Money Times by Juan Rey - 05/10/2022
By Equipe de Redação
Posted in May 10, 2022
Universo, by Ambipar, has a physical store in Pinheiros, a neighborhood in São Paulo, and an e-commerce platform (Image: Divulgação/ Universo)
In late April, Ambipar (AMBP3) announced to the market and the general public the launch of Universo store, aimed at accelerating the transition to a circular economy by effectively managing some of the objects and industrial waste collected by the company.
In essence, the circular economy is a concept that focuses on reducing, reusing, recovering, and recycling materials and energy. The idea is that nothing should be discarded, but rather reused, restored, and renewed, extending its lifespan.
“It’s essential to understand that there isn’t a fully circular economy anywhere in the world yet. This process is an ongoing development, and thus, investments in research and process development are necessary. Universo serves precisely as a catalyst for this,” stated Vinicius Campion, the executive director of Universo Ambipar.
With products such as furniture and mirrors made from compressed toothpaste tube sheets, and shampoos and conditioners produced using collagen residues from the pharmaceutical industry, Universo aims to further enhance Ambipar’s core business of environmental management and waste disposal.
“As the concept of a circular economy becomes more ingrained among the general public, it further reinforces our main business, with consumers increasingly demanding environmentally responsible behavior from companies,” explains Campion.
Ambipar moderately invests in the new business
Despite Ambipar’s aggressive acquisition policy in recent years, the company sees no issue in launching another business while absorbing acquisitions.
The initial investment in Universo was moderate, estimated at “less than R$ 2 million,” according to Campion. The company also doesn’t plan on significant marketing investments, relying instead on social media and public engagement in sustainability to boost the business.
The design and production of the products are carried out by an external partner in direct contact with Ambipar’s laboratory, which had several patents without practical use (such as the use of collagen residue in shampoo and conditioner) to define how the collected waste can be utilized.
