International. Frascold, whose solutions are distributed in 13 countries in Latin America and the United States, has been awarded UNI EN ISO 14001:2015 certification for its environmental responsibility initiatives.
Spokespeople for the company highlighted that the UNI EN ISO 14001:2015 certification, as well as the advances related to Lean Manufacturing, the extension of photovoltaic technology and the monitoring of emissions are elements of an integrated ESG strategy, focused on a long-term vision.
"Our dedication to environmental sustainability is a fundamental pillar of our business strategy. At Frascold, we firmly believe that innovation and sustainability must coexist harmoniously, charting a concrete path towards a better future for us and for future generations," said Giuseppe Galli, CEO of Frascold.
Similarly, the manufacturer announced that it has implemented the Lean Manufacturing philosophy also in support of sustainability. Asked about the results obtained thanks to this approach, the specialist in Continuous Improvement, Maria Grazia Fimmanò replied that: "for a couple of years we have established a new department in the company dedicated to continuous improvement: among the projects implemented we mention, for environmental sustainability, but also for production efficiency, the vacuum management project for filling reusable containers with suppliers".
The project in question concerns the elimination and reduction of waste derived from the packaging of incoming components in the warehouse and, consequently, those of production. The result has been a reduction in cardboard consumption of up to 3 tonnes in one year. This approach has also led to significant savings in terms of time and resources, thus eliminating the time spent by the operator on activities such as opening and removing boxes, instead dedicating themselves to higher value-added activities.
"Continuous improvement is guaranteed through monthly audits, which guarantee constant compliance with Lean practices and the requirements provided by ISO 14001 certification. The results obtained in the pilot department, thanks to the adoption of tools such as 5S, Golden Zone and PDCA, have led us to extend these practices to other production departments as well," added Grazia Fimmanò.
Marco Perri, R+D, Director of Environmental Systems, spoke about the benefits of UNI EN ISO 14001:2015 certification and the challenges Frascold has faced during the process of obtaining it, commenting: "The path to UNI EN ISO 14001:2015 certification has led to numerous benefits, including greater internal awareness and a more positive perception by customers in regions such as Latin America, in particular, those that require it as a fundamental prerequisite to be included among the suppliers classified as sustainable".
The executive added that another project implemented was the water distiller, installed in 2023, for the recovery of washing water resources, which allowed the company to save about 300 m³ per year. In addition, a team has been formed dedicated to improving aviation hygiene and monitoring emissions into the atmosphere: "Thanks to specific maintenance and cleaning interventions, Frascold has managed to keep pollutant levels 10% below the threshold established by the regulations. Finally, the CO2 footprint associated with the different product families throughout their life cycle has been calculated, with the aim of providing customers with valuable information to understand and assess their environmental impact. In conclusion, all of the initiatives undertaken by Frascold reflect its commitment to fostering more sustainable and responsible choices throughout the supply chain."
Within the manufacturer's overall ESG strategy, photovoltaic technology appears as another prominent component. How does the adoption of PV technology integrate into the overall ESG strategy? Corrado de Gioia-Carabellese, Product Development Specialist, replied that "the photovoltaic installation in one of our plants has made it possible to reduce electricity withdrawals by approximately 25-30%, significantly alleviating energy dependence"
According to the specialist, this investment has proven to be particularly advantageous, especially in a period of high electricity prices, confirming the effectiveness of the system in a context of market instability. In fact, in 2023, the photovoltaic installation has covered 29% of the plant's annual needs. "Looking ahead, the company is considering an expansion of the facility with an increase of 500 kW over the next two years, in addition to the installation of heat pumps to replace the gas boilers, going so far as to fully electrify two office buildings," he added.
