The company reinforces its commitment to responsible production, in favor of the climate and biodiversity, with emphasis on negative operations in carbon emissions and the creation of the Disclosures Hub
Bracell, a global leader in the production of dissolving pulp and part of the RGE group, has just released its 2021 Sustainability Report (https://www.bracell.com/sustentabilidade/relatorios-de-sustentabilidade/). The publication brings the advances and main ESG practices related to the environment, social and governance carried out by the company over the last year, with emphasis on the conclusion of Project Star, which represents the launch of the greenest and most modern pulp mill in the world. Located in Lençóis Paulista (SP), the operation is free from the use of fossil fuels, capable of producing renewable fibers — from sustainable eucalyptus plantations — and providing clean energy to the national grid. The new plant has two lines that operate flexibly, being able to produce dissolving and kraft pulp.
In this edition, a creative solution was implemented to facilitate access to information. Through the Bracell website, it is possible to access the Indicators Center, where the public can research, in detail, the company’s management practices and results related to energy, water, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, employees, communities and private social investment, among other topics.
“Sustainability is a purpose for Bracell. It is part of the company’s vision to build a socio-environmental legacy, which is why we continually invest in technology and research & development. The generation of renewable energy for the domestic market, carbon sequestration, investments in conservation and recovery of native forests are strategic for the company because we want to contribute to positive environmental results for the regions where we operate. At the same time, we are concerned with contributing to the development of our local communities,” says Marcio Nappo, vice president of sustainability and corporate communication at Bracell.
The most sustainable pulp plant in the world operates free of fossil fuels and has a biomass boiler that uses waste from the eucalyptus itself and other substances originated in the pulp production process, including black liquor, to generate renewable energy. The SE-440kV Power Substation has an installed transformation capacity of 409 MW, enough to supply the factory and provide the national grid with a surplus of energy of 150 MW to 180 MW, green and quality energy, capable of serving 750 thousand households or about three million people. At the Company’s two plants, in Lençóis Paulista (SP) and Camaçari (BA), Bracell also generates energy in the recovery boiler, using steam that feeds the turbogenerators to generate electricity.
The use of renewable energy in the energy matrix contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the company, which has a Positive Operation for the Climate. In 2021, Bracell’s carbon balance was -5,334,303 tCO²e, that is, the company removed more carbon from the atmosphere than it emitted. Bracell’s area of eucalyptus forests and native forests proved to be strategic for the company’s carbon sequestration.
Another highlight of the Sustainability Report is the unprecedented initiative in the Brazilian pulp sector launched by Bracell: the One-For-One Commitment. Through it, for each hectare planted with eucalyptus, Bracell commits to conserving one hectare of native vegetation. The conserved areas will be the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Caatinga, located in the three states where the company operates, in São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul and Bahia. The target is part of the Sustainability Strategy and must be achieved by the end of 2025.
Also in 2021, Bracell launched its Sustainability Strategy after a collaborative development process, involving the highest level of governance and strategic leaders of the Company. Six pillars guide the sustainability management, covering environmental, social and governance issues: Responsible Production, Climate, Biodiversity and Landscapes, Governance, People and Culture, and Social Inclusion. The highlights of each pillar are presented in the Sustainability Report.
Preservation of biodiversity
Over the last 15 years, Bracell was responsible for monitoring more than 600 species of fauna and flora in São Paulo and 991 species of fauna and flora in Bahia, in areas of Cerrado, Atlantic Forest and Caatinga. In addition, in the last monitoring, it was possible to observe more than 40 species threatened with extinction in forest areas.
In 2021, the company signed a term of cooperation in actions for biodiversity in Atlantic Forest areas with the Bahia Environment Secretariat (Sema), covering the areas of the Subaé Canyons and the Subaúma River basin. In São Paulo, Bracell also signed a term of commitment to sponsor actions to protect more than 64,000 hectares of Conservation Units – Atlantic Forest and Cerrado Paulista –, in partnership with the Forest Foundation, an agency linked to the Department of Infrastructure and Environment (Sima). In addition, the company is associated with the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), through which it publicized its actions related to the goals of the Brazilian Business Commitment to Biodiversity.
Commitment to people and the community
For Bracell, the sustainable growth of the business is directly linked to the way the company relates to the neighboring communities where it operates. Through Bracell Social, the company’s social investment program, projects and initiatives were carried out to contribute to the development of the communities where the company operates, in addition to mobilizing and articulating agents in favor of promoting more inclusive and sustainable territories. In 2021, more than R$ 4.1 million were invested and more than 100,000 people benefited, in Bahia and São Paulo, through 26 projects.
“We also believe that valuing, empowering and encouraging the engagement of our employees is essential for the sustainable growth of the business and the creation of positive socio-environmental value. In 2021, Bracell had a total of 4,726 employees, a growth of 26% compared to 2020”, highlighted the executive.
The complete Sustainability Report is available at the following link: https://www.bracell.com/en/sustainability/sustainability-reports/.
