Planting the Future
Our courage to innovate, pioneering spirit and care for people and the planet have always been part of our century-old history, defining our culture and trajectory. Discover the main milestones that have brought us here.
our History
Leon Feffer, a Ukrainian immigrant, establishes his own paper trading firm. In 1929, he expands the business by adding typography services and a small paper bag factory.
The Second World War makes it difficult to import paper, so Leon decides to manufacture it in Brazil. To do that, he must be bold: he sells all his possessions, including the house where he lives with his family. Caption: A Suzano ad from the 1930s Photo: Suzano’s HDA Collection
Suzano opens its first plant, the Ipiranga site, located in São Paulo (SP).
Max Feffer, Leon’s son, begins his career at Suzano. In 1952, he leads research to produce pulp in Brazil and tests eucalyptus.
The company acquires a factory in Suzano (SP) and installs the pilot plant for the production of eucalyptus pulp in Brazil.
Pulp from eucalyptus fiber starts being produced in Brazil, revolutionizing the pulp industry in the country and around the world.
Suzano becomes the first company in the world to produce paper and pulp with 100% eucalyptus fiber on an industrial scale. In 1964, Suzano makes its first export to Argentina and, in 1975, the company begins exporting to the European market.
The Aracruz Celulose (ES) Plant A is founded by the Norwegian immigrant Erling Lorentzen, with an initial production capacity of 400,000 tonnes per year, which is later increased to 525,000 tonnes per year. Portocel (ES), the only port in Brazil specialized in the shipment of pulp, starts operating.
Report Paper, the first cut-size paper from the then Suzano Papel e Celulose, starts being produced.
Suzano begins to apply biotechnology on its farms through micropropagation practices, known as in vitro cultivation.
Portocel, now majority controlled by Aracruz Celulose, is privatized.
The cornerstone of Bahia Sul Celulose is laid, kicking off the construction of the current Mucuri site. The plant starts operations in 1992.
Votorantim Celulose e Papel (VCP) acquires Indústria de Papel Simão S/A, currently the Jacareí site (SP).
To celebrate Suzano’s 75th anniversary, Max Feffer creates the Ecofuturo Institute. Leon Feffer, founder of Suzano and a community leader, passes away. Max succeeds his father, assuming the position of CEO.
Max Feffer passes away. His son, David Feffer, becomes CEO of Suzano, a position he holds until 2003, when management is professionalized.
The Neblinas Park, an environmental reserve located in Bertioga (SP) and managed by the Ecofuturo Institute, opens to the public.
With a team of 15,000 people, Fibria, the world leader in market pulp, is born as a result of the incorporation of Aracruz by VCP. That same year, the Três Lagoas site (MS) is inaugurated.
Suzano acquires FuturaGene, a pioneering organization in the effort to increase the productivity and sustainability of trees planted by the forest-based industry.
The lignin pilot plant starts operations at the Limeira site (SP). Caption: Lignin pilot plant in Limeira, São Paulo
The production site in Imperatriz (MA) is inaugurated. Caption: Current view of the Imperatriz site, in Maranhão
The Suzano site (SP) begins producing Eucafluff, a fluff pulp used as raw material for absorbent materials, such as disposable diapers and menstrual pads.
Suzano migrates to the Novo Mercado segment of B3, the São Paulo Stock Exchange. Três Lagoas (MS) launches the Horizonte 2 project, adding 1.95 million tonnes to the plant’s pulp production capacity.
The first toilet paper brands, Max Pure and Mimmo, are launched. The focus on consumer goods is heightened with the acquisition of Facepa.
The merger of Suzano Papel e Celulose with Fibria is finalized, creating Suzano S.A., the world’s largest producer of eucalyptus pulp.
Suzano S.A. unveils its purpose and launches its Commitments to Renewing Life, long-term goals based on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.
Suzano announces a R$22.2 billion investment in the Cerrado Project, the construction of the largest single-line pulp plant in the world, in Ribas do Rio Pardo (MS).
In partnership with five companies, Suzano launches Biomas, a company that will restore, conserve and preserve 4 million hectares of native forests in Brazil. The company also launches Suzano Ventures, to invest in startups.
Suzano concludes the purchase of Kimberly-Clark’s tissue business, becoming the market leader in the toilet paper segment in Brazil through the acquisition of the Neve brand.
Suzano celebrates its first centenary by planting the future for the next 100 years: through a legacy project that involves partnerships with both international and Brazilian universities to enhance sustainability education and investments aimed at protecting biodiversity. That same year, Suzano inaugurates the Ribas do Rio Pardo Unit (MS), which is the largest single-line pulp production in the world, and acquires and integrates two paperboard plants in the United States.
Suzano and Kimberly-Clark announce a joint venture that will create a global tissue company operating in more than 70 countries. Operations begin at the tissue factory in Aracruz (ES) and at the new fluff production line in Limeira (SP).
A Deep-dive Into Every Detail
Explore every moment of our history at our Historical Documents Archives (HDA).
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