The inauguration ceremony of the Suzano China Innovability Hub, the first research and development (R&D) and innovation center in Asia of Suzano (Suzano) — the world's leading hardwood pulp producer - was held in Putong New Area's Zhangjiang Science City in Shanghai on March 21 to demonstrate the company's long-term commitment to creating an open and innovation-led platform in China.

Suzano won the Group Open Innovation award, which was granted by the Pudong government, and signed strategic agreements with Chinese research institutions and universities on the research and development of bio-based materials. 

Serving as a cooperation base for wood pulp and related industries in China and the world, the center is striving to meet customers' strong demands for wood pulp and new bio-based materials and applications, boost sustainable development and promote China's low-carbon transformation.

Walter Schalka, CEO of Suzano, said at the ceremony that "China's strong economic growth prospects and large market size will stimulate a huge demand for various bio-based raw materials, which coincides with our bio-based business. We are capable of supporting China's path towards a low-carbon economy."

Ma Xinrong, president of new businesses at Suzano, said: "The R&D center can also better speed up the transformation of China's pulp and paper and biomaterials industry and help achieve carbon neutrality through our leading technologies and resources."

Suzano also launched a program to accelerate open innovation, support Chinese startups and promote the development of the bioeconomy in the Chinese market.

Pudong continues to boost its GOI plan, currently enrolling 65 technologically advanced companies. Last year, GOIs in Pudong empowered more than 2,200 small and medium-sized enterprises, and more than 1,000 have achieved technological breakthroughs.

The inauguration ceremony of the Suzano China Innovability Hub takes place in Pudong New Area's Zhangjiang Science City in Shanghai on March 21. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_01c6f7b4cf3d]