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NEWS
Alwin Seow
John Stone
Vipal Rubber Obtains Silver Status from EcoVadis
Vipal Rubber has announced that it has obtained silver category certification from EcoVadis, the global platform for recognising practices in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In the certification process Viapl achieved 59 points, which the company says demonstrates the development and evolution of social and environmental issues within the organisation.
Used as a reference by companies around the world with regard to social and environmental practices, EcoVadis is a solution used by multinationals to integrate CSR
Vipal's social and environmental actions
The tyre retreading practice itself, Vipal's core business for over 46 years, is, of course, environmentally friendly. According to Associação Brasileira do Segmento de Reforma de Pneus [Brazilian Tyre Retreading Segment Association] (ABR), each retreaded commercial tyre generates savings of 57 litres of oil, which would be used in the manufacture of a new tyre. Spending on electricity is reduced by 80%. Likewise, the sector provides oil savings of around 500 million litres/year.
However, the social and environmental actions promoted by Vipal affect several areas of the company. The social and environmental programme was initiated in 2018 with the objective of developing sustainable practices
within the organisation. For the implementation of the programme, the teams involved developed a plan, which totaled 215 actions. Currently, the social and environmental programme is spread out into 77 actions on sustainable procurement, environment, health and safety and human rights policies.
Among the actions taken are the implementation of control of the Environment and Health and Safety Legislation; launch of the Code of Ethics, with the implementation of the communication channel Caminho Ético (Ethic Path); definition of supplier evaluation and control methodology; evaluation of critical suppliers in Social and Environmental Management; external audit of legal environmental requirements; among several others. Adding the structures of its Brazilian factories, a total of more than 30 million litres of effluents are treated per year. The use of water is another important point. In its factories in Feira de Santana (Bahia) and Nova Prata (Rio Grande do Sul), there are 92 thousand m2 of roof designed to capture rainwater, which is used for flushing toilets, production and irrigation. The factories have cisterns distributed throughout the industrial parks, with a storage volume of over 2 million litres. In addition, especially at Feira de Santana,
wastewater from reverse osmosis is used to flush toilets instead of using rain or drinking water for this purpose.
Vipal uses cutting edge technology to transform the discarded rubber into powder through a cryogenic process, approximately 170 thousand kg/month, which is recycled into rubber products, such as flooring. The lighting of the factories is also obtained through the roofs with transparent acrylic coating installed at the factories, which result in a
total of 171 thousand kWh/month of electricity saved.
Another environmental front that Vipal is aware of is reverse logistics. More than 400 tons of tyres per month are recycled, thus avoiding their disposal in the environment. The company's factories also have highly effective recycling methods, with results above the established goals, as well as selective waste management, practiced since 1988
at its facilities.
performance between buyers and suppliers. Ecovadis' evaluation has levels, which are based on the percentage rating of the companies' scores, in addition to a minimum score by evaluated theme: Environment, Labour practices and human rights, Ethics and Sustainable Purchases. The evaluation methodology is based on international standards such as the Global Reporting Index (GRI), ISO 26000 and the principles of the Global Compact.
“Our objective is to continuously improve our practices and consolidate our social responsibility management system, making the business even more sustainable,” commented João Carlos Demoly, Industrial Director at Vipal Rubber. According to Demoly, "the objectives and actions must be reviewed this year in order to maintain our development with regard to social and environmental issues at the organisation."
Vipal started evaluations on the Ecovadis platform in 2017. On that occasion, the company achieved Bronze level. However, with the objective of promoting continuous improvement of its performance in social responsibility, the company sought to implement a Social and Environmental Programme, culminating by reaching Silver level.
Tarsus Group Appoint Sapphire Media as PR Partners for Tyrexpo Asia 2021
With effect from the 1st July 2020, Tarsus Group has announced the appointment of international Business Media Consultants – Sapphire Media to manage their impending Public Relations and Media Promotion campaign for the
Project Director (Singapore) says, “I am looking forward to working with Sapphire Media and benefitting from their in-depth media experience to highlight the numerous changes that Tarsus has made to this prestigious international event in the global tyre market.”
John Stone, owner of Sapphire Media adds, “Having previously worked on the show at a consultancy level. I look forward to helping Alwin and the Tarsus Team in Singapore take their first show in the Tyrexpo Asia series to the next level of professionalism and success.”
14 Retreading Business
forthcoming Tyrexpo Asia 2021 Show in Singapore from the 17th to 19th March.
Sapphire Media will be exclusively responsible for the ongoing presentation of informative press releases and photography regarding the various events, conferences and other new business incentive schemes that this completely revamped event will present.
Alwin Seow, Tarsus Group Event