How T&D Sustentável started: from Macaé, in 2018, to 47 cities
T&D Sustentável started on 21 March 2018, in Macaé, when two neighbours from the oil and gas industry set out to solve the water consumption of their own residential complex. See the first contracts, the first big result, the first units across Brazil and the accelerator programmes that changed the company.
By T&D Sustentável 5 min read
In this article · 7
T&D Sustentável officially started on 21 March 2018, in Macaé (Rio de Janeiro state), from the idea of two neighbours and friends from the oil and gas industry, Camillo Torquato and Pedro Vitali, who set out to solve the water consumption of their own residential complex. The method that worked there became a company: the first contracts came in the first month, and today T&D operates in 47 cities across 9 states.
In short:
- Founding: 21 March 2018, in Macaé (Rio de Janeiro state), by Camillo Torquato and Pedro Vitali.
- First contracts: in Campos dos Goytacazes (Rio de Janeiro state) and Vila Velha (EspĂrito Santo state), still in the first month.
- First big result: the APAMIM Hospital, in MossorĂł (Rio Grande do Norte state), saved about 9 million litres of water in 12 months.
- First units: Aracaju, Fortaleza and Cabo Frio in 2018; Zona da Mata, Salvador, Natal and two units in Rio de Janeiro in early 2019.
- Accelerator programmes: Startup Macaé (2019) and TEC Campos (2020), with Sebrae.
How did T&D Sustentável start?
With a residential complex in Macaé. Two neighbours from the oil and gas industry set out to solve the water consumption of the building where they lived, and the result showed that the method could serve other clients. On 21 March 2018, T&D Sustentável was officially born, with the purpose of transforming lives by reducing water waste.
Founding partner Camillo Torquato was raised in the semi-arid Northeast of Brazil, and for him water scarcity is a personal matter. That origin still guides the company’s work today.
Who were the first clients?
The first contracts came in the very first month: one in Campos dos Goytacazes (Rio de Janeiro state) and another in Vila Velha (EspĂrito Santo state), cities far from MacaĂ©. The results exceeded expectations and showed the founders that it was possible to serve clients regardless of distance.
One of the first big results came from the APAMIM Hospital, in Mossoró (Rio Grande do Norte state), the hometown of one of the founders, in the semi-arid region: the hospital saved about 9 million litres of water in 12 months. Years later, T&D would take the same work to 40 Rede D’Or hospitals, as shown in the Rede D’Or case.
How did T&D reach other cities?
Through franchised units, which took the same service standard to other regions. As the results spread, other people became interested in T&D not only as clients but as representatives of the brand:
| Period | New units |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Aracaju (Sergipe), Fortaleza (Ceará) and Cabo Frio (Rio de Janeiro) |
| Early 2019 | Zona da Mata (Minas Gerais/Rio de Janeiro), Salvador (Bahia), Natal (Rio Grande do Norte), Rio de Janeiro Zone 01 and Rio de Janeiro Zone 02 |
With the units, the challenges grew. It was no longer just two friends pursuing a dream: T&D had become a bigger family, with the uncertainties and difficulties every growing company faces.
What changed with the accelerator programmes?
Almost everything. Being accepted into its first startup acceleration programme, Startup Macaé, was a turning point: there T&D had its first contact with Sebrae, which has accompanied the company ever since. Uncertainties began to be guided by mentors, and doubts were shared with other entrepreneurs. Then came TEC Campos, an acceleration programme in Campos dos Goytacazes.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2018 | T&D is founded in Macaé (Rio de Janeiro state) |
| 2019 | Featured Startup at InovAtiva Brasil and StartupON; finalist at INNXBR in Environmental Impact; acceleration at Startup Macaé (Sebrae) |
| 2020 | Acceleration at TEC Campos (Sebrae); finalist in the Desafio Empreendedor (CRIOS-UFRJ, Sebrae and Macaé City Council) |
The awards of 2021 and 2022, when T&D joined BNDES Garagem and reached NÂş1 in Water and Sanitation in the 100 Open Startups Ranking, are in awards and recognition, 2021 and 2022.
Where is T&D today?
In 47 cities across 9 states, serving hospitals, retail chains, industry, educational institutions, hotels, shopping centres and residential complexes. According to the company’s indicator panel, more than 1.71 billion litres of water have been saved, and T&D was named Nº1 Startup in Water and Sanitation in the 100 Open Startups Ranking in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The figures are in T&D’s impact in numbers, and the team behind them in the strength of T&D is in its people.
The method born in a Macaé residential complex became SEA 360º: implementation without building works, with a baseline under the IPMVP protocol, efficiency technology at points of use, electronic leak detection and repairs, followed by ongoing management, with monthly efficiency and ESG impact reports.
Frequently asked questions
When was T&D Sustentável founded?
On 21 March 2018, in Macaé, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Who founded T&D Sustentável?
Camillo Torquato and Pedro Vitali, two neighbours and friends from the oil and gas industry who set out to solve the water consumption of their own residential complex.
Where were T&D’s first contracts?
In Campos dos Goytacazes (Rio de Janeiro state) and Vila Velha (EspĂrito Santo state), still in the company’s first month.
In how many cities does T&D operate today?
In 47 cities across 9 states, according to T&D.
Sources
- T&D Sustentável, “About us” page: origin in the residential complex, founding partner, year-by-year track record and presence in 47 cities across 9 states
- T&D Sustentável, “O inĂcio da histĂłria da T&D Sustentável”, published in May 2024, in Portuguese: founding date, founders, first contracts, APAMIM Hospital and first units
- T&D Sustentável, indicator panel on the home page: water saved, in October 2026
- T&D SEA 360Âş
