40 years old: who is the entrepreneur who convinced Sigman to invest US$20 million and seeks to revolutionize construction with a luxury material

Pablo Baldoma, a 40-year-old entrepreneur from La Plata, has convinced Leandro Sigman, son of billionaire Hugo Sigman, to invest $20 million in a groundbreaking project aimed at revolutionizing the construction industry with a luxury building material. The initiative involves the production of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), a high-strength wood panel capable of being used in constructing homes, schools, and commercial buildings. The plant will be built in Gobernador Virasoro, Corrientes, marking a significant step toward introducing CLT into the Argentine market. The investment comes after Baldoma presented his vision to Sigman, who is part of one of Argentina’s wealthiest families. The Sigman family, known for their extensive holdings including forestry operations through Pomera and biomass energy companies FRESA and San Alonso, already controls over 25,000 hectares of forests in the region. With an estimated net worth placing them among the country's top billionaires according to Forbes, the Sigmans have long been active in the agricultural and energy sectors. Their interest in the CLT project reflects a broader strategy to add value to the timber industry and maximize the utility of forest resources. Baldoma, who studied Economics at the National University of La Plata, previously founded and sold five technology startups, with his last venture based in San Francisco. After returning to Argentina, he identified opportunities in the construction and forest industries, particularly in developing high-quality, aesthetically pleasing wooden structures. His approach mirrors that of tech pioneers such as Steve Jobs, emphasizing innovation and design as key drivers of success. The CLT panels, which can measure up to three meters by twelve meters and reach thicknesses of thirty-five centimeters, offer durability comparable to traditional materials like brick or concrete. While not necessarily cheaper than conventional options, Baldoma aims to position CLT as a competitive alternative by leveraging its unique aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits. He describes the product as akin to marble, something desirable and sought after in premium markets. Despite Argentina’s vast forest cover, spanning nearly 1.3 million hectares, the country has lagged behind in adopting CLT for residential construction. This contrasts sharply with developed nations such as the United States, Australia, and Spain, where CLT is increasingly used in luxury housing projects. The lack of progress in this area highlights a gap in both policy support and market readiness. The potential for growth in the CLT sector was further underscored by the inclusion of the forest industry in the RIGI program, designed to promote sustainable development. However, the sector has yet to see substantial investments that could drive widespread adoption of CLT in construction. The new plant represents a critical opportunity to change this dynamic, offering a chance to align Argentina’s forestry resources with modern construction practices. At an event held in Posadas to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Argentine Forestry Association (AFOA), Baldoma shared the stage with leaders from major companies such as Arauco Argentina, ACON Timber, Central Puerto, and Arpulp. Arpulp, in particular, is embarking on a $2 billion project to establish a pulp mill in Ituzaingó, Corrientes, demonstrating the growing interest in large-scale industrial ventures within the region. As the CLT plant nears completion, the focus shifts to ensuring that the project meets its ambitious goals. The challenge lies not only in producing a high-quality product but also in cultivating a market that values CLT for its beauty and sustainability. With the backing of influential investors like the Sigman family, the future of CLT in Argentina appears more promising than ever.