About us
About Us
For more than three decades in the market, Guararapes manufactures MDF panels and it is one of the largest plywood panel exporter in Latina America. Currently operating with three factories in Caçador/SC (MDF), Palmas/PR (Plywood) and Santa Cecília/SC (Plywood).
Guararapes has been highlighted internationally by the quality of its products due to the constant investments in qualification, expansion, technology and improvement to it industrial park. It is currently exporting its panels to over 50 nations, with quality assurance that complies with the most demanding markets and various certifications such as the FSC® – Forest Stewardship Council® seal (FSC-C125340), featuring its commitment to responsible development and a healthy environment.
With the recent announcement to invest in the MDF line, our production capacity increased to over 600.000 m³ per year, becoming one the nation’s leading MDF production companies and totaling about 900.000 m³ per year of production from forest based panels.
Our History
From the small veneer mill that in 1984 started its activities, Guararapes has diversified its markets in early 2009 and expanded its structure in 2016 to supply the growing demand of the internal and external market.
Clickand Drag
Clickand Drag
1984
Guararapes is founded. At the time, a small veneer mill with 15 employees and a production of about 150m³ per month.
1985-1986
The first big investments are made and the production of plywood starts in Palmas/PR.
1989
First exports begin.
1992
First reforestation programs are started.
2002
Plywood mill began the production at Santa Cecília/SC.
2003
Achievement of some important international certifications.
2006
Modernization of the plywood mill in Palmas/PR.
2009
After 20 years of experience in the international market, exporting plywood panels, Guararapes starts to supply for the internal market, diversifying its products and starting a new MDF factory in Caçador/SC.
2016
In order to fulfil the growing demand Guararapes has started a new MDF line of production with capacity for 400.000m³, reaching a position of distinction in the market.
Business Locations
In its strategic planning, Guararapes works with a concept that provides an operational advantage: synergy. The MDF facility was strategically positioned in the center of two plywood facilities– Palmas and Santa Cecilia. These units produce a “residue” called clean chips, that is an important raw material in the production of MDF.
Guararapes also carries out, at its facilities, an optimization of raw materials, in which the thick logs which are used in the production of plywood and the thin logs are used in the production of MDF. In addition to this, it seeks environmental responsibility, increasing and taking advantage of the industrial residue and maintains a policy of sustainable development.
Head office
Palmas, PR, Brazil
Plywood Mill
Palmas, PR, Brazil
Plywood Mill
Santa Cecília, SC, Brazil
MDF Mill
Caçador, SC, Brazil
Sales & Marketing Office
Curitiba, PR, Brazil
Casa Guararapes - MDF Showroom
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Casa Guararapes - MDF Showroom
Curitiba, PR, Brazil
Ipojuca, PE - BR
Port Manatee, FL - USA
Port Arthur, TX - USA
Port Elizabeth, NJ - USA
Port Baltimore, MD - USA
ESG Journey
The acronym ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, which are the foundations on which we review all of our processes in order to create business strategies that are more and more sustainable.
From our raw material sourcing, through the making of our products, to their delivery to our clients, the whole value chain of Guararapes is managed based on eco-efficiency and compliance with the requirements of the environmental protection authorities.
The ESG actions conducted within the company include waste management based on a circular economy model. At Guararapes, every tree that is harvested is used in its entirety. Thin logs are sorted for MDF production and the thick ones are sent for plywood production. Moreover, the waste generated during plywood manufacturing is transformed into raw materials for MDF, which leads to better product quality and an optimized use of natural resources.
Environmental Responsibility
For Guararapes, growth and innovation only have value when, at the same time, they promote sustainable development, concern for the environment, and social responsibility. All of our facilities work together to respect and preserve nature.
In this way, we are committed to renew the raw materials that we use. Since 1992, Guararapes has utilized reforested pine in its production process. The company even performs treatment of all water used in its production processes. Water is returned to nature in a better condition than at intake, and it is in total compliance with what is required by the environmental protection agencies. The residue from the wood used in the process of manufacturing the plywood becomes a raw material in the production of MDF. This results in quality and sustainability which correlates to cost savings and respect to the environment.
In addition to this, Guararapes holds FSC® certification- Forest Stewardship Council®, a seal that attests that the wood used in the manufacturing of its products comes from forests that are managed in an environmentally adequate way, economically viable, socially benefical and from other controlled sources.
Ensuring the well-being of its workers and of society, Guararapes performs diverse campaigns and programs, and, investing resources in a powerful tool of transformation and social sustainability: Education. Guararapes, as the sponsor of the institution of higher learning FADEP- Faculdade de Pato Branco- offers diverse undergraduate, graduate, and MBA courses. Our objective is to invest in a quality education to guarantee a better future for the community and all generations.
Social Responsibility
Guararapes believes that looking after the future is thinking about the now. Our social responsibility is based on guidelines and strategies that benefit the local community from various actions and programs in the areas of education, sports, culture, social and economic development. The aim is to ensure integration and well-being, put people first, and provide a better future for society and for all generations.
Get to know some actions of the institutional support and social projects:
Education
Resources are invested in a powerful tool of transformation and social sustainability: education. Guararapes o enables all its employees to access scholarships for technical, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in institutions in the region.
Charitable Donations
Last year, we invested over R$ 5 million in social projects focused on education, sports, and health care in the cities that host our operations, in the Brazilian states of Paraná and Santa Catarina.
Support for Tax Incentive Laws
Through the Rouanet Guararapes Law directed funds for the development of projects aligned with social responsibility guidelines, and sponsored cultural projects that include theater presentations in pediatric hospitals, and encouraging music to the local community.
Sports Support
Guararapes values the sport and sponsors the Palmas / PR Futsal team, which is currently in contention for the Gold series. The aim is to support a local team and encourage sports in society.
Integration Actions
Guararapes Family Day is an action that welcomes the families of employees and provides the experience of experiencing the day to day life of those who work here.
We also hold the Pink October and Blue November campaigns. During that period, local partnerships are entered into so that all employees can undergo preventive examinations for women’s and men’s health.
Every year, in December, we organize a party called “Children’s Christmas” in the three cities where we have manufacturing plants. Candies and gifts are distributed during the event to transform Christmas time for around one thousand children aged 0 to 14, who are the children of our employees.
Annual Report
Following our culture of ethical and transparent operations, we publish our annual report. The document shows our economic, social, and environmental performance and, from 2021 on, uses the sustainability reporting guidelines from GRI (Global Report Initiative).
. Download the 2021 Sustainability Report
. Download the 2020 Social Responsibility Report