Black liquor is one of the byproducts of pulp production, composed of lignin and chemical residues from the cooking stage, which is burned in the recovery boiler. The chemicals are returned to the production process and the generated steam is sent to the turbogenerators for conversion of thermal energy into electricity. Thus, our industrial operations use this biomass to generate renewable electric energy.

Therefore, a large part of Suzano's units are energy self-sufficient, that is, they supply the demand for domestic consumption and still export the surplus to the national interconnected system. This export contributes to the country's energy demand and the renewability of the energy matrix, supporting the transition to a low carbon economy. 

Throughout 2021, we worked on efficiency optimization, using data science to determine the optimal steam generation and distribution point, focusing on the energy efficiency of the turbogenerator turbines. On the other hand, we had the impact of the shutdown of one of the turbogenerators at the Imperatriz Unit (MA) in the first half of the year, which significantly affected the total volume of energy exports. The turbogenerator's operation was regularized in early 2022. Still, we exported 189 MWm of renewable energy.

We announced the investment in the construction of a new pulp production plant in Ribas do Rio Pardo (MS), which will be responsible for generating 180 MWm in surplus, with 125 MWm expected to be sent to the national system.

We will continue to work on developing projects aimed at increasing the availability of steam for power generation, including improving the performance of our turbines and optimizing thermal consumption, and pursuing initiatives to reduce energy consumption. We will also carry out modernization projects in some of our industrial units, both to optimize energy consumption and to increase the amount of energy generated.