Fibria invests in the planting of improved eucalyptus clones, by means of classic genetic improvement, and in the development of new products and processes aimed at increasingly replacing fossil derivatives with renewable sources of raw material.

This journey begins through the dozens of research and technological innovation projects, geared toward the company's forestry and industrial activities, in which we invested BRL 72 million in 2016 alone. In total, we have three technology centers: in Jacareí (São Paulo State) and Aracruz, (Espírito Santo State), where studies are mainly focused on the pulp production chain, from the seedlings to end products; and in Burnaby (Canada), where Fibria Innovations is dedicated to developing research for the application of lignin.

Another important research segment is carried out in partnership with the American company Ensyn Corporation, with which we are partners for the development of bio-oil, which uses biomass as raw material. We have also advanced in studies and partnerships in nanotechnology: in 2016, we acquired a stake in the Canadian company CelluForce, a world leader in the production of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC).

In order to increase our competitiveness and generate more value to all our stakeholders, Fibria's teams are also engaged in aspects such as Intellectual Property, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and Competitive Intelligence.

Paula Borges Mishima, laboratory technician at the Jacareí Technology Center (São Paulo).
Photo: Fibria archive.