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In a world heavily reliant on paper products, pulp – the primary raw material derived from wood – is a crucial but limited resource. With growing demand putting pressure on the planet’s forests, innovative companies like Bracell are stepping up to revolutionise the pulp industry through cutting-edge technology and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.
Founded in Brazil in 2003, Bracell has emerged as a global leader in dissolving pulp production, supported by the sustainable cultivation of eucalyptus and state-of-the-art factories. For over two decades, the company has been at the forefront of implementing green initiatives. In 2019, Bracell reached a major milestone with the construction of the world’s largest and greenest pulp mill in Lençóis Paulista, São Paulo.
Initiated in 2020, Bracell’s groundbreaking pulp mill project was chronicled in the documentary “Engineering Challenges: The Mill of the Future.” Broadcast on TV Cultura, pay TV, streaming services, and open signal, the film offers an in-depth look at the construction process, from planning to execution, highlighting the challenges faced along the way.
The documentary not only showcases the mill’s impressive scale and sustainability features but also delves into the human stories behind the project. It features real-life accounts of individuals involved in the work, such as Misaeli Alves, who nurtures eucalyptus seedlings in the nurseries, Sandy Quandt, a safety technician leading in a traditionally male-dominated field, and Osmar Marques, a veteran of the sector sharing his project learnings.
Bracell’s CEO Praveen Singhavi emphasises the significance of the new plant in achieving the company’s ambitious sustainability goals, saying, “We have just revamped and expanded our long-term sustainability strategy through Bracell 2030, a set of ambitious goals for climate, nature, and communities. The new plant featured in the film is one of the key reasons we are able to commit to these aspirational bold goals.”
The project’s positive impact extended far beyond the mill itself, generating over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs in the surrounding region and providing qualification programmes for the local population.
With the completion of the mill, Bracell has solidified its position as the world’s largest and most sustainable producer of dissolving pulp. The company’s kraft pulp production skyrocketed from 250,000 to 3 million tonnes per year, while soluble pulp output reached an impressive 1.5 million tonnes annually.
Bracell’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the best practices implemented during the mill’s construction, such as tertiary effluent treatment, self-generation of energy, and the elimination of fossil fuel usage. These measures serve as a benchmark for other industries, inspiring them to adopt more sustainable practices.
“Engineering Challenges: The Mill of the Future” offers valuable insights for businesses exploring sustainability strategies, researchers pursuing innovation, and curious individuals alike. By documenting Bracell’s groundbreaking project, the film not only showcases technological advancements, but also highlights the human stories and positive community impact at the heart of sustainable development.
The documentary premiered on TV Cultura on August 10, and will be rebroadcast on August 18 and on September 4. In addition to the audiovisual production, the mill construction process can also be seen in the book Project Star, available on Bracell’s website.
