recognizes organizations that contribute to the promotion of sustainable practices in Brazil. The award has existed for 40 years and recognizes companies that invest in transforming their processes and products, focusing on positive environmental impacts.
In the Sustainability in Products and Services category, Agrobiológica Sustentabilidade stood out with the Bag in Box project – innovation in sustainable packaging for bioinputs. Part of the company’s climate and sustainability strategy execution, the new packaging replaces the traditional high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drums used in bioinput packaging with a carton system with internal plastic bags, which significantly reduces plastic consumption, CO₂ emissions, and waste generation. With a 10-liter capacity, the Bag in Box offers operational and environmental benefits, including preserving the products during transport and storage. To enable the project and adapt the entire production line, an estimated investment of R$ 28 million was necessary, demonstrating its relevance to the business.
Rafael Garcia, CEO of Agrobiológica Sustentabilidade, explains: “The adoption of this packaging represents an efficient solution for agricultural logistics, replacing the 25-liter drums with a more compact and practical alternative, which not only optimizes space but also improves the performance of the assets, as it reduces the formation of mycelia, increasing the efficiency in pest and disease control.”
The development stages of the new packaging were carried out between 2022 and 2024, with a pilot project completed after regulatory approval from Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) and field tests with end customers, who positively evaluated the product’s performance and the container’s acceptance.
The implementation, scheduled for 2025, will represent a 39% reduction in the balance of emissions related to the annual consumption of previously used packaging; a 72% drop in CO2 emissions from packaging manufacturing; a 59% decrease in inbound transportation emissions in the purchase of this packaging; an average 68% reduction in the mass of waste generated to be transported for disposal in the InPev system; and 80% less occupied area in pre-filling and post-consumer packaging storage.
With the Bag-in-Box, Agrobiológica Sustentabilidade also hopes to expand its production capacity and access new markets, reaffirming its commitment to the sustainable evolution of agribusiness in Brazil. “The new packaging will expand our presence in markets like Rio Grande do Sul, Espírito Santo, and Pernambuco, where there is a greater concentration of small producers.” With a smaller volume package, these producers will now be able to use high-tech biological inputs, promoting sustainable growth in their crops,” concludes Garcia.
About the Eco Award:
Created in 1982 and organized by Amcham Brasil, the Eco Award is the longest-running and most prestigious corporate award dedicated to the best sustainable practices in Brazil. In this edition, 199 projects, from 139 registered companies, were evaluated by a committee of 75 specialized jurors. The awards ceremony was held on December 3, 2024, in São Paulo, Brazil.
About Crop Care:
Crop Care is a Brazilian holding company that operates in the chemical, biological, and specialty fertilizer input market. Among Crop Care’s investments are Agrobiológica Sustentabilidade, an innovative platform for biological solutions and OnFarm; Perterra and K2, which have an extensive portfolio of post-patent agrochemicals; Union Agro, a leader in specialty fertilizers; and Cromo Química, specializing in the production of high-performance adjuvants and potentiators for agriculture. Through partnerships with distributors and cooperatives, and direct access to agricultural companies, Crop Care is present in major producing regions of Latin America.
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