Montes del Plata

Our forestry activities have the support of a research and development program whose central objective is to optimize the production of raw material in both quantity and quality.

The lines of R&D work aim at increasing the efficiency and quality of forestry operations as well as the performance of the plantations through the development and implementation of new technologies and the incorporation of new genetic materials.  

We have a state-of-art nursery only a few kilometers from Fray Bentos (Río Negro) at which more than 100 local people work. With an area of 48,000 m2 of greenhouses and a capacity to produce up to 20 million seedlings per year, this nursery is one of the most modern in the region. Its inauguration was in 2012, and its design optimizes the use of raw materials and minimize the staff's physical effort.

Before planting or replanting, we draft a project that takes into consideration production, environmental and social aspects. We identify areas that are suitable for planting and other uses, such as cattle grazing or the conservation of native forests and special ecosystems. Uncultivated soils represent 35% of our holdings.

All forestry projects must have the authorization of the General Forestry Administration of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries.

Quality forestry management is not just the harvest but also preparing the soil, tree planting, care and upkeep of trees during their growth. These are in addition to loading, road building and harvesting activities.

Harvesting is 100% mechanized and uses high tech machinery operated by highly-qualified staff. 

These processes directly employ 1,500 people. 

As part of our sustainable growth vision, we promote strategic alliances with more than 350 farmers who have integrated forestation on their properties.

We also have hundreds of agreements with local livestock producers for grazing pastureland on our plantations and the production of honey.

This business model promotes local development and optimizes land use through production diversification, utilization of forest shade and shelter for livestock.

At Montes del Plata, we plan, train, and coordinate with authorities and other stakeholders in the forestry sector to prevent, detect, and respond quickly to fires.

Additionally, we invest in technology, machinery, and specialized equipment to quickly detect and extinguish fires in a timely manner.

We study climatic factors and anticipate risk situations.

We generate prevention measures in our operational activities, based on climatic alert levels.

And we communicate them to the community through new communication tools.

To supply the industrial complex, Montes del Plata uses a bimodal transport system. The system combines land and river transportation carried out on four barges. These barges depart from our M'Bopicuá logistics terminal located on the banks of the Uruguay River, in the department of Río Negro, and arrive directly at the port terminal of the industrial complex in Punta Pereira; these barges account for the transportation of approximately 50% of the needed wood supply.

Each barge has a load capacity of 5,000 tonnes, which is equivalent to 170 truckloads. This bimodal system saves 24 million kilometers of trucking annually, with an added benefit to the environment, infrastructure and road safety.

A modern fleet of trucks transports the wood from the center and east of the country directly to the cellulose plant. A transportation station controls this fleet in real time via satellite.

 >Learn more about our sustainable transport strategy

The Montes del Plata Logistics Terminal is in the department of Río Negro, on the banks of the Uruguay River. It has a continuous 192-meter long dock is parallel to the coast, a log yard and a transport station. A modern highway links the facilities with Route No. 2.

This terminal receives the logs coming from the central – western part of the country. The logs are loaded onto four barges destined for the Punta Pereira Port Terminal, at the Montes del Plata Industrial Complex.