# Infrastructure and industrial projects in Rio Grande do Sul

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/infrastructure-and-industrial-projects-in-rio-grande-do-sul
> Updated: 2026-09-10T01:09:26.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects in Rio Grande do Sul are facing significant regulatory and environmental scrutiny.

In August 2026, the environmental agency Ibama ordered a revision of the R$ 6.5 billion Porto Meridional project in Arroio do Sal. The agency identified the current Environmental Impact Assessment as insufficient, specifically citing concerns regarding how the project might alter coastal dynamics and beach zones. The responsible consortium, AOS and DTA, was tasked with evaluating alternative configurations to mitigate environmental damage.

By September 2026, developments continued with CMPC’s ‘Projeto Natureza’. A contract was signed to establish a new private-use terminal at the Port of Rio Grande to support a planned R$ 27 billion cellulose plant in Barra do Ribeiro. However, this project has met opposition from a technical committee of researchers and socio-environmental organizations. The committee has petitioned the federal government to withdraw support, citing unresolved legal and social issues, as well as concerns regarding the plant’s impact on the Guaíba water source due to its high daily water consumption and effluent discharge.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: CMPC advances Projeto Natureza with new port terminal amid environmental concerns

CMPC's R$ 27 billion 'Projeto Natureza' is advancing with a new terminal contract at the Port of Rio Grande, despite environmental groups calling for the federal government to withdraw support due to water use'

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cmpc-advances-projeto-natureza-with-new-port-terminal-amid-environmental-concerns

### 2026-08-25: Ibama orders revision of R$ 6.5 billion Porto Meridional project

Ibama has ordered a revision of the R$ 6.5 billion Porto Meridional project in Arroio do Sal, citing insufficient environmental impact studies and potential risks to coastal dynamics.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ibama-orders-revision-of-r-65-billion-porto-meridional-project

---
Cite as: Infrastructure and industrial projects in Rio Grande do Sul. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/infrastructure-and-industrial-projects-in-rio-grande-do-sul