Water use

Percentage of plants in water-stressed areas 

Percentage of water withdrawn from water-stressed areas 

Percentage of water discharged in water-stressed areas 

Percentage of cost of products sold corresponding to plants located in water-stressed areas 

Water consumption in water-stressed areas 

*The water consumption goal for water-stressed areas is aligned with the Company’s operational plan. 

Klabin currently has six plants located in water-stressed areas, which undergo strict control and monitoring of associated risks. Areas are classified as exposed to water stress if their baseline is greater than 20%, compared to the current situation or future projections (2030 and 2040). This assessment is based on the WRI Aqueduct tool, which has been used in all areas of the Company since 2018. 

Throughout 2024, the Company maintained its water use levels in areas of water stress below 1% of total use, down slightly from 2021, influenced by the acquisition of five new operational units. Klabin continues to prioritize solutions to increase the productivity of its operations and to optimize water use per unit of output. In addition, it is committed to developing initiatives as part of its Water Conservation Plan, to guide its operations and strategies in the coming years. 

In 2024, the methodology used to define the goal for total water consumption in water-stressed areas was updated. The goal is now calculated based on individual indicators for specific water consumption reduction in each production unit, in line with the objective of reducing this type of consumption by 2030. This indicator is used internally to guide efforts to reduce water demand in Klabin’s operations, as well as serving as a benchmark for the Water Management Working Group. 

In 2023, this working group, composed of a multidisciplinary team, including representatives of Pulp, Paper and Packaging businesses, as well as the Industrial Environmental Responsibility Area, was reinforced by including the Innovation Area, Research & Development Area, and Projects and Engineering Area. This restructuring broadened the working group’s vision and deepened the involvement of industrial units, as well as this topic’s engagement and visibility, contributing to the Company’s objective of identifying opportunities to reduce water withdrawal and consumption in its plants. 

River flow and rainfall in different regions are monitored through a report, which is used to anticipate possible water shortages and seek alternatives to deal with the impacts. This is monitored by the Water Management Working Group, which also guides actions to prevent impacts.  

Summary Table

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Water withdrawal by source (m³) 

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Water discharged by the source 

In 2024, the volume of water discharged was 4.2% higher than in 2023, due to the stabilization of operations at the Ortigueira Plant in Paraná, following the installation of Paper Machine 28. The new operations at the site enhanced water use efficiency, increasing the amount of water reused and discharged. 

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The number of non-compliance cases in water discharges resulted in formal actions

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Substances defined and analyzed for disposal

Klabin’s plants analyze parameters and respective limits established by applicable laws in each state and country as a benchmark for monitoring their effluents. Parameters such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and BOD removal efficiency are priorities, as are Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and phosphorus concentrations in effluents from pulp and paper plants. The results are often compared to global benchmarks, such as IFC guidelines (20 to 100 m3/t for pulp mills and 10 to 50 m3/t for paper mills). 

All Klabin plants monitor the flow and quality of effluents generated in their processes before and after internal treatment. The main parameters analyzed are pH, conductivity, total suspended solids, total nitrogen and ammonia, phosphorus and sedimentable solids, among other indicators used to control the effectiveness of effluent treatment plants. 

In cases where results fall outside the established goals, the unit requests a reanalysis of the sample and initiates a multidisciplinary investigation to find the root cause of the problem. After this process, a structured action plan is created to rectify and follow up the issue, based on the methodologies defined in each unit. All plants have specific areas responsible for managing and overseeing water and effluent parameters.  

Self-monitoring is carried out frequently, allowing third-party results to be compared with internal ones. If a downward trend in efficiency or a deviation in monitored parameters is identified, operational teams act immediately to identify and resolve the root cause. 

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Water consumption

Percentage of reused water used 

Water conservation is aligned with Klabin’s Sustainability Policy, which integrates essential environmental principles into its operations and strategies and reflects its commitment to conserving freshwater ecosystems, with a focus on preserving biodiversity and promoting ecosystem balance. The Company works continuously to reduce its abstraction and consumption of water, based on efficient water resource management and the prioritization of responsible and sustainable use. Its practices are focused on preventing and reducing environmental impacts related to effluents, in order to reduce and/or eliminate potential water pollutants. 

The Company remains committed to developing actions guided by its Water Conservation Plan – a document that organizes its water security management and serves as the basis for its operations and strategies in the coming years. At the same time, it manages water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in the community, focusing on water security and availability in the regions where it operates. It also promotes stakeholder involvement through active and transparent dialogue, environmental education and engagement with stakeholders, with a focus on sustainable water management. In this way, it furthers its commitment to transparency and sustainable governance, promoting collective action for resource management.  

In forestry operations, socially responsible water management is used. This pioneering approach in the sector is based on balancing wood and water production, integrating different water resource needs, including those of communities and ecological processes. Socially responsible water management begins with forest planning, taking into account micro-watersheds and water collection points in the communities where forestry units are located.  

Water efficiency (assessment of consumption, reuse, quality and effluents) 

The Water Management Working Group carries out actions to identify opportunities to reduce water withdrawal and consumption at all units and to improve water and effluent quality. 

Klabin uses the Life Cycle Assessment and Water Footprint (ISO 14046) methodologies, based on internal data and indicators related to the assessed water impact categories (acidification, eutrophication, human toxicity, ecotoxicity, water use and water footprint). This information guides the definition of impact criteria in Life Cycle Assessments, supporting the development of measures to reduce the water impact of the Company’s products. 

Treated effluents are monitored internally and by third parties to ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements. Klabin’s plants undergo periodic internal and external audits to evaluate their management systems, including environmental control and management processes. At units that have environmental goals connected with water resources, compliance is linked to employees’ performance-related pay. 

Minimum effluent disposal standards are based on the municipal, state and federal legislation applicable to each site. Klabin also compares its results with the indicators of the International Finance Corporate (IFC), which has benchmarks for the pulp and paper sector. In 2024, the Company remained below these recommended levels, which are 20 to 100 m3/t for pulp mills and 10 to 50 m3/t for paper mills. 

To determine maximum discharge limits, the Company conducts water dispersion and water body self-purification studies to assess and determine limits that do not cause changes in water quality and volume.  

As described in items 15 and 18 of Klabin’s Sustainability Policy, all units must practice responsible water resource management, seeking continuous improvement in their processes and adhering to municipal, state and federal environmental laws and regulations. This commitment is reinforced by the specific water use indicator, which is linked to all employees’ performance-related pay. 

Klabin monitors the quality of 100% of the water it withdraws in all its operations on a daily basis. Monitoring volumes and other parameters is important for identifying actions to improve the quality of available water. These aspects are tracked using indicators that have been consolidated on a specific platform since 2018, facilitating the traceability of information. 

Consumption performance analysis 

Throughout 2024, the Company maintained its water use levels in water-stressed areas below 1% of total consumption, down slightly from 2021, the year when it acquired five new operational units. As a result of water management during the year, the volume of reused water at Klabin represented approximately twice the volume of raw water withdrawn.  

Klabin’s water consumption (water withdrawal – water discharge) expanded by 8.8% compared to 2023, due to strategic planning adjustments and operational changes implemented in units. One hundred percent of the effluent from Klabin’s industrial processes is treated at its effluent treatment plants before being returned to water bodies or the local water company. 

The Company continues to focus primarily on solutions to increase the productivity of its operations and to optimize its water use per unit of output. 

Measures to raise employees’ awareness 

The Superar (“Surpass”) continuous improvement program is in place at Klabin’s industrial units, using a management methodology based on the Total Productive Management (TPM) model. Energy and water consumption and waste generation and disposal are some of the aspects covered by this initiative, which promotes awareness and provides training to harness identified opportunities for improvement, with a focus on operational efficiency, in line with each site’s profile. 

In addition, Klabin offers its employees access to the Portal Escola de Negócios Klabin (Klabin Business School portal), which includes training courses related to sustainability, covering topics such as water, waste and energy management, measures to combat climate change, and environmental education. Klabin’s plants also carry out specific campaigns each year to improve water efficiency in their operations, mainly during an annual Environment Week.