Among the principles of particular note governed by the document is the objective to continuously improve operations, with the definition of clear targets for the reduction in use of natural resources – such as water and energy – in development and production, as well as the efficient management of residues, effluents and atmospheric emissions. Besides the Committee, a Management of Sustainability was created to administer all these issues.

One of the highlights of 2008 was the restructuring of the collection and standardization of environmental GRI indicators, previously spread out among the units or not answered. The data is now centralized and the calculation methodologies standardized for the indicators of consumption of water, energy, effluents, among others, based on historic and specific technical data related to each Division.

An additional effort was made to define specific targets to continuously improve each unit. In this way, the indicators related to the consumption of energy, water, effluents, waste management and atmospheric emissions are not comparable with previous years, and the data presented in this report will be referenced for publications in subsequent years. With the aim of aligning these new concepts, the historic data were updated using the new broader methodology.

The data are consolidated for Duratex’s operations and, when relevant, are specified as information from one of its diverse operating areas: the production of reconstituted wood panels, forestry management, vitreous china and metal bathroom fittings. The indicators still do not reflect the operations of the industrial units acquired in 2008, which will be consolidated in 2009.

The environmental measures taken received an investment of R$12.3 million in 2008, 9% less than in 2007, with particular note on the improvements in the effluent treatment systems, waste collection and maintenance of timberland areas.