To achieve this objective, SEPAC opted to acquire the equipment from Voith Paper. The project, which requires approximately US$12 million in investments, includes a new tissue machine with approach flow system, a stock preparation upgrade, peripheral equipment, startup assistance, training, and the engineering required for the installation of the new VTM 2 tissue paper machine, to be integrate it with the other machines currently in operation at SEPAC. The investment in equipment and infrastructure, including thermal power, will be around US$ 50 million.

The manufacture of the new machine started on March 2007. The start-up is scheduled for June 2008.

After conclusion of this project, SEPAC will increase its production capacity to 65,000 tons/year. The tissue machine will be capable to operate at speeds of up to 1,600 m/min, producing high-quality tissue paper with basis weights from 14 to 35 g/m² and jumbo roll diameters of 2,760 mm.

According to SEPAC´s commercial manager, Sonia Mabile, company´s revenues may have a significant rise after the expansion. “We are banking on a sales increase mainly regarding added-value products, such as double roll toilet paper, which gives a higher profitability to the whole distribution chain”, Mabile said.

SEPAC started its activities in the late 70’s and today is fully dedicated to the production of tissue paper SEPAC’s product mix includes single and double ply toilet paper, towel and napkin paper. The products are currently distributed throughout the entire Brazilian territory and also Mercosur.

Voith Paper Sao Paulo provides machinery for over 50 countries, and is renowned throughout the world for its technical competence and high quality; About 80 percent of the Brazilian writing and printing paper is produced on Voith Paper machines. Additionally, the Center of Competence (COC) for tissue technology, one of the five centers within the Group, is headquartered in Sao Paulo, covering the global market.

Voith Paper is a division of Voith and one of the leading partners to the paper industry. Through steady innovations, Voith Paper optimizes the paper production process. More than a third of worldwide paper production is produced on Voith Paper machines.

Voith sets standards in the paper, energy, mobility and service markets. Founded on January 1, 1867, it has a current workforce of 37,000, sales of EUR 4 billion and over 270 locations worldwide.

Voith is an official partner to the initiative "Germany - Land of Ideas".