For ArjoWiggins the environment is an integral part of its strategy.

The search for a balance between economic constraints and controlling the impact of our activities has encouraged us to constantly improve our efficiency in environmental issues.To this end, the Group Environment Charter was introduced in 2003, laying down principles for the future which will guide our teams in both their long-term objectives and the day-to-day management of the Group. This Charter is the expression of ArjoWiggins’ commitment to guaranteeing compatibility between its own development and the protection of a balanced environment.

Continuous performance improvement

The paper industry has always adopted measures for reducing the consumption of energy and raw materials. Dependent on natural raw material supplies and the rivers where it operates, it has always focused organisational principles on the proper use of resources. The industry also integrates recycling into its production process, both for the manufacturing of recycled paper and non-recycled paper, as waste ("breaks") is reincorporated into pulp during manufacturing.

The industry has evolved and its techniques have been modernised, but the principles remain deep-rooted. To maintain the quality of both air and water and to preserve natural resources, ArjoWiggins has set itself a target of continuous improvement, as in all of its industrial processes, in its efforts to recycle and reuse waste.

In 2003 we continued the implementation of our environmental management systems programme, enabling us to constantly monitor compliance to regulations, analyse the environmental impact of our current and future activities, and implement action plans to improve our environmental performance and prevent risks. Since 1997, the Group’s mills have had an ongoing commitment to ISO 14001 certification.

The Environment Charter

One of ArjoWiggins' key objectives is to measure the environmental impact of its activities and make decisions to reduce its impact to the lowest reasonably achievable level. The publication of the Charter is a response designed to demonstrate to all parties concerned – employees and outside parties – that the Group is committed and determined in this regard. From pulp supplies to waste management, through selecting its partners, the Charter lays down principles guiding the behaviour of the Group and its production sites.

Sharing skills between mills

Priority actions in 2003, in line with the Group’s Environmental Charter, were focused on reducing water consumption, optimising effluent treatment and waste management, as well as continuing to implement recycling processes to cut down the consumption of raw materials and energy. Working groups have been set up, with representatives from our mills, to create action plans in these priority areas. This makes it possible for us to compare practices and enables the Group as a whole to benefit from the experience of the best-performing sites.