CEO succession under way at Fibria

On March 2^nd, Fibria announced the start of the CEO succession process. The company’s director of Forestry, Paper, Strategy and Supplies, Marcelo Castelli, will take office on July 1^st and Carlos Aguiar, who has occupied the post since the company was created, in 2009, will assume a place on the company’s board of directors, in 2012.

Homage to the founder of Aracruz Celulose

Erling Sven Lorentzen, the founder of Aracruz Celulose and chairman of the company’s board for 37 years was honored by the Votorantim Group and Fibria in an event held on March 17^th at the Aracruz Unit (Espírito Santo State). One of the first entrepreneurs to be concerned about the issue of sustainability, Lorentzen is now a member of the board of Conservation International - Brasil and chairman of African Plantations for Sustainable Development (APSD). In September 2009, Aracruz Celulose merged with Votorantim Celulose e Papel (VCP) to form Fibria, the Brazilian global leader in hardwood pulp.

NGOs and companies propose agreement on Brazilian Forest Code

On March 16^th, environmental NGOs and companies in the pulp & paper sector delivered to Marco Maia, chairman of Brazil’s House of Representatives, a proposed agreement over controversial aspects of the country’s new Forest Code. Among the topics addressed are Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs), the countryside, use of hilltops and the concepts of small properties and small-scale rural tenure. The proposed agreement has been discussed over the the last seven months by Diálogo Florestal (the Forest Dialogue), a discussion group formed by 32 companies from the sector and 28 NGOs. Fibria’s chairman, José Luciano Penido, participated in the event marking the handing over of the document.

Carbon monitoring over the supply chain

Fibria’s 2^nd Workshop on the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Supply Chain took place on March 23^rd, and was attended by the representatives of 91 suppliers. The company reinforced with these partners the importance it attaches to measuring, disclosing and reducing carbon emissions. Fibria was the world’s first forestry sector company to join the initiative.

Ringing the bell at NYSE

On March 25^th, Fibria representatives were invited to ring the bell marking the close of the day’s trading at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Fibria has issued ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) that are traded at the NYSE and in Brazil its shares are traded through the Novo Mercado – the BM&FBovespa’s market for companies with the highest standards of corporate governance.

Two years in operation at Três Lagoas mill

On March 30^th, the Três Lagoas Unit (Mato Grosso do Sul State), Fibria’s newest mill, completed its second year of operations. Resulting from an investment of US$ 1.5 billion and designed to provide the cleanest possible production processes, the Unit generates all the energy it consumes, by means of the burning of biomass and other forest waste. It is currently operating with a team of 800 staff and produces approximately 1.3 million tons of pulp a year. Fibria’s activities in the region will be expanded, with the installation of a second mill, which should come into operation in 2014.

Fibria completes asset sales

On February 28^th, Fibria finalized the sale of the installations and other assets belonging to the stationery product distributor KSR to Suzano Papel e Celulose, for R$ 50 million, which was paid on March 1^st. The amount may be adjusted following verification of the final working capital figure, by April 15^th. Suzano also acquired Fibria’s 50% stake in Consórcio Paulista de Papel e Celulose (CONPACEL), for R$ 1.45 billion, in a transaction that was concluded on January 31^st.

Fibria hosts apiculture gathering

On March 16^th, Fibria’s Capão do Leão Unit (Rio Grande do Sul State), hosted a gathering of Argentinean and Brazilian representatives of the apiculture sector. The Argentinean delegation met representatives of the Program for the Structuring and Management of the Apiculture Production Chain in the Southern Half of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. With technical and financial support from Fibria, the program has set up a network of over 250 beekeepers within the region.

Did you know...

...that Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs) are fundamental in ensuring the conservation of the Atlantic Forest, Brazil’s most endangered biome? Within these areas, established at the initiative of the owners, only research activities and visits for tourism and educational purposes are allowed. Roughly 80% of the remaining Atlantic Forest is on private property, which emphasizes the importance of the RPPNs.
Source: WWF Brasil