Brazilian forest products company Aracruz Celulose SA has formed a partnership with Eucabraz to convert its eucalyptus bark waste into household fuel briquettes for export.
Eucabraz has found a market for the products in Europe and is negotiating a long-term supply contract with Dutch importers. It collects about 75 tonnes of bark each week from Aracruz’s wood yard.
The company is investing US$500,000 in the project and will produce 2,000 briquettes per month, creating 60 direct and 300 indirect jobs. Its bark processing facility has been set up on a 40,000m2 site made available by the Aracruz municipal government.
Aracruz says the partnership will lead to a significant reduction in waste being landfilled.
