Sonae Arauco is an established manufacturer of wood-based solutions for home interiors using natural and recyclable resources. Our wood-based products are sourced from sustainable, certified, or controlled sources to protect the environment.
As a company, we see the benefits of wood for people and the planet and have made sustainability a crucial part of our business strategy. Sonae Arauco uses a circular approach, starting with sustainably-sourced raw materials and incorporating by-products from the wood industry. We close the loop by reusing and recycling wood residues in the production of wood-based panels.
In this series, we’ll be taking a closer look at the value added when taking a sustainable approach and how recycling and the environment are critical to our processes.
Taking wood, people, and the planet further
Sonae Arauco’s activity revolves around a bioeconomy circular model that respects the principle of using wood in a cascade, promoting sustainability in production.
The value of wood
Sonae Arauco firmly believes in the significant value wood-based products bring to people’s lives. The company’s vision recognises the positive impact of wood usage when creating beautiful spaces, the environment, and the future. As a result, Sonae Arauco has fully incorporated sustainability into its business strategy.
Sonae Arauco has committed to a value chain that begins with utilising raw materials from sustainable sources. By integrating by-products from the wood industry, they have created a circular approach to manufacturing. The process closes the loop by recycling and reusing wood residues, also used in producing wood-based panels.
Business Practice – Raw materials from controlled sources
Sonae Arauco is fully committed to sustainability in all of its business practices. The company sources 100% of its wood from sustainable, certified, or controlled sources and only purchases from sustainably managed forests.
The company holds PEFC and FSC chain of custody certifications, covering its global industrial operations and promoting sustainable forest management. Sonae Arauco is also actively promoting forest certification, including FSC® Portugal, of which it is a board member.
In 2020, the company joined the Forest Stewardship Council® International and was also engaged in promoting FSC® Germany. Sonae Arauco actively contributes to responsible and sustainable forest management through these efforts.
The Circular Bioeconomy Model
The Circular Bioeconomy Model is a fundamental aspect of Sonae Arauco’s business model. It is implemented across all countries where the company has industrial operations, including Germany, Portugal, Spain, and South Africa. Sonae Arauco is considered a prime example of this model.
The production of wood-based panels at Sonae Arauco thus incorporates several of the principles of circular economics, such as:
Design of products that minimise waste
More efficient production models
Improvement in energy efficiency
Extension of the life cycle of materials
Promotion of by-products and Upcycling
Awareness and social engagement
Overall, the Circular Bioeconomy Model Sonae Arauco adopts is a holistic resource management approach. It emphasises the importance of sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and energy efficiency. All of which are essential aspects of the production chain.
E1 Certification
E1 certification is a standard that measures the formaldehyde emissions of wood-based products, such as panels and furniture. It sets a limit for emissions to protect human health and the environment. Certification ensures that the products meet the safety standards for formaldehyde emissions.
As a company committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility, Sonae Arauco’s adherence to the E1 certification reinforces its efforts to protect human health and the environment. The certification also enhances the company’s reputation as a reliable and responsible manufacturer, essential for maintaining customer trust and loyalty.
Sonae Arauco’s commitment to sustainability is a core aspect of our business strategy. We recognise the value of wood in people’s lives and actively seek to promote sustainable forest management through using raw materials, investment in value chains, and incorporation of circular bioeconomy principles.
Through our dedication to sustainable practices and certifications like E1, PEFC™, and FSC®, Sonae Arauco sets an example for other companies to protect the environment and promote a better future for all.
Take a look at our various distributors and affiliates:
The Building Centre, The Kitchen Specialist association, The Green Building Council, and The African Institute of Interior Design Professions.
For more information on our wood-based decorative panels and services, visit us at https://sonaearauco.co.za/