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22O PAPEL - Fevereiro 2009CADERNO BRACELPA
BRACELPA REPORT
Positive perspectives for Brazil’s
pulp and paper sector
By Thaís Mattos
Despite a year that ended full of
uncertainties due to the global
financial crisis, Brazil’s pulp
and paper sector exceeded its growth
expectations by posting 12.85 million
tons in pulp production for 2008. With
such result, the country will jump two
positions in the ranking of biggest producers
in the world, surpassing Sweden
(12.4 million tons) and Finland (12.5
million tons) - countries traditionally
recognized for their strength in the
sector -, and jumping from the number
six to number four spot in this ranking.
“It’s a significant achievement at this
point in time and our goal will be to uphold
this position in 2009”, says Elizabeth
de Carvalhaes, Bracelpa’s CEO .
The country’s production grew 7.1% in
relation to 2007, when companies in the
sector registered 12 million tons of pulp.
Another encouraging statistic is the sector’s
positive trade balance, which grew
21% in relation to 2007, totaling US$
4 billion. Said amount represents 16%
of Brazil’s trade balance surplus in the
year. With regards to paper, production
is expected to reach 9.18 million tons,
representing a 1.9% increase in relation
to the previous year.
“The important thing is that Brazil’s
competitiveness and productivity
are immune to the crisis and we are
very well structured to come out of
this current global situation stronger
than our competitors”, says Elizabeth.
According to the executive, it
is important to take into account the
country’s pulp and paper sector is
deemed a global reference in sustainability
and forestry practices. “Within
this context, it is worthy to mention
that 100% of Brazil’s production in
the sector stems from planted forests,
which are renewable resources. This
is a valuable competitive
advantage in a scenario
of global environmental
awareness”, she said.
The results that the
sector posted through intensive
investments in research
and technology are
also a positive factor. At
present, the forests cultivated
by the sector post the
highest productivity in the
world – an average of 41
m 3 /hectare/year for eucalyptus
and 35 m 3 /hectare/
year for pine – which will
ensures the sector’s competitiveness
when markets
resume their flows. It is
also important to point
out that the sector’s main
competitors in Europe
and North America have
higher production costs
in terms of wood and energy,
which should lead to
the closing down of some
mills. Others, in turn, are
becoming obsolete. That
is, they are ill prepared to
face the adverse effects of
a global crisis.
“These factors, coupled
with the growth perspectives of emerging
countries, Brazil included, will be fundamental
in defining the market in coming
months after the crisis”, says Elizabeth.
Until the market becomes better defined
with alternatives for the lack of credit
and financing, those companies that
have already announced their investment
intentions for coming years are
reviewing their projects. “Some have
already been put on hold, but none
have been canceled”, said Bracelpa’s
CEO. With regards to projects that are
in their final phase, some are expected
to conclude yet in 2009, as is the case
with Votorantim Celulose e Papel (VCP)
and International Paper’s operations in
Mato Grosso do Sul.
Expectations for the sector in 2009
should be announced by Bracelpa at
the end of the first quarter, at which
time it will be possible to assess the
real effects of the global financial crisis
on the market, since this is a highly