Suzano Pulp Price Hike Elevates Packaging Raw Material Costs
Global hardwood pulp prices climb by fifty dollars per ton in May, raising input costs for paper and packaging buyers.
Eucalyptus Pulp
Fibrous Intermediate
Short fiber hardwood pulp derived from fast growing trees is the primary raw material for tissue and writing paper production. High density cultivation in South America provides the wood required for this material. South American eucalyptus pulp has gained a major market share due to the rapid growth cycle of the trees and the uniform quality of the fibers.
Large scale mills process the wood chips using the kraft process to produce bleached sheets for export.
Forestry Yield
High growth rates of specific tree species allow for a harvest cycle of approximately seven years, far shorter than that of northern softwood forests. Accelerated regeneration ensures a steady supply of timber for processing plants. Advanced genetic selection and soil management techniques have maximized the volume of fiber produced per hectare.
Processing Benefit
Delicate fibers provide superior opacity, softness and bulk to the finished paper sheets, making the material highly prized for sanitary products. Tissue manufacturers blend this material with longer softwood fibers to balance strength with absorbency in their final products. The chemical recovery systems in modern pulp mills also generate their own bioenergy from the black liquor byproduct, reducing external electricity consumption.
Operating efficiency lowers operating costs and isolates the mills from regional electricity price spikes.