Pulp is made from cellulose, one of the most essential and abundant components in nature. Found in the cell walls of plants, it serves to make them stiff and upright. But this organic polymer has proven to be a versatile and sustainable raw material for numerous industries. Used in the production of paper, biofuels, construction materials and even food products, pulp plays a key role in modern life. Its versatility, abundance and potential to biodegrade make it an essential resource in the transition to a more sustainable economy.

Here, you will learn more about what pulp is, what it is used for and in what everyday products this raw material is found.

What is pulp?

Pulp is made from fibers of cellulose, a polysaccharide that is the most abundant structural component in the plant kingdom, formed by glucose molecules found in the cell walls of plants. Cellulose is found in practically all plants, from trees (such as eucalyptus, pine and bamboo) to smaller plants (such as grasses). Plant byproducts, such as sugarcane bagasse, are also used to make pulp.

“Cellulose is a polysaccharide carbohydrate, that is, a polymer consisting of a chain of molecules that, when dissolved in acid or broken down into its elements, generates glucose molecules,” explains Tim Wehr, executive consultant for Pulp R&D at Suzano.

Cellulose is not typically sold in its natural state. “Its fibers, which are isolated and purified plant cells, are sold as pulp after undergoing industrial processes.” Pulp is the basis for several products, mainly paper (for packaging and books, for example), but pulp also has important uses in other sectors, such as the personal hygiene industry.

What are the types of pulp?

Pulp is classified into different types, according to its characteristics and industrial use.

Long fiber pulp: Produced from trees such as pine, long fiber pulp is strong, but has a higher production cost

Short fiber pulp: Extracted mainly from eucalyptus, it is more efficient in terms of growth and production cost

Soluble pulp: Used in chemical products, such as viscose and acetates, as well as in food and cosmetics, it has a low yield, since it is pulp in its purest form

Fluff pulp: This is a special type of pulp for use in absorbent materials, such as diapers and sanitary pads

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC): This is a type of cellulose pulp that is fibrillated  through mechanical processes in which the fibers are reduced to micrometric dimensions, allowing it to be used in a variety of products, such as cosmetics, coatings and eco-friendly fabrics

Nanocellulose: These high-value small crystals are primarily used by the pharmaceutical industry to replace synthetic materials in some products

Where does the pulp used by the industry come from?

Pulp is primarily made from trees, such as eucalyptus and pine. Eucalyptus pulp, in particular, stands out for its efficiency, both in terms of growth speed and production cost.

“Eucalyptus is the fastest growing source of pulp fiber in the world. In our Innovation department, we have studied other species of trees and plants, such as bamboo, but our flagship product and our 100-year experience in development and production is based on eucalyptus, a highly productive, high-yield crop. Additionally, this type of pulp has been increasingly recognized for its homogeneous quality,” says Tim.

What products are made with pulp?

There are many everyday items that use pulp as a raw material:

• Paper for books and for printing and writing
• Paper packaging, cups and straws
• Toilet paper
• Diapers
• Sanitary pads
• Pet mats
• Paper tissues
• Paper napkins

Products that may contain pulp (and you might be surprised to know)

In addition to being the basis for the production of paper and personal hygiene items, pulp is also used in products that you might not even imagine. These include:

• Processed foods that use pulp as a thickener, stabilizer and emulsifier, including soups, ice cream and hamburgers
• Tablets, ointments, dressings and even artificial skin
• Sausage casings, as substitutes for animal-based casings
• Cosmetics and sunscreen
• Fabrics
• Roof tiles and drywall
• Car filters
• Batteries
• Electronic circuits

“There is a growing demand for alternative materials to plastic, and pulp plays a key role in this trend for being biodegradable and renewable,” says Tim.

What are the advantages of pulp?

One of the main advantages of pulp is that it can be recycled (in most products) and the fact that it is a biodegradable raw material. Therefore, when a pulp-based product is not recycled, it can biodegrade, reducing its environmental impact (the degree of biodegradability varies according to the material and the environment in which it will decompose). In addition, pulp comes from a renewable source, that is, trees that can be cultivated continuously, unlike fossil-based raw materials such as oil.

Most companies in the pulp sector have clear goals to use less natural resources, such as water and energy, and replace non-renewable materials, connected to their need to support a circular economy. “When we invest in forest productivity, we are ensuring that fewer resources are used to produce more pulp, thus preserving the environment,” explains Tim.

How important is pulp production for the economy?

Pulp production has a profound impact on the Brazilian and global economies. Since 2022, Brazil has established itself as the largest exporter of pulp in the world, according to the Brazilian Tree Industry Association (Ibá). All national production is supported by farms planted specifically for this purpose, using land that has already been altered by human activities and setting aside a percentage of the area for environmental conservation.

Also, according to Ibá, the pulp industry accounts for 1.3% of Brazil’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 6.9% of the country’s industrial GDP. In addition, Brazilian production generates more than US$100 billion in revenue, contributing significantly toward the country’s trade balance and job creation. According to Fortune Business Insights, in 2023 the global pulp and paper market was valued at US$375.21 billion.

‍Want to know more about pulp? Visit Suzano’s Products and Brands page to learn more and discover Suzano Biopulp and other types of pulp from Suzano.