Acacia: Tannin for Tanning and Charcoal — Reforestation with a Guaranteed Industrial Market

Join our strategic actions for the implementation of the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies and advanced research cover 20 value chains and the 255 segments of the national agribusiness — from the grain chain to sustainable extraction, including horticulture, fruit growing, livestock and much more. The acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii) is one of the forest species with the greatest economic security in the South of Brazil — with a guaranteed market for tannin for tanneries and wood for charcoal. Rio Grande do Sul concentrates more than 200 thousand hectares of acácia and is the world’s largest producer of acacia tannin extract, exporting to tanneries in Italy, Germany and China.

Acacia has a short cycle of 7 to 8 years, grows on low-fertility soils and the rural producer has a purchase guarantee from Tanac (of the Ledesma group). It is one of the few reforestations with a purchase contract guaranteed before planting — minimum risk for the family producer. When acacia is planted with quality genetic material and integrated into the tannin industrial chain, excellent economic growth can be achieved. This segment can contribute greatly to job and income generation in Brazil.

The series Inovação Para o Brasil Produzir Mais was developed precisely to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide, across the 255 segments of the agricultural sector — with accessible technical language, updated data and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, governments and traders.

1. Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to produce acacia with quality for the tannin and wood market

Acacia of quality for tannin requires bark with a high tannin content — selected genetic material and proper fertilization. Bark represents 20 to 25% of the bole weight and is the highest value product of acacia.

✔ Selected genetic material from Tanac — clones with high tannin content

✔ Spacing 2×2m to 2×1.5m — high density for greater bark production

✔ Support contract with Tanac — seedlings, assistance and guaranteed purchase

✔ Wood for charcoal: a high-value coproduct for the steel industry and barbecue

✔ PRONAF Florestal and BRDE for acácia in Rio Grande do Sul

The E-Book 01 — Manual Estratégico para o Pequeno Produtor Rural presents, in detail, the best solutions for the segment and the other 254 segments of Brazilian agribusiness — focusing on method, cost reduction and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0. Access now for R$ 50 →

2. Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

Which equipment the acacia chain demands

Acacia requires peelers, carbonizers and transport equipment — with strong industrial demand in the South.

Solutions by engineering area applied to the segment

Our activities, studies and advanced research cover six major engineering areas — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical Engineering and Computing — automation of bark and tannin processing;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — monitoring of acacia plantations;

Control and Automation Engineering — mechanical acacia peelers;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — harvesters adapted for acacia;

Renewable Energy Engineering — energy from acacia biomass;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — optimization of harvest and logistics.

✔ Mechanical acacia peelers

✔ Carbonization kilns for acacia charcoal

✔ Harvesters for acacia harvesting

✔ Bark transport equipment

✔ Acacia management consulting for small producers

The E-Book 02 — Guia Estratégico para o Micro e Pequeno Fornecedor Local maps, segment by segment, business opportunities — with a focus on IoT, energy, automation and specialized technical services. Access now for R$ 150 →

3. Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How the municipality can support acacia and create a tannin and charcoal hub

Acacia is the lowest-risk and highest-return forest crop for RS municipalities — with a guaranteed contract and a 7 to 8 year cycle.

✔ Support program for acacia for family farmers

✔ Acacia carbonization hub with renewable energy

✔ Municipal IDM: hectares of productive acacia as an indicator

✔ Partnership with Tanac for regional promotion

✔ Premium acacia charcoal for artisanal barbecue

The E-Book 03 — Guia de Referência para Governos Municipais presents the step-by-step for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agribusiness. Access now for R$ 450 →

4. Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Retailers

How acacia creates business for tanneries, carbonizers and the tannin market

The acacia tannin extract is exported to tanneries in 50 countries — with Tanac being one of the largest tannin companies in the world. The integrated producer has a purchase contract and a reference price before planting — security that does not exist in other crops.

The premium acacia charcoal for the artisanal barbecue market reaches R$ 8 to R$ 15/kg in premium bagging, vs. R$ 2 to R$ 3/kg for bulk charcoal. Identified origin and artisanal bagging triple the value.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for retail and local foodservice:

Tannin extract for tanneries— guaranteed export;

Premium acacia charcoal— artisanal barbecue; high value;

Acacia wood for sawmills— coproduct with growing value;

Acacia biomass— bioenergy;

Forest promotion with acacia— low-risk income;

Certified acacia charcoal— growing premium market.

Profiles of retailers and their specific opportunities

✔ Integrated producers: acacia with Tanac contract

✔ Artisanal carbonizers: premium acacia charcoal

✔ Tanneries: tannin extract for bovine leather

✔ Charcoal distributors: premium for barbecue

✔ Sawmills: solid acacia wood

✔ Forestry consultants: acacia management and promotion

Growth strategies for the local retailer

The acacia producer who carbonizes the wood in an artisanal kiln and bags it with a premium brand turns charcoal at R$ 2/kg into a product at R$ 12/kg with an investment of R$ 3,000 to R$ 8,000 in kiln and packaging.

PRONAF Florestal and BRDE cover plantings. Pronampe finances carbonizers and distributors.

The E-Book 04 — Guia Estratégico para o Pequeno Comerciante de Produtos Agropecuários maps 30 retailer profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 agribusiness segments. Access now for R$ 150 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By purchasing any e-book in the series, you become a member of our Rede de Inovação e Tecnologia. Members who form groups can organize in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide. The minimum number of members varies according to the group profile:

✔ Small Rural Producers: 100 members

✔ Micro and Small Supplier Companies: 33 members

✔ Municipal Governments: 10 members

✔ Small Agricultural Product Retailers: 33 members

⭐ Special offer: I will provide a 100% discount on the value of my hourly rate for the first 10 events held in Brazil, scheduled and confirmed by March 31, 2026.

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering · Specialist in Management of Innovation and Technology Projects

Teaching experience: IFPB and UFRN · 38 years of experience in Engineering