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Green paper forthe environmentMeasure your impact on the environment in order to reduce it

Here’s how:

1. Water consumption. All paper producers can measure their own

water consumption, so you can request this in order to assess them.

2. Carbon dioxide emissions. All companies must measure their CO2

emissions. Choose the best.

3. Cellulose supply. Paper products made with certifi ed raw materials.

Ask for the FSC and PEFC certifi cations.

4. Environmental certifi cations. Ecological labels attest to sustainability

throughout the product’s life cycle. Choose products marked with an ecological label.

criteria to assess your suppliers based on their environmental performance

four

It is possible to assess suppliers based on tangible criteria.

The Sofidel group's water consumption is well below the paper industry average

mc/t

on

Year

7.5 m3/t of paper - Average water consumption of the Sofidel Group

10~25 m3/t of paper – Among the best consumption values obtainable with the BAT “Best Available Techniques”Source: European IPPC Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control Bureau

31 m3/t of paper – Average water consumption of the paper sector in Italy

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2526

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2007 2008 2009 2012

31

7,9 8,17,4

8,2

7,1

2010 2011

8,78

1Water, a resourceto be preserved

It is a well-known fact that the productionof paper requires large quantities ofwater, but it is also true that consumptioncan be measured and reduced. In everyproduction phase, large quantities ofwater are involved. Water disappearsfrom the cycle only in the last phase ofproduction, when the product is finished.In every paper mill, managing thisimportant resource must take intoaccount one essential rule: the morewater consumption is reduced, the moreproduction difficulties may be en-countered due to the concentration ofsubstances dissolved in the water.However, a producer can make highquality tissue by managing all theproblems connected to a reduction inconsumption.

For this reason the Sofidel Group hasfor years been committed to containingand reducing its water consumption,acting primarily on water cycle mana-gement and, where possible, preferringthe use of surface resources in order topreserve underground water sources.Indeed, water consumption is atminimum levels thanks to highlytechnological facilities and a high degreeof water recycling.Sofidel manufactures quality productswith a water consumption level that iswell below the limits indicated: about8.2 litres below the most stringentEuropean values, which register avariable consumption rate of 10 to 25l/kg of paper.

According to the latest annual report by the Italian Assocarta trade association, the entire paper sector in Italy consumes onaverage 31 m3 of water to produce 1 ton of paper.

Specific water consumption is a value that characterises the performance efficiency of a paper production facility and is aboveall a real indicator of environmental sustainability, especially in those areas - like Italy - subject to water shortages.

Paper production facilities are subject to the control of their water consumption throughauthorisation acts or concessions and often must communicate their yearly data to the authorities;hence it is impossible that a tissue producer not know how much water is used inhis production process.

Regarding emissions in the water, all the Sofidel facilities have biological purification plants thatensure minimal levels of pollutants deriving from the production process.

Is it possible to calculate the use of water per kg of paper?

Average water consumptionfor paper production

Assess yoursuppliers basedon their waterconsumption

Did you know...?

Reduction plan for specific averageCO2 emissions

Hydroelectricpower plants2 hydro plants = –1200 tons CO2 / year

Cogenerationplants4 plants = –30.000 tons CO2 / year

Photovoltaicsystems25.000 m2 = –1000 tons CO2 / year

An Italian family consumes on average 2700 KWh ofelectricity per year.This means that the Sofidel Group can cover:• the equivalent of the energy requirement of 800 families

through the use of photovoltaic systems• the equivalent of the energy requirement of 1200 families

through the use of hydroelectric power plants• the equivalent of the energy requirement of 37000 families

through the use of cogeneration plants

Recently, the theme of safeguardingthe environment, and in particular, con-trolling the reduction of greenhousegases (CO2) responsible for global warm-ing, has become of topical interest.

Public opinion, consumer behaviour,governments and stakeholders (em-ployees, customers, suppliers, share-holders, etc.) demand concrete ac-tions from companies in containingtheir carbon footprint as much aspossible.

Sofidel has invested over 16 millioneuro on a European level in favour ofthe environment: investments directedat the prevention of global warmingthrough the choice of machines, equip-ment and systems featuring enhancedenergy efficiency.Among its constant objectives is thereduction of energy consumption andthe supply from renewable sources.

An action that is part of the aim ofreducing CO2 consumption by 26%within 2020.

Energy is autonomously producedthrough:

• Photovoltaic systems > installationof solar panels that exploit solarenergy to produce electricity throughthe photovoltaic effect;

• Hydroelectric power plants > run-of-the-river power plants that pro-duce energy from masses of movingwater through turbines;

• Cogenerations plants > combinedproduction of electricity and heatthat recovers process steam.They offer great advantages parti-cularly appropriate for high energy-consuming industries, such as pa-per mills, because they representthe application par excellence ofalternative energies.

The Sofidel Group's highly technolo-gical facilities allow covering a goodportion of their energy needs and100% of their steam needs.

To testify to its commitment in favourof the environment, Sofidel - first italiancompany and first in the world in thetissue sector - entered the internationalWWF Climate Savers program, whichproposes to voluntarily adopt plansfor the reduction of greenhouse gasesthrough innovative strategies andtechnologies to reduce CO2 emissions.

In the tissue field, the ratio betweenpaper produced and CO2 emittedcan even reach 1:1. To protect theenvironment, you can choose aresponsible producer who putsreduction programs into practice incollaboration with International WWForganisations, and who undergoesassessments by external bodies toguarantee impartiality.In this context, Sofidel was able toreduce its emissions by over 7%with respect to 2007 and its aim isto reduce CO2 emissions by 26%within 2020.

2007 2008

-1,9% -4,7% -11% -26%

2009 2012 2020

kg C

O2/t

year

Efficiency and energy savings in orderto reduce CO2 emissions2

A «brave, important and tangible commitment»WWF Climate Savers Program

Carbon dioxide emission is the main factor responsible for climate changes. Important industrial fields, such as the automotiveor energy sectors, are trying to enhance their low-CO2 emission products.

Paper companies fall within the norm called «Emission Trading», the application in Europe of the Kyoto Protocol (Directive2003/87/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13/10/2003, Law Decree n. 216 of 04/04/2006).

This entails that all companies are responsible for measuring their carbon dioxide emissionswith a high level of accuracy and that they be able to justify them.

Renewable sources andhigh efficiency systems

CO2 Measurable by everyone

Request yoursupplier's CO2

emissionlevels

Forest certification schemes

www.fsc.org

www.pefc.org

The labels guarantee the origin of the wood and its derivatives from sustainably-managed forests, based onrigorous environmental, social and economic standards.

Forest Stewardship Council

Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification

Division of virgin rawmaterial purchased bythe Sofidel Group

Purchase of 100% certified virgin fibre

AOXCOD

NOxS

CO2

Elettricitàaltro (gas, …)

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Environmental labels andrequired criteria

Environmental Management System EMS

Forest certification (FSC, PEFC, …)Recycled fibres

Emissions in the water

Emissions in the atmosphere

Energy consumption

Use of chemical products and additivesProduct safetyDisposal

2011

2010

2012

5.8

24.7

30.6

39.0

0.7

35.7

21.0

42.6

0.2

32.2

16.1

51.5

FSC-certified producers (%)

PEFC-certified producers (%)

FSC-CW standard (%)

Other forest certification schemes (%)

Responsible supply ofcellulose fibre3

Being in possession of forestcertifications is not just a requirementdemanded from raw mater ia lsuppliers, but it is also a precisecommitment by the companies of theSofidel Group.For years now, numerous are theproduction facil it ies capable ofpresenting forest chain-of-custodycertifications according to FSC andPEFC standards.

The use of cellulose with forest origincertifications constitutes a strongsupport for biodiversity in sensitiveareas, and is able to cover all theenvironmental and social aspects offorest management and reforestation.

Sofidel products are guaranteed by themain international ecological quality labelsthat attest to their sustainability throughoutthe products' life cycle: from the certifiedraw material to the reduced, completelyrecyclable packaging material used.

Environmental labels are of a voluntarynature. The most common are:

• ECOLABEL > European ecologicalquality label that attests to the fact thatthe product has a reduced environmen-tal impact throughout its entire life cycle;

• BLUE ANGEL > German environmen-tal label used for tissue products pro-duced from recycled paper;

• NORDIC SWAN > ecological label validin the Nordic countries that rewardsexcellence in safety and reduction ofemissions in the atmosphere and inthe water.

Request onlyEcolabel,

FSC and PEFCcertified products

The label that guarantees the products ecological quality4

The Ecolabel is the only European labelfor a product's ecological quality.

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