June 1, 2020 | Updated: August 20, 2020
The multinational has implemented sustainable measures to rationalise the use of natural resources and promote energy savings in branches and logistics centres.
The PORCELANOSA Group has emphasised its environmental commitment with Eco Conscious, a sustainability programme that fosters responsible consumption and energy saving with fair, eco-efficient production. This initiative promotes the Ecological Transition with a package of measures that seek to reverse the impact we are having on the environment through products and social habits that promote the greening of work and the economy. This scenario is already contemplated by the Company’s 1,000 stores and its headquarters, where systems have been introduced to promote the optimum use of natural resources, recycling and sustainable mobility.
One of the first measures taken by the Porcelanosa Group to implement this green reconversion was to replace the traditional lighting in its premises with low energy LED lights. The roof also allows natural light to enter the production areas and the logistics centre, making artificial lighting unnecessary.
MDR technology has been incorporated in Porcelanosa kilns to redirect hot air in the heat exchangers and reduce gas consumption, while in Gamadecor a stop-start production system has been introduced to save energy.
The firm has also built a new coating plant at its headquarters, where it has introduced high-efficiency motors, self-regulating dryers and cogeneration systems.
Venis is another firm that has opted for energy self-sufficiency (up to 30% is generated from its own resources) and low energy lighting (more than 90% LED bulbs). The firm has installed translucent material inside its premises to take advantage of sunlight.
This company and L’Antic Colonial have also renewed their vehicle fleets, replacing diesel vehicles with electric cars, which represents a 40% saving compared to petrol-driven models and a substantial reduction in their carbon footprint.
Butech has also joined this Sustainable Energy Action Plan: its ventilated façades reduce energy consumption in buildings by up to 25% and improve the thermal characteristics of the façade, limiting the incidence of sun rays on the exterior walls (up to 80% less). By having this type of exterior, buildings can obtain LEED and BREEAM certification, improve living conditions for the occupants and make them more sustainable.
This ecological awareness has also been transferred to its business centre, where geothermal energy in the form of subsoil heat is used for climate control, leading to energy savings of up to 50% compared to traditional systems and reducing CO2 emissions.
To promote a cleaner, environmentally-friendly environment, Krion has installed solar panels in its work premises to reduce annual power consumption by 26% and cut CO2 emissions by 70 tonnes per year, an example of the company’s responsible use of energy, as recognised in its international ISO 50001 certification.
Noken has been involved in this green revolution for some time and has demonstrated its commitment by increasing its investment in automation. LED lighting and temperature control systems in its offices and departments are automated: they are turned on when movement is detected and automatically shut down at the end of the working day.
Urbatek has extended its Environmental Pact with the implementation of its Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System, which complies with the ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 standards. To ensure compliance with the regulations, the Quality and Environment department regularly assesses the impact of each activity.
The company has also emphasised sustainability in its relations with suppliers, who must now comply with the ISO 14000 standard. The new solutions proposed include the reuse of industrial water, recycling packaging and making use of heat from production plants and dryers.
Urbatek has introduced LED equipment and a system for harnessing kinetic energy from movement in its plants as part of its programme of environmental improvements.
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