Cedro Têxtil, Latin America's largest workwear fabric manufacturer, has cut natural gas consumption by more than 20 percent since installing a Brückner stenter frame just over a year ago — and the productivity gains were large enough to let the Brazilian company decommission three older stenter frames.

The company, founded in 1872 and one of Brazil's oldest industrial companies, ranks among the continent's most important textile producers. It runs an annual capacity of more than 60 million linear meters of fabric, posts revenue of roughly BRL 1.2 billion and employs more than 2,600 people. Workwear fabrics account for approximately 65 percent of output, serving manufacturing, healthcare, military and PPE applications.

How did Cedro select the supplier?

The purchase followed a multi-year evaluation. Cedro assessed leading machinery manufacturers from Europe and Asia, visited production facilities and reference customers worldwide, and compared technologies across the field.

"The selection process went far beyond simply investing in a machine," the company stated. "Productivity, maintenance costs, technical support, energy efficiency, spare parts availability, and local service in Brazil were all decisive factors for us."

Brückner won on process reliability, energy efficiency and technology. Local service capability in Brazil was an explicit criterion — a signal for suppliers competing in the market that after-sales infrastructure weighs as heavily as machine specs.

What results has the line delivered?

Beyond the 20 percent gas saving, Cedro reports significantly increased production speeds. In demanding super-stretch fabrics, the stenter's uniform temperature distribution across the dryer delivers strong dimensional stability and consistent quality — a critical parameter for workwear and PPE buyers specifying stretch content.

The decommissioning of three older frames after commissioning one new line cut operating costs and simplified production flow. Cedro frames the investment as economics first: energy savings, throughput and maintenance economics, not marketing.

How does this fit Cedro's sustainability targets?

Cedro participates in Brazil's GHG Protocol Program and has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent in recent years. The energy-efficient line supports that trajectory and, the company argues, strengthens competitiveness as customers increasingly demand sustainable manufacturing and responsible supply chains.

The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OEKO-TEX certifications and operates a fully vertically integrated process — a compliance profile relevant to brands auditing Brazilian workwear sources.

Is more equipment coming?

Possibly. The first line may be only the start. As part of its ongoing modernization program, Cedro plans to replace additional existing production lines with Brückner technology in the future — an announced intention, not yet a confirmed order.

Patrick Melo Pinheiro, industrial director of Cedro Têxtil, said: "We are a company that continuously reinvents itself and has overcome countless challenges throughout its history. Whether currency fluctuations, world wars, or the recent pandemic, we have always viewed every challenge as an opportunity to become stronger. By investing in a Brückner production line, we have taken an important step towards a more sustainable future and significantly reduced our carbon footprint. With Brückner as our partner, we can further strengthen the highest quality standards in our market and expand our leading position in a highly competitive environment."

For sourcing teams buying Latin American workwear fabrics, the upgrade signals rising quality consistency and a shrinking emissions footprint at one of the region's anchor mills — with further line replacements likely as Cedro's modernization program proceeds.