Suzano has announced that Beto Abreu has formally succeeded Walter Schalka as Chief Executive.
Abreu has held senior executive positions at companies including Shell and Raízen, and most recently as Chief Executive of Rumo, Brazil’s largest independent railway logistics operator.
His appointment was announced in February 2024. Following a three-month transition period he now succeeds Schalka, who served as Suzano’s Chief Executive for 11 years.
Abreu said: “As we expand into new markets and grow Suzano, we will continue to be a leader on sustainable business.
“Importantly, we will double down on investing in innovation and strengthening our strategic partnerships.”
Finalising construction of Cerrado Project
Suzano also announced it is finalising construction of its R$22.2bn Cerrado Project, the world’s largest single-line pulp production facility.
Based in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Mato Grosso do Sul state, the development represents the largest investment in the company’s history and was announced in 2021 and overseen by Schalka.
The company has now officially confirmed that its operational start-up will take place in July 2024.
Eletrobras and Suzano join forces to study the development of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels
Elsewhere, Suzano has officially partnered with Latin America energy company Eletrobras as of June 2024 to study the development of sustainable solutions such as green hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
The research will focus on the technical and economic feasibility of utilising natural biogenic CO2 generated as part of Suzano’s current production process to manufacture new forms of sustainable fuels.
Ítalo Freitas, Vice President of Trading and Energy Solutions at Eletrobras, said: “This agreement establishes the basis for studying the feasibility of producing sustainable fuels, aiming to meet the growing demand for low-carbon hydrogen and its byproducts in the national and international market.”
Biogenic CO2 is generated from the burning of biomass and black liquor derived from the pulp production process at Suzano’s mills.
The company said it can be captured at source and mixed with renewable hydrogen, generated from water electrolysis, to produce synthetic and clean fuel, especially e-methanol.
The study will also assess the viability of constructing a synthetic fuel production unit.
