Planting the Future
Our courage to innovate, pioneering spirit and care for people and the planet have always been part of our century-old history, defining our culture and trajectory. Discover the main milestones that have brought us here.
our History
Leon Feffer, a Ukrainian immigrant, establishes his own paper trading firm. In 1929, he expands the business by adding typography services and a small paper bag factory.
The Second World War makes it difficult to import paper, so Leon decides to manufacture it in Brazil. To do that, he must be bold: he sells all his possessions, including the house where he lives with his family. Caption: A °µÍøAV ad from the 1930s Photo: °µÍøAV’s HDA Collection
°µÍøAV opens its first plant, the Ipiranga site, located in São Paulo (SP).
Max Feffer, Leon’s son, begins his career at °µÍøAV. In 1952, he leads research to produce pulp in Brazil and tests eucalyptus.
The company acquires a factory in °µÍøAV (SP) and installs the pilot plant for the production of eucalyptus pulp in Brazil.
Pulp from eucalyptus fiber starts being produced in Brazil, revolutionizing the pulp industry in the country and around the world.
°µÍøAV becomes the first company in the world to produce paper and pulp with 100% eucalyptus fiber on an industrial scale. In 1964, °µÍøAV makes its first export to Argentina and, in 1975, the company begins exporting to the European market.
The Aracruz Celulose (ES) Plant A is founded by the Norwegian immigrant Erling Lorentzen, with an initial production capacity of 400,000 tonnes per year, which is later increased to 525,000 tonnes per year. Portocel (ES), the only port in Brazil specialized in the shipment of pulp, starts operating.
Report Paper, the first cut-size paper from the then °µÍøAV Papel e Celulose, starts being produced.
°µÍøAV begins to apply biotechnology on its farms through micropropagation practices, known as in vitro cultivation.
Portocel, now majority controlled by Aracruz Celulose, is privatized.
The cornerstone of Bahia Sul Celulose is laid, kicking off the construction of the current Mucuri site. The plant starts operations in 1992.
Votorantim Celulose e Papel (VCP) acquires Indústria de Papel Simão S/A, currently the Jacareà site (SP).
To celebrate °µÍøAV’s 75th anniversary, Max Feffer creates the Ecofuturo Institute. Leon Feffer, founder of °µÍøAV and a community leader, passes away. Max succeeds his father, assuming the position of CEO.
Max Feffer passes away. His son, David Feffer, becomes CEO of °µÍøAV, a position he holds until 2003, when management is professionalized.
The Neblinas Park, an environmental reserve located in Bertioga (SP) and managed by the Ecofuturo Institute, opens to the public.
With a team of 15,000 people, Fibria, the world leader in market pulp, is born as a result of the incorporation of Aracruz by VCP. That same year, the Três Lagoas site (MS) is inaugurated.
°µÍøAV acquires FuturaGene, a pioneering organization in the effort to increase the productivity and sustainability of trees planted by the forest-based industry.
The lignin pilot plant starts operations at the Limeira site (SP). Caption: Lignin pilot plant in Limeira, São Paulo
The production site in Imperatriz (MA) is inaugurated. Caption: Current view of the Imperatriz site, in ²Ñ²¹°ù²¹²Ô³óã´Ç
The °µÍøAV site (SP) begins producing Eucafluff, a fluff pulp used as raw material for absorbent materials, such as disposable diapers and menstrual pads.
°µÍøAV migrates to the Novo Mercado segment of B3, the São Paulo Stock Exchange. Três Lagoas (MS) launches the Horizonte 2 project, adding 1.95 million tonnes to the plant’s pulp production capacity.
The first toilet paper brands, Max Pure and Mimmo, are launched. The focus on consumer goods is heightened with the acquisition of Facepa.
The merger of °µÍøAV Papel e Celulose with Fibria is finalized, creating °µÍøAV S.A., the world’s largest producer of eucalyptus pulp.
°µÍøAV S.A. unveils its purpose and launches its Commitments to Renewing Life, long-term goals based on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.
°µÍøAV announces a R$22.2 billion investment in the Cerrado Project, the construction of the largest single-line pulp plant in the world, in Ribas do Rio Pardo (MS).
In partnership with five companies, °µÍøAV launches Biomas, a company that will restore, conserve and preserve 4 million hectares of native forests in Brazil. The company also launches °µÍøAV Ventures, to invest in startups.
°µÍøAV concludes the purchase of Kimberly-Clark’s tissue business, becoming the market leader in the toilet paper segment in Brazil through the acquisition of the Neve brand.
°µÍøAV celebrates its first centenary by planting the future for the next 100 years: through a legacy project that involves partnerships with both international and Brazilian universities to enhance sustainability education and investments aimed at protecting biodiversity. That same year, °µÍøAV inaugurates the Ribas do Rio Pardo Unit (MS), which is the largest single-line pulp production in the world, and acquires and integrates two paperboard plants in the United States.
A Deep-dive Into Every Detail
Explore every moment of our history at our Historical Documents Archives (HDA).
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