Page 47 - Sustainability Report 2019

In the Textrom plant in Romania, the analyses of wastewater quality are carried out annually, as prescribed. In 2019, the activities which led to greater efficiency for water resources used in the process, which as a consequence involved a greater concentration of substances in wastewater, caused, in a limited number of cases (4 values out of 292 in Italy and 1 value out of
7 in Romania) the prescribed values to be exceeded. These episodes did not, however, impact the quality of surface water bodies, thanks to the treatment carried out by purification plants downstream.
In March and again at the end of July 2019 Ratti SpA also conducted the water campaign requested by the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) protocol, which involved the analysis of MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substance List) parameters and others that the ZDHC programme considers to be fundamental (see the box above).
The analyses show that MRSL substances have been eliminated from the production cycle.
For Ratti SpA, the procedure for managing water deriving from manufacturing carried out at the plant, including that from bathroom facilities, requires it to be channelled through the internal collection network, where it is filtered (through bar screens) in a number of phases
and pumped into the accumulation basin of the system, before being subsequently sent to the purification consortium, as per the Autorizzazione Unica Ambientale (single environmental authorisation).
During 2019 a study was carried out which led to a technical-financial initiative to reinforce the plant used to treat industrial wastewater.
The goal of the plant upgrade would be to achieve
a reduction in the values of COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), in surfactants and in the reduced forms, in particular the nitric forms.
In the production plant in Textrom in Romania, industrial
wastewater is channelled into a decantation tank in order to separate and subsequently remove the solid part. It is then sent to the relevant purification plant, as authorised and regulated by the contract.
Water deriving from civil use is, however, stored in a reservoir, drained off and disposed of. In the first half of 2019 testing was concluded of the chemical product treatment for reducing the amount of volatile organic compounds in the decantation tank.
However, at the Tunisia plant, water is not used for production – it is only for civil use.
4.2 Less resources consumed,
a better future
The management of water resources
In order to optimise water consumption, the Ratti Group is launching a process which reduces water consumption during the phases of the production process. This will start with the Guanzate plant, which draws its water resources mainly from dedicated wells.
For a number of years the Group has regularly verified water consumption by using a range of meters. This measurement network currently consists of meters that must be read manually. In order to make it easier to monitor consumption, during 2019 a number of electronic meters were installed for the main water distribution targets, seeking, in recent years, to extend the network further.
In comparison with 2013, the year in which major investments began in machinery for washing, water consumption recorded over the last three years has shown a stable trend of a decrease in water withdrawal per metre of fabric produced, which from 2018 to 2019 fell by 5.19%.
-5.19%
WATER WITHDRAWAL OVER METRES OF FABRIC PRODUCED COMPARED WITH 2018
-1.44%
CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICITY OVER METRES OF FABRIC PRODUCED COMPARED WITH 2018
+41,441 kWh
INCREASEINELECTRICITYPRODUCED BY PHOTOVOLTAIC PLANT IN 2019 COMPARED WITH 2018
29,745kWh
RATTI GROUP | Sustainability report 2019
RATTI FOR RESPONSIBILITY
The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) is an international programme born out of various studies on the pollution caused by industrial textiles, tanneries and the footwear sector – suppliers of major global brands. It applies both to the brands and to the companies that form part of the production chain.
The type of substances which, according to the ZDHC may not be introduced into the production cycle and for which specific limits have therefore been set, are placed on the MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substance List).
Companies which comply with the ZDHC programme must manage their wastewater in compliance with the concentration limits set by the Wastewater Guideline for wastewater originating from production processes.
Chemical substances must be handled in an appropriate and organised manner, and an audit protocol is in place to assess this aspect.
Finally, in order to replace particularly hazardous chemical substances with those that are ecologically superior, a company must
implement a system to research and develop alternative substances.
During 2019 Ratti became a contributor to ZDHC, which made it possible for it to participate in ZDHC working groups and to influence choices directly.
In addition, as a contributor to this programme, Ratti can be identified as a leader in a sector that is undergoing significant transformation, creating networks with the main players involved and accessing a range of best practices for chemicals management.
ZDHC, the international programme to eliminate harmful chemical substances
PHOTOVOLTAIC ELECTRICITY PROVIDED TO THE NATIONAL GRID
+33%
COMPARED WITH 2018
314
TONS OF CO2 AVOIDED IN 2019 THANKS TO PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY
tons
45