Resource use and circularity
Less waste sent to landfills
In 2025, further progress was made toward the target under the Klabin Sustainable Development Goals of eliminating the disposal of industrial waste in landfills, delivering performance in line with expectations. During the period, 99.49% of industrial waste generated was reused or sent for recycling, representing an increase of 0.14 percentage points compared to the previous year.
To sustain and expand these results, the Company structured an Integrated Waste Management Plan, covering all industrial units. This initiative provides for the periodic monitoring of actions related to the topic, with a focus on identifying alternative disposal methods and improving segregation processes at plants.
In parallel, in coordination with the Research, Development and Innovation areas and the Klabin Technology Center, solutions are being evaluated for waste that still lacks viable reuse options. Technological and economic challenges remain significant factors to be overcome for the continued expansion of the waste recovery rate.
Focus on circularity
Last year, Klabin achieved its target under the Klabin Sustainable Development Goals of developing 10 circular economy benchmarking cases in partnership with different stakeholders, including customers, suppliers and other value chain participants. These initiatives reflect the strengthening of the Company’s collaborative efforts to promote circular solutions throughout the life cycle of its products.
Projects are evaluated based on technical and strategic criteria defined in the Corporate Circular Economy Procedure, which guides the prioritization, classification and monitoring of initiatives, enabling alignment with corporate strategy and circular economy best practices.
Learn about the active cases:
100% paper-based dissolvable packaging for cement and mortar that eliminates packaging waste by integrating it directly into the concrete preparation process. Developed in partnership with a cement producer, the solution reduces environmental impacts by eliminating the need for packaging disposal.
Mono-material packaging (made from a single type of raw material) that is recyclable and eliminates the use of plastic film, increasing product shelf life and reducing environmental impacts. Recognized for its innovation, Ekolayer® represents progress in design for circularity.
A model that reintegrates paper trim into the production of new packaging. The solution closes the material cycle and strengthens circular practices between industry and customer.
Implementation of selective waste collection in 52 residential condominiums in the city of São Paulo, including environmental education and joint operations with cooperatives. The project improves the quality of recyclable materials and generates income for waste collectors.
This program is a leader in promoting the productive inclusion of recyclable waste collection cooperatives, infrastructure improvements and income generation. In the municipalities where it operates, it employs a cross-functional approach that includes public sector engagement and training, environmental education initiatives, mapping of major waste generators with the potential to supply materials to cooperatives, and development of the legal framework required to strengthen selective waste collection.
This plant produces sulfuric acid from non-condensable gases generated in the industrial pulp and paper production process, reducing emissions and the need for external transportation of key inputs for the Company. In addition, in-house production has resulted self-sufficiency for the Ortigueira Plant in Paraná, created new revenue streams through the sale of surplus volumes and generated operational gains.
The Company set up a potassium sulfate recovery plant that uses ash generated from boilers to produce high-value fertilizer, reducing waste generation, dependence on external suppliers and price volatility, while replacing a large share of the mineral NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) fertilizer used in forestry. This solution is pioneering in the global pulp and paper sector.
Klabin produces soil conditioner from dregs, grits (solid waste generated during pulp production) and ash waste, replacing limestone used in forest management. As well as reducing waste sent to landfills, the production of the soil conditioner helps avoid the extraction of natural resources and lowers input costs. More than 80,000 metric tons of the product have already been applied in forests.
At the Ortigueira Plant in Paraná, Klabin partnered with Oxitec to build a plant operated by the partner focused on using dregs waste to produce chemical formulations applied in the rubber industry. In practice, the initiative provides an alternative to products derived entirely from fossil sources.
Farmer from Lages (SC), benefited by the Klabin Transforma Matas Sociais Program.
Ecosolo and circularity
Ecosolo, a fertilizer developed from industrial waste generated by Klabin and distributed to family farmers through the Klabin Transforma Matas Sociais (Community Forests) Program, reinforces the Company’s practical application of circular economy principles. The solution promotes waste recovery and productive reintegration, contributing to the efficient use of resources and support for sustainable agricultural practices.
The initiative was featured in the documentary Novas Raízes – Escolhas do Futuro (New Roots – Choices for the Future), produced through a partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery, Casa Redonda and the Brazilian Planted Forests Association (Ibá). Available on the HBO Max platform, the film highlights experiences and solutions focused on the future of the bioeconomy and sustainability in the forestry sector.
Clique here to watch the trailer.
