Tel Aviv, Israel – May, 2021 - SOSA, the global open innovation company, announces a partnership with Klabin, Brazil’s largest producer and exporter of packaging paper, the only company in the country to offer one-stop shop solutions in hardwood, softwood and fluff pulp, and the leader in the corrugated board packaging and industrial bags markets. The partnership will involve Klabin partnering with SOSA and CNI, the National Confederation of Industry – Brazil, in order to accelerate and diversify their bio-based products towards a renewable future.
Klabin has been broadening its renewable strategy, emphasizing innovation, and advanced technology as an important driver for sustainable business growth alongside promoting a circular bioeconomy. Since then, the focus on developing sustainable products which are competitive and economically viable in Klabin’s industry has intensified — particularly with regards to research, development, and innovation. In doing so, Klabin strives to find natural and biodegradable solutions to meet the demands of today’s progressively-conscious consumption.
Considering the dynamic nature of the paper and pulp industry, SOSA’s innovation program for Klabin will be tailored to address Klabin's unique sustainability challenges, both in Brazil and Latam. SOSA will operate a 4-month corporate challenge program for Klabin through CNI, where Klabin’s cross-functional business units will immerse themselves in open innovation activities, exposing them to cutting edge startups in their industry from across the globe.
Through the program, SOSA will tackle predefined pain points and uncover further ways to expand on Klabin’s revenue streams in bio-based products. The program will consist of:
- Identifying and defining pressing company challenges alongside new opportunities
- Gaining access to global advanced technology companies and systems
- Building quality PoCs with strategic collaborations for implementation
The selected companies will be given the opportunity to conduct a proof-of-concept of their solutions on an industrial scale, and potentially further support Klabin’s efforts to achieve better, more-sustainable results for the entire value chain.
“Klabin has the goal to be a reference in responsible solutions that meet the constant changes in society. Open innovation initiatives have proven to be an excellent tool for solving the most diverse challenges and bringing together partners who want to be part of the collective effort to build a sustainable future. We are very excited about the possibilities that may arise through the partnership with SOSA, I am sure that we will be able to connect with partners that are ideal and adherent to the Company's strategy ”, says Francisco Razzolini, Director of Industrial Technology, Innovation,
Sustainability and Projects.
“Advancing a circular bioeconomy is an irrefutable necessity, and working with Klabin represents an acute opportunity for us to leverage innovative processes with a leader who spearheads sustainable initiatives within the packaging industry,” says Uzi Scheffer, CEO of SOSA.
“Through working with Klabin, we hope to galvanize their efforts in accelerating sustainable innovation and offering the market environmentally responsible products.”
According to Gianna Sagazio, Head of Innovation at CNI, the CNI-SOSA partnership, established a year ago, was created to leverage the innovation capacity of industries installed in Brazil and expand their competitive advantage through a global perspective. "By participating in a corporate challenge within our project, Klabin strengthens its strategy of making innovation and technology tools to position itself increasingly better in the market, with a focus on sustainability", says Gianna Sagazio.
ABOUT SOSA
SOSA is a global open innovation company. SOSA builds pragmatic cross-vertical open innovation programs and even stronger relationships within the tech ecosystem. By identifying advanced technology solutions and innovative models, SOSA works with corporations and public entities to implement solutions that lead to business growth and successful digital transformations. SOSA Innovation Centers in Tel Aviv, New York, and London support the open innovation programs and serve as the meeting place for governments, corporations, and tech entrepreneurs. It is where innovation leaders participate in demo days and roundtables and meet their next business opportunities. SOSA’s partners include multinational corporations such as HP, SwissRe, RBC, Siemens, Rafael, Tokio Marine and governmental entities such as the NYC Economic Development Corporation, the Australian Government and the Basque Government. For more information, visit https://www.sosa.co/
ABOUT KLABIN
Klabin is Brazil’s largest producer and exporter of packaging paper, the only company in the country to offer one-stop shop solutions in hardwood, softwood and fluff pulp, and the leader in the corrugated board packaging and industrial bags markets. Founded in 1899, it has 23 industrial units in Brazil and one in Argentina. Its entire management is guided by Sustainable Development, pursuing integrated and responsible growth that combines profitability, social development and environmental commitment. Since 2014, Klabin has been a component of the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) of the São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3) and in 2020 it was included in two portfolios of the Down Jones Sustainability Index: World Index and Emerging Markets Index. A signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and to the Brazilian Pact to Eradicate Slave Labor, Klabin seeks suppliers and business partners that share its values of ethics, transparency and respect for sustainability principles.
ABOUT CNI
The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) is the organization that represents Brazilian industry. As the highest body in the employers' union system of industry, it has defended the interests of the domestic industry since its founding in 1938, working in coordination with the executive, legislative and judiciary branches of government as well as with several entities and organizations in Brazil and abroad. CNI represents 27 federations of industries and 1,250 employer unions, to which almost 700,000 enterprises are affiliated. It directly manages the Social Service of Industry (SESI), the National Services for Industrial Learning (SENAI) and the Euvaldo Lodi Institute (IEL). Together with CNI, these institutions form the Industry System, which also brings together state industry federations and employer unions. For more information, visit http://www.portaldaindustria.com.br/cni/en/
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