Planted Forests

In Brazil, 100% of the pulp and paper production originates in eucalyptus and pine tree planted forests. They are cultivated in specific areas, with high quality inputs and are later harvested for industrial use. Subsequently, a new forest is planted and the seedling/harvest cycle continues on an on-going process.

Planted forests are cultivated according to sustainable handling principles which aim to reduce environmental impacts and promote the economic and social development of neighboring communities. Based on state-of-the-art management and control technologies, pulp and paper companies endeavor to always achieve excellence in sustainability practices in terms of the environment.

Click here to find the localization of planted forests areas of the Brazilian pulp and paper industry.

The use of planted forests for industrial purposes is very important for the preservation of the environment, given that trees produce the raw material that caters to the population’s need for paper, wood, firewood, charcoal for energy and other products of great consumption, without depleting natural resources.

The concept of planted forests only began with a recently learnt history. Commercial forests have already been present in Brazil for approximately one century, however, the science that guarantees its sustainable use, was only introduced 50 years ago in the country, at a time when colleges started to graduate specialized professionals.

Today, in addition to the proper handling, investments in research are directed to genetic improvement of species, with the objective of increasing productivity of planted forests and optimizing the use of planted areas. Clones from different species crossing result in trees more resistant to plagues and diseases, with increased growth rate and an enhanced capacity to produce even more pulp.

Brazilian scenario – Thanks to advances in renewable tree planting techniques, the Brazilian pulp and paper industry became worldwide competitive, which placed Brazil among the major producers.

The Brazilian forest sector is one of the most developed and competitive in the world. The country holds a relevant global planting share: 6.3 million hectares, according to the Brazilian Association of Planted Forest Producers (ABRAF). Approximately one third of this area – 2.2 million hectares – corresponds to pulp and paper planted forests, including 425 thousand hectares in more than 27,6 thousand properties of independent producers – many of them participate in forest partnership programs – that supply the sector.

Click here to see statistics on planted forests of the sector

The increase of planted forests around the globe most surely signals the generation of benefits. Environmental services, such as the conservation of biodiversity, protection of water sources and climate balance are vital, given that large CO₂ quantities are absorbed from the atmosphere, which contribute for the mitigation of the global warming effect.

Planted forests also cooperate to recover degraded and desertified areas, and to maintain the soil fertility. In the social area, they create jobs, decrease poverty, and insert small producers in the economic life.