Arbex

Suzano keeps consumer-goods arm separate from Kimberly-Clark tissue JV for now

Suzano says it is not yet ready to merge its own consumer-goods operations with Arbex, the tissue joint venture it formed with Kimberly-Clark covering 22 plants in 14 countries. Executive vice-president Pablo Machado said a merger could be considered once Suzano judges its own tissue business has matured and Arbex has captured its planned efficiency gains. The group is targeting USD 175m in operational efficiency at Arbex over three years.

Why this mattersA future combination would consolidate Suzano's downstream tissue footprint with Kimberly-Clark's international hygiene assets, deepening its shift beyond pulp.

• Arbex, the Suzano-Kimberly-Clark joint venture, comprises 22 industrial units across 14 countries making and selling hygiene paper products.
• Suzano is targeting USD 175m in operational efficiency gains at Arbex over three years, a goal stated earlier in 2026 by CEO Beto Abreu.
• Suzano acquired Kimberly-Clark's Brazilian tissue operations in 2023, including the Neve brand and the Mogi das Cruzes mill with 130,000 tonnes a year of semi-finished paper capacity.
• Suzano says it cut costs at the Mogi das Cruzes plant by around 40% within six months of taking it over.
• Executive vice-president Pablo Machado said Suzano does not currently see merit in combining operations, citing unrealised gains still to be captured at Arbex.

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