BRAZIL -- Suzano Papel e Celulose says it plans to acquire equipment for converting tissue paper, also known as sanitary paper, into finished products.

The mill in Imperatriz, Brazil, will be the first one in the state of Maranhão to manufacture products such as toilet paper, tissues, napkins and more. Meanwhile, at the mill in Mucuri, Bahia, the investment involves the construction of a second conversion line.

The main purpose of the new mills is to supply the growing market for sanitary papers in the Northeast and North regions of Brazil.

Initially, the projects in both tissue paper units will create 160 to 200 new jobs and require total investment estimated at R$540 million ($174 million).

The project envisages annual production capacity of 120,000 tons of tissue paper, with 60,000 tons allocated to finished products and the other 60,000 tons to jumbo rolls.

The Imperatriz Unit is expected to start production in the fourth quarter of this year. Meanwhile, the line at the Mucuri Unit should begin operations in the third quarter of 2017.

Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. produces and sells bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp and printing and writing paper.

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