First chemical and textile company to be certified in Brazil
Paulínia Unit is the first within the Group to receive certification. Birds, fish, capybaras, jaguars, snakes, and other animals constitute a highly diversified fauna; a forest with thousands of trees from the Atlantic Forest species planted and maintained; two rivers crossing the area; and over 27 factories of a chemical industry in full operation.
Over decades, the Rhodia complex in Paulínia has achieved what for many might seem like an impossible mission: promoting harmonious coexistence with nature. It did so with such efficiency that it became an international benchmark, recognized by the respected non-governmental organization Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), which has been active for 30 years, encouraging ecological management actions in the private sector through partnerships with companies and environmental education. In September, the organization awarded the Paulínia site the WHC Gold Certificate, the highest level of certification.
Due to its sustainability best practices, Paulínia was chosen by the headquarters to be one of the first industrial parks of Solvay to undergo scrutiny by WHC auditors. It ended up being the first within the Group to obtain certification. In Brazil, few companies hold this seal.
An oasis of biodiversity nestled in a chemical hub
Paulínia Unit is located in the São Francisco Industrial Complex, an area originating from the former São Francisco Farm. Of the 16 million square meters in the area, only 15% is currently occupied by the industrial section, including transit areas, administrative structures, and social spaces like the restaurant. The area is intersected by the Atibaia River and Anhumas Stream and features vegetation typical of the Atlantic Forest. This serves as a habitat for various species of native fauna and flora from the region, finding in the São Francisco Industrial Complex an oasis for their existence and propagation.
As part of the WHC certification process, an inventory of the local fauna and flora was conducted. Among the animals alone, 250 species of birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, and reptiles were identified. Some of these findings came from photos taken by the firefighting team and images captured by the security cameras of the factories, documenting the movements of these "site residents." Over 90 plant species were cataloged by a specialized company specifically hired for the project.
This inventory documents some interesting discoveries. The Paulínia site, for example, serves as a refuge for the maned wolf, a species threatened with extinction. Additionally, it is the habitat for species such as the puma or cougar, the second-largest feline in the Americas, surpassed in size only by the jaguar.
Discover our projects worth gold
Check out the eight projects of the Paulínia Biodiversity Conservation Program obtained through WHC. They have been grouped into three categories (habitat, species, and education)
Habitat
- Forests - Legal Reserve Project (2017 to 2031): involves the planting and management of 34 thousand native seedlings, creating a forest of 15.5 hectares over 15 years. Before this, as a legacy of the Carol Project, between 2007 and 2009, the planting of 17 thousand native seedlings had already been carried out, forming a forest of 8.3 hectares.
- Rivers - Recmar Project: a project for the recovery of the banks of the Anhumas Stream, which runs through the site, with the replanting of riparian vegetation, totaling an area of 1,297 m2.
Species
- Mammals - action to protect capybaras, with the installation of fences to prevent them from entering dangerous areas such as roads, tanks, and pipelines.
- Reptiles and amphibians - a capture and relocation scheme for snakes and lizards found in the plant in preserved Atlantic Forest industrial areas. The work is conducted by the Emergency Control team (firefighters) based on technical criteria and with appropriate instruments.
- Other species - construction and maintenance of fish passages to ensure the spawning migration of aquatic fauna. The structure also includes a cover to prevent fish from being captured by predators.
Education
- Awareness and community engagement - Open Doors: the program of visits by students and community members to the Paulínia unit is used as an opportunity to disseminate policies and best practices for biodiversity conservation on the site and to encourage engagement in the cause.
- Training 1 - Inovar: a mentoring program in which Rhodia professionals guide academic work for students from technical schools. One of the thematic focuses is biodiversity conservation.
- Training 2 - EducAção: a project in which Rhodia professionals train teachers from public schools, making the Paulínia unit a space for technical and scientific updating for these educators. Sustainable development and environmental preservation are among the themes of this socio-educational initiative.