Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Paper and Pulp Megafactories in Mato Grosso do Sul Will Generate More Than 38 Thousand Jobs by 2028, But Labor Shortage Threatens Plans of Companies Like Arauco, CMPC, and Bracell.
Labor Shortage in MS: Brazil is experiencing a moment of strong growth in the paper and pulp industry, and Mato Grosso do Sul has become one of the main hubs for attracting new investments. With billion-dollar projects from companies like Arauco, CMPC, and Bracell, it is expected that 38 thousand temporary jobs will be created in the state during the peak of construction and 13 thousand permanent jobs by 2028.
These numbers show the importance of the so-called “Cellulose Valley” in Mato Grosso do Sul, which already has production lines from Suzano and Eldorado Brasil in Três Lagoas, as well as new factories planned for Inocência and Bataguassu.
The Problem: Labor Shortage of Qualified Workers
Despite the promising scenario, the labor shortage threatens the pace of implementation of these megafactories. According to the Federation of Industries of Mato Grosso do Sul (Fiems), the sector already registers 25 thousand job openings in the state, many of which require specific technical qualifications.
-
Anvisa orders the recall of Ypê products throughout Brazil after identifying a risk of contamination and serious manufacturing flaws.
-
The nuclear submarine that never arrives: The Álvaro Alberto project has accumulated 47 years of development, R$ 40 billion spent since 2008, and may now be delayed until 2037 due to a lack of R$ 1 billion in the Brazilian Navy’s coffers.
-
At 30, 40, or 50, starting over is no longer an exception: 7 high-demand areas in Brazil value experience, business acumen, and digital proficiency
-
Pork fat discarded by Brazilian meatpackers becomes an unexpected solution to replace petroleum-derived greases and lubricants, reducing friction by 54% in laboratory tests and raising an alert in a US$60 billion global market still dependent on mineral oil.
The situation is not exclusive to Mato Grosso do Sul. In Rio Grande do Sul, for example, CMPC is building a R$ 27 billion unit in Barra do Ribeiro, which will require 12 thousand workers during the construction phase and will maintain about 5 thousand positions after the inauguration.
Initiatives to Meet Demand
To tackle the problem, the state government and trade entities are joining forces. In June, Fiems, Governor Eduardo Riedel, and state deputies presented the Inclusion Program – Ascende Brasil, which aims to train workers to meet this growing demand.
The Executive Director of Reflore-MS, Dito Mario, states that the solution requires a joint effort from companies, government, and training entities:
“Only with the union of these forces can this gap be filled. It is a long-term demand, as the sector involves various operations.”
Cellulose Giants and Their Projects
- Arauco – Sucuriú Project
Investment of R$ 28.3 billion to produce 3.5 million tons/year.
Need for 14 thousand workers at the peak of construction and 6 thousand permanent jobs after inauguration.
The demand exceeds the population of Inocência, estimated at 8.4 thousand inhabitants by IBGE. The company plans to build housing with health infrastructure to minimize urban impact. - Bracell
Forecast of 12 thousand direct and indirect jobs during construction and 2 thousand fixed positions in operation.
Investment of R$ 16 billion in Bataguassu, a city with 23 thousand inhabitants.
The company invests in qualification courses in partnership with the S System, including unprecedented training for forestry mechanics. - Suzano and Eldorado Brasil
Already present in Três Lagoas, maintain thousands of jobs and continue to expand operations.
The Role of Professional Qualification
To meet this demand, institutions like Senai, Senac, Sebrae, and Famasul are expanding the offering of technical courses aimed at the forestry and industrial sectors. The goal is to prepare professionals to work in areas such as:
- Heavy Machinery Operation
- Logistics and Transportation
- Mechanical and Industrial Maintenance
- Eucalyptus Cultivation and Management
- Chemical Processes and Quality Control
In Bracell’s case, courses like forestry mechanics have also attracted women, reinforcing the commitment to inclusion and diversity.
Megafactories Boost the Region’s Economy but Require Planning for Population Growth
The establishment of these megafactories impacts not only the industrial sector but also transforms the reality of the cities where they are installed. With the arrival of thousands of workers, the demand for:
- Housing
- Healthcare Services
- Food
- Local Commerce
- Urban Infrastructure
In Inocência, for example, the population could jump from 8.4 thousand to as much as 14 thousand inhabitants after the Arauco plant begins operations. This creates new opportunities for small businesses but also requires urban planning to avoid overloading public services.
Professional Qualification Will Be Key to Sustain the Growth of the Paper and Pulp Industry in MS
The expansion of the paper and pulp industry in Brazil, and especially in Mato Grosso do Sul, positions the state as one of the main exporters in the sector in the coming years. However, to turn this potential into reality, resolving the bottleneck of labor scarcity will be fundamental.
The expectation is that, with training programs and partnerships between companies and educational entities, the demand for professionals will be met, ensuring the success of investments and the generation of quality jobs.
-
1 person reacted to this.