Corporate culture
since 1920

We propose a journey through some of the changes that have occurred in our sector and in many others.
From beginning until reaching a collectively agreed outcome. It is a way paved with surprises and discoveries, with many important decisions that it is our responsibility to take...
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Introduction to unleaded gas

Since the early 1930´s, lead compounds have been used to improve the car engine efficiency.

Road traffic is one of the major sources of contamination, being responsible for 90% of the total atmospheric lead emissions in most urban areas.

The automobile transport is responsible for 1/5 of all global CO2 emissions. Most countries have already withdrawn gasoline with lead, while different additives have emerged as a valuable substitute.

Derived benefits today

  • In Europe the polluting emissions have been reduced by 1/3 during the last decade.
  • Cleaner fuel use is the most viable method to reduce emissions. The use of cleaner automotive technologies such as catalytic converters can reduce pollution by up to 90%.
  • Cleaner fuel use allows the application of ultimate high yield motor combustible technologies. High performance engines make possible a reduction of between 20 and 45% of CO2 emissions.

Ban of CFCs

Freon gas is made up of different chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs, used as much in household refrigeration appliances as in industrial cooling devices.

In 1973, professor James Lovelock detected for the first time these cooling gases in the atmosphere. Years later, Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina inferred that cooling gases of CFCs type would soon reach high stratosphere and would cause damages in the ozone layer.

In 1985 the "ozone hole” was discovered on the Antarctic. Given the seriousness of the problem, the 1987’ Protocol of Montreal calls for a progressive reduction in CFCs production, while aiming at a complete

Derived benefits today

  • Protection of the ozone layer.
  • Reduction of risks for health.
  • Development of new technologies.
  • Energy savings by developing and investing in a new and more efficient generation of cooling and air conditioning power devices and appliances.

 

 

 

 

 

Selective collection of wastes

Selective collection and recycling are crucial while minimizing the environmental impact of waste. They reduce the pervasive effects on the environment and on people’s health, resulting from daily life related activities. It is paramount to curb waste production and further dumping to match the needs for development and progress with environmental sustainability.

Europe generates more than 1.3 billion tons of wastes, excluding agriculture and mining. The construction sector alone generates more than 500 million tons of wastes annually, or the equivalent of more than 1 ton per individual.

Derived benefits today

  • Reduction of packaged products "power track": Europe has been exceeding recycling and reusability rates of 60% on packaged products and similar goods.
  • Reduction of the environmental impact of determined manufacturing industries: in 2002 Europe produced more than 76 million tons of paper waste , of which more than 50% were recycled.
  • Reduction of the amount of sweepings in garbage dumps: Between 1995 and 2003, municipal sweepings growth rate in Europe rose by 2% on a yearly basis, meanwhile the amount of dumped waste during the same period decreased by 10%.
  • Today, more than 35% of metal products are being recycled: A similar increase is being noticed for cast-iron as alternatives to prime steel are gaining ground.

Introduction of solar energy

The history of solar technology begins in the VII Century A.C., for heating purposes by means of crystals and mirrors or light fires.

The first reference of direct conversion of solar radiations to mechanical energy corresponds to Auguste Mouchout, a professor of mathematics at Tours’ Grammar School. Mouchout began his work with solar energy in 1860, after expressing his consternation because of France’s heavy dependency on coal.

Today the scope it’s applications ranges from home uses to electrical vehicles.

Derived benefits today

  • Solar energy is clean, renewable and sustainable (unlike petroleum, gasoline or coal).
  • Can be used to complement or to replace daily power consumption from traditional sources.
  • Solar energy use reduces our dependency on external or centralized power sources.
  • 13.6% of the energy consumed in Europe has renewable origin. The forecast is that it should reach 21% by 2020.