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Located in Imperatriz, Suzano’s facility was an industrial landmark in Brazil when it reached 1.7 million tons annually of eucalyptus pulp, boosting the economy of Maranhão and consolidating the country as a global power in the forest sector
The largest eucalyptus pulp factory in the world is located in the municipality of Imperatriz, in Maranhão, and belongs to Suzano, one of the largest companies in the paper and pulp sector on the planet. The plant, inaugurated in 2014, was designed to produce 1.7 million tons of pulp per year, in addition to 60 thousand tons of toilet paper annually aimed at the North and Northeast markets of the country.
The venture was a game changer for the economy of Maranhão. With investments of about R$ 4 billion, the establishment of the factory transformed the industrial hub of Imperatriz, generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs and attracting new businesses to the region. Suzano also implemented 247 thousand hectares of planted eucalyptus forests, ensuring a sustainable supply for the unit.
Clean Energy and Operational Self-Sufficiency
One of the differentiating factors of the Imperatriz plant is its energy self-sufficiency, obtained through the biomass thermoelectric power plant inaugurated in April 2014.
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This structure allows all energy consumed in the operation to be generated internally, using waste from the eucalyptus production process itself.
In addition to reducing costs and carbon emissions, this technology is aligned with Suzano’s regenerative economy strategy, which seeks to balance industrial production and environmental preservation.
Part of the surplus energy is even supplied to the national electrical grid, contributing to the Brazilian energy system.
Economic and Social Impact for Maranhão
The arrival of the factory boosted regional development unprecedentedly.
Imperatriz, which already had a strategic logistical role due to its proximity to Tocantins and Pará, has consolidated itself as one of the main industrial hubs in the Northeast.
The project mobilized thousands of workers during the construction phase and consolidated permanent jobs in production, transportation, and maintenance.
In addition to the direct economic impact, Suzano implemented social and professional training programs aimed at local communities and small rural producers, promoting income generation and productive inclusion.
Comparison with Suzano’s New Megafactory in the Midwest
Over the years, the Imperatriz factory lost its title as the largest in the world to Suzano’s new unit in Ribas do Rio Pardo, in Mato Grosso do Sul, inaugurated in December 2024.
Known as the Cerrado Project, this plant has a capacity of 2.55 million tons of pulp per year, becoming the largest single-line pulp factory on the planet.
Still, the Maranhão unit remains the largest integrated eucalyptus pulp factory in the North and Northeast of Brazil and one of the most relevant for Suzano in strategic terms.
Its location favors transport to Northeast ports and exports to Europe and Asia, maintaining the vital role of the operation in the company’s logistical balance.
| Characteristic | Imperatriz Factory (MA) | Ribas do Rio Pardo Factory (MS) |
|---|---|---|
| Production Capacity | 1.7 million t/year of pulp | 2.55 million t/year |
| Investment | R$ 4 billion | R$ 22.2 billion |
| Inauguration | 2014 | 2024 |
| Energy | Self-sufficient biomass | State-of-the-art technology and lower carbon footprint |
| Scope | North and Northeast | Midwest and global exports |
Sustainability and Innovation as Pillars
Suzano has stood out globally for its integration of sustainability and industrial innovation.
At the Imperatriz factory, the entire production cycle is designed to minimize environmental impacts: from forest cultivation to the reuse of industrial waste.
The use of eucalyptus, a fast-growing and high-yield species, allows the company to maintain a model of sustainable forestry management, with environmental preservation areas equivalent to the cultivated areas.
Over 40% of the areas managed by Suzano in Maranhão are dedicated to the conservation of native vegetation.
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