There are plans to build a pulp and paper factory in central Mozambique over the next nine years, using locally-grown eucalyptus plants as the basic raw material, the Mozambican press reported.
In preparation for this development a 7.5 hectare nursery costing around US$7 million has been opened. Described as the largest in the whole of Africa, this nursery has an installed production capacity of more than 12 million plants a year.
The nursery and pulp factory are both part of a US$2.2 billion project to be financed by the Portuguese group Soporcel (80%) and the World Bank group (20%).
Eucalyptus species are tolerant to severe moisture stress, low soil fertility as well as attack by fire and insects.
Also, eucalyptus is very productive because it grows quickly and thrives in short rotation plantations. This makes it ideal for the production of fibre for pulp and paper, according to pulpapernews.com
Eucalyptus to feed proposed pulp plant in Moz
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