SUSTAINABILITY
REPORT
2023
Sustainability in everything we do
Being Sustainable
A Benefit for Everyone
Guided by our purpose to be responsible, inspire people, and value life, our 2023 Sustainability Report summarizes the main achievements, challenges, and progress in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) areas.
We reinforce our commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability, which are essential elements to produce a high-quality pulp and an effective strategic management.
Committed to transparency, the report was prepared following the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), ensuring clear communication of our social and environmental impacts.
Explore the content to understand more about the initiatives and strategies that shape our commitment to a more sustainable future. For more detailed information, download the PDF file at the link below.
OUR PURPOSE IS
We highlight responsibility as a fundamental pillar of our operations. Below are some actions showing how we strive to incorporate sustainable practices in all dimensions of our business, maintaining constant and productive dialogue with all stakeholders. This reaffirms our commitment to comprehensive sustainability and continuous development.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our corporate governance is characterized by a robust management system that adheres to strict ethical and transparency standards. The objective is to ensure the maximization of investment returns, the protection of assets, and the oversight of the impacts of activities on environmental, social, and governance spheres.
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT
Sustainability is the foundation of all our actions. It is embedded in the way we produce pulp and engage with employees, communities, and the environment, ensuring the preservation of natural resources, the promotion of a healthy supply chain, and the strengthening of dialogue with communities.
ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE
Acting with ethics and transparency is a non-negotiable premise for us. Over the past few years, we have developed the Veracel Way, a way of thinking and acting both inside and outside the company. One of the guides for this way of being is the Code of Conduct, designed to help employees and suppliers know how to act in various professional and personal situations.
20 MILLION TONS OF PULP PRODUCED
In 2023, we reached the milestone of 20 million tons of pulp produced, two years ahead of our initial forecast when we inaugurated the mill. This achievement results from a corporate culture connected with innovation, safety, and sustainability, consistent company investments in technology, and a commitment to people management.
20 MILLION
TONS
of pulp produced two years ahead of schedule
+7000
HECTARES
of forest base added
for eucalyptus planting
20.06
m3/TSA
lowest annual average water usage rate in the history of our operations
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
AND ENGAGEMENT WITH
Communities
We maintain ongoing dialogue with communities, respecting their traditions and supporting initiatives that contribute to improving quality of life and defending their rights. The projects we support are at various stages of maturity, and in 2023, the Social Responsibility area continued its restructuring process, defining the company’s social investment guidelines. Here are some of these initiatives:
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Among the actions we undertake are cultural appreciation initiatives, such as the Araguaksã, an annual village ritual; the Pataxó Indigenous Games; and the construction of kigemes (cultural centers). Through the Education is Life program, we provided school supplies to 5,046 students and 244 teachers, contributing to better educational conditions for children and reducing school dropout rates.
FAMILY
FARMING
We invest in and benefit people through rural collectives, fishing communities, women’s groups, and community associations. In 2023, we invested over 9.7 million in social investments. We reached a total of 1,661 families in 35 communities with initiatives or projects focused on different income-generating activities.
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
In 2023, we completed the construction of the BA-658 state highway and the bridge over the Jequitinhonha River in partnership with the Government of Bahia. With an investment exceeding R$ 100 million, the highway facilitates regional transportation, providing economic and social benefits while reducing the risk of accidents and CO2 emissions.
FIRST PLACE IN THE INNOVATION CATEGORY BY FIEB
The Miramar community, along with the Federal University of Southern Bahia, developed a project for the production of baleeira herb essential oil, aiming at new local economic opportunities.
In 2023, the first liter of oil was commercially produced, and there are plans to expand production with our support. This innovative project was awarded by the Federation of Industries of the State of Bahia.
Photo credit: Marcia Stefani (License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
5,046
STUDENTS AND
244 TEACHERS
benefited by the
Education is Life program
R$ 9.7
MILLION
in social investments and
1,661 families benefited
+R$ 100
MILLION
invested in logistics with the completion of the new BA-658 roadworks
Inspire
The development of our human capital is central to ensuring positive impacts on the economy, the environment, and, most importantly, on people. Our employees are agents of transformation. We value a work environment that promotes diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being. By creating an environment that respects and celebrates differences, we can not only improve the quality of life for our employees and their families but also boost our productivity and sustainability.
WOMEN VERACEL CHANNEL
In 2023, we created the Women Veracel Channel as part of our commitment to promoting a safe and inclusive work environment that favors well-being, quality of life, and relationships among our people. Through the Channel, we join efforts to combat violence against women. With a specialized and dedicated team, our attendants are always ready to welcome, listen, and act against any form of violence against women. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
6TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
elected by GPTW as a great place to work
+R$ 376
MILLION
allocated for purchases from local suppliers
WOMEN VERACEL CHANNEL
exclusive channel for reporting violence against women
We demonstrate our commitment to valuing life through robust safety initiatives, employee well-being, and environmental management. The company implements comprehensive programs to mitigate occupational risks and promotes a culture of active safety through continuous training and inspections. In addition to caring for employees’ physical and mental health with services like telemedicine and workplace exercises, Veracel invests significantly in environmental preservation. Approximately 100 thousand hectares are dedicated to biodiversity conservation and maintaining ecological corridors, contributing to ecosystem health and local communities. In 2023, the Veracel Station celebrated its 25th anniversary, known for species conservation and research, reaffirming our commitment to environmental sustainability and preserving life in all its forms.
HEALTH,
WELL-BEING,
AND SAFETY
Employee safety and well-being are ensured through training, safety inspections, and ergonomic assessments in the workplace. We also offer a well-being program that includes services like telemedicine, workplace exercises, and mental health support, fostering a culture of holistic health and safety.
EFFICIENT
ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
We are committed to improving our environmental performance. This is reflected in our efforts to become increasingly efficient in energy use, position ourselves as one of the companies with the best water usage results globally, manage our carbon emissions credit, among other positive achievements.
AWARENESS AND
BIODIVERSITY
PROTECTION
Around 100 thousand hectares are dedicated to environmental preservation, contributing to biodiversity and quality of life. Additionally, we undertake restoration projects that transform pastures into native vegetation, strengthening ecological corridors and maintaining balance.
25 YEARS
ESTAÇÃO VERACEL RPPN
In 2023, the Veracel Station, the largest Private Reserve of Atlantic Forest in the Northeast, celebrated its 25th anniversary. Recognized by UNESCO, the area of over 6 thousand hectares is crucial for the conservation of threatened species and the maintenance of ecosystem services. The reserve also serves as an important center for scientific research and was the first in the Paper and Pulp sector to receive the FSC® Ecosystem Services Procedure seal, standing out for its sustainable use of natural resources. Additionally, it carries out environmental education programs and dialogues with local communities.
REPORTS PRODUCED SINCE 2005 FOR DOWNLOAD
