Suzano S.A. (SUZ): Analyse de Pestle [Jan-2025 Mise à jour]

Dans le monde dynamique de la production mondiale forestière et de la pulpe, Suzano S.A. est une puissance brésilienne naviguant dans un paysage complexe de défis et d'opportunités. Cette analyse complète du pilon se plonge profondément dans les facteurs externes à multiples facettes qui façonnent les décisions stratégiques de l'entreprise, révélant comment les incertitudes politiques, les fluctuations économiques, les attentes sociétales, les innovations technologiques, les cadres juridiques et les considérations environnementales entrelacent pour définir la voie de Suzano dans un chemin de plus en plus concurrentiel et durabilité -Roved Marketplace.

Suzano S.A. (SUZ) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs politiques

L'incertitude politique du Brésil a un impact

Le paysage politique du Brésil influence directement l'environnement opérationnel de Suzano. En 2024, le pays connaît une volatilité politique importante avec des implications potentielles pour le secteur forestier.

Indicateur politique	État actuel	Impact potentiel sur Suzano
Indice de stabilité politique	-0,72 (Banque mondiale, 2023)	Incertitude élevée pour les politiques d'exportation
Alignement politique du gouvernement	Coalition centriste	Prévisibilité de politique modérée

Règlements gouvernementaux sur les pratiques forestières durables

Les réglementations environnementales brésiliennes ont un impact significatif sur les stratégies opérationnelles de Suzano.

• Exigences de conformité du code de gestion forestière
• Normes obligatoires de certification durable
• Cibles de réduction des émissions de carbone

Aspect réglementaire	Exigence de conformité	L'investissement de Suzano
Certification forestière durable	FSC et Cerflor obligatoire	Investissement annuel de conformité annuel de 125 millions de R
Zones de protection de l'environnement	20% de préservation des forêts indigènes	Plus de 500 000 hectares protégés

Changements potentiels dans la législation environnementale

Les réglementations environnementales émergentes présentent à la fois des défis et des opportunités pour Suzano.

• Cadre d'imposition du carbone proposé
• Mécanismes de surveillance de la déforestation plus strictes
• Incitations améliorées aux énergies renouvelables

L'impact de l'instabilité politique sur l'investissement étranger

L'incertitude politique crée une dynamique d'investissement complexe pour le positionnement du marché international de Suzano.

Métrique d'investissement étranger	Valeur 2023	S'orienter
Investissement direct étranger dans la foresterie	1,2 milliard de dollars	Déclin modéré
Coût d'assurance risque politique	0,75% de la valeur d'investissement	Croissant

Suzano S.A. (SUZ) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs économiques

Volatilité du marché mondial de la pulpe

Le chiffre d'affaires net de Suzano en 2023 a atteint 31,4 milliards de R $. Les prix du marché de la pâte ont fluctué entre 620 $ et 780 $ la tonne en 2023. Le volume des ventes de pâte a totalisé 2,4 millions de tonnes au cours de la même période.

Indicateur de marché	Valeur 2023	Valeur 2022
Revenus nets	31,4 milliards de R	28,6 milliards de R
Volume des ventes de pâte	2,4 millions de tonnes	2,2 millions de tonnes
Prix ​​moyen de la pulpe	680 $ la tonne	750 $ la tonne

Les fluctuations économiques du Brésil

La croissance du PIB du Brésil était de 2,9% en 2023. Le taux d'inflation s'est stabilisé à 4,6%. Le secteur manufacturier a contribué 11,3% au PIB national.

Taux de changes de change impact

Le réel brésilien (BRL) était en moyenne de 5,17 contre l'USD en 2023. Les revenus d'exportation en USD ont totalisé 4,8 milliards de dollars. Les fluctuations de la monnaie ont provoqué une variation des revenus de ± 3,5%.

Métrique de la devise	Valeur 2023
Taux moyen BRL / USD	5.17
Revenus d'exportation	4,8 milliards de dollars
Impact de la monnaie	±3.5%

Défis économiques sur les marchés clés

La croissance économique de la Chine était de 5,2% en 2023. La demande du marché européen de pâte a diminué de 2,3%. La Chine a importé 15,6 millions de tonnes de pâte en 2023.

Marché	Indicateur économique	Valeur 2023
Chine	Croissance du PIB	5.2%
Chine	Volume d'importation de la pulpe	15,6 millions de tonnes
Europe	Changement de demande de pâte	-2.3%

Suzano S.A. (SUZ) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs sociaux

Demande croissante des consommateurs de produits de papier et d'emballage durables

Selon le rapport sur la durabilité de Suzano en 2022, la société a produit 11,1 millions de tonnes de pâte et 1,4 million de tonnes de papier. Le segment de produit durable représentait 42% des revenus totaux en 2022, avec 3,2 milliards d'euros générés à partir de gammes de produits écologiques.

Catégorie de produits	Volume (million de tonnes)	Certification de durabilité
Pulpe	11.1	Certifié FSC: 100%
Papier	1.4	Certifié FSC: 95%

L'augmentation de la conscience de la conservation de l'environnement influence la réputation des entreprises

Suzano a obtenu un indice de réputation positif de 84% en 2022, la durabilité environnementale étant un moteur clé. La société a investi 127 millions d'euros dans des projets de conservation de l'environnement.

Métrique de la réputation	Score	Investissement environnemental
Indice de réputation	84%	127 millions d'euros

Pression sociale pour la gestion des forêts responsables et l'engagement communautaire autochtone

En 2022, Suzano a géré 2,4 millions d'hectares de forêts plantées, avec 640 000 hectares dédiés aux zones de conservation. L'entreprise soutenait directement 22 communautés autochtones grâce à des programmes de développement durable.

Gestion des terres	Superficie totale (hectares)	Les communautés autochtones soutenues
Forêts plantées	2,400,000	22
Zones de conservation	640,000	N / A

Demographie de la main-d'œuvre et disponibilité spécialisée de la main-d'œuvre dans les secteurs forestiers et manufacturier

Suzano a employé 17 362 employés directs en 2022, avec 62% dans les régions forestières et manufacturières. L'âge moyen des employés était de 36 ans, et 28% des postes de direction ont été occupés par des femmes.

Métrique de la main-d'œuvre	Valeur	Pourcentage
Total des employés	17,362	100%
Employés en foresterie / fabrication	10,764	62%
Âge des employés moyens	36 ans	N / A
Femmes en leadership	N / A	28%

Suzano S.A. (SUZ) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs technologiques

Biotechnologie avancée dans la culture de l'arbre Eucalyptus et l'amélioration génétique

Suzano a investi 127,5 millions de R $ dans la recherche en biotechnologie en 2022. La société a développé 12 clones d'eucalyptus génétiques différents avec une productivité 30% plus élevée par rapport aux générations précédentes. Le programme d'amélioration génétique couvre 100% de la base forestière de l'entreprise.

Paramètre de recherche	Données quantitatives
Investissement en biotechnologie	127,5 millions de R (2022)
Des clones génétiques développés	12 variantes d'eucalyptus uniques
Amélioration de la productivité	Augmentation de 30%
Couverture génétique	100% de la base forestière

Investissement dans la transformation numérique et l'automatisation des processus de production

Suzano a alloué 345,2 millions de R $ pour les initiatives de transformation numérique en 2023. La société a mis en œuvre 47 solutions d'automatisation des processus robotiques (RPA) dans les installations de fabrication. La stratégie de transformation numérique cible 65% d'automatisation des processus d'ici 2025.

Métrique de transformation numérique	Données quantitatives
Investissement numérique	345,2 millions de R $ (2023)
Solutions RPA implémentées	47 processus robotiques
Cible d'automatisation	65% d'ici 2025

Mise en œuvre de technologies innovantes pour une production de pâte et de papier plus efficaces

Suzano exploite 3 usines avancées de production de pâte avec une capacité annuelle totale de 11,2 millions de tonnes. Les investissements technologiques ont réduit les coûts de production de 18,5% en 2022. Les améliorations de l'efficacité énergétique ont réalisé une réduction de 22% de la consommation spécifique d'énergie.

Métrique de la technologie de production	Données quantitatives
Usines de production de pâte	3 installations avancées
Capacité de pâte annuelle	11,2 millions de tonnes
Réduction des coûts de production	18.5% (2022)
Amélioration de l'efficacité énergétique	Réduction de 22%

Recherche et développement dans des techniques de fabrication durables

Les investissements en R&D ont totalisé 215,6 millions de R $ en 2022. Les initiatives de fabrication durable ont réduit les émissions de carbone de 27% par rapport à la ligne de base de 2020. L'optimisation de la consommation d'eau a réalisé une réduction de 35% des processus industriels.

Métrique de la R&D de la durabilité	Données quantitatives
Investissement en R&D	215,6 millions de R (2022)
Réduction des émissions de carbone	27% (vs 2020)
Réduction de la consommation d'eau	35% dans les processus industriels

Suzano S.A. (SUZ) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs juridiques

Conformité aux réglementations brésiliennes sur la protection de l'environnement

En 2023, Suzano a investi 1,2 milliard de RS dans les initiatives de conformité environnementale et de durabilité. La société maintient la certification Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) pour 100% de ses zones forestières gérées, couvrant environ 2,4 millions d'hectares.

Métriques de la conformité de la réglementation environnementale	2023 données
Zone forestière totale sous gestion	2,4 millions d'hectares
Couverture de certification FSC	100%
Investissement de la conformité environnementale	1,2 milliard de R

Accords commerciaux internationaux et cadres juridiques d'exportation / importation

Suzano exporte dans plus de 80 pays, les exportations de pâte à pâte représentant 92% de ses revenus internationaux. La société opère en vertu des accords commerciaux du Mercosur et se conforme aux réglementations commerciales internationales.

Métriques du commerce international	2023 données
Nombre de destinations d'exportation	80+ pays
Exportation des revenus de la pâte	92%

Règlements sur les lois du travail et la sécurité au travail

Suzano emploie 15 670 employés directs, avec un investissement en matière de sécurité au travail de 85 millions de R $ en 2023. La société a déclaré un taux d'accidents en milieu de travail de 0,65 incident par million d'heures de travail.

Métriques de travail et de sécurité	2023 données
Total des employés directs	15,670
Investissement en sécurité au travail	85 millions de R
Taux d'accident de travail	0,65 incidents par million d'heures de travail

Protection de la propriété intellectuelle

Suzano détient 87 brevets actifs en biotechnologie et en innovation forestière. La société a investi 320 millions de rands dans la recherche et le développement en 2023.

Métriques de la propriété intellectuelle	2023 données
Brevets actifs	87
Investissement en R&D	320 millions de R $

Suzano S.A. (SUZ) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs environnementaux

Engagement envers les initiatives durables de gestion forestière et de reboisement

Suzano gère 2,4 millions d'hectares de forêts plantées au Brésil. Depuis 2023, la société a 1,3 million d'hectares de zones forestières certifiées Sous la certification FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

Métrique de gestion forestière	2023 données
Zone forestière plantée totale	2,4 millions d'hectares
Zones forestières certifiées FSC	1,3 million d'hectares
Taux de reboisement annuel	98 000 hectares

Réduire l'empreinte carbone et les émissions de gaz à effet de serre

Suzano s'est engagé à réduire 1,5 million de tonnes d'émissions équivalentes de CO2 D'ici 2030. En 2022, la société a réalisé une réduction de 27% des émissions de gaz à effet de serre spécifiques par rapport à sa base de référence en 2015.

Métrique d'émission de carbone	2022 Performance
Cible de réduction de CO2 d'ici 2030	1,5 million de tonnes
Réduction spécifique des émissions de GES	27% (par rapport à 2015)

Conservation de la biodiversité dans les opérations forestières

Suzano protège 560 000 hectares de végétation indigène dans ses zones de gestion forestière. La société maintient 18 couloirs de conservation couvrant 136 000 hectares pour soutenir la connectivité écologique.

Métrique de conservation de la biodiversité	2023 données
Végétation native protégée	560 000 hectares
Couloirs de conservation	18 couloirs (136 000 hectares)

Économie circulaire et stratégies de réduction des déchets

En 2022, Suzano a recyclé 94,4% des déchets industriels. La société a généré 1,03 million de tonnes de déchets industriels, avec 975 000 tonnes étant réutilisées ou recyclées.

Métrique de gestion des déchets	2022 Performance
Total des déchets industriels générés	1,03 million de tonnes
Déchets recyclés / réutilisés	975 000 tonnes (94,4%)

Suzano S.A. (SUZ) - PESTLE Analysis: Social factors

Public perception of large-scale eucalyptus monoculture and water use

You need to understand that Suzano S.A. operates in a high-stakes environment where its core raw material-eucalyptus monoculture-is a major flashpoint. The public perception in Brazil is sharply divided, which creates significant reputational risk. Critics, notably the Landless Rural Workers' Movement (MST), call the vast plantations a 'green desert' that displaces food crops and depletes water resources.

This isn't just noise; it's a tangible threat to your social license to operate. In March 2025, for example, around 1,000 women from the MST occupied Suzano land in Espírito Santo to protest the environmental impact. Suzano counters this by positioning itself as a climate solution, targeting the removal of 40 million tons of carbon from the atmosphere by the end of 2025. That's double the annual carbon emissions of São Paulo city. Still, the water consumption issue remains a persistent, negative narrative. You have to manage this perception gap carefully.

Community relations and land rights issues near major plantation sites

The most immediate and severe social risk for Suzano S.A. is the ongoing conflict over land rights. The company controls a massive land bank of 2.7 million hectares across seven Brazilian states, and its expansion often overlaps with the territories of Indigenous and Quilombola (descendants of formerly enslaved people) communities.

This conflict escalated significantly in 2025. In July 2025, an eviction request for 600 families in Maranhão was authorized, with another 500 families in the nearby city of Imperatriz also facing eviction. This is a huge liability, especially since Suzano was previously convicted in 2020 (on appeal) for land disputes involving illegally acquired territory. To be fair, Suzano does have programs, like supporting the 12 Indigenous communities (7 Tupiniquim and 5 Guarani villages) in Aracruz, Espírito Santo, to manage their duly demarcated territories. But the sheer scale of the landless movement's claims-that 100,000 families could be settled on the land Suzano controls-shows the depth of the challenge.

Labor availability and wage pressure in rural Brazilian regions

Labor dynamics in rural Brazil are putting upward pressure on costs. While Suzano is focused on being 'best-in-class' in the Total Cost of Pulp vision, the national trend is for wages to increase at a faster pace, with the average salary in Brazil projected to reach R$3,500 in 2025.

Suzano's strategy to mitigate this is through local job creation and efficiency. The new Ribas do Rio Pardo mill, which started operations in 2024, created 3,000 jobs and provided training to local workers. The company's Q3 2025 results showed their pulp cash production cost, excluding downtime, actually fell to R$801 per tonne, a 7% year-on-year decrease, proving they are managing to improve efficiency despite the broader wage environment. Plus, their long-term social goal is to help lift 200,000 people out of poverty by 2030; by the end of 2024, they had already reached 97,342 people since 2020.

Here's the quick math on their cost management:

Metric	Q3 2025 Value	Change Y-o-Y
Pulp Cash Production Cost (per tonne)	R$801	Down 7%
Adjusted EBITDA (Quarterly)	R$5.2 billion	Stable (broadly)

Shifting consumer preference toward sustainable and recycled paper products

The market is changing fast, and consumer preference for sustainability is now a critical financial driver. The global paper industry in 2025 is seeing a clear decline in traditional graphic paper, but strong resilience in packaging and tissue, which is driven by the substitution of plastic.

Consumers are putting their money where their values are: 82% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for recyclable or compostable packaging. Suzano is defintely leaning into this trend, which is a clear opportunity.

Their action plan is concrete:

• Expand boldly into new markets, focusing on bioeconomy solutions.
• Target offering over 10 million tons of renewable products to replace plastic by 2030.
• Integrate the US-based Suzano Packaging operations (acquired in late 2024), which achieved its first positive Adjusted EBITDA in Q3 2025.

This pivot toward paper-based packaging, bags, and straws is a smart, actionable move that aligns with the market's demand for sustainable alternatives. It's a clear path to maximizing returns by riding a major social trend.

Suzano S.A. (SUZ) - PESTLE Analysis: Technological factors

The technological landscape for Suzano is defined by massive capital investment in core production and a calculated pivot toward advanced bio-based materials and precision forestry. Your operational efficiency and future revenue streams are defintely tied to how well these technologies are integrated and scaled, and the 2025 figures show a clear commitment to this path.

Investment in new fiber lines and operational efficiency at mills like the Cerrado Project

The technological leap in Suzano's core business centers on the new pulp mill in Ribas do Rio Pardo, known as the Cerrado Project. This is not just an expansion; it's a technological benchmark. The facility is the world's largest single-line eucalyptus pulp mill, and critically, it reached nominal capacity in a record time-less than six months after starting operations in July 2024. This rapid learning curve is a direct result of advanced process control and automation technology deployed from the start.

The project's sheer scale and efficiency are already impacting your cost base. The new capacity is a major factor in Suzano's overall nominal market pulp capacity reaching 13.5 million tonnes per year. The total investment for the Cerrado Project was R$22.2 billion. Here's the quick math on the near-term capital allocation for 2025, showing the tail end of this mega-project alongside broader modernization efforts:

Metric	Value (2025 Fiscal Year Data)	Significance
Total 2025 Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)	Revised to R$13.3 billion	Increased from R$12.4 billion, showing continued high investment.
Remaining Cerrado Project CAPEX (as of Q2 2025)	R$0.4 billion	Final payments for the massive project, now operational.
New Mill Annual Production Capacity	2.55 million tonnes of pulp	A >20% increase in total company capacity.
Q2 2025 Pulp Cash Cost (ex-downtimes)	R$832/t	A key metric showing cost competitiveness is being maintained despite market pressures.

Development of lignin-based bioproducts to diversify revenue streams

The most important technological opportunity is the shift from a pulp-centric model to a true bioeconomy player. This means extracting and commercializing other components of the eucalyptus tree, like lignin, which is a complex polymer and a co-product of the pulping process. Suzano is actively positioning its lignin product, Ecolig, as a sustainable alternative to fossil-based raw materials, finding applications in rubbers, resins, and even cosmetics. This is where the future growth lies, outside of the cyclical pulp market.

The company has put real money into this long-term vision through its venture arm, Suzano Ventures, which has an initial commitment of US$70 million to invest in the bioeconomy. That fund specifically targets novel applications for eucalyptus biomaterials. The strategic goal is ambitious:

• Offer 10 million tons of renewable products.
• Replace plastics and other petroleum-based products.
• Target date is by 2030.

You need to watch the next few years for the first major revenue contribution from this segment. It's a long game, but the technology is sound.

Use of AI and satellite imagery for precision forestry and yield optimization

In forestry, technology is moving from simple mechanization to true digital intelligence, or precision forestry. Suzano is an early adopter here, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and geospatial intelligence (satellite imagery and remote sensing) to manage its vast forest base. This isn't just about counting trees; it's about optimizing every single resource input.

In January 2025, Suzano cemented a multi-year contract with the AI-powered land use platform Marvin, which is now being deployed across Suzano's 27,000 square kilometers of farms and native forest. This platform is designed to strengthen:

• Yield prediction and forecasting.
• Water resource and risk management.
• Carbon measurement and verification.
• Supply chain optimization and traceability.

The technology allows for the creation of a digital twin of the forest, enabling forest managers to tailor actions down to the stand level. That's how you squeeze more value out of every hectare.

Advances in biotechnology for faster-growing, disease-resistant eucalyptus clones

At the root of Suzano's cost advantage is its world-class tree genetics program, run through its subsidiary FuturaGene. This is a foundational technology that underpins all operational efficiency. The major breakthrough here is the development and regulatory approval of the first-ever genetically modified eucalyptus with triple-stacked traits in March 2024.

This biotechnology is a game-changer because it allows for sustainable intensification-getting more wood from less land. The triple-stacked traits provide:

• Enhanced yield (more wood volume).
• Herbicide tolerance (better weed control, less impact).
• Insect resistance (preemptive pest control, reducing losses).

The sheer scale of this operation is staggering: Suzano plants over 1 million eucalyptus seedlings every day across Brazil. The continuous introduction of these superior, biotech-enhanced clones is what keeps your wood cost low and your fiber quality high for the next two decades.

Suzano S.A. (SUZ) - PESTLE Analysis: Legal factors

Compliance with complex Brazilian environmental licensing for new projects

The sheer scale of Suzano's operations in Brazil means environmental licensing is a constant, high-stakes legal challenge. You're not just dealing with one set of federal rules; you have state and municipal regulations, plus the intense scrutiny of international finance bodies and activist groups. For instance, the massive Cerrado Project (Ribas do Rio Pardo pulp mill) was a $2.8 billion investment that faced this gauntlet.

While the mill is now operational, contributing to strong 2Q 2025 results, the legal risk doesn't end with a ribbon-cutting. The project drew heavy criticism from over 40 environmental civil society organizations, even after the International Finance Corporation (IFC) approved a $725 million loan, highlighting ongoing legal and reputational exposure. This scrutiny is the cost of doing business at this scale. On the positive side, Suzano's commitment to connecting 500,000 hectares of conservation areas by 2030 helps it align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, which directly translates into lower capital costs through access to green and sustainability-linked credit lines.

Enforcement of anti-trust laws regarding market share, especially in the wake of potential mergers

As the world's largest market pulp producer, Suzano operates under a constant anti-trust (competition law) microscope, particularly in its domestic paper markets. The Brazilian competition authority, CADE (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica), is always watching. You saw this play out when Suzano considered a major acquisition of International Paper in 2024. The deal was ultimately not pursued, but the market immediately factored in the high probability of CADE intervention and anti-trust concerns, which would have complicated and delayed the process.

In the domestic market, Suzano already holds a dominant position in key segments. For example, its market share in Brazilian printing and writing paper is around 42%, and it commands 23.9% of the Brazilian tissue market (based on 2023 data). Any move to consolidate further in these areas would trigger an automatic, deep CADE review. Plus, CADE is showing a new, aggressive stance, as seen in a recent August 2025 probe into a major corporate sustainability pact (the Soy Moratorium) on anti-trust grounds, which signals an evolving and less predictable regulatory environment for large corporations.

International trade laws and anti-dumping investigations in key export markets

International trade law is a near-term risk that directly impacts cash flow, and 2025 has brought fresh investigations. The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) is actively investigating Brazilian pulp exports. Specifically, on September 3, 2025, Commerce initiated Antidumping Duty (AD) and Countervailing Duty (CVD) investigations on high purity dissolving pulp from Brazil.

The alleged dumping margin for Brazilian exporters in this case is a significant 62.08%. This is a huge potential tariff hit. Commerce is scheduled to issue its preliminary determination for the CVD investigation on November 7, 2025, and for the AD investigation on January 21, 2026. This means the trade landscape for a specific, high-value product is changing right now.

This isn't an isolated event. In July 2025, Commerce preliminarily found that Suzano had sold uncoated paper below normal value during the March 1, 2023, through February 29, 2024, period, setting a preliminary dumping margin of 14.42%. These trade actions are a constant headwind for any major exporter.

U.S. Trade Investigation (2025)	Subject Product	Alleged Dumping Margin (Brazil)	Preliminary Determination Date (CVD)
AD/CVD Investigation (Initiated Sep 2025)	High Purity Dissolving Pulp	62.08%	Nov 7, 2025
AD Administrative Review (2023-2024 POR)	Uncoated Paper	14.42% (Preliminary Finding, Jul 2025)	N/A (Review in progress)

Tax regime stability in Brazil, particularly state-level ICMS taxes on exports

Brazil's landmark tax reform is underway, bringing a period of planned, but still complex, transition. The good news for an export-focused company like Suzano is that the core principle of tax exemption for exports is clearly reaffirmed in the new system. The reform will gradually replace the current five consumption taxes, including the complex state-level ICMS (Tax on Goods and Services), with a dual Value-Added Tax (VAT) system: the federal CBS and the shared IBS.

The transition period is long, starting in 2026 and culminating in 2033. For 2025, you are still operating under the current ICMS/PIS/COFINS rules. The critical opportunity here is the new system's promise of full credit on the new CBS and IBS paid on inputs, even for exported goods. This is a huge simplification and potential financial benefit, as the old ICMS system often created book-entry credits that were difficult or impossible for exporters to recover in cash. The existing ICMS tax benefits will be maintained until 2032 to ease the transition.

The near-term legal risk isn't the tax itself, but the complexity of managing parallel tax systems during the transition and ensuring that the new regulations, which are still being finalized, don't introduce new compliance burdens.

Suzano S.A. (SUZ) - PESTLE Analysis: Environmental factors

Climate change impact on rainfall and fire risk for eucalyptus plantations.

You are operating in a heightened climate risk environment, and Suzano S.A.'s core asset-the eucalyptus plantation-is directly exposed to volatile weather patterns. The primary near-term risk is the increasing frequency and intensity of droughts, which directly translates into a higher wildfire threat, especially in the Cerrado biome. To be fair, climate change is the main driver, but critics still argue that large-scale eucalyptus monocultures can worsen local water stress, which amplifies the risk.

The company is definitely taking action, and the results show it. Despite the Brazilian Cerrado experiencing a 30% increase in the number of fire outbreaks as of mid-2024 compared to the previous year, Suzano managed to reduce forest fires in its own areas by a significant 61% in 2024. That's a clear win for their operational fire-fighting and prevention investments. Here's the quick math on their risk-mitigation: they're investing in technology and training to protect their 1.6 million hectares of planted forests and the surrounding native vegetation.

Biodiversity protection and conservation mandates in the Amazon biome.

Suzano operates on a massive land base of approximately 2.7 million hectares, and a substantial portion, about 1.1 million hectares, is dedicated to the conservation of native forest, which is almost 40% of their total forest base. This conservation work is a critical counterpoint to the monoculture risk, and it directly addresses global biodiversity concerns.

The company's long-term commitment is to connect 500,000 hectares of forest fragments across the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, and Cerrado biomes by 2030 to reverse habitat fragmentation. As of the end of 2024, they had already connected over 157,000 hectares of these priority areas since 2020. This is a concrete, measurable step toward their goal.

Plus, in a significant 2025 move, Suzano partnered with the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) to restore 24,000 hectares of degraded land in these biomes, backed by a R$250 million investment. They also created the largest Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) in Maranhão in 2025, covering 5,800 hectares in the strategic Cerrado-Amazon transition zone. That's a strong commitment to the Amazon biome's buffer zones.

Water resource management and effluent treatment standards for pulp mills.

Water is the lifeblood of pulp production, so managing it efficiently is non-negotiable. Suzano's industrial operations are designed to be highly efficient, operating as what they term 'sustainable water reservoirs.' On average, approximately 85% of the water withdrawn for their mills is reused and recirculated in the production process before it is treated and returned to the environment.

The company has a clear 2030 target to reduce specific water withdrawal (the water used per ton of product) by 15%. In 2024, the specific water abstraction rate fell by 2% to 6.35 m³/t of salable product, showing progress toward this goal. However, the start-up of the massive new Ribas do Rio Pardo mill led to a 9.5% increase in total water withdrawal, reaching 355,538 megaliters (ML) in 2024. This is a classic trade-off: higher production volume requires more water in absolute terms, even if the efficiency per ton improves.

All of their mills utilize primary and secondary effluent treatment systems, which align with Brazilian legal standards and international best available technologies (BATs), like those from the IFC.

Achieving ambitious net-zero and deforestation-free supply chain targets.

The company's climate strategy is built around being a net carbon remover, which is a powerful position in the market. The most critical near-term environmental target is their goal to remove 40 million tons of CO₂ equivalent from the atmosphere by the end of 2025. This target was accelerated from an original 2030 deadline, underscoring the urgency they place on climate action.

This net removal is achieved by storing carbon in their standing eucalyptus and native forests, effectively making them a carbon sink. For the long-term, they are also working to reduce the intensity of their direct (Scope 1 and 2) greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030.

In terms of sourcing, their Wood Supply Policy enforces a strict zero deforestation commitment. This means all new eucalyptus plantations are established on land previously used for other human activities, not on newly cleared native forest. This is a non-negotiable standard for maintaining their global certifications and market access.

• Remove 40 million tons of CO₂ equivalent by 2025.
• Reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions intensity by 15% by 2030.
• Maintain zero deforestation in the supply chain.