Innovation and
sustainability for the future
Cetrel
Cetrel began operations in 1978 together with the other industries in the Camaçari Industrial Complex, the largest integrated industrial park in Latin America. Since then, it has been responsible for the treatment and final disposal of effluents and industrial residues, as well as environmental monitoring of the industrial complex and surrounding areas affected by it.
It is the first Brazilian company specifically geared toward environmental protection integrated into a large industrial complex– an innovative concept at a time when environmental concern was not a principal preoccupation when large industrial enterprises were installed.
Gradually, Cetrel has increased its scope of activities and today is present in all fields of environmental engineering. It is the country’s most complete company in this area. The main production processes and services of Cetrel are the wastewater treatment plant, oceanic disposal system, disposal of solid residues, incineration of hazardous residues, air monitoring, management of water resources, oceanic monitoring and monitoring at the source.
Vital creativity
Always seeking to continually improve its company and operational performance, Cetrel is a pioneer in Brazil in adapting to the concept of sustainable development. For Cetrel, to innovate is vital. Market necessities have changed so quickly that current services and technologies will soon be out of date. The business environment demands new solutions for products and services.
Despite the advanced technology of its environmental protection systems, Cetrel recognises the need to push the bounds of innovation further to meet industry’s growing needs. Combining ecological industrial practices with sustainability principles and a culture of innovation, the company has invested in emblematic strategies to transform ideas into new business opportunities to help solve and prevent environmental impacts in the complex.
Understanding this new reality, Cetrel has dramatically changed its business strategy to concentrate on environmentally sustainable solutions with innovative technologies to environmental issues.
This change has made the “Culture of Innovation” part of all the productive processes of the company, positioning Cetrel as a resource for market solutions in environmental protection. Around 8% of the employees of Cetrel work directly with innovation focusing on sustainability. As a result, Cetrel already has many projects underway with a specialised team of people with the same goal – to generate innovative ideas that give competitive advantage. Furthermore, Cetrel has planned increasing investments in Innovation for the following years (about 10% of its annual revenue).
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| The wastewater treatment plant at Cetrel |
Main innovation projects at Cetrel:
- Sulphur recovery from solid wastes, wastewater and gaseous emissions using integrated technological routes to provide sulphur as raw material for industry;
- Development of a membrane system for removing SO2 and NOX from gaseous emissions using nanocomposites of ceramic and polymeric matrix;
- Development of biocomposites reinforced with natural fibres (such as sugarcane) or glass fibres and particulate matter (such as solid inorganic wastes) to produce new materials at low cost and with improved properties; and,
- Improvement of road pavement properties using rubber tyre and scraps wastes reinforced with industrial solid waste (particulate matters).
After deciding on this new strategic approach, Cetrel has submitted its first patents for the development of biocomposites project. The company is also implanting systems to reuse industrial water.
Innovation is a strategic cornerstone for the activities of Cetrel, and serves to create approaches which bring about positive results for the firm, its clients and the society at large.
 Cetrel
W: www.cetrel.com.br
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