DEcember 2015

109

gPS ONLINE

Training Week
Pages 4 and 5

DOUBLE
INAUGURATION
Cacia and Vila Velha de Rdo
Pages 8, 9, 10 and 11
2 3

gPS IN FIGURES gPS STRATEGY

In the first 9 months,

the Group saw its
Workforce grow
Happy Christmas
to a total of 2,411 Building on our Achievements, with a
employees. Vision of the Future

One year ago, we mapped out ambitious
new plans, with fresh targets and added
responsibilities. Today, this is now a
reality for all of us, based on the defi-
ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS PERFORMANCE nition of our Mission, Vision and Values.
This new approach to our work allows
us to respond with determination and
WATER (m3/t) Turnover 1,204.3 (M ) improved effectiveness to the growing
To list every achievement would be
impossible, but I would like to mention
that 2015 was the year in which work
started on building the Colombo Energy
mill in the USA, which will allow the
Group to move into the pellets business,
the year in which we acquired AMS and
doubled its production capacity, our first

18.8 EBITDA

Net debt / EBITDA 1.5

294 (M ) demands of the market.
In 2015 we learned new ways of working
step into the tissue business, the year
operations started at the Lu Nurse-
EFFLUENTS - Suspended together. People and teamwork have ries in Mozambique, a crucial stride
always been the key factor in our Group's forwards for our ambitious project invol-
solids (kg/t)
HUMAN success. Work started this year on a series ving investment of more than 2 billion
0.3 SALES RESOURCES of structural and transversal projects
which have included a growing number
euros in Mozambique, and the year we
expanded the Cacia Industrial Unit and
RENEWABLE ENERGY (%) of individuals and multidisciplinary teams its paper pulp production capacity,
2,411 all pulling in the same goal: the success of helping to increase exports and boost
91.7 52% 64% = 100
the Portucel Soporcel group.
This has been achieved on the basis of
the Group's presence around the world.
The Portucel Soporcel group contributes
AIR (Emissions of fossil CO2, t) a number of useful programmes, inclu- to creating wealth and to sustainable
ding in particular the Business Review economic development in all the regions
591,000 ABSENTEEISM TRAINING
(HOURS) Meetings (BRMs) which set out to review in which it operates, thanks to the enter-
PREMIUM SALES
MIX
MILL BRANDS
SALES MIX 4.18% 88,278 plant operations from a business-
-focussed approach, involving mana-
prising spirit and vision of its sharehol-
ders, and also to the capabilities of its
CONTENTS
FORESTS gers from different areas. Another good vast Workforce, who strive every day to
example is the Lean Project instituted achieve and exceed the targets set. gPS IN FIGURES 02
OUTPUT SAFETY through the gPS Production System I am therefore extremely proud of every-
AREA UNDER programme, which sets out to imple- thing we have achieved together. With Sustained growth
MANAGEMENT ('000 ha) No OF ACCIDENTS ment and sustain an uniform culture of full confidence in the future, I wish you

120
WOOD SUPPLIED TO MILLS
3
(M m ssc)
3,376
Editorial data
Published and coordinated:
Communication Department
Editor: Joana Seixas
Design: Ray Gun I Creativity
Worldwide
news@portucelsoporcel.com
Contributions to this issue from:
Leading to
sick leave 41 continuous improvement as part of our a challenging 2016, and every personal gPS ONLINE 05
1,059.176 1,240.390 Not leading
33 corporate identity. and professional success.
to sick leave
Mention must also be made of the Training Week
FREQUENCY INDEX* Re-Innovate Programme, designed
PULP PAPER to instil a culture of constant innova- Diogo da Silveira, CEO gPS IN FOCUS 08
Total output,
tAD
Net output at
reelers, t
16,0
* number of accidents with sick leave per
million hours of risk exposure (hours worked
in reference period)
tion, responding to the new challenges
and opportunities we face, through Double inauguration
a number of schemes which seek to
encourage creativity. gPS SUSTAINABLE 12
It was also in the past year that the
The quest for the perfect
Exempt from registration with Printed on: Inaset Plus Offset Print run: 300 copies Group launched its first Trainees
ERC under Reg. Dec. 8/99 of 9/6
Art.12.1-a).
120g/m2, FSC certified (paper
manufactured by Portucel Graphic company: Fotoarte Artes Programme, creating a talent base clone
Grficas, Lda.
Proprietor/Publisher: grupo
Soporcel group) to support the development of future
Freesheet
Portucel Soporcel Frequency of publication: management staff with an integrated gPS + 14
Bimonthly
Address and editorial office: business vision and the ability to
Mitrena - Apartado 55 - 2901-861 Christmas in the Group
Setbal exploit synergies between the different
sectors, responding in this way to the
future needs of the organisation.
r
ne
in

Group Workforce
W
3
/1
12
20

DECEMBER 2015
4 5
gPS ONLINE
TRAINING WEEK
AT SETBAL
INDUSTRIAL UNIT
Training room
Another Training Week was held at
the Setbal Industrial Unit, running
from the last week of October
through to early December. These
events have been organised annually
since 2002, and this year involved
660 employees and 28 trainers.
Safety, nutrition, lean concept aware-
ness, new business, occupational
health, the role of communication,
emergency planning, environment,
presentations of results and targets
DECEMBER 2015
Training Week involved - these are just some of the topics
included in this year's Training Week at
660 employees and a the Setbal Industrial Unit.
total of 15,100 training
We hope that by the end the staff felt
hours. that the learning experience had been
useful and that their concerns had
been listened to, and also that they
felt motivated to press ahead with
their work.
This training programme has been
running since 2002 and provides
employees with a combination of
general and specific training. In 2015,
training was provided between 27 th
October and 3rd December to all shift
workers at the Setbal site: this means
process operatives in the wood, pulp
manufacture and energy recovery
sectors, Paper Machines 1, 3 and 4, PPS
and ATF Manufacturing, PPS and ATF
Dispatch, maintenance technicians
working on a shift basis (mechanical
and electrical) at the pulp mill, PPS
and ATF and our colleagues in the
laboratories. The programme involved
28 trainers.
The 660 employees involved were
divided into 20 groups, with around
140 receiving training each day, in
groups of 35 employees each.
Efforts were made this year to make
the training more dynamic, interactive
and productive, reducing contact time
from 4 days to 3 days, with two days
given over the general training and one
day to specific training, with shorter
and more varied modules, all adding
up to 15,100 training hours.
It was also decided to include new
topics which, although never dealt
with before, are extremely relevant to
the daily lives of the employees, such
as nutrition, educating staff to include
better good in their diet, to help them
cope with the physical challenges
posed by shift work.
Training Week takes a holistic approach
to developing the Group's human
resources and provides a unique
opportunity for employees to learn
about a range of topics of interest to
the company. Above all, it helps us to
achieve the high standards based on
quality, safety, rigour and efficiency
which can only be achieved with the
precious contribution of each individual.
Bruno Silvestre
PPS Office Paper Converting,
joined the Group almost
18 years ago
This year's Training Week was a good
learning experience, and I came away
with fresh ideas about several gPS areas
and projects, such as 5S+1, and how to
implement them in my everyday work. It
would be useful for the training session to
deal with other companies and sectors in
the Group, such as forestry and others.
Jos Candeias
PPS Converting and Dispatch,
joined the Group 29 years ago
The training was useful and altogether
very interesting. I'm looking forward to
the safety module, which we haven't had
yet, and is always a challenge. First aid
is something we did in previous years,
but I would like to have more training.
I particularly enjoyed the lean
concept awareness session, because
it gave us new ideas, and I also
liked the new business module.
gPS ONLINE
Lus Almeida
PPS Office Paper Converting,
joined the Group 24 years ago
I learned a lot from the training and
we can ask questions which we don't
always have the chance to do during
the year, so it's an opportunity to clear
up questions we have. I would like to
go on more trips to other units in our
Group and other areas we know little
about, for there to be more interaction.
Srgio Miguel
ATF Converting, joined
the Group 6 years ago
It's quite important, because just now we
talking about safety, which is a constant
concern in the company and something
we discuss with each other everyday.
We also talked about nutrition which I
found really interesting because as shift
workers we don't always have the best
diet. It was the topic I enjoyed most so far.
This year the sessions are shorter
which makes it less painful for us,
because we're not used to being in a
classroom, so it's been quite good.
6 7
gPS ONLINE
SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S
RESPONSIBILITY
Watch the videos, share them
with your co-workers and always
remember that safety comes first.
Stop accidents from happening!
Staff safety is the number one priority
for our Group, and prevention should
be built into how we approach our work
and tackle each task. Reflecting this
concern, the Corporate Communica-
tions has worked closely with DASEP
(Central Department for Quality, Envi-
ronment and Safety, Energy and Stra-
tegic Industrial Projects) to produce
two videos on safety topics. One focus-
sing on procedures and the other explo-
ring behavioural issues.
"Its obvious that the Portucel Soporcel
group's most valuable asset is its
human capital. This means that the
health and safety of the Group's people
and the service providers it works with
is regarded as fundamental to busi-
ness development and its value is non-
negotiable in this Company," we heard
from the new director responsible for
industrial operations and for health
and safety at work. Joo Paulo Oliveira
also stressed that "the central message
I want to get across is that safety of
all depends on each one of us. This
means not just complying strictly with
the established safety rules, but also a
permanent search for ways to improve
our working environment, sharing these
suggestions so that the whole team can
benefit from a reduction in accident
risks and optimised working conditions.
We're relying on you all!"
The videos look at safety in the context
of real action in different work places,
with the emphasis on prevention. The
filming took place at all the industrial
units, but as the issues involved also
apply outside a manufacturing context,
the film crew also worked at the Espirra
Estate and in forest locations, in order
to show examples of unsafe behaviour
and situations of avoidable risk.
The videos point out various unsafe
DECEMBER 2015
Filming in Cacia
Teams in action
working practices where rules are
broken or communication breaks
down and then explain the corrective
measures needed, which are often very
simple.
The films stress the importance of
effective teamwork in order to created
safer, healthier and more productive
workplaces, encouraging participation
as the best way of ensuring the right
attitude: the way we do things round
here.
The safety of all depends on each one of us. This
means not just complying strictly with the established
safety rules, but also a permanent search for
improvement. We're relying on you all!
Piloting the drone
gPS channel
on Youtube
Did you know the Group as a YouTube
channel where you can watch all the
videos produced about the Group?
Go to YouTube (www.youtube.com),
search for Grupo Portucel Soporcel,
see what's on offer and share
the videos with your co-workers,
friends and service providers.
INDUSTRIAL UNITS OPEN DOORS
AGAIN TO COMMUNITY
Another 300 people from the local
communities around out Figueira da Foz
and Setbal units were this year able to
see for themselves how paper is made
and the contribution our Group makes
to the Portuguese economy.
On three Saturdays in October and
November, the paper production divi-
sions at the Figueira da Foz and Setbal
industrial units once again opened their
Figueira da Foz
"I feel proud that we have
a company like this in our
region
Margarida Botelho, aged 53
Setbal
doors to local people who came to learn
how paper is manufactured.
Around 300 children, youngsters, adults
and senior citizens spent their Saturday
morning finding out how we make paper.
Each had his own reason for joining the
tour: Joo Verssimo, aged 25, visited
the FFIU because it's something that
really interests me, to study, all the
environmental and industrial issues,
"You are really at the top
of what's done around
the world."
Carlos Almeida, aged 50
gPS ONLINE
and also to learn about the production
process and the whole closed cycle
involved in the company's operation -
from forest management through to the
end consumer," whilst Catarina, aged 11,
went to see the Setbal Mill, "because
in Technology Studies we learned about
what paper is. I really liked the control
room, how they are able to control that
huge machine."
Modernity, leadership and technology
After enjoying a tasty breakfast, the visi-
tors were welcomed by our co-workers
from the Communication and Environ-
ment , who answered their questions
after screening an institutional video
about the Portucel Soporcel group.
Ins Franco, aged 14, said that what
impressed her most on her visit to the
Figueira da Foz plant were "the videos I
saw, which made me see the mill diffe-
rently," and she was keen to recommend
the visit to her school friends.
A bus then tok them to the paper
production area, where the tour started
in the control room and ended in the
dispatch sector, passing through the
paper quality testing laboratories, the
paper machine, the processing sector
and warehouse.
At the end of the Setbal tour, Margarida
Botelho, aged 53, told us: "I was very
impressed by the investment they have
made, it's all so modern, I feel proud
that we have a company like this in the
region," and Carlos Almeida, 50 years,
said "it's a way for the company to build
closer ties with local people, so they can
understand exactly what goes on here.
Because people sometimes imagine
things but have no real idea. And you are
really at the top of what's done around
the world."
Soraia Oliveira, aged 30, told us that what
impressed her most on the tour of the
Figueira da Foz unit was "the automation,
the quantity of robots and how technology
is everywhere you look in the company".
8 9

gPS em foco gPS em foco

DOUBLE INAUGURATION
Cacia and
vila Velha
de Rdo
As it continues to modernise and grow, our Group
inaugurated on the same day the extension of the
Cacia Industrial Unit, which has created 15 new
jobs, and well as indirect employment for as many
as 290 people, and the new tissue production line
at the mill in Vila Velha de Rdo, set to generate
more than 70 new jobs.

The expansion of the Portucel Soporcel
group continues apace. A double inau-
guration was held on 13 October: the
extension of the Cacia industrial unit
and the new tissue paper machine at the
Vila Velha de Rdo mill. Together, these
projects represented investment of 95.3
million euros. The Group chose the same
day to announce its intention to invest
120 million euros in a new tissue produc-
tion line in Cacia, to be completed by
2017, increasing the Group's total capa-
city in this sector to 130,000 tons/year.
"The Portucel group has always kept
pace with the natural evolution of a
globalised and highly competitive
market," enthused the former Minister
for the Economy, who attended the two
opening ceremonies. Antnio Pires de
Lima was generous in his praise for the
Group: gPS "has been committed to
modernising its industrial facilities, and
also in innovating and developing its
own brands, displaying the capacity to
expand its business successfully around
the world."
Diogo da Silveira, CEO of the Portucel
Soporcel group, then took the platform
to say that this "investment is important
for Cacia, important for the Baixo Vouga
region and important for the Group
and the country", pointing out that "the
Group's oldest plants - Cacia, Figueira
da Foz and Setbal - contribute, directly
and indirectly, more than 2,600 million
euros to Portugal's GDP."
This array of projects - which are joined
by the project in Mozambique and the
pellets factory in the US - make up the
Group's plans for expanding and diversi-
fying its business over the coming years,
in pursuit of our aim of sustained growth
for our increasingly important multina-
tional with roots in Portugal.
Unveiling the plaque
20% more paper pulp in Cacia
In the morning, the Cacia industrial unit
officially opened the extension to its
pulp mill, the result of an investment
project worth 56.3 million which is set
to boost the Group's annual exports by
a further 30 million. Pedro Queiroz
Pereira, Chairman of the Directors of
gPS, pointed out that the project inau-
gurated today, in the presence of the
Minister for the Economy, will allow this
complex to increase its capacity by 20%,
with a highly positive impact on new
direct and indirect jobs in the region.
The production capacity at the Cacia
mill has risen from 294 to 353 thousand
The three industrial tons of paper pulp per annum, accom-
panied by an increase in production of
units Cacia, Figueira renewable energy of around 9%, to a
da Foz and Setbal total of 336.7 MW/year.
contribute directly "Today, for me, this is yet another land-
and indirectly more mark achievement for the Group. It is
always a huge challenge to complete
than 600 million euros a project of this degree of complexity,
to Portugal's GDP interacting with most of the existing faci-
Diogo da Silveira, CEO lities, as has happened here in Cacia,"
said Guilherme Pedroso, the central
engineering manager.
The extension to the mill has created a
15 fifteen direct jobs, and potentially
generated around 290 indirect jobs, in
particular in the forestry industry and in

DECEMBER 2015
10
gPS em foco
port logistics and road haulage sectors.
As many as 1,520 external workers
were recruited during the construction
period.
The changes at the Cacia mill have
incorporated the latest industrial and
environmental technology, and inno-
vative measures have been adopted to
improve environmental performance,
including the collection, processing
and incineration of malodorous gases,
as well as the fitting of a new burner in
the existing lime kiln, the installation of
an electrofilter for the new lime kiln and
partial substitution of the use of fuel oil
by natural gas in the lime kilns.
We should also recall that the work on
building the new facilities and fitting
the equipment was carried out with the
Cacia mill in full operation, except for
two periods in January and June.
In short, this project has made it
possible to optimise performance at the
Cacia mill, helping to improve reliabi-
lity in the mill facilities and to eliminate
bottlenecks in certain production areas.
Rosa Maria Nogueira, management
secretary in Cacia, told us that with this
new project I feel a renewed confidence
in the Group. With investment on this
scale, we will necessarily be setting our
sights even higher".
Vila Velha de Rdo plant doubles
output
In the afternoon, the new tissue paper
production line was inaugurated at the
Vila Velha do Rdo plant. The gPS CEO
declared that "the project itself, as we
have already heard, involved invest-
ment of 39 million euros, with the aim of
doubling the production capacity of this
complex in the reels section."
This expansion has created 70 new
jobs on site and increased the produc-
tion capacity, opening the way for an
increase in exports of around 40%.
The logistics manager at Vila Velha de
Rdo, Fernando Gaga, explained that
we managed to draw up the business
plan for this project in two or three
months. And once it was approved we
got down to work, made things happen,
we have a great dynamic and we don't
waste time."
Purchasing around 40% its supplies
DECEMBER 2015
gPS "has (...) displayed
the capacity to expand
its business successfully
around the world
Antnio Pires de Lima, Minister for
the Economy
30 THOUSAND JOBS NATIONWIDE
The Portucel Soporcel group's plants
in Setbal, Figueira da Foz and Cacia
employ a direct workforce of more
than 2,000 employees, and indirectly
generate around 9,000 jobs in the
surrounding regions, and more than
30,000 in the country as a whole,
according to a report from the consul-
tancy firm KPMG (released to mark the
twin inauguration ceremonies) which
looked into the Group's economic,
environmental and social contribu-
tion to the country and to the regions
where its industrial units are located.
The research, conducted in 2014,
leaves out the data for the tissue plant
in Vila Velha de Rodo and for the
new extension to the Cacia industrial
complex, meaning that the reality now
is even more impressive than these
figures show.
This study has put precise figures
on a phenomenon we were already
aware of: the Portucel Soporcel group
is structurally crucial to the industry
and to the Portuguese economy, and
is a driving force for development in
its local regions and in the country as
a whole, explained the Group's CEO,
Diogo da Silveira, who went on to draw
attention to the significant figures
also revealed for gPS' performance in
relation to the environment and social
responsibility.
Another important finding is the large
percentage of spending by the plants
which goes to Portuguese suppliers,
Welcome
accounting for 80% of total spending
at the Setbal plant, 75% in Cacia and
70% in Figueira da Foz.
Analysing the individual performance
of the three units, the study shows
that the Cacia plant, producing pulp
and power, generates an extremely
significant impact in the Baixo Vouga
region, accounting for around 1,700
direct and indirect jobs in the region,
exports of 107 million euros repre-
senting 2% of GDP and 3% of exports
from the region, and also 288 GWh of
renewable electricity, and approxi-
matley 12% of the country's output of
biomass.
The Figueira da Foz plant, producing
pulp, paper and power, also has a
major economic impact on the Baixo
Mondego region, starting with appro-
ximately 2 500 direct and indirect
jobs created in the region, and around
10,600 around the country. This
impact also includes exports of 541
million euros representing 9% of the
region's GDP and 39% of its exports.
For its part, the Setbal Plant,
producing pulp, paper and power,
is obviously a leading contributor
to the region's economy. This is due
to the total of around 2,600 direct
and indirect jobs generated in the
Setbal Peninsula and around 15,000
nationwide, and also to exports of 555
million euros, accounting for 6% of the
region's GDP and 14% of its exports.
Diogo da Silveira makes his speech
from local companies, the new mill has
increased its factory floor space from
40,000 m2 to 70,000 m2 and is fitted
with the latest environmental technolo-
gies which will allow it to cut CO2 emis-
sions by 22,000 tons/year.
For Maria Lemos, process/paper
machine engineer at Vila Velha de Rdo,
the inauguration marked the culmina-
tion of many months' work by a superb
Guests team () whose achievements are on
show today". With this new produc-
tion line in Vila Velha de Rdo, the our
Group can now assert itself as one of
Europe's most competitive manufactu-
rers in the tissue market, a position we
intend to improve further through our
plans (as mentioned above) for investing
a further 120 million in a new produc-
tion unit in Cacia, due to start up in 2017,
which will have rated annual capacity of
70 thousand tons, incorporating equiva-
Vila Velha de Rdo lent finishing capacity.
11
gPS em foco
Upgrading Cacia
Investment of 56.3 million euros;
production capacity up by
20% (from 294 thousand to 353
thousand tons of pulp/year);
pulp exports up by
30 million euros;
renewable energy capacity
up by 9% (to 336.7 MWh);
15 direct jobs and up to 290
indirect jobs (forestry, port
logistics and haulage);
1,520 external workers
involved at the peak of the
construction process;
17 km of piping for collection
and treatment of non-conden-
sable gases (malodorous gases);
natural gas supply piping
extended by 550 m;
2nd tissue paper
machine at the Vila
Velha de Rdo plant
Investment of 39 million euros;
70 new direct jobs;
production capacity doubled;
potential for increa-
sing exports by 40%;
around 40% of purchases
of construction materials
from local companies;
factory floor space increased
from 40,000 m2 to 70,000 m2;
CO2 emissions cut by
22,000 tons/year;
the new production line makes our
Group one of the most competitive
in Europe in the tissue market.
12
gPS sustentvel
RAIZ: THE QUEST FOR THE
PERFECT CLONE
The Forestry Research and Consul-
tancy Department (DIFC) at RAIZ is
engaged in a systematic and pains-
taking task: the daily quest for the
best Eucalyptus globulus clone. The
aim is to discover the clone that offers
the fastest yields in each region, with
the most cellulose and the best resis-
tance to disease and pests.
The Genetics department at RAIZ, the
Portucel Soporcel group's forestry and
paper research institute, is located at the
Espirra Estate and its mission is to "make
the forestry value chain more competi-
tive, on a sustainable basis, by develo-
ping genetic materials and forestry prac-
tices that result in increased yields and
improved product quality, at the lowest
cost and with minimum environmental
impact."
The forestry research manager explained
to us that "RAIZ works on the basis of
projects (normally with a duration of
three years), commissioned by Portucel
Florestal, which each years submits a
series of issues it wants to have resolved,
so the projects are adjusted every year."
Cristina Marques explained that DICF
works on three main fronts: genetics;
forestry techniques; and consultancy
(see insert).
In genetics, the manager told us "we
have three types of work: genetic impro-
vement, biotechnology and vegetative
propagation."
Research work on genetic improve-
ment in high yield areas for Eucalyptus
globulus, but they also look for alter-
native genetic materials for lower yield
areas. For example, "by mixing other
species to 'stretch' the adaptability of
E. globulus, mainly in areas south of the
Tagus," explained Cristina Marques.
The researcher, Jos Alexandre Arajo,
told us as time goes by it's possible the
research programme will split into two
areas: for good yield areas and bad yield
DECEMBER 2015
areas. He went on to explain that "at
least every five years, we have to offer
new clones which are better than those
we recommended previously," but he
recalled that "the entire process breaks
down into several stages, from choosing
the best trees in the field, to propagation
and further field trials, all of which takes
around 15 years, meaning that we start
new cycles every year."
Certifying the clones
Biotechnology is used as a tool to
support genetic improvement, "we have
the clonal material certified to control
quality and expand our knowledge of the
variability of the plant population which
has undergone genetic improvement,
and also in the population of operational
clones," we heard from the researcher
Joana Costa.
In the mother plant area at the Espirra
Estate, five or six Eucalyptus globulus
clones are used at any one time, and
replaced every three to four years, "to
ensure variability and because over time
we gradually select the clones with the
best characteristics." The most valuable
Natural enemies
Clones
Forestry Research
at RAIZ
Genetics
Genetic Improvement
Biotechnology
Vegetative Propagation
Forestry Techniques
Soils, Nutrition and Biomass
Forestry Protection and
Spontaneous Vegetation
Ecophysiology and Irrigation
Consultancy
Biometrics and Information
Management
Technology Transfer
At least every five
years, we have to
offer new clones for
production
Jos Alexandre
New general
manager
The Executive Board of the
Portucel Soporcel group has
appointed Carlos Pascoal
Neto as general manager of
RAIZ, as from 15th October.
Jos Nordeste, who held this
post at the same time as that
of plant manager for Cacia, will
now concentrate exclusively
on managing the Cacia site.
We have the clonal material certified to check
whether we're maintaining the right level of variability
in the plant population
Cristina Marques
13
gPS sustentvel
characteristics are yield, volume, wood
density and pulp yield, but importance is
also attached to adaptability (the ability
to do well in different areas), the rooting
rating and tolerance of/resistance to
pests and disease. In this area, the focus
is on finding the natural enemies and
identifying genetic tolerance, as well as
good forest husbandry. The main pest
affecting Eucalyptus globulus is the gum
tree weevil (Gonipterus scutellatus) and
researchers have already developed
hybrids which are more tolerant of this
pest.
We start of with hundreds, and narrow
them down to half a dozen
In contrast to the production process
used in the nurseries next door, where
millions of plant are produced from
a handful of clones, the staff at the
RAIZ research nurseries "start off with
hundreds, which we narrow down to half
a dozen clones", which are then multi-
plied in production, the manager told us.
Research into forestry techniques is
conducted from the RAIZ headquarters in
Eixo (Aveiro), involving a series of research
projects looking at soils and nutrition,
forestry protection and ecophysiology, in
particular in relation to water.
Cristina Marques explained that the insti-
tute's consultancy work "is an area which
latches onto forestry operations, as we
provide services to our internal client,
but also to producers' associations, for
example by providing training for their
technical staff." This area of work also
involves biometrics and forest informa-
tion management, as well as maintaining
a network of technology showcases up
and down the country, to demonstrate
good practices in forestry management.
14 15

gPS + gPS +

FIGUEIRA DA FOZ ARTS AND SPORTS VILA VELHA DE RDO BTT TEAM:
Senior Technician, Paper Senior Technician, Senior Technician, Paper
Production, FF Processing, FF Production, FF

somos
+ CLUB: SATURDAY IN ARGANIL TRIALS
Eliana Rui Joo Some of our co-workers
in the Vila Velha do Rdo
Sobral Verssimo Silva
BTT team took part in trials
Administrative Assistant/ Forklift driver Sales Officer/Client Senior Technician, DPGG Senior Technician, DPGG
Receptionist Manager in September, October and
November. Their dedication
was rewarded by excellent
results.
On 20th September, Ruben
Gonalves (8th Under-23/
Elite), Marco Ribeiro (13th
Renata Adriano Jorge Nuno Joo Canoeing on the river AMS staff
Master A) and Henrique
Flores Flix Tavares Costa Frazo Bento (7th Master A) took
Senior Technician, Pulp Laboratory Analyst, Cacia Senior Officer, Financial Maintenance Supervisor, Senior Officer, CEO's office On 26th September, the club organised a special day out in part in the 3rd Retiro das
Division, Cacia Department Setbal
Arganil, with a range of activities, including stand-up paddle, Adegas Sarzedas BTT Raid. And on 10th and 11th October,
canoeing, beach volleyball, zumba, aquafitness and a specta- Henrique Bento and Pedro Patrcio took part in the Odemira
cular picnic. Bike Race 2015, finishing in 32nd position for general doubles.
On a beautiful day, around 100 participants splits into their Also on 11 October, Marco Ribeiro (17th General) and Jos Paulo
different groups, all determined to have a good time, with Antunes (260th General) represented the XI Maratona BTT
background music and a lunch to recover from their exertions Trilhos da Raia Idanha-a-Nova team for the first time, and on
Marcos Cristina Ana Pedro Joo before the start of afternoon activities. A day to repeat. 1st November, Henrique Bento took part in the 5th and penul-
timate trial in the Trofu de Maratonas da Beira Interior 2015.
Lana Barros Canha Ferreira Gil
Senior Maintenance Engineer, Senior Technician DPGG Senior Technician, Paper Senior Technician, Pulp Sales Manufacturing Process

CACIA ARTS AND SPORTS CLUB: Setbal social and sports club:
Setbal Production FF Division Operative, ATF

FRIENDLY EXPLORING Setbal and Azeito

The Cacia volleyball team is playing in the Friendly The Setbal Social and Sports Club organised a trip to explore
Joo Henrique Carolina Afonso Tiago Championship, organised by Clube Wildcats Aveiro Sports Setbal and Azeito on 3 October. The tour started with a visit to the
Rodrigues Xavier Silva Ogando Pinho Team, and beat the Matraquilheiros team (University of Convento da Arrbida, the ancient monastery nestling in the Arr-
Manufacturing Process Mechanical Maintenance Maintenance Supervisor, Setbal Senior Technician, Pulp Technician Control and Power, Aveiro), 2-1, in the 1st round, on 29th October. bida hills. The participants then continued to the picturesque town
Operative, ATF Officer, Setbal Division, FF Setbal
The team of 20 players who train at the Cacia C+S take part of Azeito where they visited the Casa Museu, dating from the 19th
in this championship each year, which in 2015 ran up to century and restored in 1923. This was followed by a visit to the old
December, with teams from other companies in the region, wine cellars: Adega da Mata, Adega dos Teares Novos and Adega
including EDP, PT, Renault, University of Aveiro, etc. dos Teares Velhos, home to the oldest Moscatel wines typical of the
Setbal region. The trip was rounded off by an excellent meal in one
of the wine cellars with an atmosphere to remember.
Andr Joaquim Joaquim Tiago Antnio
do Batista Santos Nunes Gomes
Technician Control and Power, Technician Control and Power, Director, RAIZ Technician Control and Power, Technician Control and Power,
Setbal Setbal Setbal Setbal

Rui Leonardo Carlos Joo Joo

Raposo Bispo Pascoal Neto Raposo Guerreiro
Friendly Game Arrbida Convent

DECEMBER 2015

Did YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES IT TAKE
TO KEEP THE COMPANY RUNNING?
Christmas and New Year are when we celebrate with our
families, but our Group has mills that operate non-stop, so
someone has to be there to keep them running.
Every year, the teams that keep the
plants running over the holiday season
wait expectantly to see the Christmas
and New Year rotas. They know that,
on these two nights of the year, they
won't be with their families, and will
instead find themselves alongside their
everyday co-workers. Although commi-
tted to doing their jobs, their thoughts
and hearts are with those at home.
This year, although we can't name them
all, we would like to tell the whole
Company that on Christmas Eve and
Christmas day, 1,306 gPS employees
and contract workers will keep the three
industrial complexes - Cacia, Figueira da
Foz and Setbal - running at full speed.
And on New Year's Eve and New Year's
Day, there will be 1,352 employees.
In contrast, in Vila Velha de Rdo
the plant shuts down at this time of
year for what is called the Christmas
Stoppage, a measure implemented
since the unit was first founded. The
plant closes down at 14:00 hours on
24/12 and 31/12, and starts up again at
06:00 hours on 26/12 and 02/01.
In view of the festive season and in
order to compensate workers for
DECEMBER 2015
CHRISTMAS IN THE GROUP
missing their family celebrations,
th th st st
the Group provides staff with special
24 and 25 31 and 1
meals to mark the occasion: Christmas
Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch,
a dinner of New Year's Eve and lunch
1,306 1,352 on New Year's Day. The menu is served
in the workplace in keeping with the
specific rules in force in each unit.
The sectors involved, covering the
Employees Employees entire production process, are: Pulp
Production, Timber Yard, Recovery and
Energy, Pulp Store, Shift Control and
Power Technician, Shift Mechanical
Maintenance Technician, Maintenance,
Information Systems, Paper Production,
The Group is pleased Supply Chain, Processing Laboratory,
to provide its staff with Warehouses and Dispatch, Security,
Canteen, Sick Bay, Porters' Lodges, Fire
seasonal fare: dinner Service (at units with this service).
and supper on Christmas In addition to these workers, there are
Eve and Christmas Day also the prevention and assistance
lunch, and dinner on teams for the facilities in operation,
who are on stand-by, and may be
New Year's Eve and called in if needed.
lunch on New Year's Day. To all the Group's employees, and to
these in particular,
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY
NEW YEAR!