São Paulo (News release) -- 365 days of operation and a trajectory that stands out for its excellent performance. One year after the start of activities for the first paper machine (PM) of the Puma II Project - the biggest investment in Klabin's history, which includes the construction of two paper machines with integrated pulp production -, the MP27 surpassed the mark of 330 thousand tons of Eukaliner® and Eukaliner White® produced and sold to the domestic and foreign markets, reinforcing the Company's vocation for the development of sustainable and innovative solutions in paper and paper packaging in Brazil. The machine, which has the capacity to produce 450,000 tons per year, surpassed the learning curve expected for the period.

Developed and patented by Klabin, the Eukaliner® product range, produced at MP27, is the first in the world with kraftliner paper made 100% from eucalyptus fiber, which guarantees advantages such as the optimization of the forest area necessary for its production. (less resource for manufacturing the same volume of paper), in addition to properties such as a more robust structure, which allows for a reduction in the weight of corrugated cardboard packaging with increased resistance and better printing quality.

From the beginning of production, Eukaliner® even surpassed the characteristics observed in the laboratory during the tests for the manufacture of the product. At this stage, the product has been tested by more than 15 opinion-forming customers around the world. Currently, Eukaliner® has a Column Resistance Index (responsible for maintaining the integrity of the boxes when stacked) that is 80% higher compared to papers currently on the market. This result enables the production of more robust boxes and up to 20% lighter, increasing its competitiveness. "As a result, Eukaliner® performed better than expected in all customers who have already received the product, including several countries in Europe (such as Belgium, Holland, Italy, United Kingdom, Iberia, Portugal and Spain, among others) and Latin America. (Peru, Chile, Argentina,

The twelve months that Eukaliner® has been on the market were also marked by positive customer examples. In Chile, Eukaliner® made it possible to save 20% in the volume of paper used when replacing a product with similar characteristics. "This is an example that shows how the gains for customers are diverse, ranging from the economic issue, due to the lower volume of paper needed, to the attributes of sustainability, since less product results in less CO2 emissions for its production and transport. In addition, Eukaliner® uses 40% less planted area than products developed with other fibers", comments Francisco Razzolini, director of Industrial Technology, Innovation and Sustainability at Klabin.

Since it began to be produced, Eukaliner® has also collaborated to consolidate Klabin's competitiveness, especially in foreign markets, with regular supply to various customers as a result of the product's differentials. "The quality of Eukaliner® has captivated customers, reinforcing the leadership position that Klabin already had internally and expanding its operations in the international market", adds Deganutti.

Since its launch, Eukaliner® has already accumulated some awards that attest to its attributes, such as the Sector Highlights Award, from ABTCP (Brazilian Pulp and Paper Technical Association), in the "Packaging Paper Manufacturer" category; the PPI Awards, from Fastmarkets RISI, in the Innovation in Packaging category; and, more recently, the ECO Award, promoted by Amcham Brasil, in the category of Sustainability Practices for large companies. Puma II: project continues to expand and MP28 startup will take place in 2023 In addition to the MP27, which started operations in 2021, the Puma II Project continues with the progress of works for the implementation of the MP28, the second paper machine foreseen in the project .


MP28 will focus on the production of cardboard, with a production capacity of 460 thousand tons per year and consolidates Klabin as a global producer of cardboard for liquid foods (milk and juices) and processed foods (cereals, chocolates, pizzas, proteins, etc.) .), hygiene and cleaning products (powder detergents, toothpaste), cardboard for multipack packaging of cans and bottles, in addition to cards for the growing food service segment, such as cups and trays, continuing the continuous growth plans and Company expansion. The machine startup is scheduled for the second quarter of 2023.

In all, the Puma II Project results from a contribution of R$12.9 billion by Klabin, being the largest investment in its history and the largest private investment in Paraná, reinforcing the Company's long-standing positive partnership with the state, in addition to to be part of the expansion cycle that the company is going through. The Project strengthens the integration of Klabin's production chain and was conceived to become a world reference in sustainability, technology and innovation, being, from the beginning, aligned with the principles of Industry 4.0 and with the objective of offering the market high quality products. , thus generating value for the Company and society.