Bricarbras increases production of briquettes to 3 thousand tons

Brazilian industry Bricarbras, Hübner Group subsidiary, starts in October a new stage in its industrial activity as a manufacturer of wood sawdust briquettes from reforestation biomass. The company has inaugurated the operation of new equipment that will increase its production in 50%. Therewith, Bricarbras starts producing 3 thousand monthly tons.

The company acquired two new briquette machines, capable of "pressing" the wood sawdust used to manufacture the briquettes mechanically. Each machine has a production capacity of 500 tons a month. Two other machines should arrive until the end of the year, elevating the production to 4 thousand tons. The expectation is that until the middle of 2008 the company will be producing 8 thousand tons of briquettes.

Bricarbras also begins in October the operation of a second dryer. The equipment is capable to removing up to 90% of the humidity present in the forest residues used. Operating with an average temperature of 400°C (although it is possible to reach 1000°C), each dryer benefits four tons of biomass per hour.

Each dryer is capable to supplying four briquette machines. With the two dryers, until December it will be possible to increase the production to 4 thousand monthly tons.

Briquettes

The briquettes are sent for burning in boilers and ovens and its calorific power is quite superior to the pricked wood, the called "chips for biomass". Due to its calorific power and burning time the sawdust briquette burns approximately 3.5 times more than the chips, working as a mixture (blend). Ninety tons of sawdust briquettes avoid the cut of 85 adult trees.

The production of briquettes begun in May 2005, and since July of this year the company has been operating with its maximum capacity to supply their clients - basically industrial groups of Paraná and São Paulo. The most recent contract has just been closed with the company Iguaçu Celulose - unit of Piraí do Sul, which will have a monthly supply of one thousand tons.

Bricarbras

Bricarbras facilities are in Jaguariaíva, in the North of Paraná. Hübner Group began their activities in 1980 manufacturing metallic components, supplying assemblers and their partners, besides capital goods industries.

The business group is made of seven industrial units acting in the areas of industrialized biomass, briquetting, coaling, metallurgy, iron and non-iron foundry, machining and road implements. The development and the integration of all the companies consolidate the strategy of self-sufficiency of the group and strengthen its position with the segments it acts.