Luís Simões and Altri, a leading European company in the production of eucalyptus fibres and sustainable forest management, have reinforced their commitment to sustainability and innovation with the renewal of the fleet dedicated to operations at the Port of Figueira da Foz.

The nine Gigaliners used in Luís Simões’ operations for Altri are now Euro VI and powered by HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), a renewable biofuel produced from used oils that allows for a reduction of around 80% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional diesel.

This transition represents a significant step forward in Luís Simões’ decarbonisation strategy, which has been implementing initiatives aligned with science-based emission reduction targets validated by the SBTi. The use of higher-capacity vehicles, such as these HVO-powered Gigaliners, increases load efficiency and reduces environmental impact by approximately 342 tCO₂e WTW per year.

The Gigaliner model has been designed to optimise loading and unloading times, enhance safety, minimise road wear and reduce physical strain on drivers, making it a win-win solution from an economic, environmental and social perspective.

With a length of 25.25 metres and a capacity of 60 tonnes, these vehicles exemplify Luís Simões’ innovation and its ability to deliver tailored solutions to meet customer needs and the requirements of pulp transport.

Among the key benefits of this solution are:

• A 25% increase in tonnes transported per cycle, improving logistics efficiency;Up to a 35% increase in operational efficiency;
• A 30% reduction in loading and unloading times, contributing to more agile operations;
• A 33% reduction in the annual number of trips, with fewer kilometres travelled and reduced road wear;
• Significant improvements in drivers’ working conditions and safety, with operations up to 10 times faster and requiring less physical effort.

The collaboration between Luís Simões and Altri dates back to 2012, when both companies identified the need to find a more efficient transport solution for the 630,000 tonnes of pulp produced annually by CELBI, in Leirosa, destined for the Port of Figueira da Foz. Following a rigorous technical, legal and environmental assessment process, the operation was launched in October 2014 with the pioneering use of Gigaliners in Iberia – now upgraded to keep pace with market and environmental demands.

“The renewal of the fleet dedicated to operations with Altri is another step forward in our decarbonisation strategy, contributing to our broader goal of continuing to deliver increasingly innovative and sustainable transport and logistics solutions. We are working towards providing low-emission services that meet the shared objective of decarbonisation, while contributing to a more efficient and responsible transport sector,” commented Fernanda Simões, Board Member at Luís Simões for the Transport business.

“At Altri, every project we undertake is guided by a vision: to build a more renewable world. We speak of clean energy, innovation and ambition – an ambition reflected in the new HVO-powered Gigaliners, a symbol of the path we have chosen to follow. HVO is a firm step in this journey: a real solution for decarbonisation, capable of reducing environmental footprint by around 80% without compromising efficiency or performance,” said Susana Pinho, Logistics Director at Altri. “To bring this vision to life, having partners such as Luís Simões makes all the difference – we share the same commitment to sustainability, innovation and efficiency. Together, we turn innovation into action, sustainability into commitment, and ambition into results.”

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About Altri
Altri is a leading European industrial group in the production of cellulosic fibres, with three mills in Portugal and a capacity exceeding 1.1 million tonnes per year. The company manages around 100,000 hectares of FSC® and PEFC certified forest, ensuring sustainable forest management practices.
Altri’s mission is “to build a more renewable world”. In addition to paper pulp (BHKP), the group invests in the production of dissolving pulp (DP), essential for textiles, and in renewable energy cogeneration. Altri integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and has defined its Commitment 2030, aiming to reduce environmental impacts and achieve Net Zero.