Vale da Celulose: protagonism of the agroforestry industry in MS has repercussions and is a national highlight

Highlighting the cellulose industry in Brazil and Mato Grosso do Sul, a report by Valor Econômico – a journalism website specializing in economics, finance and business –, published this Monday (25) with the title “Paper and cellulose will have R $67 billion in contributions”, highlights the investments in the forest-based industry, especially in the State.

The favorable economic moment of the sector in Mato Grosso do Sul was extensively detailed in the material, demonstrating the State Government’s commitment to generating employment and income, attracting industries and qualifying the workforce. The report reported on the installation and start of activities of Arauco and Suzano, in different municipalities in the State.

One of the highlights of the material is the construction of the Arauco unit in Inocência, in 2028 – the last year of the known investment cycle, the Sucuriú Project – when the industry plans to put into operation its first cellulose factory in the country. The Chilean group, which has an investment of approximately R$3 billion, will initially be able to produce 2.5 million tons per year at the unit located in the municipality of Mato Grosso do Sul.

Another important point is that the report shows the continuity of investments after 2028, with forecast investments of R$ 28 billion and 5 million tons per year, after the start of operation of the second line in Innocência, in 2032.

Suzano, with the Cerrado project – the largest currently underway – under construction in the municipality of Ribas do Rio Pardo, may also receive a second line. Expected to start operating in June and initial production expected at 2.55 million tons per year – of cellulose and eucalyptus – the project is budgeted at R$22.2 billion, one of the largest private investments made in the country.

Another point highlighted in the Valor Econômico report is that Eldorado Brasil has an expansion project, which could double the capacity of the factory already installed and operating in the municipality of Três Lagoas.

And finally, the material highlights Bracell, from Asia, which seeks raw materials in Mato Grosso do Sul, to supply the pulp megafactory in Lençóis Paulista (SP). The company is responsible for investing R$5 billion – one of the largest in the industry – in another factory also in the interior of São Paulo.

The report brought an assessment by Secretary Jaime Verruck, from Semadesc (Secretary of State for the Environment, Development, Science, Technology and Innovation), on the current situation of Mato Grosso do Sul in the sector’s investment scenario and as a national highlight in the area . “The pulp game, in the coming years, will be very focused on Mato Grosso do Sul”, said Verruck to Valor Econômico.

“In fact, Mato Grosso do Sul should remain the destination for the next cellulose projects, as it has water resources and at least 7 million hectares with low clay content and already degraded, because they were pastures, which can receive more planting of eucalyptus. The goal is to reach 2 million hectares of eucalyptus planted by 2025, surpassing Minas Gerais in the leadership of cultivated area”, states the report.

In addition to highlighting the technical qualities to serve the cellulose industry in Mato Grosso do Sul, Valor Econômico also brought an analysis of the general conditions that the State provides for the sector in relation to logistics and also the relationship of environmental protection, even in the face of of industrial and economic growth.

“A decade ago, the State understood that cellulose could be even more interesting than other agricultural commodities, as it was accompanied by huge industrial investments. Therefore, it began offering easier licensing for eucalyptus cultivation, without giving up environmental requirements. Today, 91% of the planted base in the State has the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) seal”, says the report, also highlighting the State’s interest in attracting investments in the next part of the value chain, pulp processing.

The Valor Econômico article is available to subscribers at https://valor.globo.com/empresas/noticia/2024/03/25/papel-e-celular-terao-r-67-bi-em-aportes.ghtml.

Natalia Yahn, Communication Government of MS
Photo: Álvaro Rezende