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Brazil Surpasses Borders With A Billion-Dollar Investment From Arauco: The Largest Pulp Mill In The World Emerges With Cutting-Edge Technology, Clean Energy, And Unmatched Global Impact!
With an investment of US$ 4.6 billion, the Chilean company Arauco has begun construction on the ambitious Sucuriú Project in the municipality of Inocência, in Mato Grosso do Sul. The plant is considered the largest pulp mill in the world built in a single phase, with the capacity to produce 3.5 million tons per year of bleached eucalyptus pulp. In addition to promoting regional economic development, the initiative promises advances in sustainability, energy efficiency, and technological innovation, expected to generate up to 14,000 jobs during the construction phase.
Magnitude and Projection of the Sucuriú Project
According to Valor Econômico, the factory is being built on an area of 3,500 hectares, 50 km from the urban center of Inocência. The complex will feature two digesters, a recovery boiler, three dryers, six chippers, and two fiber lines, making it one of the largest industrial parks in the sector worldwide.
During the construction phase, the project is expected to generate approximately 14,000 direct and indirect jobs. Once operational, slated to begin in 2027, there will be around 6,000 permanent jobs, distributed among industrial, forestry, and logistics activities.
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According to the Chilean holding company Empresas Copec, which controls Arauco, this is the largest investment in the group’s history and will position the company among the global leaders in short-fiber pulp production.
Sustainability, Renewable Energy, and Technological Alliances
One of the differentiators of the Sucuriú Project is its strong commitment to sustainability and energy self-sufficiency. The plant will be supplied with wood from approximately 400,000 hectares of planted eucalyptus forests. The waste from the production process will be used as biomass for energy generation, ensuring the production of 400 megawatts (MW) — enough to make the operation self-sufficient.
To ensure the technical excellence of the project, Arauco has established strategic partnerships with industry leaders. Valmet, a Finnish company specializing in industrial solutions, will be responsible for the complete supply of the pulp mill, including automation and flow control systems.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian company WEG will participate with electrical systems, motors, generators, and technologies focused on energy efficiency and industrial reliability. With these solutions, the plant will have high operational performance and a lower environmental impact.
The use of cutting-edge technology and renewable resources allows the project to align with global best practices in ESG, reducing the carbon footprint and contributing to sustainable development goals.
Regional Impact and International Comparison
In addition to its industrial scale, the Sucuriú Project is positioned in a strategic context that enhances Brazil as a destination for large investments in infrastructure. According to Agência Gov, the federal government has institutionally supported the project, and the laying of the foundation stone was attended by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, reinforcing the national importance of the venture.
Compared to Chile, the home country of Arauco, the Brazilian regulatory and land tenure environment was a decisive factor. As highlighted in an interview with the company’s spokesperson to El País Chile, Brazil offered greater agility in processes and availability of natural resources, contrasting with Chilean limitations in forestry expansion areas.
Additionally, the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, already established as a pulp hub, provided logistical and fiscal advantages, encouraging the arrival of suppliers, service providers, and new value chains associated with the forestry sector. The region will also benefit from investments in infrastructure and transportation, which are expected to be accelerated by the project’s presence.
With an inauguration scheduled for the second half of 2027, the Sucuriú Project will not only place Brazil at the top of global pulp production but also serve as a benchmark in sustainable development, technological innovation, and regional wealth generation.
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