Veolia has been chosen by pulp producer Arauco to develop the water treatment line for the Sucuriú Project, a $4.6 billion Arauco pulp mill in Inocência, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The contract covers the design and implementation of an industrial effluent treatment plant that will process 10,600 cubic metres of wastewater per hour.
According to the companies, the treatment capacity is equivalent to managing the organic load generated by a municipality of 3 million inhabitants. The plant is intended to prevent pollution of natural water sources in the region.
A single-phase Arauco pulp mill in Mato Grosso do Sul
The Sucuriú Project is Arauco’s first pulp mill in Brazil. It is being developed as a single-phase project and is on track to start operations by late 2027, with an annual capacity of 3.5 million tons of short-fibre pulp.
Arauco said the mill will be the largest industrial facility in the world built in a single phase. Building at this scale in one phase means that supporting infrastructure, including effluent treatment, must be ready to handle the full production load from start-up.
Effluent treatment designed for pulp and paper mills
Veolia said it will draw on more than 50 years of experience in the pulp and paper industry to deliver pre-engineered water regeneration technologies developed for next-generation pulp and paper mills. The company said the solutions are designed to provide reliability and operational flexibility while optimising investment costs.
The partners said the aim is to strengthen environmental security and safeguard water resources for local communities across the region, with treated effluent supporting the regeneration of freshwater resources.
Biological treatment and sludge dewatering
The treatment process is based on biological treatment intensification, which Veolia said maximises treatment capacity within a compact footprint. It uses the biofilm activated sludge (BAS) process, which combines a moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) with activated sludge treatment.
The system also includes Veolia’s proprietary belt presses for sludge dewatering, intended to optimise sludge production and final disposal.
What Arauco and Veolia said
Leonardo Crociati, Executive Manager of Implementation for the Sucuriú Project at Arauco, said: “The Sucuriú Project is the largest project built in a single phase in the world and represents a historic milestone for Arauco. An undertaking of this magnitude demands partners who share our unwavering commitment to sustainability. Choosing Veolia for our wastewater treatment plant reflects this vision, ensuring we operate under the highest standards of environmental compliance while creating shared value for Mato Grosso do Sul.”
Anne Le Guennec, CEO of Veolia’s water technology activities, said: “Securing water resources and protecting local ecosystems have become essential to business continuity and sovereignty. This strategic partnership with Arauco exemplifies how our innovative technological solutions enable sustainable industrial production while safeguarding water resources, in perfect alignment with Veolia’s GreenUp strategic program. We are proud to support Arauco’s journey toward more efficient and environmentally responsible operations.”
The project forms part of Veolia’s GreenUp strategic programme. The Paris-based group, which has 215,000 employees across five continents, reported consolidated revenue of €44.4 billion in 2025. H2O Global News has previously reported on Veolia’s new water treatment technologies unveiled at IFAT 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Sucuriú Project?
The Sucuriú Project is Arauco’s first pulp mill in Brazil, a $4.6 billion single-phase development in Inocência, Mato Grosso do Sul. It is on track to start operations by late 2027 with an annual capacity of 3.5 million tons of short-fibre pulp.
What will Veolia provide for the Arauco pulp mill?
Veolia will design and implement the industrial effluent treatment plant for the mill. The plant will process 10,600 cubic metres of wastewater per hour.
How large is the wastewater treatment capacity?
The plant will treat 10,600 cubic metres per hour, which the companies said is equivalent to managing the organic load generated by a municipality of 3 million inhabitants.
What technology will the effluent treatment plant use?
It will use Veolia’s biofilm activated sludge (BAS) process, which combines a moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) with activated sludge treatment. Proprietary belt presses will be used for sludge dewatering.
When will the Arauco mill start operating?
The mill is on track to start operations by late 2027.
