Enviromental Policy
Colorificio San Marco SpA has always made environmental protection and regard for its staff’s workplaces a priority. Environmental protection is more than an image factor for Colorificio San Marco, it is a fundamental part of its philosophy, corporate commitment and industrial responsibility. For this reason Colorificio San Marco constantly seeks to improve the quality of its products and their production cycles in order to reduce the overall impact on the environment. Colorificio San Marco was one of the first to propose water-based solutions for finishes and impregnating agents, back in 1982 with the Unimarc line. Since then its research has continued with a view to removing raw materials that are hazardous to man and the environment from its formulations. In fact, lead, chromium, cadmium and mercury based pigments and compounds have not been used in formulation for many years now, nor have compounds classed as carcinogens or mutagens or those that are toxic for reproduction. In 2005 the Supernatural line was created: zero VOC products which are solvent-free and hypoallergenic, dedicated to those clients who are more aware of nature. In 2009 the Greenspirit line was established: a selection of natural, high-technology products with low environmental impact, for green building.
Products
The VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) value of San Marco products has been shown to be extensively lower than the limits provided for in the EU regulations.
The annual volume of volatile organic compounds included in paints put onto the market, for
Buying
The buying department is very aware and mindful, when seeking suppliers, to select those who put forward solutions that are as environmentally friendly as possible, both as raw materials and regarding the environmental impact of production and distribution. For this reason nearby suppliers and those carrying out research and innovation in the environmental field are preferred.
Production
Cutting edge technologies for the production and packaging of products allow most inbound raw materials to be handled by means of silos, meaning that the following benefits are obtained for people and the environment:
- reduction of direct air emissions: raw materials in powder form are managed in silos. In this way, during loading/unloading of these raw materials, volatile dust generated is conveyed using industrial filters and disposed of from there in accordance with the regulations. In addition, in this way dust is removed which may be breathed in by production personnel as the production system is closed;
- reduction in the number of lorries that need to make deliveries: reduction in the environmental impact of transport;
- reduction in the packages (paper bags) which would otherwise need to be used to pack the products. According to internal calculations, in 2009 this allowed Colorificio San Marco to save cutting down approximately 1500 trees.
Order management
Automation of the order cycle, as well as improving service to final clients by reducing the time needed to process orders, has allowed a reduction in the number of paper documents created by the company. In fact, the orders that clients place with Colorificio San Marco are collected by its agents using hand-held devices or are entered directly via the Internet by the clients themselves. These orders are then processed internally and rerouted to the nearest production plants to the final client.
Logistics
Colorificio San Marco has adapted a policy of reallocation of production orders and distribution to the nearest production plant to the final client. In this way, distance in miles between the production site and the final client is significantly reduced, cutting fuel consumption and emissions generated during the finished product shipment stage.
Waste
Process-based production management allows waste generated during the production phase to be cut to a minimum: in fact small parts of incorrect products are reutilised for other production.
For years now, Colorificio San Marco has been using a waste recycling system, not only in its plants as per the Italian regulations but also in its offices and shared areas.
Energy
Colorificio San Marco’s commitment to correct, reasoned use of energy is one of the company’s strengths. In 2007 photovoltaic panels were installed for the internal generation of electricity. In addition, sophisticated production control software allows the company to keep its electricity consumption monitored during the entire production process.
These are just some examples of concrete actions that Colorificio San Marco has been progressing over the years, following directions pertaining to safeguarding the environment and people given by the owner and the management. An increasingly constant focus on the environment and the company’s desire to be clear about these very delicate themes with its clients, have led Colorificio San Marco to make a market commitment regarding environmental product certification. This will lead it to state to the market the value of CO2 equivalent emitted during the entire product lifecycle, thus giving a quantitative value for the company’s environmental impact. Once this has been calculated, the Colorificio has set itself the objective of reducing every year the percentages of CO2 equivalent emitted during the entire product lifecycle, by working on suppliers of raw materials, formulations, production processes and distribution logistics.
