Favini Sustainability Channel: all green numbers

Favini Sustainability Channel: all green numbers

10 Jan
2018

Favini reports data related to its green commitment during the period 2009/2016.

The areas of intervention concerning the company are: the control of emissions, the management of waterresources, energy consumption and environmental projects.

WATER CONSUMPTION

-29%: reduction in water consumption (m of water consumed/tonnes of final product) thanks to the implementation of a closed-loop water system that allows for reuse of water, where possible. (2009-2016)

Water has multiple uses in a paper mill. Firstly, it allows for moving and distributing the fibres that form the structure of a sheet of paper. Secondly, water is used in subsequent operations, including coating, a process aimed at improving the surface characteristic and enhances the print quality of paper and board.

Water management in a paper mill is not only crucial for the environment. In fact, the more water that is introduced into the production system, the higher the economic investments will be required to purify it. This is why supporting its reuse remains constantly fundamental.

Favini has also implemented a closed-loop water system in the paper mill: this allows for the reintegration of purified water from the plant, where possible. This recycling process, has led to significant savings. Finally, waste water is processed in an effective, eco-friendly purification plant that allows for water recovery, which, given its high quality, interacts respectfully with the ecosystem of the water courses into which it is returned. For more information>

CO EMISSIONS

-16%: emissions reduction (tonne of CO eq/tonne of final product) during 2009-2016.

To reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions, it is vital to invest in increasingly efficient and ecologically sustainable energy generation systems. Due to investment in high-tech equipment, the self-production of hydroelectricity and especially thanks to the new Crusinallo cogeneration plant that optimises methane, Favini has limited its carbon footprint notwithstanding its consistent production growth.

The process of improving Favini's energy efficiency undergoes a continuous evaluation of more ecologically sustainable energy sources. Where possible, Favini utilises water courses near the company powering the two hydroelectric plants it owns.

Thanks to the purchase of carbon credits, Favini fully compensates the COeq emissions of certain product lines, specifically for its ecological papers Shiro and Crush. Over 16,500 hectares of land has been reforested in Uruguay thanks to Favini's support for this carbon credit scheme for COeq emissions. For more information>

ENERGY

-11%: reduction in energy consumption (GJ/tonne finished product) since the start of the monitoring and innovation project up until today (2009-2016).

Since 2009 Favini has activated a system of analysis and monitoring of its energy efficiency, and is committed to reducing its consumption through a plan of continuous investments.

In the Crusinallo factory, a high yield cogeneration plant has been active since January 2016, efficiently producing the entire quantity of thermal and electrical energy necessary for the production process.

80% is the average efficiency of fossil fuel use (methane) thanks to the cogeneration plant, compared to around 50% for regular thermal plants. The company has decided to also use self-produced electric energy through the sustainable use of a water course near the factory. Favini can rely on the self-production of renewable energy thanks to its two hydroelectric plants. For more information>

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

75: hectares of forest to be reforested by 2020 through the Voiala project.

Environmental issues in Madagascar, situated in the Indian Ocean off the south-eastern coast of Africa, are evident. The country's rainforest has been almost entirely destroyed due to several factors: intensive agriculture, the local custom of using charcoal derived from the wood of cut-down trees and cattle farming.

Although the local government has signed many international agreements for the safeguarding of the environment, the enforcement of these agreements is often very difficult. For all these reasons Favini has decided to intervene in Madagascar, in the attempt to restore part of the forest that has been lost.

Voiala is a long-term project that began in 2009, operating in the environmental, economic and social areas. On the one hand it involves the reforestation of a part of the forest that has been lost in Madagascar. Whilst on the other, education and awareness-building directed at the villagers in Sahavondronina to improve their agricultural understanding and practices. This location was specifically chosen because the hills near the village had seen heavy deforestation and because prior to the intervention promoted by Favini, the fields surrounding the village were effectively sterile.

The project aims to safeguard the 2,000 hectares of surviving intact virgin forest adjacent to the village and incentivise forms of ecotourism in the area. This year new impetus has been given to the project by the assurance of funds that are ear-marked to support local communities for the next four years, 2017-2020. For more information>

Eugenio Eger, CEO of Favini, said: 'We are proud in Favini to report the data on our environmental commitment. In fact, they show something that is significant for us, that we seem to be able to successfully combine excellence in our sector with respect for the environment. Every day we are committed to reduce the impact of our activities, with the aim of improving air and water quality. We invest our energies and resources in order to be a good reference on environmental issues and we are happy to respond to new sustainability challenges'.

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