18 February, 2015
Montes del Plata to hold first scheduled maintenance shutdown
Montes del Plata will perform the first scheduled maintenance shutdown for its industrial complex located near Conchillas, Colonia, in Uruguay
13 February 2015. For approximately two weeks starting on March 16th, maintenance tasks, inspections and improvements to equipment and facilities will be performed at the Punta Pereira industrial complex. This procedure is performed once a year.
During the operation, the mill&rsquos permanent team will increase in approximately 800 additional workers, 600 of whom are Uruguayan. Of the Uruguayan staff, 40% carry are residents of the area of influence of the industrial operations.
Andritz Uruguay S.A. will lead operations and is charged with contracting specialized companies. Most of the over 20 companies participating in the maintenance works have vast experience as they are regularly involved in the Fray Bentos mill maintenance operations.
During this phase, odorous events in areas close to the mill are common, especially during shutdowns, start-ups and draining of equipment. Environmental Monitoring Commissions have stated that these events are innocuous to health.
Annual maintenance shutdowns are a common practice for the pulp industry. Montes del Plata&rsquos maintenance shutdown will occur given the company&rsquos responsibility for guaranteeing a positive performance of the industrial mill, both in productive and environmental aspects.
This event is taking place 10 months after the start of operations in June 2014 and is part of the consolidation of the mill&rsquos normal operations and of the industry`s supply system.
The mill&rsquos start-up occurred normally and is within industry standards. The mill is currently producing and exporting in accordance with its designed capacity.
