Ultracargo, a provider of integrated logistics solutions and the largest independent liquid bulk storage company in Brazil, has reached a significant milestone in its ESG commitment: winning the gold medal in the EcoVadis assessment. This recognition places the company among the top 5% of businesses globally in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices, highlighting its work in line with the highest standards of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability.

In the “Labor Practices and Human Rights” category, the company’s score increased from 60 to 83 in one year, while in the “Environment” category, it rose from 70 to 86 points. With these improvements, Ultracargo reached the 98th percentile and an overall score of 80/100. “These numbers demonstrate the strength of our sustainability management system and reinforce our commitment to continuous improvement. Furthermore, the EcoVadis gold medal is a direct reflection of the integrated work across different areas of Ultracargo and our determination to grow responsibly and in alignment with global logistics market demands,” celebrates Fernanda Guedes, the company’s People, Communication, and Sustainability Manager.

This achievement enhances the company’s credibility with customers, partners, and investors, who increasingly value businesses committed to sustainable practices and corporate responsibility. “Our positive evaluation by EcoVadis is also a strategic tool, helping our clients understand the seriousness with which we approach sustainability, strengthening trust and alignment across the entire business chain,” adds Patricia Gomes, Ultracargo’s Executive Director of People, Communication, and Sustainability.

It is worth noting that EcoVadis is a global platform that assesses corporate sustainability across four areas: environment, labor practices and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Companies receive scores from 0 to 100 and percentile rankings, with medals recognizing performance: Platinum (top 1%, 99th percentile or higher, and 81+ points), Gold (top 5%, 95th percentile or higher, and 73+ points), Silver (top 15%, 85th percentile or higher, and 66+ points), and Bronze (top 35%, 65th percentile or higher, and 58+ points).

“Being among the highest-rated companies globally reinforces the quality of our management system and solidifies our long-term vision. We will continue progressing towards building a more sustainable future, honoring our commitment to creating value for our stakeholders and contributing to a more responsible and efficient logistics sector,” concludes Ultracargo’s director.

Sustainable Actions

At Ultracargo’s terminal in Santos, chemical waste that was previously discarded is now being transformed into paint. This material is used within the company to refurbish structures, closing the loop in a circular economy initiative. Since the project began in 2022, it is estimated that the company has saved approximately BRL 400,000 in disposal and freight costs. The initiative has been so successful that it is now expanding to other terminals, aligning with the company’s 2030 ESG goals.

At the Itaqui Terminal in Maranhão, the challenge was to reduce the volume of oily effluents sent for treatment. To achieve this, improvements were made to the Auxiliary Drainage Tank (TAD), such as repositioning the piping, increasing the diameter of structures, and implementing an automated closed-loop dye injection system. As a result, there was a 44% reduction in effluent volume compared to initial estimates, leading to BRL 100,000 in savings in the first year of implementation.

Additionally, Ultracargo’s terminals are powered by renewable energy and equipped with rainwater harvesting systems. In 2024 alone, over 1,800m³ of rainwater has been collected, and hydrostatic test water from tanks has been reused multiple times, saving millions of liters of water.

In 2024, two additional achievements reinforced the company’s ESG commitment: the Ocean-Friendly Seal for its best practices at the Port of Suape (PE) and the Gold Seal from the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program for the second consecutive year, representing the highest level of excellence in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory reporting.

Community Engagement

In 2020, Ultracargo set ESG goals for 2025 and 2030. These commitments are part of Ultra Group’s broader plan, which establishes objectives for the entire conglomerate and each of its businesses based on their challenges and potential. Beyond eco-efficient operations and environmental care, community responsibility is also a key focus, with an emphasis on educating children and teenagers and supporting the development of communities, particularly women who are the primary providers for their households.

In this context, Ultracargo supports initiatives such as Cactus, which strengthens math learning for young students in Ipojuca (PE); Alicerce Educação, which provides after-school reinforcement classes for children and teenagers aged 5 to 17; and the Institute of Sport and Education (IEE), which promotes regular educational activities and events focused on sports, culture, health, leadership, citizenship, and community integration, among others.

Ultracargo also develops operational training and internship programs, with affirmative action opportunities for women.

To learn more about the company’s ESG initiatives and goals, visit: https://www.ultracargo.com.br/sustentabilidade/a-ultracargo-e-sustentabilidade/.