Latest updates on what's happening in RGE Group This article has been adapted from “Bracell invests in a journey that began more than two decades ago and consolidates the competitiveness of Brazilian manufacturing units”, published by O Papel. You can read the original here  A global leader in the production of dissolving pulp Bracell celebrates the milestones and achievements of its 21-year trajectory in Brazil The two decades of presence in the country have resulted in investments of more than US$ 6.5 billion leading to competitive and diversified operations the company began operations in Brazil with the acquisition of Bahia Specialty Cellulose (BSC) and Copener Florestal we expanded our operations with the acquisition of Lwarcel Celulose we inaugurated the mill in Lençóis Paulista-SP considered the largest and greenest in the world with a production capacity of 1.5 million tons/year of dissolving pulp and up to 3 million tons/year of kraft pulp we entered the tissue paper market with the acquisition of OL Papéis part of the new tissue mill in Lençóis Paulista began operations – when fully operational its annual production capacity could be up to 240,000 tons we will expand the Santos-SP Port Terminal,” summarizes Luiz Dutra Bracell’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs on the company’s more than 20 years of growth which has more than 80,000 employees worldwide and believes in creating shared value throughout its value chain which means that it will only be good for Bracell if it is good for the community the company is committed to making a difference in every detail including the development of our people,” emphasizes Dutra “We are in full expansion in Brazil and will continue with our mission to improve people’s lives by developing resources sustainably,” he adds the company has invested more than R$ 11 million in Bracell Social projects more than R$ 9 million were invested in projects in education more than 164,000 people were benefited by the projects we support and/or develop Bracell has forestry operations in the states of São Paulo all focused on continuous improvement and sustainable development the objective of forest management is to supply the industrial units with high-quality eucalyptus wood at a competitive cost while taking care of the social and environmental aspects of its area of influence We use the best practices for soil conservation and water resource management,” points out Mauro Quirino to manage the forests with the most modern approaches and technologies Bracell relies on programs and actions developed in universities and with other companies in the sector that contribute to the establishment of sustainable forest management practices “As with our operations throughout the country We started forest operations in 2003 in Bahia and have been operating in Sergipe since 2022 generating jobs and income in these regions and contributing to economic development,” recalls Quirino states that the company invests significantly in Forestry Research and Development (R&D) to ensure the sustainable supply of wood in the long term “The primary mission of Forestry R&D is to increase forest productivity (m3/ha/year and tsa/ha/year) promoting faster tree growth and better wood quality We have an intensive eucalyptus classical breeding program and strong development of sustainable silvicultural practices related to soil preparation and fertilization Focusing on the segment of dissolving pulp and specialty dissolving pulp reveals that the mill has an installed capacity of 500,000 tons with 60% specialty pulp and the remaining 40% dissolving pulp – while the latter is mainly used for viscose production the specialty dissolving pulp is especially used in pharmaceuticals Bracell’s Project Star includes the world’s first fossil fuel-free pulp mill Araújo also mentions that Bracell’s mill in Bahia has stood out for its investments in process and product R&D aiming to grow in the specialty dissolving pulp segment and transforming the unit into a 100% producer of this raw material “We are investing R$ 300 million this year and next with part of this amount being allocated to the new cooking plant of line 1 and the rest to projects to improve the performance of line 2 aiming at improving the quality of the final product and increasing operational performance,” he details “It is an excellent opportunity to establish ourselves as a major player in the specialty dissolving pulp market offering our customers a reliable supply and providing differentiated performance It is also an opportunity to diversify our specialty dissolving pulp portfolio,” says Bracell’s General Manager in Bahia The Lençóis Paulista mill stands out as the most modern and sustainable plant with an annual production capacity of 1.5 million tons of dissolving pulp and up to 3 million tons of kraft pulp and we always seek to add value to our business It is worth mentioning that production flexibility is a considerable advantage The decision for each type of production is related to market demand,” says Dutra This is not the only differentiator that makes the Lençóis Paulista unit a highlight in the sector The mill operates without the use of fossil fuels and has a biomass gasifier as a renewable energy source The unit also has the world’s largest recovery boiler and the lowest water consumption in the industrial sector capturing rainwater and treating tertiary effluents The mill is self-sufficient in electricity with a substation with an installed capacity of 409 MW with the surplus available on the national grid we have a 24-hour monitoring center with artificial intelligence technologies for harvesting The unit also has a monitoring center for fire prevention and fighting,” lists the VP of Corporate Affairs Bracell Papéis’ newly inaugurated mill in São Paulo is positioned among the largest current tissue paper projects in Latin America with an estimated annual production capacity of 240,000 tons the plant is considered the most sustainable operation in the Latin American tissue sector generating 9 MW of green energy (25% of the tissue mill) Through the use of state-of-the-art technology the mill has several other differentiators that contribute reaffirming one of Bracell’s major commitments In addition to the differentiators of the 100% automated and fossil fuel-free operation there are zero carbon monoxide emissions into the atmosphere and lower water and energy consumption compared to other factories in the market Bracell Papéis has the entire pulp production chain in its operations allowing the company to offer more affordable products with superior quality resulting from the high technology implemented in the production process and exclusive 3D embossing is receiving investments of R$ 100 million – half of which will be allocated this year and the other half in the coming years – in operational modernization and the acquisition of a new conversion machine as well as the implementation of an organizational culture focused on operational excellence and high productivity Positive outlooks on the tissue market also guide Bracell’s strategic planning concerning the segment especially for players with significant national and global growth potential like Bracell Papéis The Brazilian population consumes about 6 kg per capita per year indicating room for growth and offers with more benefits and added value,” explains Aron Bracell Papéis offers a complete portfolio of single and double-ply toilet papers (Familiar and Velud) the company is launching the premium toilet paper line Supra which offers consumers a different performance standard very close to the quality offered in more advanced markets Bracell’s brands now include Familiar toilet paper Based on the belief that the cultivated tree sector has a promising path by solidifying its practices based on ESG (Environmental Bracell understands sustainability from end to end “The company seeks to make a difference in every detail and is based on the philosophy that everything it does must be good for the community Vice President of Sustainability at Bracell “This means that the company is committed to the sustainable development of all its operations invests time and resources focused on continuous improvement seeking to adopt the best socio-environmental and ethical practices,” he says A highlight of the company’s sustainability plan is the One for One Commitment an unprecedented initiative in Brazil aimed at supporting the protection and conservation of biodiversity Bracell will contribute to the conservation of areas of native vegetation equal in size to the company’s eucalyptus plantation areas: for each hectare of eucalyptus planted Bracell commits to the conservation of one hectare of native vegetation In addition to preserving native forests in the forest management areas under Bracell’s management (both its own and third-party areas) the Commitment also supports the conservation of public areas through partnerships with the governments of the states where the company operates Training and learning programs extend to local communities Bracell employs over 11,000 employees in its industrial and logistics activities – considering indirect workers the total workforce exceeds 25,000 professionals Head of Training and Development at the company states that the 5 Cs philosophy is the foundation for all teams and permeates all projects led by the company which are characterized by Complementary Team we direct our efforts together with our employees to build a solid and effective culture which guides our deliveries and projects aiming for Quality Detailing practical examples that characterize the company’s organizational profile the Lençóis Paulista unit inaugurated the Bracell Learning Institute which seeks to connect people and the company’s purposes “With an incentive for development and qualification we carry out training and learning programs so that professionals have opportunities for career progression in partnership with ISE Business School and INSEAD Singapore whose objective is to provide knowledge of the development/training path for each employee as well as training and partnerships with the community in order to promote collective growth.” These initiatives generally also involve Bracell’s units in Bahia the company also maintains the Acelera Program which aims to promote the hiring and training of new employees with the acquisition of multiple knowledge about the entire dissolving pulp production process strengthening the region and contributing to entry into the labor market The program has as partners the National Industrial Apprenticeship Service (SENAI) and the Superintendence of Professional and Technological Education (SUPROT) 20 young people are participating in the initiative in the company’s industrial area in Camaçari emphasizes that Bracell also has as one of its values contributing to the development of the region conducting training and promoting learning programs in local communities so that they have opportunities for career advancement,” he comments and reinforces that Bracell is a company that invests in technology and innovation always combined with business sustainability “An example is the data from the General Registry of Employed and Unemployed (CAGED) released by the Ministry of Finance at the beginning of this year in which the municipality of Lençóis Paulista stood out in job creation and income in the 2023 balance ranking 15th in the State of São Paulo with formal jobs and highlighting the industry.” the positive balance represents a growth of 16.19% in the number of employees with signed work contracts in the municipality compared to the number observed at the end of 2022 and the area with the most employment in the city is industry This sector was also the one that grew the most in 2023 with a variation of 23.73% in stock compared to 2022 “We actively contribute to these numbers as among the training and operational development actions offered are courses for training drivers we understand the importance of a strong industry we have technologies and projects applied in industry and the field using Artificial Intelligence and software in search of continuous improvement and strengthening our operations,” he concludes Bracell has a strong commitment to people development Another highlight is the Chega Junto – Trainee entry program showed a growth of more than 100% in the number of applicants: 17,000 compared to 8,500 applicants the previous year students had a schedule of workshops and mentoring that will contribute to their development and administrative processes and operations of the company,” says Peixoto The initiative was launched in 2022 and the goal is for the company to reach 92% of the target by 2025 0.92 hectares of conservation for each hectare of eucalyptus planted Within the scope of the One for One Commitment Bracell helped to conserve and protect 105,000 hectares of Public Environmental Protection Areas in 2023 in the states of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul Bracell recognizes its responsibility to protect the environment and in addition to already having a strong focus on sustainability launched the Bracell 2030 roadmap at the end of 2023 with ambitious goals and commitments aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals “Through the concrete actions of Bracell 2030 we can build a better future for the paper and pulp industry in Brazil positioning Bracell as one of the leading voices in sustainability in our sector,” he says Fourteen new commitments and goals have been assumed for the next seven years divided into four pillars: climate action; sustainable landscapes and biodiversity; sustainable growth; and empowerment of lives such as a 75% reduction in carbon emissions per ton of product; removal of 25 MtCO2eq from the atmosphere between 2020 and 2030; support for the conservation of 230,000 hectares of native vegetation in public areas carrying out actions to protect and conserve public conservation units in the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga biomes; support for at least ten partnerships or research projects per year on biodiversity conservation; a 47% reduction in water consumption per ton of product; a 90% reduction in the sending of solid waste to landfills per ton of product Extending the responsible action to people and communities Nappo informs that Bracell wishes to promote equality of opportunities for all “We want to reach at least 30% of women in leadership positions at Bracell by 2030,” he says we will promote women’s entrepreneurship at least 60% of social business impact projects (small business projects in the communities) supported by the company must be led by women the upcoming Bracell 2030 goals focus on income generation and quality public education in local communities We want to increase by at least 20% the income of families participating in income generation projects promoted in priority areas and increase by 30% the proficiency in Portuguese and Mathematics in public schools supported by Bracell in areas with low learning indexes,” he cites other examples of actions promoted by the company a leading producer of pulp and paper established in China in 2005 was awarded the title of "Provincial Centre for Environmental Education" in recognition of its efforts to.. student-led community service project—celebrated its 5th anniversary by doing what it does best: Serving the local community in Pangkalan Kerinci In a recent interview with global business intelligence provider Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Sateri CEO Tey Wei Lin says that sustainable operations will continue to be the cornerstone of Sateri’s business in.. Bracell's Lençóis Paulista mill completed the erection and commissioning of two flexible hardwood fibre lines which are geared for a capaciity of up to 2.8 million tpy of BEK pulp or 1.5 million tpy of eucalyptus-fibre based dissolving pulp (DP) the company started producing DP on one fibre line has commenced production of dissolving pulp on one of the two new fibre lines at the company's Lençóis Paulista mill in Brazil High capacity with premium quality was reached within a few days after the production switch Andritz said citing Bracell's Vice President Per Lindblom RGE acquired the Lençóis Paulista mill frowm Lwarcel in 2018 the mill also houses an elder 250,000 tpy BEK pulp line Service Customer Service+49 7224 9397-701servicenoSpam@GO-AWAYeuwid.de Editorial Team+49 7224 9397-0papernoSpam@GO-AWAYeuwid.com Get the latest news about developments and trends in the industry sent to you once a week free of charge by newsletter Sign up for our newsletter We use cookies and external services on our website others enhance your user experience or help us improve this website You can change your privacy settings any time by clicking privacy policy Necessary cookies are required for the correct functioning of the website Content from video platforms and map services is blocked by default. If access to these services is accepted, separate consent is no longer required when using them. You can find more information on the individual external services in our privacy policy O endereço abaixo não existe na globo.com This article is adapted from ‘RGE focuses on Brazil, boosting investments through Bracell’ which was originally published on Valor Econômico At the centre of RGE’s business strategy is Brazil a Brazilian producer of dissolving and bleached eucalyptus pulp and one of the most prominent investors in Brazil’s forestry sector With more than $35 billion in assets and 70,000 employees globally RGE manages a group of resource-based manufacturing companies with global operations It also manages Asia’s leading pulp and paper companies the group is currently the second-largest producer of market pulp in the world In addition to the billion Brazilian Real investment to acquire and expand the former Lwarcel plant in Lençóis Paulista Bracell is also investing R$2.5 billion in a mega tissue paper mill in the same town and another R$2.5 billion in a plant to produce chemicals used in pulp production Bracell’s investments have exceeded R$30 billion “Brazil is the sweet spot of the global pulp industry,” Praveen Singhavi told Valor in his first interview as Bracell CEO he led APRIL as President for 16 years and has also previously led one of the global agricultural commodities trading companies present in Latin America major investors are looking at Brazil due to the combination of government support for the pulp and paper industry and the existence of a mature ecosystem that contributes to the local industry Added to these factors is the fact that raw material produced in Brazil is one of the lowest in the world It’s no surprise that the country is now the world’s largest pulp exporter Bracell is capable of producing up to 3 million tonnes of kraft pulp or 2 million tonnes of dissolving pulp annually it further invested R$1 billion in a shipping terminal at the Port of Santos RGE uses dissolving pulp produced in its Brazilian mills to produce viscose and non-woven fibres and biodegradable material that is commonly found in clothing and personal hygiene products such as baby wipes and beauty masks RGE is also the world’s largest viscose producer through Sateri and Asia Pacific Rayon Bracell now operates two tissue factories in Brazil with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year These tissue products are marketed under the Familiar and Absoluto brands and we see opportunities for further growth,” Praveen remarked Bracell is now installing an additional 240,000 tonnes of capacity at a new plant in Lençóis Paulista which will be scheduled to start operating in the second quarter of 2024 Bracell’s upcoming project entails a R$300 million investment over two years aimed at modernizing its plant in Bahia that produces rayon-grade dissolving pulp and speciality-grade dissolving pulp The Bahia mill was RGE’s entry point into the country when it acquired the former Copener Florestal and Klabin Bacell in 2003 Mr Singhavi highlighted one of the sector’s most ambitious conservation goals known as the one-to-one commitment: for every hectare of land planted Bracell is close to achieving this commitment with the progress currently standing at almost 90% tears welling in her eyes and the rich baritone of her voice quivering as a lifetime of memories of her late.. one of Indonesia's largest exporters of palm oil highlighting its efforts to work with its network of stakeholders to innovate RGE recently held a screening of the Frontier Sumatra documentary for more than 200 students at the prestigious Raffles Institution one of Singapore’s leading pre-tertiary educational institutions The launch of the new Bracell pulp mill in São Paulo state has resulted in the company becoming the largest dissolving pulp producer in the world with a production capacity of up to 1.5 million tonnes of dissolving pulp or three million tonnes of kraft pulp per year at the new facility More significantly, the expansion of Bracell’s operations – known as Project Star and centered on the new Lençóis Paulista mill – has seen the company invest heavily in equipment and infrastructure to mitigate environmental impact and to deliver on its promise to create the ‘largest and greenest’ pulp mill in the world The new mill has the largest and cleanest recovery boiler in the world The gasification plant at the mill uses 100% renewable biomass as feedstock to produce biogas The state-of-the-art technology used in its energy production processes includes a new 440kV power substation Surplus energy is shared to the national grid and helps provide power for up to 750,000 homes or about three million people Bracell uses 100% certified wood eucalyptus from reforestation as raw material for its pulp production The wood is harvested from plantations in areas that were previously occupied by pasture or were degraded This has a positive overall impact on the sequestration of carbon over 30% of the Bracell land bank is dedicated for conservation and restoration Project Star in 2019 (left) and 2022 (right) Project Star received a resounding endorsement from the banking sector with the announcement of a US$1.8 billion syndicated loan facility from a group of Brazilian and international banks The seven-year loan facility is jointly led by Banco Bradesco and Bank of China RGE President Tey Wei Lin spoke at the 2022 RGE Bankers’ Forum said: “This underscores our commitment to sustainable development a mandate which underpins our operations globally With dissolving pulp being both renewable and biodegradable it caters to the growing trend and customers’ preference towards the use of sustainable products.” “The project is much more than a pulp mill Here we will have the largest and cleanest recovery boiler in the world equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that are not yet used on an industrial scale in the region.” Pedro Stefanini which provided the pulp drying systems sued at the new mill Bracell is vertically integrated through from its plantations through to the production of kraft pulp dissolving pulp and specialty cellulose which are sold to domestic and international markets Dissolving pulp and specialty cellulose are among the main ingredients used to create a wide range of products baby wipes and eyeglass frames to packaging for sausages and pharmaceuticals as well as industrial products such as high-performance tire cables Bracell held a launch ceremony on 5th November 2021 which saw about 1,200 participants attending over two legs The company also had a Gala Dinner for its main vendors Vendors and Bracell’s leadership gave their remarks and updates at the dinner expressing support and gratitude for one another APRIL Group received plaudits at the Indonesia Green Awards on May 21 2016 for its commitment to the Restorasi Ekosistem Riau project and implementation of the Fire-Free Village Programme In recognition of his significant contributions to the development of the Beijing municipality Sukanto Tanoto was given the Jinghua Award by the Deputy Secretary of Municipal Party Committee and Mayor Wang Anshun.. Businesses are increasingly recognising that nature-based solutions have a role to play in carbon-offsetting as part of their holistic abatement strategy in achieving net-zero targets