Verallia presents its ESG roadmap and ambitions

Michel Giannuzzi, Chairman and CEO of the Verallia Group, the leading European and the third largest producer globally of glass containers for food and beverages, together with members of the management team, presented Verallia’s ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance criteria) roadmap and ambitions up to 2025.

Michel Giannuzzi said, “Industry has a major role to play in meeting the challenges faced by the modern world, especially the challenge posed by climate change. This is why we have massively transformed our company over the last several years, positioning sustainable development at the very heart of our strategy.

“Nevertheless, in view of the growing challenges we face, accelerating our efforts to enable everyone to live in a safe and inclusive environment is essential. With the launch of our Purpose last year, and the implementation of these ambitious new commitments, we are entering a phase of unprecedented acceleration in our ESG strategy, which will form the framework for all our activities in the coming years.”

Responding to the environmental challenges facing the planet and changing consumption patterns, Verallia unveiled at the end of October 2020 its purpose to “Re-imagine glass for a sustainable future”. In order to play a leading role in the transformation of the packaging sector, and to go even further and progress even faster, the Group is today presenting its CSR roadmap, which focuses on three pillars:

• Enhancing the circularity of glass packaging by maximising the integration of cullet into its production processes. This will involve implementing actions aimed at increasing the amount of cullet collected in partnership with FEVE (Fédération Européenne du Verre d’Emballage – Federation of European manufacturers of glass containers), national associations such as the CSVMF in France, or directly with local authorities in Russia or Chile, for instance. To improve recycling capacity and efficiency, Verallia will invest directly in its cullet treatment centres and make use of direct partnerships with external suppliers. Finally, the Group would like to increase the use of cullet in its production process by continuing to improve its glass recipes and by introducing incentives for all Group employees.

• Significantly reducing CO2 emissions across all Group operations by 2030 through three main levers: changes in the mix of raw materials intended for glass production with an increased use of cullet and a shift away from carbonated raw materials; a reduction in the energy required for melting glass and other production processes; and an increase in the use of green energy. This will be achieved through investments of around 220 million EUR by 2030, specifically aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.

• Providing Verallia employees with a safe and inclusive place of work by implementing additional regulations in line with EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) standards.