We invest in processes and technologies to enhance energy efficiency across our operations, prioritizing renewable energy sources. We have set 2030 targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per metric ton of pulp produced. Our company also has policies and action plans in place to mitigate impacts and support low-carbon production.

Reducing energy intensity, improving energy efficiency, and investing in a low-carbon energy mix are some of the initiatives Bracell pursues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (see more under GRI 305 Emissions).

Our mills are energy self-sufficient. We only use electricity from the national grid during maintenance shutdowns. In these cases, we source electricity from the national grid, which derives approximately 85% of its electricity from renewable sources—mainly hydro, wind, and solar. In addition, we sell our surplus electricity output to the free market with I-REC certification, contributing to Brazil’s high share of clean energy.

At the pulp yard in our Lençóis Paulista (SP) mill, we use electric forklifts to reduce fossil fuel consumption in these operations. In 2024, we continued testing electric trucks to transport pulp from our mill in Lençóis Paulista (SP) to the road-rail terminal in Pederneiras (SP).

Energy management in our operations:

• biomass boiler at our Lençóis Paulista (SP) pulp mill generates renewable energy using eucalyptus biomass—composed of plant residues and byproducts from the dissolving pulp production process, including black liquor.
• All production lines at the site were designed to run entirely on fossil-free energy, producing clean energy on-site not only for internal use but also a surplus sold to Brazil’s energy grid.
• The Lençóis Paulista (SP) site has a 440 kV substation with an installed capacity of 409 MW, sufficient to power the mill and inject a clean energy surplus of 150 to 180 MW into the national grid—enough to supply 405,000 homes or around 1.6 million people.
• Our Lençóis Paulista Tissue paper mill, commissioned in 2024, features a 50,000 m² solar panel array that generates 7.21 MW of clean, fossil-free, renewable electricity—supplying around 20% of the plant’s total electricity requirement. This R$ 21 million investment is one of the largest recent initiatives in renewable energy within the sector. The solar array, consisting of 10,836 solar panels, was built over four months and involved 59 professionals in a highly coordinated operation, including lifting, distributing, and installing the equipment, and building a control center for real-time energy monitoring and management. The completion of this project marks an important milestone in our commitment to sustainable and efficient solutions.
• At the Bracell Papéis plant in Feira de Santana (BA), we commissioned a new biomass boiler, which came online in December. The new unit, which is safer and more efficient with its automated feed system, was installed as part of Inovar—the largest investment program in the facility’s history.

Historical energy consumption within the organization (GJ)

	2022	2023	2024
Bahia	1,579,433.51	1,541,824.41	17,706,299.98
São Paulo	5,828,717.43	6,248,231.37	177,670,455.60
Southeast Paper Operations	–	–	380,731.13
Northeast Paper Operations	–	–	543,413.07
Total	7,408,150.94	7,790,055.78	196,300,899.77

Note: Electricity consumption is calculated as total purchased and generated electricity, less any electricity sold to third parties.

 

Electricity generated (GJ)

	2022	2023	2024
Bahia	1,262,907.28	1,066,178.70	17,178,104.38
São Paulo	8,896,430.99	9,387,409.61	180,045,408.44
Southeast Paper Operations	–	–	380,731.13
Northeast Paper Operations	–	–	370,631.18
Total	10,159,338.27	10,453,588.31	197,974,875.12

Note: in 2024, Bracell adopted a new methodology for calculating energy generation and consumption across all operations. Unlike in 2022 and 2023, when only electricity consumption was taken into account, the new approach implemented in 2024 is broader in scope. This updated method includes all types of energy used in production processes—such as electricity, steam, fuels (both renewable and non-renewable), and other sources related to heating and steam generation.

 

Purchased electricity (GJ)

	2022	2023	2024
Bahia	348,790.00	486,127.30	538,992.00
São Paulo	112,990.60	367,038.00	332,659.68
Southeast paper operations¹	–	–	0.00
Northeast Paper Operations	–	–	172,781.89
Total	461,780.60	853,165.30	1,044,433.57

Note: electricity from the national grid is used during general plant shutdowns and corrective maintenance within the production process. 

1. Bracell Papéis Sudeste uses electricity generated as part of the pulp production process. As a result, this site does not purchase energy from external sources.

Electricity sold (GJ)

	2022	2023	2024
Bahia	32,263.77	10,481.59	10,796.40
São Paulo	3,180,704.16	3,506,216.24	2,707,612.52
Total	3,212,967.93	3,516,697.83	2,718,408.92

Note: the reduction in electricity sales from the Lençóis Paulista (SP) site is due to a reduction in electricity exports caused by an increase in on-site electricity consumption. 

Total energy consumed within the organization, by type of energy (GJ)

Energy consumed within the organization (GJ) 2024

Type of energy	Bahia	São Paulo	Southeast Paper Operations	Northeast Paper Operations	Bracell
Nonrenewable fuels consumed	2,979,196.54	1,312,265.36	3,338.29	5,712.94	4,300,513.13
Renewable fuels consumed	13,659,915.84	64,775,904.80	0.00	192,136.34	78,627,956.98
Electricity, heating, refrigeration and steam purchased for consumption	538,992.00	113,957,238.28	377,392.84	172,781.89	115,046,405.01
Sale of surplus electricity, heating, cooling or steam	10,796.40	2,707,612.52	0.00	0.00	2,718,408.92
Total	17,178,104.38	180,045,408.44	380,731.13	370,631.18	197,974,875.12

Energy intensity refers to the amount of energy required to produce one unit of a product or service. We use the metric GJ/adt, or energy consumed per air-dried ton of pulp or paper produced.

Until 2023, we considered energy consumption outside the organization as referring to purchase electricity used in our own operations. Energy consumption at sites outside the operational boundary and not under Bracell’s direct control is not tracked withing our sustainability data management systems. We report energy use outside the organization through our greenhouse gas emissions inventory, under Scope 3 emissions, which cover pulp production and sales operations.

In 2024, Bracell Papéis began integrating its operations into the management processes and procedures of Bracell and the wider RGE Group. As a result, these operations were not included in the data collection scope of the emissions inventory and some operational data is unavailable due to priorities set for 2024. Unavailable data will be published starting with the 2025 performance report.

For the 2025 reporting cycle, Bracell will report data on energy consumption outside the organization and include paper production and sales operations in our GHG emissions inventory.

Energy intensity (GJ/adt)¹

	2022	2023	2024
Bahia	3.29	3.27	3.19
São Paulo	1.95	2.07	2.12
Southeast Paper	–	–	–
Northeast Paper	–	–	–
Total	5.24	5.34	5.31

1. Energy intensity data is calculated based on the volume of electricity consumed per metric ton of product produced: kraft pulp and dissolving pulp. For confidentiality reasons, Bracell does not report production data. In 2024, Bracell Papéis began integrating its operations into the management processes and procedures used at Bracell and the wider RGE Group. As a result, operational data is unavailable for this report due to the processes prioritized in 2024. Unavailable data will be published starting with the 2025 performance report.

The goal in our energy savings efforts is to minimize waste, lower operational costs, and mitigate environmental impacts by promoting more efficient and sustainable use of energy resources.

Starting in 2024, Bracell adopted a new energy accounting methodology that includes all energy types used in production processes—such as electricity, steam, renewable and non-renewable fuels, and other. In previous years (2022 and 2023), only electricity consumption was reported. As a result, energy consumption values from 2023 and 2024 are not directly comparable due to the change in measurement criteria.

This updated analysis enables a more accurate and comprehensive analysis of Bracell’s energy performance. Learn more under GRI 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization.