Arauco Receives First Locomotives and Advances Railway Logistics for Sucuriú Project

Arauco has received the first locomotives supplied by Wabtec to operate on its own railway that will connect the future pulp mill in Inocência (MS) to the Northern Network. This initiative marks the implementation of the first private shortline in the country after the new railway framework and reinforces the company's strategy of adopting a more efficient and sustainable logistics model.

Considered a strategic structure, the railway will be 45 kilometers long, plus 9 kilometers within the industrial area, directly connecting the plant to the national rail system and enabling the flow of production to the Port of Santos. The expectation is to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 94% and remove approximately 190 daily truck trips from the region's highways.

The company is betting on rail transport to increase predictability and operational efficiency. The infrastructure was designed to move up to 3.5 million tons of pulp per year. The fleet will consist of 26 locomotives and 721 wagons, with capacity for trains of up to 9,600 tons. Operations are expected to begin along with the factory, scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.

According to the company, adopting its own railway reduces logistics costs and minimizes impacts on the region's road infrastructure.

In addition to efficiency, the project also prioritizes sustainability. The Evolution series locomotives, manufactured in Minas Gerais, have more efficient engines and can operate on biofuels, allowing for a reduction of up to 6% in fuel consumption compared to previous models.

The equipment also features digital safety and monitoring systems, including automatic speed control, operator attention monitoring, and automatic braking in risky situations. The technology also allows for real-time monitoring of operational parameters, enhancing safety and fleet availability.