Business Practices | Sonae Arauco

Raw materials from controlled sources

100% of the wood we use comes from responsible sources, certified forests or controlled sources.

We are committed to the concept of sustainable use of raw materials and actively respect this principle in all business practices. We believe in efficient value chains which are capable of stimulating investment and active forest management. We only purchase wood from sources that are sustainably managed and carefully controlled.

In this context, Sonae Arauco holds the chain of custody certification PEFC® (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) (FSC® C104607), in this case covering all industrial operations, from the two main global forest certification systems, whose mission is to promote sustainable forest management.

The company's contribution to active management of the forest includes other aspects, such as the promotion of forest certification in all geographies where we have industrial activity, as well as its involvement in promoting FSC®Portugal, as a member of the board, as well as in promoting FSC® Germany and Forest Stewardship Council® International, that Sonae Arauco joined in 2020.

Sonae Arauco

Case studies

We Value Nature initiative from the WBCSD - World Business Council for Sustainable Development, an initiative that aims at demonstrating the importance of nature in the sustainability of the planet, leveraging its appreciation as the new normal for business in Europe.
In Portugal, Sonae Arauco's case is one of the examples highlighted on the ECO.NOMIA portal from the Portuguese Government's Ministry of the Environment, a space for sharing knowledge and good practices in the transition to a circular economy model.

The production of wood-based panels at Sonae Arauco thus incorporates several of the principles of circular bioeconomics, such as:

Design of products that minimise waste
+ Design of products that minimise waste With the design or redesign of products that takes into account a less intensive use of resources, giving priority to renewable and non-hazardous materials, as well as the integration of recovered raw materials;
More efficient production models
+ More efficient production models Reduction in the consumption of virgin raw materials, as well as production processes that minimise waste, such as Sonae Arauco's mouldable MDF, whose 3D embossments are made without machining, therefore generating less waste and improving productivity;
Improvement of energy efficiency
+ Improvement of energy efficiency Continuous investment in more efficient production processes and with less associated carbon emissions;
Extension of the life cycle of materials
+ Extension of the life cycle of materials Optimisation of take-back, reuse and remanufacturing or recycling networks;
Promotion of by-products and waste
+ Promotion of by-products and waste Production of new solutions using waste/by-products, focusing on upcycling (the process of converting waste into new materials or products with greater added value);
Awareness and social engagement
+ Awareness and social engagement Including environmental education initiatives on the importance of forests and wood recycling, amongst other initiatives.

Recycling Centres

Sonae Arauco created a pioneering wood recycling circuit. This process includes the reception of wood waste – from pallets to packaging, furniture, doors, construction waste, and more – from hundreds of entities from all sectors, supplemented by more than 600 containers for direct collection, which are distributed throughout the customers' facilities.

The waste is classified and cleaned to remove contaminants, crushed and sent to our industrial units. The goal is to maximise the potential of these wood residues, whether industrial or municipal, and in doing so, to extend their life cycle and CO₂ retention, preserving forests and culminating in greater business competitiveness.

Locations

100% of the wood we use comes from responsible sources, certified forests or controlled sources.

On average, Sonae Arauco is responsible for retaining around 2,1 million tonnes of CO2 yearly through the products it places on the market.

On average, Sonae Arauco is responsible for retaining around 2,1 million tonnes of CO₂ yearly through the products it places on the market.