After adopting a series of modernizations over the past two years, Usina Coruripe, a national leader in the bioenergy sector, received international recognition this month for its innovation in contract management. The company was awarded the Webdox Excellence Awards 2025, promoted by Webdox, owner of one of the leading contract management software programs with native artificial intelligence in Latin America.
The move made by Coruripe marks the adoption of digital solutions for operational efficiency and governance and includes initiatives implemented between 2024 and 2025, which are already consolidated. According to Coruripe's Executive Supply Manager, Érico Vinicius do Lago Afonso, these actions allow for the automation of the contract signing process in the Supply area, the digitization of third-party management in agricultural services, and the modernization of electronic document management for outsourced companies.
"Together, these actions reinforce our risk control, regulatory compliance, and information traceability, strategic pillars for a large-scale and highly complex operation like Coruripe's," details the executive manager. He explains that one of the highlights of this process was the automation of contract signing related to the Supply area, completed in February 2025 through the implementation and "go live" of the Webdox digital platform. The initiative resulted in significant efficiency gains, with a reduction of up to 70% in the average contract formalization time, in addition to the integration of more than 20 areas under a single process.
"With the implementation of a series of measures, we managed to reduce the contract signing cycle to about 16 days. Before, we worked with deadlines that varied between 50 and 60 days," he emphasizes. This progress led the company to be recognized in the Strategic CLM Case Impact category of the Webdox Excellence Awards 2025.
The company also automated the management of third-party service providers in the Agricultural area, with the implementation of a digital solution. The tool centralizes the administrative auditing of service providers and validates compliance with labor, social security, land tenure, and occupational safety obligations, in addition to reducing deadlines and minimizing operational risks. The project includes features such as automated workflows, document alerts, SLA indicators, supplier training, and field audits using QR code badges.
Érico also highlights the adoption of an electronic platform for managing documents from outsourced companies as a third pillar of this modernization process. Implemented in June 2024, the initiative helped eliminate manual processes and the excessive use of paper. "We increased information security, agility in remote access, and data auditability, in addition to contributing to the company's environmental agenda," he explains.
The coordinator of the Contract Management area at Coruripe, Augusto Cesar Franco Florentino, adds that the structural change in the way contracts and suppliers are managed has contributed to "clearer indicators, well-defined workflows, and greater predictability in processes," which has directly influenced the direction of teams and the focus on strategic activities.
He emphasizes that modernization goes beyond operational gains. “Digitizing processes is a strategic decision. By making management more efficient, transparent, and integrated, we create a solid foundation for responsible growth, reduced risks, and support increasingly informed decisions,” says Augusto.
For the president of Usina Coruripe, Mario Lorencatto, the initiatives reflect a consistent movement of evolution within the company. “This set of innovations consolidates a more integrated, digital, and sustainable management, strengthening our commitment to good governance practices, responsibility in the supply chain, and long-term value generation,” he highlights.