Environment

Group companies believe in sustainable growth in the common interest of all current and future Stakeholders. Their investment and business decisions therefore focus on respect for the environment. Whilst respecting the provisions of applicable current legislation, Group companies take account of environmental issues when making decisions, including by implementing specific technologies and manufacturing methods (where this is technically feasible and economically viable) that allow a reduction in the environmental impact of their operations even beyond the minimum statutory limits. (article 7 of the Ethical Code )

In an international framework with ever-increasing social, environmental and economic expectations, the "The Group Policy for Health, Safety, Environment and Social Responsibility" policy adopted by the Pirelli Group goes even further in striking the right balance between sustainability and industrial development.

By applying these principles, the Pirelli Group is achieving significant results as far as reducing the environmental impact of its operations is concerned. It is enjoying particular success in the following fields:



New Pirelli Cinturato, the GREEN tyre
Available in tread sizes P4 and P6 and featuring ECOIMPACT symbols on the sidewall, the new Cinturato enables a 20% reduction in rolling resistance and up to 4% in energy consumption, increasing average mileage by 30%. But that's not all: Pirelli has eliminated aromatic oils from the new Cinturato's tread compounds, two years ahead of the impending EU Directive. Aromatic oils are composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in the tyre in the form of free oils and oil-extended polymers.
As a result of tread wear, they lead to the formation of dust and particulate matter and are therefore a potential health hazard. For the new Cinturato, Pirelli researchers have studied new polymers and new procedures for making the compound that have no effect on the tyre's performance and safety specifications.

GECAM, the White Diesel™
The Group's patented GECAM™ reduces the pollutant emissions typical of diesel fuel (fine particulates, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides*). Laboratory tests performed on GECAM™ at the European Commission Joint Research Centre in Ispra and Eni Tecnologie showed emission reductions of more than 50% for particulates, 5-6% for nitrogen oxides and more than 30% for carbon monoxide.

Feelpure™
This exhaust gas treatment system can be retrofitted to diesel vehicles exceeding 2.5 tons.
Recent tests, conducted by Eni Tecnologie laboratories, the European Commission Joint Research Centre in Ispra and the University of Biel according to the provisions of the VERT project, have shown reductions of over 90% in coarse particulate, 99% in finer particles, over 90% in carbon monoxide and up to 69% in unburned hydrocarbons.

CDR-Q
Pirelli & C Renewable Energy has developed and patented CDR-Q (High-Quality Refuse Derived Fuel) in partnership with Pirelli Labs. CDR-Q is obtained by adding high-calorific-value fractions to the dry fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW). It can be used as a partial replacement for fossil fuels in existing non-specialist installations such as cement kilns and thermoelectric power stations with significant environmental benefits for the population in terms of lower emissions, especially CO2, NOx and SO2 produced by fossil fuels, and financial savings (lower gate fees). CDR-Q is not composed of waste, but is a fuel obtained by separating, processing and re-arranging a minimum 50% municipal solid waste. Unlike normal quality RDF and refuse derived fuel, it provides greater stability and improved quality parameters as regards heating (or calorific) value, lower concentration of pollutants and guarantees as to the content of biodegradable biomass.
A study conducted by Milan Bicocca University using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method has concluded that the use of CDR-Q is, respectively, 90 and 72 times more beneficial for the environment than the alternative solutions of landfills and energy-recovery incinerators.
The environmental and economic sustainability of energy recovery from "non-virgin" biomass contained in municipal waste was reiterated in 2007 by the UK Environment Agency in its "Waste Strategy for England 2007 " aimed at promoting the use of refuse derived fuel through renewable incentive schemes.

End-of-life tyre management
Pirelli Group research activities have identified several different recycling opportunities for end-of-life tyres (ELTs) both as regards recovering the constituent materials of the tyres ("material recovery") and recovering the tyre itself as fuel with a high heating value ("energy recovery") representing a valid alternative to the use of fossil fuels. Pirelli Labs' strong commitment has also helped to develop a number of projects in the tyre recycling and energy recovery fields.

ISO 14001 certification
All currently-operative manufacturing sites have an Environmental Management System certified compliant to ISO 14001.

The CCM process
The CCM compound manufacturing process uses a fully-computerised pneumatic feeder system to move the ingredients from their storage silos to the continuous twin-screw extruders.
This technology features a specially-designed collection and recycling system for the solid material and its use has drastically cut manufacturing-department dust levels. The CCM process is also energy-saving, cutting consumption per unit of product by around 20%.

Environmental reclamation of brownfield sites
Pirelli & C Ambiente Site Remediation S.p.A. offers a huge range of environmental reclamation solutions for brownfield sites, combining specialist technical skills in the soil remediation sector with the more wide-ranging requirements of a global urban and land redevelopment process based on sustainability.

Green Energy with Solar Utility
Incorporated in 2007 under the terms of a 50-50 joint-venture between the environmental solutions provider Pirelli Ambiente and the leading European and North American clean energy investment fund Global Cleantech Capital, Solar Utility S.p.A. is a photovoltaic utility. It supplies 100% green electricity to end users at competitive prices.

Ecobuilding, environmentally sustainable building by Pirelli RE
In 2007 Pirelli RE launched "Ecobuilding ", the first integrated environmentally-sustainable building programme by a real estate manager aimed at environmentally-friendly building practices.
The programme regards new developments in all market sectors ranging from residential to services and will be the cornerstone of all new projects promoted by Pirelli RE. Ecobuilding sets four main objectives: energy efficiency; use of environmentally-friendly materials; use of renewable energy sources; living comfort.
The combination of solutions implemented by the programme allows the achievement of exceptional quality, environmental-friendliness and energy-saving standards ahead of impending changes to legislation. The environment enjoys notable benefits including a reduction in CO2 emissions, less electricity needed to run the building and increasing use of renewable energy sources.



Last Revised: 28 2008