Suzano is investing R$25 million to enhance efficiency and sustainability at its Três Lagoas mill in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The project centers on the installation of a new oxidized white liquor (OWL) plant, scheduled to begin operations in May.
The new facility is designed to improve production performance while reducing raw material consumption, particularly caustic soda. By optimizing chemical use in the pulping process, the initiative is expected to lower operating costs and strengthen the mill’s environmental performance.
According to Eduardo Ferraz, Suzano’s Director of Industrial Operations in Três Lagoas, the investment aligns with the company’s strategy of combining competitiveness with sustainability. He said the project will deliver productivity gains while supporting the local economy through job creation and supply chain development.
Construction of the OWL plant is already underway following the issuance of the Installation Environmental License by Imasul in February. The project has generated around 70 temporary jobs and is contributing to increased activity among regional suppliers.
The new line is being implemented during a scheduled general maintenance shutdown that began in April. More than 2,500 professionals are involved in maintenance and optimization work across the two mills at the site. Integrating the new system during this period allows Suzano to introduce operational improvements without additional production disruptions.
In parallel, Suzano is advancing a second initiative in partnership with White Martins to expand its oxygen plant. Unlike the OWL project, this effort involves scaling up an existing supplier already integrated into mill operations. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with start-up planned for early 2027.
The Três Lagoas complex, which comprises two mills, is one of the world’s largest pulp production sites, with an annual capacity of approximately 3.25 million tonnes. The operation employs around 2,000 direct and contract workers, rising to roughly 6,000 when forestry activities are included.
Suzano is the world’s largest pulp producer and a major paper and packaging manufacturer in the Americas. Headquartered in Brazil, the company exports bio-based products to more than 100 countries and operates across Latin America, North America, Europe and Asia.
