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Brazil production dropping in 2012, but investment continues

During the recent ABTCP 2012 pulp and paper congress and exhibition in Sao Paulo, industry leaders noted a movement towards biotechnology despite market downturns in pulp and paper.

During the recent ABTCP 2012 pulp and paper congress and exhibition in Sao Paulo, industry leaders noted a movement towards biotechnology despite market downturns in pulp and paper.

Brazilian pulp and paper exports fell this year due to the effects of the international economic crisis, but the Brazilian pulp and paper industry continues to invest in research and development of new forest-based products which will reduce the impact of future crises in the pulp market.

“Brazilian pulp production is expected to drop to 12 million tons, and paper to 8 million tons in 2012,” affirmed Carlos Farinha e Silva, ABTCP counselor and vice-president with Poyry.

According to figures from Bracelpa (Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association), the nation’s pulp production in 2011 and 2010 was 14 million tons, and paper production 10 million tons.

In this context, according to Elizabeth Carvalhaes, president of Bracelpa, major producers are already working on opening the range of forest products. “The investment of US$ 22 billion to $ 24 billion projected by this sector is not dedicated solely to the supply of pulp, but to all uses of wood,” she emphasized.

ABTCP is the Brazilian Technical Pulp and Paper Association. Its president, Lairton Leonardi, noted that the sector is building its vision of the future based on biorefinery studies and their multiple applications. Some goals have already been met, such as lighter and more resistant packaging and the development of a higher quality and more resistant tissue paper.

More than 6000 people attended ABTCP 2012, including visitors from Finland, the United States, Argentina, Colombia and Chile. More than 160 companies took part in the expo.

ABTCP 2012 was held from October 9 to 11 in Sao Paulo, by the ABTCP, in coordination with Tecnicelpa (Portuguese Association of Technical Pulp and Paper Industries) and Riadicyp (Ibero-American Association for Pulp and Paper Research and Education).