Cryptomeria Wood, Basalt, Essential Oils, Hydrolates and Basalt Powder

In 2014, the Marques Group decided to expand its presence to other regions, having for that purpose created an autonomous structure suited for the carrying out of international businesses. This initiative was founded on the intent to promote the utilisation and export of the derived products of the endogenous resources of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, using to that effect the industrial capacity, the logistical means and the management skills that the Group possesses.

Early on, this sector, started to prove to be a winning bet for the Group, as it is notorious for the progression of the sales volume which grew, sustainably, from 0.5 million euros in 2015 to a value close to 1.4 million in 2018 and having already reached, in 2020, the value of approximately 2.2 million euros. Given the annual growth, always in excess of double digits, it is an area where the Marques Group intends to continue investing, capitalising the local product´s transformation into a value-added for exportation.

MAIN PRODUCTS

Timber: a considerable quantity of the exports corresponds for now to processed wood in the form of boards and beams of the dominant species in the regional forest (Cryptomeria Japonica), having the North American and European continents as main markets.

Stone: aggregates of basalt, basalt slabs, black and red lapilli, pyroclasts, among others.

The new MI&A company intends to establish itself as a reference unit in the areas of Innovation, Research and Development of the RAA, giving priority to Endogenous Products and promoting the Circular Economy and Bioeconomy, aiming at complementing external commercialization. Among several products, we can highlight the following:

Essential Oils: These oils from the Essentia Azorica brand are liquid natural substances, 100% pure extracted by steam distillation, from flowers, leaves, roots and other parts of plants of Azorean origin. They have therapeutic action when inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Can be used in aromatherapy. With a carrier oil, they can also be used in massages and various SPA treatments.

Hydrolates: distillates of herbs, flowers and other plants of Azorean origin, also known as floral waters, hydrolates, herbal waters and essential waters, are aqueous products resulting from hydrodistillation. With hydrolates, we can enjoy the properties of essential oils more economically. Because they are mild, extremely diluted, they can be used on babies, children, the elderly, pregnant women because they act smoothly and effectively.

Basalt Powder: results from an ultra-fine grinding process of aggregates (small volcanic stones) of the company Marques Britas, SA from the island of São Miguel (Azores), recognized by Olivina Basalt. It is, therefore, transformed by an industrial crusher that reduces the stones to particles until, finally, a very fine, soft and uniform powder is obtained. It is an ideal product for cosmetic purposes, massages, exfoliations, etc.

You can read +, on our social EA networks

Urbe Oceanus, is a company within the Marques Group integrated into MExports, operates in the timber sector, focusing on forestry, processing, and export of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), also known as Sugi or Japanese cedar. Founded in 1979, the Marques Group is currently the largest civil construction group in the Azores, with over 610 employees, and also holds a leading position in timber exports, being the largest exporter of Japanese cedar in the region. Urbe Oceanus integrates this capacity, ensuring a production of over 12,000 m³/year of dry timber. With an operation based on an integrated value chain, the company manages all phases of the process, including cleaning, planting and forest management, felling and cutting of timber, transport, sawing, drying, and marketing to national and international markets. This approach ensures operational efficiency, traceability, and quality control throughout the entire production cycle. Cryptomeria wood is characterized by being lightweight, easy to work with, and performing excellently in interior and exterior applications. All production is 100% FSC certified and subjected to heat treatment to meet the phytosanitary requirements for export. The company also ensures the drying of the wood according to the moisture content specified by the client. Urbe Oceanus offers wood in different formats and levels of processing, including raw wood (RS), planed on all four sides (S4S), tongue-and-groove systems (T&G), rounded edges (EE), and “clear” selection (knot-free). It also produces lattice panels, glued and planed boards, posts, finger-jointed solutions up to 5000 mm, and angled pieces, adapted to various technical and construction applications. Wood solutions are widely used in wall and ceiling coverings, saunas, fences, pergolas, laminated walls, and structural systems such as CLT (cross-laminated timber), meeting the demands of architectural and engineering projects in different markets. With a strong focus on exports and supplying international supply chains, Urbe Oceanus positions itself as a leading industrial partner in the sustainable valorization of forest resources, offering certified wood solutions tailored to the specific needs of each client.