Convert industrial waste into soil treatment

Suzano operates large-scale pulp and paper production in Brazil, generating significant inorganic industrial residues such as grits, dregs, lime sludge, and biomass ash. These by-products, if unmanaged, can contribute to soil degradation and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer use. To address this challenge, the company established Soil Corrective Production Centers, which transform these industrial residues into soil acidity neutralizers. This initiative not only improves soil health for agricultural use but also reduces emissions associated with conventional soil amendment production, supporting Suzano’s broader decarbonization and circularity goals.

Suzano has a long-term goal to reduce the solid waste sent to landfills by 70% by 2030. This case shows an innovative technology to reuse industrial waste in soil acidity neutralizer production.

To address the challenge of managing inorganic industrial residues and advancing circularity, Suzano established Soil Corrective Production Centers that convert by-products such as grits, dregs, lime sludge, and biomass ash into soil acidity neutralizers. This initiative replaces conventional limestone-based correctives with a circular, low-carbon alternative. The process involves collecting and classifying industrial waste, processing and stabilizing it to meet agronomic standards, and distributing the resulting corrective to nearby agricultural regions. By transforming waste into a valuable input, Suzano reduces landfill disposal, lowers emissions from raw material extraction and transport, and supports regenerative agricultural practices aligned with its decarbonization strategy.

The initiative is implemented in Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul), Jacareí (São Paulo), Imperatriz (Maranhão) and Ribas do Rio Pardo (Mato Grosso do Sul), Brazil.

Figure 1: Greenhouse for waste drying, Jacareí mill

Figure 2: Greenhouse for waste drying Tres Lagoas mill

Sustainability impact

Climate

The implementation of soil amendment production plants had a positive impact on the creation of new work fronts in the industrial units where they were implemented.

Through this initiative, Scope 1 is directly impacted by the reduction in the volume of limestone used, and Scope 2 is impacted by the direct reduction in emissions from the movement of waste or its disposal in landfills.

Nature

The initiative reduces environmental pressure by diverting inorganic industrial waste from landfills and transforming it into soil acidity neutralizers. This promotes soil health, reduces the need for conventional mining of limestone, and supports sustainable land use practices, contributing to biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes.

Social

By providing farmers with a locally sourced, low-cost soil corrective, the initiative supports improved agricultural productivity and farm resilience. It also fosters community engagement by integrating waste management and circular economy practices, creating shared value for workers, local farmers, and surrounding communities.

Business impact

Benefits

• Reduced waste disposal

• Reduced use of mineral limestone in soil treatment

• Reduced risk of soil and groundwater pollution

• Job creation

• A scalable and sustainable technology

• Fully aligned with the principles of the circular economy

The initiative strengthens Suzano’s operational efficiency by turning industrial by-products into valuable soil correctives, reducing waste management costs, and dependency on external raw materials like limestone. It supports cost savings through circular resource use and enhances supply chain resilience by creating a local, reliable source of soil amendments. Additionally, the initiative improves corporate reputation, demonstrating leadership in sustainable practices and circular economy principles, which can foster stronger relationships with stakeholders, investors, and local communities. The scalable nature of the technology also opens potential new revenue streams through the commercialization of soil correctives.

Costs

• High initial investment in infrastructure

• Operational costs

Typical business profile

Energy-intensive industries, especially in the pulp and paper sector, with access to residual biomass and interest in Scope 1 decarbonization.

Approach

1. Volume sizing and characterization of the waste to be treated

2. Area sizing and equipment required for the project

3. Environmental licensing for the project

4. Implementation – earthworks, assembly of structures and greenhouses

5. Product – approval of the waste recipe to produce the corrective with the Ministry of Agriculture

Stakeholders involved

• Project Leads: Suzano’s engineering, operations, sustainability, procurement teams among others

• Company Functions: Engineering, logistics, procurement, financial planning, operations

• Main Providers: Waste treatment technology suppliers

• Others: Soil Specialist

Key parameters to consider

• Mature technology with large-scale application in the sector

• Advanced implementation stage with initial results

• Geographic relevance: regions with plantation areas availability

• Potential subsidies and tax incentives

Implementation and operations tips

• Provide technical training for operational teams

• Monitor production performance