Forest yield

Forest yield is measured by the volume of wood per hectare or tons of pulp per hectare. Klabin has one of the highest forestry yields in the world for the Eucalyptus and Pinus genus. The goal is to maintain this position, in line with Klabin’s Agenda for Sustainable Development (KSDG), translated in targets for short, medium and long term management until 2030, with a view to maintaining and increasing productivity. Thus, the need for planted area is reduced, with the preservation of native areas.

Several research projects were developed for the production of improved genetic material and the selection of eucalyptus hybrids with high pulp productivity. In these genetic improvement projects, the growth of hundreds of developing clones, the quality of the wood, the tolerance to pests and diseases were evaluated.

In 2021, 5 new clones were recommended for operational plantations, which have 21% higher productivity compared to the existing forest base. Another clone (Patent) was also granted protection by the Ministry of Agriculture, totaling 14 clones protected for Klabin’s exclusive use in recent years. These new clones will be planted to form the forest base for the 2020-2030 plans for productivity growth.

Regarding the Pinus genus, we increased the scale of vegetative propagation of elite Pinus taeda materials (new generation improvement), which, after planted, can generate 10% more wood to supply our mills and maintain the quality of the final product.

With more targeted management recommendations for the operational program, we started customized fertilization recommendations in 2021, in order to increasingly optimize productivity and the use of natural resources. Measures such as these were structured to ensure the Company’s projects to increase productivity and forestry expansion, with quality plantations and forestry management. The recommendations of species and clones are made based on knowledge of soil and climate. New soil mapping and other meteorological station installations were conducted in 2021 for better coverage and knowledge of the planting area where the company operates.

Conducting research to assess and monitor pests and diseases is a constant focus, aiming to mitigate impacts and carry out biological controls when necessary. In addition, a project has been underway since 2020 to develop a biobased product to control leaf-cutting ants in the forestry sector.

Innovation and technology transfer in forest management are R&D focuses, aiming to enhance the productivity of Klabin’s forests. Interactions of biotic and abiotic factors are evaluated for the allocation of pine and eucalyptus forests in order to capitalize the productive gains of each genus, according to the regions in which the Company operates and in the ongoing Forestry expansion projects.

To that end, we have specialists dedicated to the areas of genetic improvement for eucalyptus and pine, biotechnology and cloning, nutrition and forestry, ecophysiology, forest protection and wood quality. Klabin is also constantly attentive to research related to transgenic species and new biotechnological routes. In compliance with forest certification guidelines, the Company does not use them in its processes.