Sustainability Channel

Pirelli exports to Australia its technology for reducing CO2 emissions

Milan, 22 June 2010 – Pirelli Ambiente, the company in the Pirelli Group operating in the field of renewable energy, signed a licensing agreement with Bosco International, which promotes systems and industrial processes for a sustainable environment, which will allow the Australian company to use the Pirelli patent for production of high quality solid recovered fuel (HQ-SRF) derived from municipal solid waste (MSW).

The Pirelli technology will initially be used in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Australia, as part of the program ‘Towards Zero Waste Policy’ introduced by the local government for containment of waste, with the aim of converting the 600,000 tons of MSW produced annually by the city of Melbourne into fuel. In particular, the exchange of technology will stimulate an investment by Bosco International to develop an HQ-SRF plant in Australia, once authorizations are obtained from local authorities.

The Pirelli HQ-SRF is obtained by adding other components with a high calorific power ( plastic from D.C. and rubber) to dry solid urban waste. It can be used to partially replace fossil fuels in already existing, non-dedicated, plants, such as cement works and thermal power plants and it yields significant environmental benefits for the population, both in terms of lower emissions in particular of CO2, NOX and SO2 from fossil fuels, and in economic terms (lower waste disposal costs).

The integrated system promoted by Pirelli Ambiente has been successfully used since late 2002 in the Cuneo Provincial Authority Area, with the Idea Granda project, a public-private partnership owned 49% by Pirelli, and 51% by local utility ACSR, with cement works Buzzi-Unicem of Robilante, which uses HQ-SRF in its main burner substituting more than 40% of coal-petkoke needed. From its beginning, this system has meant energy recovered from waste in the area rose more than 32%, a level greater than the Italian average (7%) and greater than the European average (27%). In addition, according to a study by the University of Milan in Bicocca using the Life Cycle Assessment Method, use of Pirelli HQ-SRF is, respectively, 90 and 72 times more advantageous for the environment than landfills and incinerators.

Pirelli Ambiente
Pirelli Ambiente is the Pirelli Group company focused on renewable energy. In the field of renewable energy sources and, in particular, of energy recovery from MSW (Municipal Solid Waste), Pirelli Ambiente has developed and patented a High-Quality Solid Recovered Fuel (HQ-SRF). In the photovoltaic energy sector, Pirelli Ambiente created Solar Utility SpA, which invests in roof based solar energy systems for production in Italy.

Bosco International
Bosco International Pty Ltd, established in 2006, facilitates services, systems and processes for industry sectors seeking to create a sustainable environment, including saving energy or protecting resources. Bosco works with Australian and international companies, to offer sustainable environmental solutions. It seeks to achieve approvals and introduce new processes and systems for positive environmental results in: Waste management, Recycling, Power Generation, Manufacturing, Soil Remediation, Water treatment, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Infrastructure, and Mining.

The Safe&Go summer safety campaign begins

In collaboration with ‘Autostrade per l’Italia’ and Telepass, Pirelli presented in Rome yesterday (16 June) the summer campaign for road safety called “Safe&Go”, under the patronage of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Altero Matteoli.

At the launch of the initiative were the Minister, the chairman of the Pirelli Group, Marco Tronchetti Provera, together with Giovanni Castellucci and Fabio Cerchiai, managing director and president respectively of ‘Autostrade per l’Italia’.

The prevention campaign is aimed at all motorists and has as its objective making the Italians’ holidays safer. It will begin during the weekend 19-20 June and will conclude on that of 28-29 August. During all of these weekends, motorists can meet with Pirelli technicians in one of the 10 mobile workshops set up in motorway service areas that the Società Autostrade makes available and receive a tyre check free of cost.

The check will conclude with the issue of a certificate of control, which will give the state of ‘health’ of the tyres and include the provision of informative material on tyres’ correct maintenance. In addition, each motorist will receive a tread depth gauge, an instrument with which to check the depth of a tyre’s remaining tread, which the law says may not be less than 1.6 mm.

The initiative is accompanied by an incentive campaign totally financed by Pirelli, which comprises a contribution of up to €170 for those who decide to replace their tyres which are worn or do not comply with the law with new Pirelli products by 14 August 2010.

The safety incentive, which continues until 31 May 2011, includes a €100 reduction on a subsequent purchase of a set of new tyres and a bonus of up to €70 in motorway toll charges for those who possess a Telepass Premium.

The Safe&Go campaign will involve about 1,400 tyre dealers in Pirelli workshops, who will play a central part in informing motorists of the fundamental role of tyres and the importance of correct maintenance and prevention.

Sustainable finance and value creation: Pirelli at the forefront at the Borsa Italiana/London Stock Exchange Seminar

“Business sustainability and responsible investments to create long term value” is the title of a seminar organised by the Academy-London Exchange Group, sponsored by Pirelli and in which Pirelli took part as Speaker. Group chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera illustrated the results obtained so far in terms of sustainability and the objectives set in the 2009-2011 plan to the audience of financial analysts, investors and rating society experts gathered in the headquarters of Borsa Italiana, the Italian stock exchange.

In particular, after the growth of the green revenue component from 20 to 25% of turnover achieved in 2008 and 2009, the target for the current year is 33%, aimed at achieving the objective of 40% in 2011. Achievements that were also due to new green performance products such as the Cinturato P7 and the Scorpion Verde. He reminded his audience that, for Pirelli, sustainability is not just respecting the environment, but a new management model that is an integral part of the growth strategy for the Group: this is the best way of managing the economic, social and environmental impacts related to processes, products and services inspired by the principles of the United Nations’ Global Compact, respecting shared policy values, according to the most advanced management systems.

Speakers at the event, opened by Angelo Tantazzi, Chairman of Borsa Italiana and by Paul Druckman, Chairman of Access Technology Group – The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project, were also Giuseppe Van Der Helm, Chairman of Eurosif, and Gian Francesco Imperiali, Chairman of ABB.

Video with Marco Tronchetti Provera’s speech