National discussion on the phase-out of highly toxic pesticides highlights the importance of sustainable solutions for production and environmental protection, as implemented by the company
The debate on pesticide use in Brazil has returned to the center of public discussions after the federal government signaled the possibility of removing products classified as “ultra-hazardous” from the market, prioritizing biological alternatives or plant protection products that are less aggressive to the environment and human health. The initiative is part of actions linked to the National Program for the Reduction of Pesticide Use (Pronara) and aims to encourage more sustainable production models in agriculture.
In this context, companies such as Bracell, one of the global leaders in the production of dissolving and specialty pulp, have been increasing investments in nature-based solutions, such as biological control, for pest management in planted forests.
As attention grows around technologies and practices capable of reducing reliance on chemical pesticides while maintaining agricultural productivity and protecting ecosystems, biological control — which uses natural enemies to manage pests — has been gaining ground across different production chains.
In the forestry sector, initiatives based on these solutions have helped expand the use of preventive and sustainable pest management methods in planted forests. Bracell has also increased the production of these biological agents year after year. According to the Bracell Sustainability Report 2025, the company produced 95 million natural enemies in 2024, increasing to 145 million in 2025 across its forestry operations — a 30% increase. In consolidated terms, the adoption of biological control has already contributed to an approximate 80% reduction in the application of chemical pesticides.
Consistent Results Across Multiple Regions
In Bahia, the strategy led to a 90% reduction in outbreaks of defoliating caterpillars, one of the main threats to eucalyptus plantations. In São Paulo, areas treated with natural enemies in 2023 did not require additional applications in 2024, indicating the maintenance of biological balance throughout the production cycle.
Also in São Paulo, Bracell operates laboratories in Lençóis Paulista and other locations dedicated to rearing parasitoids and predators for the control of exotic pests affecting plantations, such as the bronze bug (Thaumastocoris peregrinus). Since 2022, approximately 3.3 million parasitoids have been released in planted areas across the state. As a result, there has been a reduction of up to 90% in infested areas, with biological control prevailing and without the need for chemical pesticide application.
At the Água Clara (MS) unit, MS Florestal — a company within the group — operates a Natural Enemies Production Unit that expands large-scale operational capacity. The model combines biotechnology and precision agriculture: parasitoids such as Palmistichus
elaeisis and Tetrastichus howardi are produced in laboratories and released using drones capable of covering up to 600 hectares per day.
The current operation protects between 6,000 and 10,000 hectares per month, with early application starting when trees are six months old, reinforcing a preventive management strategy.
The program is supported by proprietary protocols for rearing, monitoring and impact assessment, as well as technical partnerships with institutions such as Embrapa Florestas, UNESP Botucatu, and IPEF, which support initiatives from laboratory testing through to field implementation.
“By strengthening the use of natural solutions, we bring together science, innovation and environmental responsibility in a more balanced and efficient management model. It is a strategy that generates environmental, social and economic gains, with scale and a long-term vision,” says João Augusti, Sustainability Manager at Bracell.
Alignment with the Bracell 2030 Agenda
Biological control is an integral part of the company’s sustainability plan, Bracell 2030, structured around four pillars: climate action, biodiversity, responsible production and community empowerment.
The strategy contributes to reducing the use of chemical pesticides, especially in environmental buffer zones and areas close to communities, while also strengthening local production chains and reducing operational risks associated with pest outbreaks.
Based on the results achieved, Bracell continues to expand its production capacity and operational coverage, consolidating biological control as a permanent forest management policy. The initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to a climate-positive forestry model, integrated with biodiversity conservation and the generation of shared value in the territories where it operates.
