Declaration of Environmental Sustainability

Declaration of
Environmental Sustainability
Sustainable Production
The expression “sustainable production” is clearly a
challenge for which the best industrial answer is the proper
coordination of a number of factors:
- research and specialisation
- continuous improvement of processes
- environmental quality
- good technical performance
- durability of materials
- low consumption of natural resources
- choice of low-energy technologies.
Recer implements concrete measures:
- investing in research and technology, in the constant
quest for more innovative technical solutions
- reducing thickness of ceramic products
- improving the technical performance of products
- using cleaner packaging, with smaller printed areas.
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These measures translate into a series of benefits for
customers and users, such as:
- easier to handle, requiring less physical effort
and offering greater safety, comfort and productivity in
use
- lower load/m2 on the building
- easier to cut on site
- less waste produced
- lighter, helping to reduce consumption associated with
transport and less space needed for storage.
At Recer we combine all of these values in each product, and
we inform consumers who choose and buy them so that they
can appreciate and compare the social and environmental
value of any product that bears the ECOCERAMIC logo.
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Environmental Sustainability
Energy Efficiency
Recer uses the best technology available to the ceramics
subsector to ensure the efficient use of energy:
- it uses natural gas and electricity – sources of
energy with low emissions
- it uses a cogeneration system of thermal energy
and recovers the hot air in the paste preparation
process to replace natural gas
- it cuts down on the firing cycles and natural gas
consumption by utilising the excess hot air from
cooling the kilns for pre-kiln drying chambers, for
combustion air of the actual kiln, and for the flux
materials
- it uses fast-firing kilns
- continuous milling system.
We cut electricity consumption by using electronic
variable speed drives which reduce and adjust
consumption.
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Water Consumption
Water is consumed at almost every stage of ceramic
tile production, from mixing the materials to washing
and cooling the equipment. As it is so important to
Recer, its management is an ever-present concern to
the Company.
Recer has implemented measures to recycle water
and today all the washing water produced in the Paste
Preparation Section is exploited for reuse in the milling
process.
The water treated in the IWTP (industrial wastewater
treatment plant), which are unfit for reuse in the process,
meets 100% of the water needs in the rectification and
cutting section. It is also used for washing.
This reuse has led to a reduction in the specific
consumption of water to amounts that meet the criteria
implicit in the Eco-label.
Liquid Effluent
Fully appreciating its environmental responsibilities,
Recer pioneered the treatment of industrial effluent
in the ceramics industry when it installed its first
IWTP in 1990. This has been developed over the years
to improve the efficacy of treatment according to the
properties of the effluent.
The quality of Recer’s industrial effluent is controlled
in accredited laboratories and complies with the
conditions of the discharge licence. It achieves values
90% below the ELVs, the emission values for the best
technologies and the Eco-label.
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Raw Materials
Recer is always keen to reduce the amount of raw
materials extracted and to minimise the depletion
of geological resources. It very soon adopted good
practice by reintroducing into the production process
100% of ceramic products withdrawn from the
manufacturing process prior to firing, and the dust
collected by the dust removal systems.
Continuous research and strict selection of raw
materials and suppliers have helped to optimise the
productive process throughout the chain of value
(energy, waste, water consumption), thereby ensuring
minimisation of the impact of extraction and the
protection of habitats.
More EnvironmentalyFriendly Packaging
All the materials used in the packaging of Recer
products are recyclable.
Cardboard packaging is made from recycled cardboard
that is used without bleaching. Printing on the boxes
has been cut to a minimum by optimising the design
and using inks with negligible levels of heavy metals.
Ano:
2010
The wood pallets used for shipping are made from
debarked wood and comply with the plant protection
measures agreed under FAO International Standards for
Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) no. 15, thus contributing
to sustainable forest management.
Certificado nº 2010/0002693
Este Documento atesta que a empresa RECER - INDÚSTRIA DE REVESTIMENTOS CERÂMICOS, SA., com o número único de
matrícula e de identificação fiscal 500707472, registada na Conservatória do Registo Comercial de OLIVEIRA BAIRRO, se encontra
a cumprir as suas responsabilidades para ela decorrentes do Decreto-Lei nº 366-A/97 de 20 de Dezembro, com as alterações
introduzidas pelo Decreto-Lei nº 162/2000 de 27 de Julho, no que respeita à gestão das embalagens dos produtos por si
colocados no mercado nacional e respectivos resíduos de embalagens, através da adesão ao Sistema Integrado de Gestão de
Resíduos de Embalagens (SIGRE), nos termos, âmbito e períodos temporais estabelecidos no contrato nº EMB/0002567 assinado
com a Sociedade Ponto Verde – Sociedade Gestora de Resíduos de Embalagens, S.A., e de acordo com o previsto no nº 2 do
artigo 5º do Decreto-Lei nº 366-A/97 de 20 de Dezembro e no nº 1 do artigo 7º da Portaria nº 29-B/98, de 15 de Janeiro.
Plastic is sent for recycling by the final user.
Resumo do âmbito material e temporal do presente certificado:
Embalagens Não Reutilizáveis abrangidas
Período Temporal
De:
Até:
Urbanas ou Equiparadas
01-01-2010
31-12-2010
Não Urbanas
01-01-2010
31-12-2010
Algés, 31 de Dezembro de 2009
P' Sociedade PontoVerde, S.A.
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Recer signed up to the Sociedade Ponto Verde for
handling waste packaging, contributing to the national
strategy for the management of packaging and waste
packaging.
Gaseous Effluent
Recer has invested in highly efficient technology to
ensure that its gas emissions into the atmosphere are
consistently below the ELVs for atmospheric pollutants.
Recer monitors CO2 emissions in compliance with the
EETS (European Emissions Trading Scheme), established
under the Kyoto protocol, in line with its commitment to
cut emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to
global warming.
Waste
Recer sets out to utilise waste, whenever possible. Its
on-site waste separation and identification system
make it possible to send 99% of the waste produced in
Recer for utilisation in licensed plants.
The fired shards are inert and reintegrated in the
ceramic paste manufacturing process, which takes
place outside the supplier’s production plant.
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Contribution Of
Recer Ceramics To
Sustainability In The
Building Industry
Recer products use only regional raw materials, which
helps local development and reduces the impact of
transportation.
The use of around 30% recycled materials and
resources is yet another instance of good practice
being implemented.
Replacement of natural stone
Recer ceramic products can be used instead of natural
stone and offer similar aesthetic and functional
performance. They have advantages in terms of water
absorption, compressive strength and frost resistance.
Release of substances
Recer products do not release any volatile substances,
a feature which helps to provide a healthy atmosphere.
Fire
They are not combustible, a characteristic that helps
limit the outbreak and spread of fire.
Maintenance and cleaning
The environmental impact of the product is very slight
in the use stage. Recer products are easy to maintain –
they simply require cleaning.
Durability
Ceramic products have a long life. They need little
maintenance and cleaning. Their inorganic nature and
low porosity prevents/minimises the proliferation of
fungi and other microorganisms.
When ceramic tiles are applied to a ventilated façade
they improve the building’s energy efficiency by
reducing the consumption of resources.
When applied to a ventilated façade ceramic tiles can
be reused.
End-of-life
At the end of their life Recer products constitute an
inert waste material and their packaging should be sent
for recovery.
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Environmental
Certification
Recer obtained environmental certification under ISO
14001, and unremittingly shows its commitment to
encouraging sustainability: promotion of environmental
balance; reduction of the impact of its activities;
satisfaction of customers, employees and society.
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Mission
Image of trust and sincerity
Never before has the world been so open, forcing companies to find distinctive offers.
For Recer, being able to lead and be recognised for it is being aware that responsibility
grows in the quest for solutions that are more useful and influential.
Committed as it is to the search for new generations of products that are more versatile
and sustainable, Recer renews its pledge each day to create floor and wall tiles that will
inspire the imagination and marry styles and materials.
Recognised worldwide, Recer reflects an image of trust and sincerity – but it is also
linked with such attributes as research, technology, design, service and sustainability.
This is the visible face of a brand that never fails to instil trust and ambition, always
keen to satisfy its markets and each individual consumer.
From product to service, complete customer satisfaction is the main object of the brand.
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HEAD OFFICE
Oliveira do Bairro
Recer – Indústria de Revestimentos Cerâmicos, S.A.
Apartado 20
3771-953 Oliveira do Bairro
Tel.: (+351) 234 730 500
Fax: (+351) 234 730 501
[email protected]
Lisbon
Rua Fernando Palha, 29 A
1950-130 Lisboa
Tel.: (+ 351) 218 620 740
Fax: (+ 351) 218 620 749
[email protected]
Oporto
R. Delfim Ferreira, 776 /780
(à Via Rápida)
4100-199 Porto
Tel.: (+351) 226 199 320
Fax: (+351) 226 199 329
[email protected]
RECER - INTERNATIONAL
Espanha
Recer Cerámicas, S.A.
Head Office /Showroom
Avda. de Castellón - S/N (Nave 12)
12540 Villarreal (Castellón)
España
Tel.: (+34) 964 524 601
Fax: (+34) 964 537 489
Móvil: (+34) 669 357 470
[email protected]
France
Recer - France, SARL
Sede /Salão de Exposição
109 Bis, Bd. Henri Barbusse
78800 Houilles
France
Tel.: (+33) 1 39 14 53 97
Fax: (+33) 1 30 86 00 82
[email protected]
www.recerfrance.com
Showroom
2, Rue de la Pompadour
Z.I. de la Haie Griselle
94470 Boissy Saint Leger
France
Tel.: (+33) 1 45 95 99 06
Fax: (+33) 1 45 95 91 39
[email protected]
www.recerfrance.com