CTG Brasil awarded by Benchmarking Brasil

On June 26, CTG Brasil was recognized and certified for the excellence of its environmental practices during the XVII Bench Day in Sao Paulo, by the Benchmarking Brazil Program, one of the most respected Sustainability recognitions in the country.

The case "Control of infestation of golden mussel by genetic induction of infertility"won the second place in the Senior category of Best Practices and Sustainability Projects. The R&D project competed with 25 others from all over Brazil, of which 9 reached the final stage.

The study, pioneered in Brazil and developed by CTG Brasil in partnership with the Bio Bureau, UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in English) and Senai (National Service for Industrial Training in English), is of great importance for the Brazilian electric sector, as it aims to eradicate the golden mussels from the rivers and reservoirs, through the creation of genetically modified mussels that produce only sterile offspring. It is estimated that the incrustation caused by golden mussel, an invasive species with no natural predators in the country, affects about 40% of Brazil's hydroelectric generation projects.

"The costs for the maintenance processes associated with golden mussel infestations vary from R$220 thousand to R$1.4 million per year for each affected HPP. It can also cause negative impacts on native biodiversity, losses to fishing, problems for the sector, "said Aljan Machado, director of Health, Safety, Quality, Environment and Land Management of CTG Brasil.