NDD: Sustainability, Innovation & Expansion into Europe & Brazil

NDD, a global leader in management and sustainability solutions, is expanding its operations with a new strategic hub in Madrid designed to support its growing presence in Europe and Brazil. The company, which has established a dominant position in Spain and Portugal, is increasingly focused on leveraging technology to address environmental concerns and drive sustainable business practices.

According to Richard Schulze, CEO EMEA and APJ of NDD, the company’s success stems from a commitment to integrating sustainability into its core business model. “Very soon we understood that our growth could not be detached from the environmental impact of the sector in which we operate,” Schulze stated. “We didn’t want sustainability to be a simple advertising addition, but a central component of our business model.”

A key component of NDD’s sustainability strategy is a large-scale reforestation project. The company directly manages pine plantations, having planted 1.7 million trees over the past decade, offsetting more than one million tons of CO2. This direct involvement, Schulze explained, is crucial for maintaining quality control and avoiding “greenwashing.” NDD’s projects are regulated by Brazilian law, backed by the Brazilian National Forest Office (ONFB), and audited to ensure verifiable carbon offsetting.

The importance of certification in sustainability initiatives is paramount for NDD. “For us, sustainability is an investment in real assets that support our global activity and prestige,” Schulze said. The company provides its distributors and clients with fully valid carbon compensation certificates, backed by rigorous auditing and compliance with international regulatory frameworks. This allows companies to confidently integrate these figures into their annual sustainability reports.

NDD’s commitment to responsible forestry is further demonstrated through its Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. The FSC standard ensures best practices in forest management, differentiating NDD’s plantations from those lacking careful oversight. The certification covers the entire lifecycle of the trees, from planting and pest control to strategic pruning, which enhances carbon capture rates. According to NDD, a well-managed 15-year-old tree in Brazil can sequester as much carbon as a 30-year-old tree in Europe due to climate and technical management practices. The company also utilizes grazing livestock to maintain the land, minimizing fire risk and fostering a healthy ecosystem.

Traceability is another cornerstone of NDD’s approach. The company supports companies seeking to build a legitimate sustainable story, focusing on data-driven results rather than mere intentions. This traceability allows clients to demonstrate complete control over the reforestation process, from seed to maturity, and to present their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) actions to auditors and financial markets with confidence.

NDD’s technology solutions, particularly its NDD Orbix platform, are designed to enhance operational efficiency and security for demanding sectors like banking and healthcare. Schulze highlighted three key pillars: total security through device authentication to prevent data leaks, high availability (24/7) without complex local infrastructure, and data analytics capabilities to optimize operational spending. “We don’t just install software; we transform a traditional administrative process into a strategic, secure, and highly efficient data source,” he stated.

NDD Orbix is a SaaS cloud solution that centralizes the monitoring and management of printing devices and IT equipment for managed service providers. It remotely collects data on counters, consumables, and events, improving operational efficiency. The platform proactively monitors asset health, collects logs without direct access to client networks (enhancing cybersecurity), and integrates with various hardware brands and ERP systems. It’s designed for scalability, supporting businesses from small offices with 10 terminals to global corporations with tens of thousands of devices.

A significant benefit of NDD Orbix is its impact on billing accuracy. The platform ensures continuous online connectivity of devices, preventing data loss and enabling accurate billing. It also proactively monitors hardware to prevent technical failures, minimizing disruptions to productivity. NDD provides direct manufacturer support in Spanish, eliminating language barriers often encountered with third-party managed solutions.

The new training center in Madrid is strategically positioned to support NDD’s expansion across Europe and beyond. “Madrid has become our strategic hub par excellence,” Schulze explained. “Although our headquarters are in Santa Catarina, the ease of connection that Madrid offers with the rest of Europe and Latin America is unsurpassed for business.” The center will provide logistical and technical support for operations in France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands, and serve as a launchpad for expansion into Asia and Africa.

While optimistic about the potential of the Spanish market, Schulze acknowledged challenges related to bureaucracy. “The bureaucracy in Spain is, at times, a brake on the dynamism that a technological and sustainable company needs,” he said. “While in our operations we seek maximum efficiency, we often encounter slow administrative processes that hinder the business agility needed to compete globally.” He emphasized the need for administrative simplification to unlock Spain’s potential as a technology hub.

NDD also faces challenges in navigating the regulatory landscape for reforestation projects in Spain, citing difficulties in accessing accurate information and identifying the appropriate channels for obtaining permits. Schulze described a complex administrative structure with multiple stakeholders and a lack of clarity regarding the permitting process.

Looking ahead, NDD plans to export its integrated approach – combining technology and sustainability – to new markets in Asia and Africa. “Our vision is to export not only our technology, but also our model of integral responsibility,” Schulze concluded. “We want NDD to be remembered not only for its technical leadership in the printing and data market, but for having demonstrated that it is possible to be a global power respectful of the planet, transforming environmental liabilities into future assets.”