Global specialty materials company Eastman Chemical
Company has announced a new phase of its partnership
with Brazilian environmental organization SOS Mata Atlântica to
strengthen restoration efforts in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Under the
new agreement, the organization will plant 11,000 native tree seed
lings as part of a broader initiative to restore degraded ecosystems
in the region.The seedlings will be planted during southeast Brazil’s
rainy season, from October to March, in areas located within the
Tietê River Basin and the Paraíba do Sul River Basin. These regions
are considered priority areas for restoration because they are home
to around 12 million people and play a vital role in ensuring water
security, protecting biodiversity and supporting the well-being of
local communities.
The project builds on Eastman’s initial collaboration with SOS
Mata Atlântica in 2022 and reflects the company’s ongoing
commitment to responsible forestry and sustainable material
sourcing. Over decades, the Atlantic Forest has faced severe
environmental pressure due to urban expansion, industrial activity
and agricultural development, resulting in significant loss of forest
cover and degradation of ecosystems.
Restoration activities will be carried out under SOS Mata
Atlântica’s Forests of the Future program. The program focuses on
preparing soil, removing factors that hinder natural regeneration
and planting a diverse range of native tree species. Each restored
area will receive maintenance for the first two years and ecological
monitoring for up to five years to ensure long-term forest recovery.
Beyond environmental benefits, the initiative is also expected to
support local economic activity by engaging plant nurseries, rural
workers and communities involved in the restoration value chain.
According to program coordinators, landowners participating in
the initiative increasingly develop a sense of responsibility and
pride toward newly restored forest areas.
The project also contributes to global efforts under the United
Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which calls for
collaborative action to restore degraded natural environments.
Responsible forestry practices are central to Eastman’s
sustainability strategy and are closely linked to its Naia fiber
portfolio for the textile industry. Naia fibers are produced using
responsibly sourced wood pulp and a closed-loop manufacturing
system that recovers and reuses solvents, helping reduce
environmental impact. Through initiatives such as this forest
restoration project and the development of sustainable fiber
solutions, Eastman aims to promote circularity, protect forests and
expand the availability of more environmentally responsible
materials for the global textile sector.