2019 Environment and Safety Report published together with Financial Statements
Water consumption halved in 6 years; CO2 emissions fall by a fifth; pulp sourced exclusively from certified forests; Fedrigoni produces sustainable special papers
CEO Marco Nespolo states, “We have been committed to social responsibility, in all situations and with all people for many years.” The last few days have seen the launch of the new range of Symbol Card ECO recycled papers made with 50% or 100% recycled fibre, as well as the “Recycled Tool” guide, aimed at raising awareness of circular economy themes in the business community. And in one year the rate of serious accidental injury at work has fallen by 42%
Verona, 22 June 2020 – The self-adhesive labels sector has seen a 46% reduction in water consumption over the last six years, on a like-for-like basis; the paper and securities sector has seen a 15% reduction of waste water, and a reduction of 13% in the use of thermal energy (-9% of electric energy) thanks to significant investments in the installation of natural gas-powered turbine cogeneration plants in major factories. Since 2014 all pulp has been FSC certified®, from forests that are protected by international treaties guaranteeing their sustainability in environmental, social and economic terms.
These numbers demonstrate that Fedrigoni, the leading Italian company in Europe for the production of paper for packaging, self-adhesive labels, printing and banknotes and securities, has maintained its commitment to making production processes more efficient, reducing consumption and improving its environmental impact in a sustainable way. These results are excellent in themselves, but even more so when looked at in the context of the continuous improvement plan that was launched 25 years ago to ensure quality, environmental sustainability, security and health. Data are included in the 2019 environment and security report that was published alongside the financial statements.
Since 2014, CO2 emissions have also fallen by 20% in the production of labels and self-adhesive labels (pressure sensitive labels), where a water-based silicone coating process is applied without the use of organic solvents. The use of chemical oxygen has fallen by 23% and waste generation has fallen by 14% (with 10% in the paper and securities sector). The company has also adopted labels and voluntary certification that confirm the environmental and safety specifications of its products.
But for Fedrigoni sustainability also means focusing on its employees and clients by providing healthy working environments and safe products through continuous investments. Compared to the previous year, 2019 saw a 7.5% fall in the average duration of injuries in the workplace in different plants, and the frequency and severity of accidents fell by 37% and 42% respectively, thanks also to specific organisational, management, training and information initiatives.
“We have been committed to social responsibility, in all situations and with all people for many years,” states Marco Nespolo, CEO of Fedrigoni, “and this commitment will be further reinforced and accelerated with a major multi-annual plan for investment, and the implementation of measures aimed at achieving some very specific objectives: to reduce our impact on the environment, to develop products that are real alternatives to plastic, to raise awareness about sustainability and to promote a culture that always puts the individual at the centre.” “During the production and finishing processes of all our papers we only use the safest raw and ancillary materials,” continues the CEO, “materials that are low-impact, sustainably sourced and traceable. We also apply the best economies of scale to reduce and optimise energy and water consumption, as well as waste management, favouring suppliers who adopt the same principles. Our efforts are aimed at fostering a circular economy and sustainable growth through products that are as environmentally sound and safe as possible throughout their life cycles. We must also not forget the focus we place on art and culture, which we promote with our Fondazione Fedrigoni Fabriano activities.”
This is the direction the launch of the new range of Symbol Card ECO recycled papers is taking. There are two types of paper available, made with either 50% or 100% recycled fibre, and they are the result of a sustainable product innovation strategy. Symbol Card ECO is characterised by a double blade coating on one side for a satin finish and an uncoated side, ensuring good results even with large block printing, so that it can be adapted to different kinds of printing and processing applications. Both papers are available in different densities and in both long and short grain, making it the perfect product for covers, postcards and invitations, as well as packaging such as cases, boxes and hang tags.
One of Fedrigoni Group’s social responsibility activities is their commitment to providing training and information on recycling themes and the circular economy to the business community. This is the objective of “Recycled Tool”, a clear, concise guide to recycled papers and their function, from processes and the raw materials used to make them to their graphic performance, from their many applications to their environmental sustainability.
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