Suzano Begins Testing First High-Capacity Electric Truck to Improve Sustainable Transportation

July 11, 2024 - Suzano, in partnership with VIX Logística, announced it has begun testing the first high-capacity electric truck in Brazil capable of towing up to 120 tons, at its Aracruz site, located in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

The “Atlas” truck, developed by VIX, has the potential to save up to 8,300 liters of diesel per month and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 21 tons.

Suzano’s ambition is to reduce emissions by 20% on the route between the mill and Portocel – where products from Suzano’s Aracruz Unit are exported to different parts of the world. This partnership marks a significant step in accelerating the energy transition of Suzano’s pulp transportation fleet, allowing Suzano to integrate more sustainable transportation practices throughout its operations, and reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability at all stages of the supply chain.

The implementation supports Suzano’s Commitments to Renewing Life – its long-term targets aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in building a better world for people and the planet. Deploying “Atlas” into Suzano’s transportation fleet will help Suzano in its goal of removing 40 million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2025 environment, a volume equivalent to São Paulo’s emissions over two years.

"The partnership with VIX Logística is an important strategic marker for us, representing a significant milestone in our efforts to implement new technologies at all stages of our operations to help us deliver cleaner and more efficient transportation solutions", says Beatriz Nalevaiko Venturini, Operational Excellence Manager at Suzano.

The “Atlas” truck, and its capacity to hold 120 tons, is a significant improvement on traditional solutions available on the market, which weigh around a total of 40 tons (truck weight + load). Developed from a Mercedes-Benz Axor 3344 chassis, “Atlas” operates via electric propulsion and, because of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, offers a far more sustainable alternative.

Elias Alves, director of VIX and responsible for VIVA - VIX Autonomous Vehicles – said the partnership aligns with the company's innovative culture: "Having an innovation drive within the company allows us to test creative and bold solutions. The adoption of efficient and sustainable technologies is a major trend in the market, and VIX stands out in this movement, remaining at the forefront of the logistics sector."

Suzano and VIX Logística started testing “Atlas” in May this year. The vehicle's operational performance will be carefully monitored by Suzano during the first few months, with the intention of further deploying the alternative to other operations of the company.

Suzano is the world’s largest producer of market pulp. The company’s responsibly grown raw materials are used in products reaching over two billion people in more than 100 countries, including tissue and toilet paper, books, printing and writing paper, diapers and period products, packaging, textiles, and a range of innovative applications that can replace products made from fossil fuels.

SOURCE: Suzano

Suzano Getting Ready to Start-up New Pulp Mill in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

June 27, 2024 - Suzano announced that the operational start-up of its new pulp mill in Ribas do Rio Pardo, located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul ("Cerrado Project"), Brazil, will take place in July 2024.

Initially announced in May of 2021, the Cerrado Project involves the construction of the new pulp mill that will have the capacity to produce 2.55 million tons per year of eucalyptus pulp, increasing Suzano's installed market pulp capacity to 13.5 million tons per year.

The R$22.2 billion project is one of the largest private-sector investments currently under development in Brazil.

Suzano noted that the new pulp mill is in its final commissioning phase and the company has plans in-place to ensure the appropriate execution of the start-up and expected performance of its learning curve.

In addition to pulp production, the new mill will have the capacity to sell approximately 180 MW of surplus energy to Brazil's power grid and it will have as one of its differentials the gasification of biomass to replace fossil fuel in lime kiln, representing a new milestone in eco-efficiency and sustainability for the industry and region.

Suzano is the world's largest producer of hardwood pulp and a global leader in the innovation and production of renewable, bio-based materials for consumer and industrial use.

SOURCE: Suzano

Paper Industry in Europe Saw Sharp Decrease in Paper and Board Production in 2023

The Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) has released its final summary and statistics report for 2023.

July 9, 2024 (Press Release) - In an economic context that continues to be exceptionally difficult and marked in 2023 by low consumption linked to massive destocking, many pulp and paper companies have seen a turnover decrease in the past year. A record high annual recycling rate indicates the industry's autonomy and circularity.

The decrease in paper and board production in 2023 (-13%) resulting from low demand was far more pronounced even than during the Covid-19 crisis (-4.7% in 2020). This is a trend that is not particular only to Europe, but the global slowdown has been worsened in the EU by comparatively high costs for production inputs, notably energy. The European economy as a whole has lost momentum, against the background of a high cost of living, monetary tightening, and a weak external demand.

All paper and board grades recorded a sharp decline of production, with a varied situation across grades. The production of packaging grades decreased by 11% in 2023 compared to 2022 while sanitary and household paper registered a decrease by about 4.0%.

Despite these developments the pulp and paper industry has shown some surprising signs of robustness in 2023, with an exceptional recycling rate of 79,3% - or 74,4% on a three-year rolling average. It remains more than ever a "made-in-Europe" industry with 91% of fibres sourced from within the European Union. Adding to this was a positive trade balance for market pulp, produced to be sold on the market rather than used on-site, for the first time since data is collected by Cepi.

The trade balance for the sector overall remains high, placing it in the top European manufacturing sectors on that metrics. Still, this second consecutive year of decrease could point towards a loss in global competitiveness for Europe's pulp and paper industry.

In another area of high performance amongst industrial sectors, the decoupling of pulp and paper production from CO2 emissions continues on a steady trajectory, decreasing by 5.8% in 2023. The sector has already achieved over 46% reduction of carbon emissions since 2005.

Investments remain proportionally high, despite a continuously difficult context, and will need to accelerate in the coming years to reach the decarbonisation objectives set by the European Commission.

An early sample of company data points towards a rebound in production and profitability across all European pulp and paper sector segments in 2024. But the industry's position remains far from what it was before the Covid crisis and war in Ukraine.

Open Cepi Key Statistics Report for 2023 (17-page PDF document).

Cepi is a Brussels-based non-profit organisation representing the European pulp and paper industry. Through its 18 national associations, Cepi gathers 490 companies operating 885 pulp and paper mills across Europe producing paper, cardboard, pulp and other bio-based products.

SOURCE: Cepi

Smurfit WestRock CEO Celebrates "Momentous Occasion" at New York Stock Exchange Opening Event

July 9, 2024 - Smurfit Westrock's CEO, along with colleagues, family and friends on July 8 celebrated the new company's debut on the New York Stock Exchange.

Yesterday, Tony Smurfit, Group CEO and President at Smurfit Westrock, in his LinkedIn page, commented on the start of the new paper-based packaging company's journey.

"Today was a truly amazing day! I was so honored on behalf of all my colleagues to officially announce our company Smurfit Westrock, to the world on the NYSE at 9.30am EDT. I was privileged to be surrounded by my family and so many amazing colleagues who have made this truly historic event happen.

"Smurfit Westrock is now a company that has an unparalleled and unique footprint around the world, with the most skilled people in any company. July 8th is an incredible day for all of us who are a part of the biggest and best paper and packaging company in the world," Mr. Smurfit stated.

"This momentous occasion is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our incredible teams. As one united company, we are positioned to deliver even more value and innovation to our customers, driving our shared vision of a sustainable future.

"I am deeply grateful to our employees, shareholders and partners for their unwavering support. I also want to mention the commitment of my own family and the generations that went before us, especially my father and grandfather. Together, we are poised to lead the way in paper-based sustainable packaging. Here's to a bright and promising future as Smurfit Westrock!" Mr. Smurfit concluded.

Smurfit Westrock was created through Smurfit Kappa's (Ireland) acquisition of WestRock (USA) for about $11.2 billion. The combination of the two companies has created a paper and packaging giant operating in 40 countries with over 100,000 employees working across 500+ packaging converting operations and 63 paper mills.