Florim Group Moves Toward Innovation and Sustainability
Targeted investments worth more than 40 million Euros and routine production process management practices have enabled the Florim Group to achieve major new milestones in the conservation of the environment and resources.
“Nowadays the world industrial system is causing dramatic repercussions on the ecosystem in terms of both emissions and use of raw materials, issues which mean that serious consideration of the future role of manufacturing firms is called for. In this context, I am delighted to see how Florim is actively helping to reduce its footprint,” said Chairman Claudio Lucchese. He continues: “For a high energy-consuming industry like ceramics, energy saving to prevent waste is very important. Today, the market is demanding that we modify our strategies and products to become a "sustainable industry", encouraging the introduction of new technologies to create value by optimising the necessary resources available: raw materials, energy and water. We have built our strategy around two drivers as important as they are inseparable: innovation and sustainability. In all our interest, I hope that this principle proves contagious."
Florim corporate policy with regard to environmental and energy management is not content with compliance with the relevant legal framework; instead, it sets itself targets of continual improvement in product, process and supply chain monitoring.
Water, Waste, Energy
Florim is now able to recycle 100% of the water used in the production cycle, 100% of greenware waste, which is reused in the process and, as of a few weeks ago, to generate - in optimal conditions - up to 100% of the electricity necessary for the operation of its Italian factories. In fact, the company recently put 26 thousand m2 of photovoltaic panels into service, alongside the two cogeneration plants and another 19 thousand m2 of panels already in operation.
Supply Chain
Raw material suppliers are monitored via a software program which acquires key information such as quarry location, distance from the plant, recycled content declaration and technical safety datasheets. Florim products are therefore manufactured with carefully selected, controlled "ingredients", blended and transformed into a material which is sustainable in its own right.
Certifications
Florim was the world's first ceramic covering manufacturer to achieve EN ISO 50001 certification for its effective energy management policy. This was later joined by UNI EN ISO 14001 environmental management certification, and ISO 9001 certification of the quality management system. Florim has also joined the EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) scheme, an international form of certification which measures the environmental footprint of various products throughout their life cycles.
Last but not least, the new Industry 4.0 factory at Fiorano Modenese is one of Italy's very few industrial buildings certified in class A++++. A rating confirmed by technical experts from the Emilia-Romagna Regional Authority.
The 2018 data and information are provided in detail in the Sustainability Report, which the company has been publishing for 11 years, available at www.florim.com
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