Sylvamo

Marcio Mendes is a seasoned industrial manager with over 32.9 years of experience in the pulp and paper industry, having built his expertise in plant operations and manufacturing management. Mendes is currently serving as the Plant Operations Manager at Sylvamo Brasil, a global paper company committed to sustainable, responsible production, where he leads manufacturing operations and continuous‐improvement initiatives.

Beyond operational metrics, Mendes and his team have advanced Sylvamo’s circular economy goals by valorizing production by-products and reducing freshwater consumption, aligning the company with global bioeconomy trends and positioning Mendes as a recognized sustainability leader in the sector.

Leading With Purpose And Precision

Mendes has held key leadership roles at major companies such as International Paper, Suzano, Conpacel, and Ripasa, where he drove production excellence and operational efficiency. Throughout his career, Mendes has implemented advanced industrial management tools and restructured teams to achieve record‐breaking sales targets and streamline processes. His expertise in optimizing utility and chemical recovery systems to balance environmental responsibility leads to high‐quality output. Mendes has also led numerous high‐impact engineering projects, applying strong analytical skills to reduce costs and enhance safety across recovery and utility operations.

Driving Continuous Improvement And Sustainability

At Sylvamo Brasil, Mendes leads manufacturing operations across multiple pulp and paper facilities, overseeing production targets, operational excellence initiatives and sustainability goals. In this capacity, he has implemented advanced industrial management tools, such as Lean Six Sigma methodologies and digital monitoring systems, to streamline workflows, boost plant reliability and reduce waste. Mendes has also championed modernizations of chemical recovery and utility systems, driving significant improvements in energy efficiency and environmental compliance across Sylvamo’s Brazilian mills.

A hallmark of Mendes’s leadership is his focus on continuous‐ improvement culture. He organizes Kaizen workshops and cross‐functional teams that analyze production data in real time for bottlenecks and implement corrective actions, an approach supported by critical‐factor research in Brazilian manufacturing.

Mendes’s blend of deep technical expertise, data-driven problem solving and commitment to sustainable, high-quality production continues to strengthen Sylvamo Brasil’s competitive position and sets new benchmarks in the global pulp and paper industry.

Known for strategic leadership and a dedication to continuous improvement, Marcio Mendes remains a driving force in advancing sustainability and innovation in pulp and paper manufacturing.