Navigator Company strengthens commitment to sustainability on Earth Overshoot Day
With €164 million invested in decarbonization and resource efficiency, the company leads the way in transitioning to a circular bioeconomy and reducing its environmental footprint
On Earth Overshoot Day, The Navigator Company reiterated its commitment to enhancing resource efficiency through sustainable investments. Over the past 18 months, the company has invested approximately 164 million euros, accounting for about 60% of its total investment in sustainable initiatives.
These investments focus primarily on decarbonization, modernizing equipment, and improving efficiency. Significant projects include the installation of a new Recovery Boiler in Setúbal, expected to cut direct fossil carbon dioxide emissions by around 136,000 tons annually — about a quarter of the company’s 2022 emissions. Other key initiatives involve the construction of a new Washing Tower and Presses in Aveiro, a new Biomass Lime Kiln in Figueira da Foz, the conversion of the Lime Kiln in Setúbal to biomass combustion, and the development of a new Photovoltaic Plant in Figueira da Foz.
In addition to these efforts, Navigator is advancing sustainable packaging solutions. Following the introduction of the gKraft™ brand packaging line in late 2021, the company is focused on creating innovative packaging products designed to replace fossil-based plastics with renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, and carbon-neutral materials sourced from planted forests. Among the products under development are flexible packaging and paper with barrier properties, such as oil and grease resistance. Furthermore, in early 2024, Navigator plans to launch a new integrated production line for molded eucalyptus pulp products in Aveiro, intended to replace single-use fossil plastic packaging in the food service and packaging markets.
Navigator’s comprehensive approach to sustainability recently earned it recognition as the world’s most sustainable company in the forestry sector. According to Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Rating, as of July 12, Navigator ranks first among 85 global companies in the Paper & Forestry industry and first among 63 companies in the Paper & Pulp subset. This places the company in the top 5% of over 16,200 companies across all industries worldwide.
Earth Overshoot Day highlights the moment when humanity’s demand for natural resources exceeds what Earth can regenerate in a year. The increasingly earlier arrival of this day underscores the urgent need for collective action to enhance resource efficiency, achieve carbon neutrality, and transition to a low-carbon circular bioeconomy.
In response to the rising demand for natural resources, planted forests play a crucial role in reducing pressure on native forests, allowing them to be managed for conservation. The sustainable management of these plantations, like those managed by Navigator on approximately 109,000 hectares across Portugal, meets the growing demand for wood and bioproducts while providing positive environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration, oxygen production, water cycle regulation, and biodiversity promotion.
Navigator is also pursuing a decarbonization-focused investment program, with plans to invest 340 million euros between 2019 and 2028. This program aligns with the company’s goal of transitioning from a fossil-based, linear economy to a circular bioeconomy that benefits both nature and the climate. The company has prioritized sustainable solutions, such as the eucalyptus molded pulp production project, while optimizing resource efficiency across its operations.
Finally, Navigator emphasizes the responsible use of resources, including energy, wood, chemicals, and water, in its operations. Through these efforts, the company has made significant strides in reducing its environmental footprint, with 90% of its raw materials now being renewable.
