BRAZIL – Suzano, a pulp and paper company, has announced its intention to invest R$490 million (approximately US$97.26 million) in a new fluff pulp production line.
This investment will support the conversion of a BHKP pulp line at the Limeira mill into a flex machine to produce Suzano’s Eucafluff or BHKP.
The company plans to increase its annual installed capacity of fluff pulp production from 100,000 to 440,000 tonnes. Production is expected to commence by Q4 2025.
Eucafluff is described as the ‘world’s first’ bleached kraft fluff pulp made from 100% planted eucalyptus.
Suzano emphasizes that it is included in the list of approved raw materials for disposable personal care products, in accordance with the EU Ecolabel and Nordic Swan labels. These labels acknowledge the company’s efforts in reducing carbon emissions, land use, and the consumption of fossil energy and water.
According to studies and market tests, Eucafluff offers benefits such as liquid retention, comfort, and discretion.
The company anticipates that adding an extra production line will enable them to meet the growing global demand and improve sustainability standards for feminine hygiene products, pet pads, baby and adult diapers, and other personal hygiene items.
Currently, the global fluff market is estimated to reach 6.4 million tons, and independent consultants forecast a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% in the coming years.
This is attributed to the growing consumption of adult diapers among an aging population and, increasingly, the global middle class.
Leonardo Grimaldi, Executive Officer – Commercial Pulp, Fluff, and Logistics at Suzano, stated, “Suzano is committed to investing in innovative solutions that have a positive environmental impact, bring cost efficiency, and are scalable businesses.
“After years of research and development, we have successfully pioneered the use of eucalyptus-based fluff, which possesses unique characteristics that enhance various aspects of our customers’ products.
“Ongoing projects with multiple global customers and increasing demand for Eucafluff have given us the confidence that now is the opportune moment to expand our production.”
Meanwhile, in June of last year, the company invested US$70 million in various businesses to tackle environmental challenges.
The global initiative, known as Suzano Ventures, will concentrate on companies involved in at least one of four bioeconomy applications, which include enhancing the measurement and management of carbon sequestration.
The venture capital will also focus on accelerating and maximizing agroforestry yields, developing new technologies and applications for pulp biomass, and creating more efficient pulp packaging from renewable sources.
All investments will be aligned with Suzano’s ethos of ‘innovability’, the pursuit of sustainable solutions through innovation, which is at the core of all of Suzano’s operations.
Suzano Ventures will also have an acceleration program structure to support solutions that are in the laboratory phase or seeking commercial validation (pre-Seed).
