The Navigator Company is an integrated producer of forest products, pulp, paper, tissue, sustainable packaging solutions, and bioenergy. It is the leading national producer of “green energy” from biomass, which, combined with other types of energy generated in its production process, allows the company to be self-sufficient and generate surpluses that it feeds into the national electrical grid.

Navigator’s relentless pursuit of process efficiency, including energy efficiency, is evident in its recent decision to invest in a high-efficiency recovery boiler at the Setúbal Industrial Complex, a key step in the company’s decarbonization roadmap. At the beginning of 2024, as recognition of its efforts, Navigator was once again awarded the highest rating (“A”) by CDP – Disclosure Insight Action for global leadership in combating climate change and was also rated an ESG Industry Top-Rated Company by the rating agency Sustainalytics, being recognized as the most sustainable company in the forestry sector worldwide.

Also in the industrial sector, Secil, a company within Semapa Group that operates in the production and commercialization of cement, concrete, aggregates, mortars, and hydraulic lime, has several innovative projects underway that also materialize its strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Among the various projects, highlights include the incorporation of waste or by-products from other industries for the use of alternative fuels as an energy source, the Clean Cement Line (CCL) project—which positions the Outão plant (Setúbal) as one of the most efficient and sustainable in the world—and the Verdi Zero Concrete, a type of concrete with a minimized carbon impact through more efficient production processes and the use of alternative fuels.

UTIS is a joint venture between Ultimate Cell and Semapa, resulting from a collaborative effort to create a strategic solution aimed at energy efficiency. Based on ongoing research and development, UTIS has been developing solutions that promote energy efficiency and holds patented innovative technology for the optimization of internal and continuous combustion equipment. For example, in 2020, UTIS added to its portfolio the hydrogen production units – UCHP® (Ultimate Cell® Hydrogen Production). This revolutionary technology reduces the use of fossil fuels, polluting emissions, and energy consumption, helping to make mobility and industries greener, more sustainable, and producing products with a lower environmental footprint.

Triangle’s, which joined Semapa Group in 2023, focuses on the production of aluminum frames for electric bicycles and is the first factory in the world to do so in a roboticized way. The company incorporates sustainable innovation from development to product distribution, with the goal of reducing the ecological footprint associated with industrial production and promoting the circular economy.

On the other hand, electric mobility plays a crucial role in the energy transition, presenting itself as one of the most promising solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. Triangle’s is committed to ensuring that electric mobility is not just seen as an alternative but as an ecologically sustainable option. By relying on clean energy sources, such as electricity generated from renewable sources, electric bicycles help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote environmental sustainability.

ETSA, a subsidiary of Semapa Group, has sustainability embedded in its DNA. From animal by-products and used cooking oils, new products are created, reducing waste and environmental impact. ETSA operates in various markets: pet food, animal feed, fertilizers, biodiesel, cosmetics, aquaculture, food industry, among others.
The recycling of animal by-products brings numerous advantages to the planet, enabling the recycling of nutrients (such as phosphorus, a non-renewable resource) and energy by reintroducing them into the value chain and removing substances with high contamination potential from the environment. This concept of a circular economy reduces dependence on plant-based resources, decreases the demand for arable land, and minimizes and combats deforestation.

Over the past few years, ETSA has been growing and investing in the range of solutions it offers and in the sustainability of its activities. One example is the installation of a Biomass Energy Recovery Facility (IVEB), which harnesses thermal energy for reintegration into the production process.

Semapa Group reflects its commitment to environmental sustainability across all its subsidiaries, and Semapa Next is no exception. This venture capital company was created with the objective of diversifying the Group’s portfolio, gaining exposure to high-growth potential startups, and facilitating access to new business models, differentiated talent, and know-how. Among the investments already in Semapa Next’s portfolio, several fall under the “climate tech” category, one of the current trends reflected in several projects that come to Semapa Next for evaluation as potential investments.

Overstory, a Dutch startup, is part of Semapa Next’s portfolio. This startup develops and applies Machine Learning (a branch of Artificial Intelligence) to satellite images, which enables the gathering of information on the quantity and quality of forests and other natural resources to improve decision-making by utility companies.

Oceano Fresco, a Portuguese company, is dedicated to sustainable food, using innovative aquaculture techniques to cultivate shellfish. Another example involving sustainability and innovative technologies in the construction and real estate fields is Groypus, with projects developed in Germany and Austria. This company focuses on creating sustainable buildings through innovative technology, making them truly sustainable and affordable, from design to production, construction, and asset management.