Cenibra reviews cost reduction, quality improvement moves

SAO PAULO, Sept. 24, 2008 (Press Release) - Maximizing productivity and minimizing costs are a reality for most of the pulp producers around the world. Cenibra has developed a number of works in several production areas to identify options and opportunities of gains, with the core target of reducing the costs and improving the quality.

In this context, the Manufacturing Department, in a joint work with the Technical Department, carried out specific works in the pulp drying and baling area using high tech equipment in the pulp plants 1 and 2. The Quality Control System (QCS) was purchased from ABB and installed at the end of 2007. It enables the longitudinal control of the pulp sheet grammage and moisture from the entry box to the cutting machine. Besides keeping the quality parameters within the pre-established ranges, this system includes also predictive controls that enable adjustments to be made even before deviations are detected in the final product.

In addition to improving the quality of the product shipped to the customers, the investment resulted in savings of R$ 385,000/year because of lower steam consumption and reduced non-conformities. Process variability was remarkably reduced.

Statistic data treatment relative to both periods showed a 35.42% drop in the consistency standard deviation.