SAO PAULO, Jan. 19, 2009 (RISI) – Following recent pulp and paper industry postponements of some investment projects, Albany International is recalculating the timeline of its expansion plan at its Indaial plant, in Santa Catarina state, Brazil.

Albany, which manufactures paper machine clothing and process belts and supplies the South American industry, is investing to raise Indaial’s current capacity by 80% for completion in 2011. The first phase of the expansion project includes the installation of new weaving looms and needler looms as well as the expansion of the industrial building area by 30%, according to Elidio Frias, Albany International Brazil’s marketing director.

The project’s second phase, which is scheduled to be ready in 2011, includes the installation of new equipment for clothing and belts manufacturing. “The chronology of the first phase is confirmed as we have demand from South American pulp and tissue producers which will start up projects this year,” Frias said. “The second phase, though, will follow the pulp and paper projects’ new schedule in the region,” Frias added.

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