The Coruripe Mill, one of the largest bioenergy companies in Brazil, stands out once again in national rankings after being recognized by “Forbes Agro 100 2024” and the Época 360° Yearbook. In the survey conducted by Forbes Agro, the company, which will celebrate its first centenary in February 2025, ranks eighth among companies in the sugar-energy sector and 66th overall.
In the Época 360° Yearbook, the company appears as the fifth best company in the Northeast. In the Agribusiness sector, it ranks 10th, with recognition in key areas assessed, such as Financial Performance (10th position), Vision of the Future (11th position), People Management (16th position) and ESG - Socio-environmental (8th position). Nationally, it ranks 171st among the best companies in Brazil, appearing in 67th place in ESG/Socio-environmental and 83rd place in Vision of the Future.
In addition to the recognition from Forbes and Época Negócios, Coruripe has made significant progress in other recent rankings. In “Exame – Maiores e Melhores 2024”, the company rose 15 positions in agribusiness, reaching 42nd place. In the “Valor 1000” ranking, Coruripe is the 267th largest company in Brazil, with an impressive jump of 46 positions compared to the previous year, standing out as the largest and best bioenergy company in the Northeast and occupying the 19th position among the 50 largest in the country in this category.
The Coruripe Plant was also recognized in the “Mastercana Centro-Sul 2024”, where it won the award for the case “Solidarity Workers' Day”. President Mario Lorencatto was highlighted as one of the most influential leaders in the sector, along with directors Carlos Marques and Thierry Soret.
Another recent highlight is the recertification of the Coruripe Plant as a Great Place to Work (GPTW), with positive results in all units. The company's highest evaluations in the questionnaire were related to pride, both in working for the company and in the activities carried out, in addition to the pride in receiving recognition from customers for these activities. "The GPTW seal reflects our appreciation for our employees and our commitment to promoting a healthy, ethical and responsible work environment", highlights the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mariluci Pinheiro Rossi.
Centennial in 2025
The Coruripe Mill will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in February 2025 and is already preparing for a series of celebratory actions with employees and partners, which makes the coming months a special time for the company. "We are excited to celebrate our 100 years of history, reflecting on our legacy and the achievements that have shaped our path", says Mario Lorencatto.
In addition to the recognition in rankings and seals, the Coruripe Mill is also celebrating its remarkable results in the 2023/2024 harvest. 16.06 million tons of sugarcane were crushed, producing 24,366 thousand bags of sugar, 495 million liters of ethanol and generating 703 thousand MWh of energy. These achievements resulted in gross revenue of R$4.55 billion, with an adjusted EBITDA of R$1.75 billion and net income of R$315 million.
Important milestones include the construction of a new sugar factory in Limeira do Oeste (MG), with an investment of R$450 million, increasing the annual crushing capacity to 2.5 million tons of sugarcane. The company also obtained the international ISCC Corsia Plus certification, which positions it among the few companies qualified to sell ethanol for aviation.
Lorencatto emphasizes that these results are the result of the commitment to innovation and sustainability, which are fundamental to the company. “This reflects the dedication and collaboration of all employees, whose alignment with the company’s objectives was essential to overcome challenges and boost performance,” he emphasizes.
Over its 100 years, Usina Coruripe has stood out not only for its greatness in the sector, but also for its commitment to environmental projects and social responsibility in the communities where it operates. The company is one of the pioneers in the sector to implement ESG practices. In total, it maintains five Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs): Porto Cajueiro, in the municipality of Januária, in the North of Minas Gerais; Pereira and Lula Lobo, in Feliz Deserto, on the coast of Alagoas; and Riacho Seco and Afrânio Menezes, in Coruripe (AL). “We have a great socio-environmental responsibility, which is part of the Wanderley family tradition; it is something that has always been present in the company’s history,” says Lorencatto.