Suzano, the world's leading market pulp producer, has announced the successful operational startup of its new mill, the largest single pulp production line globally, located in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Mato Grosso do Sul state. This milestone represents the completion of one of Brazil’s largest private investment projects to date. The new facility underscores Suzano's commitment to expanding its production capacity and reinforces its leadership in the global pulp industry, positioning the company for enhanced market presence and operational excellence.

The newly inaugurated facility will significantly boost Suzano’s annual eucalyptus pulp production capacity to 2.55 million tons, enhancing the company's total production capacity by over 20% to 13.5 million tons annually. The project represents a substantial investment of R$ 22.2 billion (~US$ 4.3 billion), with R$ 15.9 billion (~US$ 3.1 billion) dedicated to plant construction and R$ 6.3 billion (~US$ 1.2 billion) allocated for developing the planting base and managing pulp outbound logistics. Additionally, Suzano maintains the capacity to produce 1.5 million tons of paper each year, encompassing sanitary paper, printing and writing paper, and packaging materials, further leveraging its pulp production capabilities.

Aligned with Suzano’s ESG commitment to "Renewing Life," the new mill is designed to fulfill global demand for sustainably produced eucalyptus-based products. It will utilize renewable biomass to generate an average of 180 MW of surplus green power per month. This energy will be supplied to local vendors and the national grid, equivalent to powering a city of up to 2 million residents. The mill's strategic location near Suzano’s eucalyptus farms will significantly cut emissions and transportation time, with an average forest-to-mill distance of just 65 kilometers compared to the typical 150 kilometers. Additionally, the facility will achieve self-sufficiency in producing Sulfuric Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide.

Beto Abreu, newly-appointed CEO of Suzano, praised the successful completion of the Cerrado Project, highlighting the collective dedication and execution capabilities of the team involved. He commended the culture of excellence fostered within the organization, especially under the leadership of Walter Schalka, who guided the project during his 11-year tenure. Abreu noted that Schalka’s vision and ambition were instrumental in delivering a world-class mill within budget. He emphasized that the project adhered to Suzano’s core values of sustainability and positively impacting local communities at every stage.

This investment represents the largest in Suzano’s century-long history, introducing significant operational and socio-environmental advancements. The completed project is expected to greatly influence both the local community and the broader regional economy. During the construction phase, up to 10,000 jobs were created, and once operational, the mill will offer 3,000 full-time positions across the facility and its associated forestry and logistics operations. This investment underscores Suzano's commitment to driving economic growth and providing substantial employment opportunities in the region.