Prysmian aims to reduce its environmental footprint through the reduction of energy consumption, the efficient use of natural resources, the optimization of logistics flows and the responsible management of waste. In 2019, 19 new energy diagnoses were carried out in European and non-European plants, to obtain a more complete, reliable and updated data base on energy consumption and its distribution. This will enable the Group to extend energy efficiency programmes to an ever-larger number of plants. In 2019, the company invested about EUR 17 million in health, safety and environmental activities, including energy efficiency, water and waste projects.
The Group reports the environmental impacts that are the most significant in terms of responsibility towards employees, local communities and as a competitiveness and value factor for the Group. These are consumption of energy and water; disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste; and greenhouse gas emissions linked to sources of energy.
Water is important in our manufacturing process since large volumes needed for cooling in the various production cycles. In 2019, we continued our efforts aimed at reducing water consumption in several countries around the globe: in La Pointe, Canada, we reduced water usage by perfecting an automatic dosage system that reduces the frequency of discharging and refilling; in Tetla, Mexico, water consumption was reduced by daily monitoring.
Waste reduction is an important step towards a more sustainable factory; decreasing the generation of waste lowers cost of disposal and reduces waste storage areas. Our efforts at plants to cut all kind of waste continued in 2019. Here are a few highlights: In Montereau, the plant reduced waste from the extruder; in Tetla, Mexico, energy consumption was reduced by the optimisation of machine start-ups and the hours of maximum usage; in Paragould: a new evaporator drastically reduced emulsion waste; at Claremont Cable, packaging waste was reduced via the improved use and reuse of pallets and cardboard packaging materials; Wrexham in the UK also improved reuse of pallets. In Lexington, USA, acetone reuse has been improved, reducing the volume sent for disposal; in Aberdare, upgrades to the machines in the compounds room reduced losses and therefore scrap; in Livorno, consumption of SF6 gas has been reduced following periodic maintenance work on the recycling plant.
Whenever waste in unavoidable, finding the best recycling solution helps to stay cost competitive and efficient. For common materials, waste markets are developed and waste can be sold resulting in a small profit being generated. Prysmian has set a target of recycling 64-66% of its waste in 2022. In 2019, it recycled 63% of waste, while 22% is disposed of in landfills. Among others, we aim at recycling the plastic scraps resulting from our manufacturing process rather than sending them for incineration.
Greenhouse gases (GHG) are a factor in global warming, and Prysmian has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from both its production processes and its energy use. We quantify our greenhouse gas emissions as a first step to reducing them. For four years in a row, Prysmian Group obtained a B score (on a scale of 8 values from A to D) in the CDP Climate Change Report, as part of its Climate Change program. Moreover, we acquired Guaranteed Origin Certificates for electrical energy with the aim of reducing our indirect GHG emissions. Based on an on-going project conducted by the R&D team, in collaboration with HSE, Prysmian will soon be able to calculate the carbon footprint resulting from the entire production process of each family of products.
