Suzano breaks ground on its Innovability Hub development in China

Driving sustainable development through Innovability

SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On November 29, Suzano China Innovability Hub, Suzano’s first R&D and innovation center in Asia, commenced construction at the Zhangjiang Science City in Shanghai. After its completion, the Innovability Hub will act as a dedicated center to developing new bio-based materials and applications, as well as for cooperating with partners in China and overseas to drive sustainable development through Innovability.

With an investment of over US$10 million, the Innovability Hub will mainly consist of an advanced laboratory, an interactive experience center and various collaboration spaces. Construction is expected to be completed by the first half of 2023. The word “Innovability” stands for the pursuit of sustainable solutions through innovation, a core concept which Suzano’s business strategy is founded on.

Once it opens, the Innovability Hub will not only be a center that caters to local customers’ evolving needs on existing products and applications, but will also become a development base for new bio-based materials and applications, all of which are derived from Suzano’s scientifically cultivated and managed eucalyptus farms – a renewable and natural resource.

The Innovability Hub is also aimed at learning Chinese innovation initiatives that may be applied to Suzano’s businesses and adapting them across other regions. By promoting knowledge and sharing experiences at the company’s new facility, Suzano expects to form closer relationships with its stakeholders in China and even attract attention from further afield across the globe.

The hub’s experience center will allow visitors to get a glimpse of Suzano’s major innovative and sustainable developments worldwide, while the collaboration areas will provide space for in-depth open innovation discussions.

Pablo Machado, President of Asia Business (Beyond Pulp) at Suzano, says:

“China is now transitioning from a high-speed growth economy to a high-quality growth economy, with a clear focus on creating a greener future. With the new hub in place, we expect to be better positioned to collaborate with our stakeholders in China and abroad in the development of innovative bio-based materials and solutions to support China’s ambitious goals towards the low carbon economy, as well as foster open innovation within our industry.”