2012 Sustainability Report
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| prysmian group | 2012 Sustainability Report
CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF SIGNIFICANT
MATTERS
The Prysmian Group evaluates and checks the
environmental aspects of its products and processes, in
order to minimise their environmental impact and optimise
the consumption of raw materials and energy.
It is recognised that optimal environmental management
both reduces costs and creates valued added for all
stakeholders within and outside of the Group.
In this light, the HSE function has selected a number of
significant matters from among those common to all
operating units. Not limited to environmental issues, these
topics also include responsibilities towards employees
and the local communities as a competitive factor that
contributes value to the Group.
These aspects are considered representative and
significant in relation to the activities of the Prysmian
Group. This Report presents indicators showing their
importance:
• energy consumption, obtained as the sum of all energy
sources used by Prysmian to manage its production
activities and services;
• water consumption, which is significant due to the
large volumes needed for cooling in Prysmian's various
production cycles;
• hazardous and non-hazardous waste, with a potential
impact on various environmental factors and very
important in the assessment of process efficiency;
• ozone-depleting substances which, although small
in amount, are present in almost every Prysmian
production unit and are carefully controlled to prevent
leakages and reduce their potential atmospheric
impact;
• emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily linked to the
use of sources of energy and, to a very limited extent,
to the use of greenhouse gases at certain stages of
production;
• efficiency in the use of raw materials, given the
intensive use of valuable metals, such as copper and
aluminium, as an essential part of most production
processes within the Group, as well as the amount of
scrap generated.
Based on assessments and Prysmian's past experience,
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ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
