Arauco announced recently that Line II at the company’s Arauco pulp mill is currently undergoing its final stage of repairs and will begin the trial run during the first two weeks of February 2011. The Line’s operation was still pending because of damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami that hit Chile on February 27 of last year.
Line II at Arauco pulp mill, located in the Arauco commune, in Chile’s Bío Bío region, has a production capacity of 500,000 annual tons of pulp and was the company’s only unit whose normal operation was still pending. This line has faced a complex repairing process because the damage was severe.
The company's CEO Matías Domeyko stated, "we are very satisfied that almost a year after the earthquake –which had a huge impact on our people, the community, as well as our facilities– we can now resume normal operation of all our units, which are a significant source of support for the communities".
Last year, Arauco was internationally recognized with the 2010 Pulp & Paper International Award, organized by RISI, which distinguishes companies of the pulp and paper industry for their leadership, vision, innovation and strategic achievements. The company received this award for the comprehensive and strategic way in which it faced the reconstruction of its operations and nearby communities affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
