Suzano: Geospatial AI for Paper Supply Chain Sustainability

Imagine a world where every piece of paper and cardboard you use comes with an assurance of sustainability and minimal environmental impact.

This vision is closer to reality thanks to pioneering efforts by industry giants like Suzano.

As the largest pulp producer globally, Suzano is at the forefront of revolutionising the paper industry, addressing critical issues related to deforestation, water usage and energy consumption.

Partnering with AI startup Marvin, Suzano is leveraging cutting-edge technology to make significant strides in sustainable production.

This collaboration has led to substantial advancements, including the creation of a sophisticated operational platform.

This tool utilises remote sensing and ground-validated data to monitor water use and carbon sequestration, providing crucial insights into the effects of climate change on operations.

Yhasmin Paiva Rody, R&D Manager at Suzano, says: “Our partnership with Marvin has been an enriching journey of learning and innovation.

“This validation reflects not only the capabilities of Marvin’s technology, but also our collaborative approach to innovation, driven by an in-depth technical understanding and the agile development of cutting-edge solutions. 

“A standout achievement is the creation of a pioneering operational platform that, through remote sensing tools and ground-validated data, is able to measure water use and carbon sequestration and allows us to evaluate the impacts of climate change across Suzano's 27,000 square kilometres of farms and native forest.”

Introducing Suzano and Marvin

Suzano isn't just a market leader in pulp manufacturing; it plays a significant role in producing paper and related products across Latin America, including everyday items like books, cups and toilet paper.

Its expansive eucalyptus farms are the source of various raw materials, propelling an annual production capacity that reaches millions of tonnes.

Marvin, founded in 2023, complements Suzano's extensive reach by providing a robust AI platform designed to propel businesses towards more sustainable practices.

This platform is adept at analysing land use through the integration of geospatial and satellite data, reflecting the latest in scientific research.

Marvin’s technology has found applications across diverse sectors including mining, forestry and agriculture.

Through its ventures arm, Suzano has not only invested in Marvin but also become a key user of its geospatial intelligence products.

This multi-year partnership highlights the trust and commitment Suzano has towards transforming its operational footprint sustainably.

Social and economic Impacts

Álvaro Gómez Rodríguez, Senior Manager at Suzano Ventures, explains: “Before investing in Marvin, we carefully assessed a number of geospatial intelligence products available on the market that were potentially applicable to silviculture. 

“We are confident that Marvin’s technology offers the most sophisticated tool for forest producers like Suzano, which we have now validated through trials in our own business.”

Ofer Judovits, Co-Founder and CEO at Marvin, says: “We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Suzano, as both a strategic investor and a key customer for Marvin.

“It is very significant for us to receive validation of our platform product’s technical and economic value from a business with a well-earned reputation for excellence in its forest operations, that has been at the forefront of innovation and technology in the pulp and paper sector.

“We recently opened an office in Brazil, because we believe it is important to be present in South America to strengthen our capabilities and accuracy in the complex and globally significant biomes in this region, as well as to meet the growing demand from regional businesses. 

“We know that while some companies may initially come to us because of regulatory requirements and sustainability due diligence concerns, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation, they quickly realise that our data and insights can provide a lot more than compliance benefits.”

Yhasmin adds: “The development of this platform is testament to the scale of innovation that can be achieved through deep, strategic partnerships between large corporations and startups and demonstrates the potential for Marvin’s technology to transform land management practices across a wide range of sectors.”

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