Sofidel has reduced its CO2 emissions by 186,000 tonnes, a target that was set when the tissue giant became part of the WWF’s international Climate Savers programme.

The company has invested over 25 million euros in renewable sources (photovoltaic and hydro-electric), cogeneration (combined production of electricity and steam) and improvement works to increase energy efficiency (e.g., LED lighting), since the goal was set in 2008.

Sofidel is the only Italian company and the first worldwide in the tissue sector (paper for hygienic and domestic use) to sign up to the WWF’s programme, which encourages companies to play a leading role in fighting climate change by pledging to reduce their greenhouse gases on a voluntary basis.

Luigi Lazzareschi, chief executive of the Sofidel Group, said: “Meeting WWF’s Climate Savers objective whilst at the same time significantly strengthening the company’s position is proof that economic and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand.

“Reducing its CO2 emissions is just one of Sofidel’s efforts to curb its environmental impact and to underpin a more general commitment: do more with less.

“Results obtained so far make us more determined to consider sustainability as a central lever for innovation and competitive consolidation.”

In collaboration with WWF, Sofidel aims to consolidate its commitment to reducing emissions by 2020 and to extend these objectives to its newly-acquired plants in Europe and the US.

Its reduction in CO2 emissions is part of a wider commitment to sustainability that also sees the group environmentally active in terms of responsible sourcing of raw materials (cellulose) and in limiting the use of water in the production cycle.

The Italian Group Sofidel is a privately held company owned by the Stefani and Lazzareschi families and is one of the leading European manufacturers of paper for hygiene and domestic use.

It was established in 1966 and now has 27 subsidiary companies in 13 countries (Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Croatia, Germany, Poland, Romania, Greece, Turkey and USA).

With an aggregate turnover of 1,511 million Euros (2012), Sofidel is the second largest manufacturer of tissue paper in Europe and the sixth in the world.

25July2013_Luigi Lazzareschi_Sofidel Group CEO
“Results obtained so far make us more determined to consider sustainability as a central lever for innovation and competitive consolidation.” Luigi Lazzareschi, Sofidel Group chief executive
Solar panels at Sofidel’s Soffass converting facility in Porcari, Italy