Uruguay
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The total investment of the mill amounted to $2,270 million (EUR 1,721 million), with an additional $230 million (EUR 174 million) in the port, making it the countrys largest private investment in history.
The Montes del Plata's pulp mill's annual capacity of 1.3 million metric tons of bleached Eucalyptus kraft pulp, and Stora Ensos part, 650,000 metric tons, is to be sold entirely as market pulp. The wood is sourced mostly from the companys own forestry plantations. Production will apply the best available techniques for the pulp sector by following IPPC BAT European Union standard.
The mill is the last link of a value chain that comprises more than 5 000 full-time jobs (including direct, indirect, and induced jobs). As a whole, the operations will increase Uruguay's annual GDP by 2%.
The mills' surplus power generated will feed the national grid, supplying up to 80 MW, equivalent to use by 200 000 Uruguayan households, through renewable and sustainable transformation of biomass, thus enhancing the country's general infrastructure.
Montes del Plata will also provide the sewage and water works system with an effluent treatment plant for the city of Colonia, an effluent pre-treatment plant in Carmelo, a sewage treatment plant in Conchillas, and a potable water plant also for Conchillas.
Montes del Plata's investment in Uruguay included the construction of three barges. Each barge has the capacity to transport 5,000 metric tons of roundwood, reducing the wood trucks' traffic load on local roads and the impact on the environment when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions. The construction process entailed a highly significant support to the development of the national shipbuilding cluster.
In terms of outbound transportation, Montes del Plata adds a modern port terminal to the country. The terminal can be used for river and maritime traffic given its connection to the Martín García Canal, thus enabling pulp production to be directly loaded to its final market destinations.
Uruguay benefits from a very rich eco-system. Montes del Plata will not compromise in its efforts to protect and develop the natural habitat and do what's right for the people and the planet. When it comes to sustainability, Montes del Platas goal is to set a benchmark in terms of stakeholder relations, land use, and contribution to local development.
