New logo and marks on pulp bales

Since January 8^th, all pulp produced by Fibria is being stamped with the company’s new logo. Besides the logo, standardized information is made available on the bales, such as mill of origin, barcode and certifications. In this first standardization phase, the bales that are produced at the Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul State), Jacareí (São Paulo State) and Conpacel (association of Fibria with Suzano) units display the brand logo in the color black. At the Aracruz (Espírito Santo State) and Veracel (Bahia State) units, the logo is being applied in orange, a distinguishing characteristic for the market.

Focusing on growth

Fibria completed two pre-payment export transactions involving a first tranche of US$ 750 million with a five-year maturity (three-year grace period), and a second tranche for US$ 450 million, maturing in seven years (five-year grace period). The funds for this operation, part of the Debt Management Plan that began with the sell-off of the Guaíba Unit, were received on December 28^th, 2009. The plan’s goal is to optimize the company’s capital structure in step with its debt amortization timetable. Simultaneously, negotiations were concluded to align the terms of its derivatives debt with those of its other existing contracts, thereby eliminating a number of restrictive conditions prevailing in the derivatives contracts. These measures, coupled with cash generation, will let Fibria take advantage of growth opportunities at the same time as it recovers its investment grade rating.

Mill revamping

In 2010, Fiberline A of the Aracruz Unit (Espírito Santo State) will undergo substantial reform. The project was scheduled for completion in 16 months, involving an investment of R$ 100 million in new equipment and process modernization. The renovation will bring about direct economic and environmental benefits, such as a reduction in the consumption of chemical products, reduced effluents and higher energy efficiency. During the project stage, approximately 500 jobs will be generated.

Reinforced plantations

The production of eucalyptus seedlings at Fibria’s nursery at the Aracruz Unit got off to a fast start at the beginning of 2010. This year, Fibria expects to produce about 30 million eucalyptus seedlings that, as of March, will be earmarked for planting on approximately 20,000 hectares of the company’s own lands and about 7,000 hectares on properties belonging to participants in its forestry partners program in the States of Espírito Santo, Bahia and Minas Gerais. As a result of the speeded-up production schedule some 350 outsourced workers will be hired.

Social investment

On January 22^nd, Fibria presented the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) with the results of the social investments in 2008 and 2009 made by the Aracruz Unit using funds obtained through the bank. Overall, the projects totaled some R$ 4.3 million and were concentrated in educational and public health infrastructure, through the refurbishing and expansion of schools, construction of a health clinic and the donation of a computerized tomography machine. With regard to community income generation, the company was involved in agricultural and fishing projects in the north of Espírito Santo State and the south of Bahia State. Over 500 small-scale farmers benefitted from incentives through a project promoting integrated and sustainable family agriculture and beekeeping. In Helvécia, Nova Viçosa (Bahia), a project was implemented to help recover the traditions of black communities descendant of escaped slaves (quilombos), involving the residents in art and culture workshops, culminating in the presentation of a theater performance, “Auto de São Benedito.”

Beekeeping among the eucalyptus trees

In the month of January, two communities participating in honey production programs on forest plantations belonging to Fibria were benefited. On January 8^th, residents of the Gimuhuna community in the municipality of Aracruz received from Fibria 100 boxes made out of eucalyptus wood, along with certificates of participation in a beekeeping course run with the support of the company. On January 20^th, the beekeeper’s association of the Capão Bonito (São Paulo State) region was given the symbolic keys to Fazenda Paineira, a 1.24-hectare plot which will become the headquarters of the association. Fibria’s beekeeping programs seek to foster the economic and social development of neighboring communities.

Sustainable and entrepreneurial culture

In December, more than 3,000 people from the São Mateus (Espírito Santo State) region watched the Auto de São Benedito theatrical performance. The play, previously presented to over 7,000 people in the south of Bahia State, was prepared by 60 residents of the Helvécia community in Nova Viçosa, who participated as protagonists and costume designers. The action was part of Fibria’s project to encourage culture and the development of local entrepreneurship. Besides the theater, in the same month the company also offered support to a fashion show featuring ecologically correct clothing (Helvécia Moda Show), which displayed handbags, clothing and jewelry produced by the community’s own artisans and seamstresses, making use of paper, old newspapers and hand-painted fabrics as raw materials.

Did you know...

...that eucalyptus forests are excellent sequestration agents of carbon dioxide (CO₂), one of the main greenhouse gases? And that eucalyptus plantations are more efficient than native forests in terms of carbon sequestration? Trees in a preserved native forest require energy just for their own maintenance whereas trees in planted eucalyptus forests are constantly growing, because every seven years new planting is carried out on the same places. The younger the tree the higher the rate of growth and, thus, higher levels of carbon are absorbed.
Source: www.aracruz.com.br/eucalipto/en/aquecimento.html