CMPC advances Projeto Natureza with new port terminal amid environmental concerns

The implementation of the 'Projeto Natureza' by CMPC is advancing through significant infrastructure milestones and facing environmental opposition. A contract has been signed between the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services and Terminal Rio Grande do Sul S.A. to establish a new private-use terminal at the Port of Rio Grande. This terminal is designed to support CMPC’s planned R$ 27 billion cellulose plant in Barra do Ribeiro, with the capacity to export approximately 5 million tons of product annually via ship and barge.

Simultaneously, a technical committee comprising researchers and socio-environmental organizations has petitioned the federal government to withdraw support for the project. The committee cites unresolved environmental, social, and legal issues regarding the licensing process conducted by Fepam. Specific concerns include the project's impact on the Guaíba water source, noting that the factory is expected to consume roughly 288 million liters of water and discharge 242 million liters of effluent daily.