Ambipar completes drone seeding in areas affected by the rains of February 2023 on the São Paulo coast
By Writing Team
Posted in November 5, 2024
São Paulo, November 5, 2024 – Ambipar (AMBP3), a global leader in environmental solutions, announces the completion of an innovative project that has restored over 200 hectares of green area in São Sebastião, on the northern coast of São Paulo, in forest areas heavily affected by rainfall in February 2023.
Carried out in partnership with the Coastal Conservation Institute (ICC), the project’s initiator, along with Tamoios Concessionaire, Florestal Foundation, and Cetesb, state government agencies, the project utilized a regional plant seeding technique through biocapsules, applied with three drones. This technology, developed by Ambipar and pioneering in Brazil, has successfully restored various native species.
Gabriel Estevam, Ambipar’s Corporate Director of Research, Development, and Innovation, highlights that data from the first monitoring of the restored areas indicate that the established target of soil coverage with native species and green fertilization is being achieved. With the restoration of the region’s biome, the likelihood of landslides in the event of heavy rain is significantly reduced.
The biocapsules used in the seeding process were developed from collagen residues from pharmaceutical industries combined with Ecosolo, a soil conditioner made from organic waste from the pulp industry. Ambipar developed these biodegradable capsules at its research and development unit, in addition to supplying the drone technology, which has an adapted device where the biocapsules are installed and released over the area to be restored, with high-precision monitoring and geolocation control.
To date, over one ton of seeds has been applied to 850 green areas impacted by the rain, all of which are being restored through the project. According to Estevam, each area requires mapping and authorization for a specific drone flight. The equipment has completed more than 2,000 flights since the beginning of the year.
The degraded area restoration project began in January of this year and will conclude next week. This technology was recognized in London earlier this month, where Ambipar won the “Recovery and Regeneration” category at the Global Good Awards, one of the largest and most ethical sustainability awards. The company was also honored as a “Breakthrough” with the sustainable biocapsules project. The technology has won several other national and global awards, including the Green Product Awards in Berlin and the Green World Awards.
Strengthening Local Communities
The initiative goes beyond environmental restoration and integrates a social component with the “Safe Schools” program, which aims to train school communities to face extreme weather events, ensuring the resilience of the region.
ICC Director Fernanda Carbonelli emphasizes the importance of the project’s social component. “We are not only restoring the environment but also strengthening local communities. The ‘Safe Schools’ initiative is essential to prepare future generations, educating children and young people about the climate risks we face. The project integrates environmental restoration with education and social empowerment, ensuring resilience is built on multiple levels,” she commented.
With the completion of the seeding, Ambipar, ICC, and other project participants will monitor the area for the next 12 months. The goal is to assess the recovery rate of the vegetation on the slopes and understand the vegetation development process and its response to any new climate events that may affect the area.
About Ambipar
Ambipar is a Brazilian multinational and global leader in environmental solutions, investing in and operating decarbonization, circular economy, energy transition, and environmental regeneration projects. It is present in 40 countries with over 20,000 employees. The company is listed on the B3 (AMBP3) and New York Stock Exchange (AMBI). To learn more, click here.
Press Information
About the ICC
The Coastal Conservation Institute is a social and environmental organization created to promote the conservation of the Atlantic Forest and maintain quality of life through social inclusion and environmental and climate education in São Sebastião (SP). To learn more, click here.
Press Information
