Bracell Adopts the Use of a 100% Electric Truck for Pulp Transport

Feb. 24, 2023 – Brazilian pulp producer Bracell has started the year with an innovative project — the use of an electric truck to transport pulp.

According to Bracell, the initiative is unprecedented in this type of operation with heavy vehicles (trucks weighing more than 40 tons) and it is estimated that the company will avoid the emission of 132,000 kg of CO2eq per year from a single truck. In this way, the company reinforces its commitment to sustainable development in all its operations, processes and activities and expands its actions aimed at sustainability also to the logistical stage of the production chain, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and the fight against changes in weather.

Bracell estimates that it will avoid the emission of 132,000 kg of CO2eq (equivalent) per year from a single truck.

The electric truck will transport pulp on the stretch between the plant, located in Lençóis Paulista (Central West region of the state of São Paulo) and the Intermodal Terminal in Pederneiras (São Paulo), using the Juliano Lorenzetti (LEP-060), Osni Mateus (SP-261) highways up to the access road municipality, in Pederneiras.

In the pilot project, the Bracell hopes to understand the performance of the electric motor in uphill stretches with load, time and necessary amounts of charging and maintenance, in addition to economic and environmental gains.

Alberto Pagano, head of Supply Chain at Bracell, pointed out that another differential of the vehicle will be the use of renewable energy, produced by the company itself, to recharge the truck’s batteries.

“It is a pilot project that reiterates the company’s commitment to the sustainability of the business.” Pagano said. The use of the vehicle brings benefits for the climate and also for the entire community.”

With headquarters in São Paulo, Brazil, Bracell has a production capacity of 500,000 tons of special soluble cellulose per year in Bahia and 250,000 tons of kraft pulp per year in São Paulo.

SOURCE: Bracell