Eldorado Brasil released its most recent Sustainability Report, which brings together all the company’s information in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) areas, in addition to the results and main highlights of 2021. In the document, the pulp manufacturer also highlights the importance of the investments it has made in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, mainly in the region where its operations are concentrated.
“We have in our DNA the most absolute commitment to best practices, from an ESG perspective, as we can demonstrate, with maximum transparency, in this report. It is a pleasure to show our employees, suppliers, customers and society as a whole how we implement, in practice, these values, which are completely aligned with the United Nations Development Goals, to which we are signatories”, explains Carmine De Siervi Neto, director President of Eldorado Brasil.
Last year, Eldorado Brasil produced a record volume of pulp, generating electricity from a renewable source using all the eucalyptus residue – a unique technology in the country. Currently, 96% of the energy consumed in the mill’s operation comes from renewable sources.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Eldorado increased its workforce by 14.4% and maintained a series of initiatives to support the development of the communities where it operates.
In the area of innovation, it recently implemented the virtual assistant Iris, managed by artificial intelligence, which guides fleet drivers to make decisions – the result has been positive, as no lost time accidents were recorded during the year.
Regarding the area of environmental management, throughout the entire production chain, there is a series of investments in solutions and good agricultural practices to show that the environment and agribusiness can go hand in hand.
“The company is committed to the conservation of biodiversity in its areas of operation. Environmental indicators are systematically monitored, so that the company becomes increasingly efficient”, explains Fábio de Paula, sustainability manager at Eldorado.
The company controls more than 116,000 hectares of environmental conservation areas, equivalent to 30% of its total operating areas, and informs in the report the recovery of 25 to 32% of areas that were degraded before the cultivation of eucalyptus.
PRODUCTION RECORD
Last year, Eldorado reached the production of 1.77 million tons of bleached eucalyptus pulp. The volume produced in the year exceeded by 18% the nominal capacity of the mill, of 1.5 million tons, thanks to investments in technology, plant health, fighting forest fires, etc.
The company’s operational efficiency, measured through the maximum sustainable rate (MSR) over average production, stood at 93.6% in 2021, the highest since the plant started. Part of this increase is due to the automation of mill’s processes, using Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence.
FIRE PREVENTION AND FIGHTING
Eldorado has also been investing in actions to combat forest fires to reduce damage to the plant and adjacent areas. “In 2021, there was a 90% reduction in the affected area, compared to the previous year. In the preventive sphere, forest fire training was given to the general population, as part of a broad campaign throughout the rural environment”, explains Fábio de Paula.
LESS WASTE
Another topic included in the Eldorado report concerns solid waste. One of the objectives of the company’s Solid Waste Management Program (PGRS) is to reduce generation and prevent environmental impacts.
The processes rely on internal audits to improve management performance and reduce possible environmental deviations. Among the opportunities for improvement are the use of chemical products with less environmental impact packaging and investments in recycling.
MORE JOBS
In the chapter dedicated to social issues, the Eldorado Brasil report highlights the creation of a work environment and a culture that value people’s development and well-being, also supporting diversity.
Around 78.31% of employees received training related to the topic of Human Rights in 2021, in a total of 43,283 hours. The company also gained 1,645 new employees, closing the year with 5,366, focusing mainly on local labor.
CLEAN ENERGY
The Onça Pintada thermoelectric plant began operations in April 2021, with an installed capacity of 50 megawatts (MW). The enterprise, which received an investment of R$ 400 million, stands out for its technology to generate enough electricity to supply a city of 700,000 inhabitants.
Check out the full document in Portuguese by clicking here.
