Insight

Whilst the attention to climate change and the environment are at the center of the international debate regarding sustainability, Growermetal keeps shaping a process based on energy optimisation, resource recovery and the cutting of emissions.

Sustainability is a key principle for the Italian washer manufacturer, a value that guides Growermetal towards a more conscious, responsible and environment-centric development strategy. “By shaping our production model, several factors are at work, such as the need to meet the demands of European market standards; to align with the 2015 EU Green Deal for carbon neutrality; as well as create a more sustainable enterprise with a reduced footprint,” explains Paolo Cattaneo, CEO at Growermetal SpA. “Having a green vision can also lead to social and economic benefits, such as creating a better working environment for employees; making the company attractive for stakeholders; and bringing resource saving benefits.”

Growermetal has set itself four main objectives – the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the purpose of becoming carbon neutral; the reduction of the company’s footprint through structured actions aimed at enhancing the business environmental profile; the improvement of energy efficiency by using renewable sources and properly disposing of waste materials; as well as the promotion of the circular economy based on the use of clean energy sources and waste reduction.

These targets are at the heart of the Greenmetal Project, an internal system aimed at aligning Growermetal’s conduct with the entire supply chain. “Our suppliers, materials, processes, and resources, are the pillars for environmental protection,” states Raffaele Motta, HSE at Growermetal. “We select our partners so as to reduce any negative impact and ensure compliance with the most demanding environmental regulations. This is why we invest in low impact materials for the production of our washers and parts, and at the same time we strive to minimise pollution and improve our environmental performance.”

The project goes hand in hand with Growermetal’s commitment to spreading a corporate culture and promoting sustainable practices, with initiatives designed to directly involve the staff. These activities range from awareness raising meetings to the promotion of good daily habits, such as the installation of drinking water distributors, as well as specific training of the employees according to the department.

Among the most recent projects, Growermetal celebrated Safety Day on 28^th April and took the occasion to present its current and future sustainability goals to the entire team, sharing its main achievements. “Our safety management, together with the correct environmental policy and the alignment to our code of ethics, constitutes Growermetal’s Corporate Social Responsibility,” points out Raffaele. “With the Greenmetal Project, we have been able to verify how the direct commitment of the personnel, combined with investments in terms of structure, tools, and process, is fundamental to the creation of a greener culture. Events like the Safety Day enable us to talk with the staff and collect useful data.”

Over recent decades, many changes in the overall strategy have been introduced. While most have focused on reducing industrial waste, plastics, chemicals and pollutant emissions, others have been based on the recovery of materials and resources. This is the case of the system for automatic machines ‘switch off’ in case of inactivity; the reuse of oil and water from production processes; and the recovery of heat from thermal treatment processes to warm Growermetal’s departments. 

In addition, the industrial rainwater harvesting system was implemented in May with the installation of two underground storage tanks, saving more than 2,000 cubic meters of tap water per year. “Thanks to the new system we will be able to exploit an alternative source of water, using natural resources more efficiently.” 

As proof of the company’s commitment, the internal performance is periodically measured and monitored by specific KPIs in order to assess the company’s success. An attention that has led to the obtainment of the ISO 14001 certification for Growermetal’s Environmental Management System, which underlines the effort in creating an effective environmental policy. 

“We are now working with our board of directors to achieve the carbon footprint certification and the ISO 50001 certification, which would offer important new tools for monitoring the sustainable conduct,” reports Raffaele.

Defining attainable objectives, turning them into concrete actions, monitoring their progress, and evaluating their results, are the main steps that characterise the present and future approach to sustainable development. “As a company, we want to create a balance between our economic, social and environmental spheres, becoming an increasingly virtuous business model and creating mutual welfare for partners, employees and suppliers,” adds Raffaele. 

Growermetal’s customers play a key role too. “We have activated projects with two important customers with the objective of aligning Growermetal’s sustainable conduct to their realities. In this way, we had the opportunity to define and share medium-term and long-term sustainability goals together with our partners. Mutual collaboration is a great opportunity to achieve them and build trusting relationships in the fastener field. We look forward to seeing the results of this teamwork,” finishes Raffaele.