Acesita invests in eucalyptus to increase charcoal output

Acesita Energética, the energy subsidiary of Brazilian stainless steelmaker Acesita, is developing a new type of eucalyptus that would almost double charcoal output, business daily Valor Econômico reported. The company currently produces 123t/y of wood per hectare resulting in 35 cu. m. of charcoal per hectare. With the new eucalyptus, named HC-1528, its annual production could reach 263t of wood, or 60 cu. m of charcoal, per hectare, Valor said. However, commercial production is not likely to start for four years, the newspaper added. The eucalyptus is a raw material used in 70% of the 5.4Mt/y of cellulose produced in Brazil, according to Acesita. It also accounts for 14.4Mt of charcoal used in making pig iron.