Energy consumption in the pulp sector grows in the 1st semester, according to a survey

A survey by the Electric Energy Commercialization Chamber (CCEE) points out that, in the first half of 2022, Brazil recorded a 17.6% increase in electricity consumption by the wood, paper and cellulose sectors.

In May, the index reached 22.6%.

The institution points out that the phenomenon is explained by the increase in demand for basic inputs, caused by the war in Ukraine.

Manager of analysis and market information at CCEE, Ricardo Gedra explains the nature of the movement in the country, which is the world’s largest pulp exporter.

“Data from the Energy Research Company (EPE) and the National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) show that Brazil has a 22% share in this market. Russia, involved in the conflict, is an important exporter, which is now dealing with the impacts of a blockade, which drives demand from those who can meet the supply”, says Gedra.

The specialist points out that, although there is a growth in energy demand for wood and paper, the greatest consumption is concentrated in the production of cellulose, due to the industrial demand for the product.

“It is an input for other products, it feeds a lot into the packaging chain, in a phase of the economy that precedes the delivery of the product. It works as an economic trend flag. The differential of cellulose is the environmental issue, because it replaces plastic, which is not biodegradable”, he concludes.

The increase in energy consumption is also driven by the opening of a pulp mill in Paraná, during the second half of 2021.

The unit is responsible for a higher consumption than the entire state of Acre, the one with the lowest energy demand in the country.

In Paraná, due to the new factory, consumption in the sector increased by 58.8%, followed by Minas Gerais (6.8%), Bahia (4.4%), São Paulo (4.3%) and Espírito Santo (3.9%).