(01/26/2015) Paranapanema, Brazil’s major copper producer, implemented new manufacturing equipment in its factory in Dias D’Ávila (BA). Opened on the morning of last Monday, the new wire drawing machine, which molds rebar in order to turn them into copper wires, will expand by 60% wire production, from 50 thousand to 80 thousand of tons per year. The company’s investment in the project is about R$12 million. The event had the participation of Bahia governor, Rui Costa.

“About 60% of copper production in Brazil comes from rebar and wire markets, which makes drawing an extremely important process and justifies the strategy of Paranapanema, a national leader in wire production, to strengthen this operation. In addition, we are very glad to make new investments in Bahia and contribute to the industrial and socio-economic development of the state”, explains the company president, Christophe Malik Akli.

With increased production, Paranapanema will generate 25 new direct jobs in the region, where the company produces four different diameters of wires for electrical applications. Produced in Brazil with German technology by Niehoff, the new wire drawing machine is the ultimate resource for the production of primary copper. The machine can produce two wires simultaneously, even of different sizes.

The expansion of the factory received support from the State Government, the project being part of Desenvolve – Programa de Desenvolvimento Industrial e de Integração Econômica [Program of Industrial Development and Economic Integration], which aims to encourage the installation, expansion or modernization of industrial or agro-industrial enterprises in Bahia.

“Today, we celebrate with joy that the Northeast is the fastest growing region in Brazil and Bahia is the fastest growing state in the Northeast. In order to keep the pace, we are staying focused on bringing new industries and expanding the ones that are already here”, says Rui Costa.