SUMMARY
With a strong industrial backbone, Sonae Arauco is one of the world’s leading companies in wood-based solutions. The company’s commitment to sustainable development includes the use of certified wood, a circular bioeconomy model, and the continuous integration of recycled wood into its industrial processes.
Sonae Arauco’s portfolio includes a wide range of products that meet the diverse needs of the furniture, interior design, and construction sectors—from standard solutions to highly technical applications. These are marketed under the brands Core & Technical® and Agepan® System, as well as an extensive range of decorative products under the Innovus® brand.
The company was created as a joint venture between two major global players in the wood industry: Sonae Indústria and Arauco. Both share the ambition to take wood further and a long-term vision for the business. Today, the company has around 2,600 employees across 8 countries (Portugal, Spain, Germany, South Africa, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland), operates 22 industrial and commercial sites, and sells its products in more than 60 countries.

PROBLEM
Sonae Arauco addresses the challenge of producing wood-based materials sustainably, reducing dependence on virgin natural resources and promoting a circular economy. The company adds value to waste and recycled wood, transforming them into high-performance panels for the furniture and construction industries. In doing so, it helps reduce environmental impact, carbon emissions, and waste, while providing efficient, durable, and cost-effective solutions to its customers.

SOLUTION
Sonae Arauco’s solution is based on transforming certified virgin wood and, most importantly, recycled wood and industrial by-products into high-quality wood-based panels such as particleboard and MDF. The process integrates circular economy practices, where wood waste is collected, processed, and reintroduced into the production cycle, reducing waste and the need for additional natural resources. At the same time, the company invests in technology to optimise energy efficiency and minimise emissions throughout the value chain.
The impact of this approach is significant. Environmentally, it helps reduce pressure on forests, lowers landfill waste, and decreases the carbon footprint. Socially, it promotes more responsible and sustainable value chains. Economically, it ensures competitive, durable, and consistent-performance materials for sectors such as furniture and construction. Overall, Sonae Arauco positions itself as a key contributor to the transition toward a more circular and sustainable industry.