Inaugurated on July 21, 2024, Suzano's pulp mill in Ribas do Rio Pardo is the largest single-line pulp mill in the world, designed to produce 2.55 million tons of eucalyptus pulp per year.
March 10, 2026 - Suzano announced the planned General Shutdown of its pulp mill in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil is scheduled to take place between March 22 and April 1, 2026.
The General Shutdown will mobilize more than 3,300 professionals and 72 service providers, including industrial maintenance activities and engineering services, the company said.
Of the total number of professionals involved in the operation, more than 2,100 will work directly on industrial maintenance activities at the factory, with the participation of 58 specialized companies. In parallel, another 1,200 people will work on engineering fronts, with the involvement of 14 companies contracted for specific technical services.
According to Leonardo Mendonça Pimenta, Director of Industrial Operations at Suzano in Ribas do Rio Pardo, the General Shutdown is an essential moment to guarantee the safe and efficient continuity of operations.
"The General Shutdown is a planned maintenance period that allows for equipment review, improvements, and preparing the unit for a new cycle of safe and efficient operation. At the same time, it is a moment that mobilizes professionals and companies that are part of the region's development," Pimenta explained.
"Our work begins with the cultivation of trees and, with technology and innovation, transforms what comes from nature into increasingly sustainable products, in a process that involves people, technical knowledge, and partnerships that contribute to the growth of the territory," he added.
During the General Shutdown, service companies participating in maintenance and engineering activities hire workers from the city itself, mobilizing various local sectors that support the operation, such as transportation, food, commerce, and other segments. In addition, the unit will rely on professionals from other regions, which tends to temporarily increase the demand for lodging, food, and various services in the municipality, helping to boost the local economy during this period.
In addition to mobilizing skilled workers, the operation also involves hiring suppliers for technical, logistical, and support activities. Among the participating companies, several are suppliers operating in the region, amplifying the impact of the general shutdown on the local production chain.
This will be the second General Shutdown carried out at the Ribas do Rio Pardo unit. The first occurred in February 2025, approximately six months after the start of operations.
A General Shutdown is a periodic maintenance procedure mandated by law, as determined by Regulatory Standard No. 13 (NR13), and allows for detailed inspections of equipment and systems within the industrial unit. During this period, technical inspections, preventive and corrective maintenance, and replacement of components essential for the safe operation of the factory are carried out. The objective is to prepare the unit for a new operating cycle, which can last between 12 and 18 months.
Due to the complexity of the operation, preparation for a General Shutdown begins months in advance and involves detailed planning, rigorous safety protocols, and integration between in-house teams and professionals from contracted companies.
"The General Shutdown is also an important moment to incorporate technological improvements, review processes, and ensure that the unit continues to operate with a high level of efficiency and environmental responsibility," Pimenta pointed out. "This work allows the factory to maintain high productive performance, while strengthening sustainable practices and generating opportunities for professionals and companies that are part of the region's development."
Inaugurated on July 21, 2024, the Ribas do Rio Pardo Unit is the largest single-line pulp mill in the world. Designed to produce 2.55 million tons of eucalyptus pulp per year, the plant completed its initial stabilization phase in just over five months. In less than six months, it reached the milestone of 1 million tons produced and, shortly after, reached 2 million, both milestones in record time for the sector.
The pace remained steady throughout the first full year of operation: in 2025, the unit produced 2.58 million tons, exceeding its originally projected capacity. Most of this production is destined for the international market and is transported via a combination of road and rail transport to the port terminals in Santos, São Paulo.
Suzano is the largest hardwood pulp producer in the world, operating eight pulp mills in Brazil with a combined production capacity of 13.5 million tons per year of pulp. Based in Brazil, the company also produces paper and tissue.
SOURCE: Suzano