Fibria debuts on the Novo Mercado

On May 20^th, Fibria’s shares migrated to the Novo Mercado, the São Paulo Stock Exchange (BM&FBovespa) listing segment that demands the highest standards of corporate governance. This special trading segment requires companies to make a commitment to following the best corporate governance practices, to create a business environment where shareholders enjoy equal rights and there is transparency in the disclosure of information. One of the most important commitments made voluntarily to the Brazilian capital market is the exclusive issuing of common shares, thereby ensuring that each share has the right to one vote.

Quarterly results

On May 14^th, Fibria released its economic and financial results for the first quarter of 2010. Pulp production reached 1.3 million tons, 27% more than in the same period of 2009. The EBITDA (earnings before deducting interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) came to R$ 637 million, which was 69% higher than the figure for the first quarter of last year. To see the full quarterly release, click here.

New director

João Edes Steinle is Fibria’s new director of Human and Organizational Development. Mr. Steinle took office on May 3^rd, and one of his first acts in his new post was to visit the Aracruz (Espírito Santo State) and Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul State) units, on May 10^th and 17^th, respectively. He graduated in civil engineering and studied social psychology in Milan, Italy. He also has a Master’s degree in Consulting and Coaching for Change, awarded by Oxford University (UK) and the HEC (France), as well as specialization in Human Resources Management, from Brazilian Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV). Steinle has been working in the Human Resources area for the last 19 years.

Environmental commitment

Fibria has joined the Forest Footprint Disclosure (FFD) project, an initiative of the British NGO Global Canopy Programme, which assesses to what degree companies activities contribute to deforestation. Because it uses wood taken exclusively from renewable forest plantations, thereby preserving the native forest, Fibria is recognized for its commitment to using 100% certified raw materials. The first FFD report, released in February, included Fibria among the 35 companies that answered their questionnaire, and the only one from the Brazilian pulp & paper sector. The report can be seen at: www.forestdisclosure.com.

Carbon emissions and water use

Fibria is participating in two other international initiatives aimed at enhancing the environmental quality of its operations. The company has joined the Water Footprint Network (WFN), an international non-profit organization that promotes best strategic management practices and the rational use of water resources. As from this year, Fibria is following WFN recommendations in regard to its water footprint, controlling water use throughout its entire value chain. Meanwhile, the Carbon Footprint certification obtained in 2009, following the inventory of the 2008 carbon emissions at the Jacareí (São Paulo State) and Aracruz (Espírito Santo State) units, showed that the company sequestered 15,867,205 tons of carbon within its forest areas, yielding a positive balance of 3.55 tons of carbon sequestered for every 1 ton given off as a result of its forestry, industrial and logistics activities. The Três Lagoas Unit (Mato Grosso do Sul State) will already be included in the company’s 2010 carbon inventory.

Reforesting on rural properties

A formal agreement between Fibria and the Espírito Santo State Agriculture, Supplies, Aquaculture and Fishing Department (SEAG) provides for the investment of around R$ 2.6 million, during 2010 and 2011, in the donation of seedlings of eucalyptus and native tree species and fence posts for the protection of water sources. The agreement, signed on April 29th, also includes support to studies and research, as well as technical assistance for reforesting on rural properties.

Green Wave 1

Fibria participated in the Green Wave global biodiversity campaign, which took place on the eve of the International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated on May 22^nd. The Aracruz Unit (Espírito Santo State) organized, with the participation of municipal students, the planting of seedlings of native tree species in an area being restored by the company. Internally, the unit held a photographic competition, based on the theme of “Biodiversity”.

Green Wave 2

At the Três Lagoas Forest Unit (Mato Grosso do Sul State), the employees wore green T-shirts and walked the Ecological Trail, guided by the Environmental Education Center (NEA) team, to mark the occasion. Workers at the harvesting and silviculture modules conducted a dialogue on conscientious consumption. The NEA at Capão Bonito (São Paulo State) gathered Fibria employees and municipal students to plant 80 native tree seedlings. Meanwhile, a garden of native species was set up in Capão do Leão (Rio Grande do Sul State). Click here to see photos of Fibria activities in support of the campaign.

Social Entrepreneur 2010 Prize

Claúdio Pádua, a member of Fibria’s Sustainability Committee, and his wife, Suzana de Pádua, were awarded the Social Entrepreneur 2010 prize for Brazil. The presentation ceremony took place at the World Economic Forum on Latin America, held in Colombia on April 8th. Cláudio is a biologist, founder of the Ecological Research Institute (IPÊ), together with Suzana, and a member of the board of the environmental organization WWF Brasil. The award was set up by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurism – an independent non-profit organization that promotes and supports social entrepreneurs who are leading innovative and sustainable initiatives. The Social Entrepreneur Prize has been awarded every year in Brazil since 2005.

Veracel reaches 5 million tons of pulp

On May 17^th, Veracel completed five years of industrial activity and attained the production milestone of 5 million tons of pulp. The first large company to set up in the region of Eunápolis (Bahia State), it has contributed, since 2005, to the growth of the local economy, generating income, employment and, through the taxes it pays, resources for the municipal, state and federal governments. Notable among the environmental benefits over this period are the company’s self-sufficiency in energy generated from renewable sources, and the recycling of more than 80% of the waste generated in the production process, as well as setting aside 114,000 hectares of land for environmental protection. Fibria has a 50% equity stake in Veracel (a joint venture with Stora Enso).

Technical meeting on environmental restoration

Fibria supported the gathering on “The production chain for the restoration of the Atlantic Forest in the far south of Bahia state – opportunities and challenges”, held in Teixeira de Freitas by the Pact for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest. The technical meeting took place on May 18th, with the participation of representatives of environmental movements, local universities, municipal governments, NGOs, consulting firms and farmers. At this event, Fibria supported the setting up of a Pact Center, coordinated by local institutions, for restoration in the region. The target set by the Pact is for the restoration of 15 million hectares of the Atlantic Forest by 2050. To learn more about the Pact for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest, click here.

Training in the production of native species

Between May 19^th and 21^st, Fibria held a “Training course for the production of native forest seeds and seedlings” for professionals at the Aracruz Unit, forest restoration service providers, community nurseries and suppliers of seeds and seedlings in the states of Espírito Santo, Bahia and Minas Gerais. The objective was to train environmental technicians and nursery staff in the selection of species and methods to be used in the recovery of Permanent Preservation Areas and Legal Reserves, with a view to improving the quality of forest restoration at Fibria. The course was conducted by the de Ecology and Forest Restoration Laboratory of the University of São Paulo (USP).

Did you know...

...that well managed eucalyptus forests regulate water supply in watersheds and produce a positive balance of nutrients in the soil, which in turn helps to ensure the conservation of environmental resources?