Suzano is constantly seeking to develop bioproducts with the lowest possible environmental impact, offering solutions to society's challenges. To this end, we carry out Life Cycle Assessment studies (LCA, according to ABNT NBR ISO 14040) to measure the environmental performance of products and act to improve processes.

Internationally recognized, LCA promotes the careful assessment of the potential impact of the different items in our portfolio, considering the entire production process, from the extraction of raw materials to, possibly, the final destination of the product. The methodology assesses different categories of impact on the ecosystem (water, soil and air) and on the health of living beings. These are water depletion; land use; abiotic depletion (fossil fuels, minerals); acidification; ecotoxicity; eutrophication; global warming; ozone depletion; photochemical ozone formation; and human toxicity.

The number of LCA studies currently covers 86.4% of the product portfolio¹, following the quality requirements of ABNT NBR ISO 14040. We aim to significantly increase the percentage of items in our portfolio covered by this type of assessment in the coming years.

So far, we have developed LCA studies for the following items in our portfolio, as well as other studies in progress:

• Bleached cellulose;
• Unbleached cellulose/Brown Panda;
• Fluff pulp;
• Lignin;
• Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) (screening);
• Tissue/hygienic paper; 
• Paperboard - all the main lines and weights;
• Bluecup® and Bluecup Bio® lines/cup paper - main volumes and weights;
• Offset and cutside paper - all the main lines and weights;
• Pollen Soft and Pollen Soft Natural lines.

From this, we aim to identify opportunities for improvement along the chain and establish action plans to reduce, for example, the carbon footprint of the items in the portfolio, such as reducing fossil fuels at all stages of production, among other opportunities, together with the other links in the value chain. 

Also, to look for routes that offer the best possible environmental performance, we are looking into the circular economy, which proposes breaking the linear model of extracting the resource, manufacturing the product and disposing of it to generate the least possible impact. 

Two examples of circularity at Suzano are the transition from plastic to paper tubes for propagating eucalyptus seedlings (at the end of their useful life, the paper tubes will be composted in the field); and the use of soil acidity correctors for eucalyptus plantations, which come from the solid waste generated in pulp production: lime mud, grits, dregs and boiler ash. 

As a renewable-based company, cycle closure can be associated with the biological route, which is regenerative in itself and waste-free, since the product components can return to natural biological cycles through biodegradation processes. On the other hand, within the technical route, we have sought to increase our active participation in structuring the recycling chain, taking part in forums for the sector [Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá)] and the government, aware that this is one of the important attributes to be worked on, but not the only one.

LCA is used to validate possible circularity alternatives since a cycle-closing solution does not always offer the best possible environmental performance. In other words, it's not enough to address the problem of solid waste if, on the other hand, we develop processes that are more demanding of natural resources or more intensive in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

Eucafluff®

In 2022, we announced the environmental advantages of the Eucafluff® life cycle, based on a comparative LCA with pine fluff produced in the southeastern United States². With the high technology implemented in Suzano's eucalyptus plantations, it is now possible to produce more fluff on less land, consuming fewer natural resources and reducing the environmental impact throughout the production chain³.

Paper and Packaging

In 2022, in the Paper and Packaging Business Unit, the LCA influenced the launch of Natural Pollen Paper®⁴, which is produced using a technology that dispenses with additives and reduces the amount of chemicals in the final product, with a significant environmental improvement in its production stage.

In 2023, the LCA was used to quantify the environmental impacts associated with books and medicine packaging. Based on this analysis, there was an interest in offsetting these impacts, which would inevitably occur throughout the production cycle of these products, through the use of carbon credits from environmental projects carried out at Suzano. This initiative reflects our commitment to mitigating and balancing the environmental impacts of our operations, contributing to sustainability and supporting projects that promote responsible environmental practices.

New Business

In our New Business Unit, LCA is also incorporated from the initial development phase, to identify critical points in terms of environmental impacts. We adopt an eco-design approach, which means that, in the design of new products, we try to map out and integrate, where possible, alternative processes and technologies capable of reducing impacts throughout the product's life cycle.

In this context, we would highlight the emergence of innovative biosolutions, such as Ecolig, lignin obtained from eucalyptus, and MFC, microfibrillated cellulose, both of which have multifunctional characteristics that aim to reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources and can even help reduce the carbon footprint of products that incorporate them into their formulation. In addition to contributing to sustainability, these solutions have unique properties, paving the way for the optimization of resources and greater efficiency in processes, thus aligning with our environmental commitments and sustainable development strategies.

The table below shows data since 2020 on the percentage of the company's product portfolio that has LCA.

 

Notes:

1. Percentage of the product portfolio covered by life cycle assessments;
2. This study aimed to compare the environmental impact of different systems for producing fluff pulp, using data from fluff produced by Suzano in Brazil and fluff produced in the southeastern United States;
3. Find out more at Suzano Eucafluff;
4. Find out more about the zero-carbon books at this link.