Pirelli recently released its sustainable development report for 2015, posting better results in sustainable development.
According to the report, the company achieved outstanding economic, environmental and social outcomes in sustainable development. It increased the proportion of income from green products, reduced the extraction of certain water resources, improved sewage and waste treatment, exceeded the target for personnel training, and established new partnership with strategic suppliers on natural rubber to protect biodiversity.
Since it set mid- and long-term sustainable development objectives in 2009, Pirelli has made great progress in sustainable development. In 2015, green products contributed to 48% of its income from tires, nearly twice the 25% proportion in 2009. To promote the green tire development strategy, Pirelli labs stepped up research and development to improve the technical and environmental performance of tires. The company invests around 3% of its revenue in R&D each year, a leading level in the industry. In 2015, its R&D investment reached EUR 215 million, accounting for 3.4% of its revenue.
In terms of environmental protection, Pirelli decreased water extraction considerably. In 2015, it only took 1,100 m3 of water, a decrease of 3% from 2014 and 42% from 2009. Its global plants have saved water resources of 30 million m3 in total since 2009.
With 20 plants and 37,000 employees scattered around the globe, Pirelli has always implemented initiatives and measures conducive to not only its long-term development but also local socioeconomic development. Personnel training is one of its key initiatives. In 2015, the employees received 8.3 days of training on average, exceeding the 7-day target set in the industrial plan. Through training, the work efficiency of employees was improved greatly, and the incident frequency declined by 6%. From 2013 to 2015, the company invested more than EUR 40 million in occupational health and safety.
To advance the cultural construction for sustainable development, Pirelli Foundation, established in 2009 with a view to promoting the history and culture of Pirelli, launched an exhibition displaying the development course of sustainable management. The company also demonstrated in its historical archives the history of sustainable development, “rubber soul” elements of tires, and photos featuring its contribution to environmental protection and local socioeconomic development.
According to Pirelli 2013-2017 Industrial Plan released in November 2013, the company will continue to focus on the high-end tire market and uphold the high-end strategy. Its industrial objectives are to: consolidate the leadership in Latin America and main markets in the Middle East and Africa, reinforce the development in the Asia-Pacific region and profitability in Europe, cement the technological leadership in motor bicycle tire market, focus on the R&D of new products and technological innovation in various business fields, and adjust the organizational structure according to the business model in a move to create more value. The implementation of the sustainable development strategy is significant for the company to attain the targets set in the 2013-2017 Industrial Plan.
For more information, see http://people.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/how-pirelli-goes-beyond-csr-and-puts-sustainability-at-its-core