Investments in the pulp and paper sector are resuming. News is spreading every second throughout the media projecting a significant volume of capital being invested to expand mills and build new industrial plants, among other plans. “While paper sales grew 11% in the first five months of the year, compared to the same period a year ago, pulp exports increased 12.8%”, said Elizabeth de Carvalhaes, executive president of the Brazilian Pulp and Paper Industry (Bracelpa), in her column.
These positive indicators, in part, reflect a recovery in the purchasing volume of traditional markets of the sector, like Europe and North America, which until now had not registered a volume equivalent to that seen before the global financial crisis. As a result, the growth trend observed in the sector is expected to continue over the next few months of the year. “However, we still can’t say thatthe sector has overcome the global financial crisis”, says Elizabeth.
The biggest sales in the sector have so far only offset the losses incurred in 2009, as well as reduced the level of indebtedness of certain companies that felt the effects of the crisis last year in a more impacting manner. It is necessary to look at the sector with a careful eye, without a lot of euphoria regarding growth volume. We still need some time for new investments to mature and effectively produce the much expected results.
While this development reality is being built by entrepreneurs in the pulp and paper sector, Brazil obtained approval this month of its New Forestry Code (read article in this month’s issue). Also in the environmental area – considering our focus on sustainability – this month’s Cover Story looks into the evolution of the carbon credit market on a global level.
Not only in terms of business, but also in relation to technology, this market, where the “green currency” is well quoted truly seems to be attractive for the sector, which has already defined its intention to negotiate new policies at the upcoming conference on global climate. On ABTCP’s side, as a member of the Brazilian Climate Alliance, actions currently focus on seeking the support and participation of companies in the sector in preparing a carbon inventory count in the near future.
As observed, the sector is responding as it traditionally does in an active and progressive manner to the post-crisis challenges of a new growth paradigm. This is perhaps why the considerations provided by our Minister of Planning Paulo Bernardo in his interview to O Papel are positive. With the government being favorable to the plans of the pulp and paper industry, our perspectives for tomorrow seem to be shining!