General data

Introductory Presentation

It is a pleasure for the whole ALIER team to present this first EMAS Digital Environmental Statement, as an example of transparency of our environmental performance. At ALIER we already have since 2016 an environmental management system based on the ISO 14001 standard and, for our main products, Environmental Product Declarations that guarantee the best possible verified information to our customers and end users. 

In this report, we consolidate these commitments to prevention and environmental protection through our incorporation into the European Registry under the EMAS scheme. For us, this is a further step on the road to maximum transparency and good governance as an essential pillar in the framework of our ESG and corporate social responsibility plans.

For the attention of all our stakeholders, we present this report which we hope will be of interest and usefulness to you.

Regulation (EC) No. 671/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2001 allowing voluntary participation by organizations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme has been used as a reference; Regulation (EC) No. 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organizations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS), and repealing Regulation (EC) No. 761/2001 and Commission Decisions 2001/681/EC and 2006/193/EC; and Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1505 of 28 August 2017 and amending Annexes, I, II, and III of Regulation (EC) No. 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Agenda 2030. Related Sustainable Development Goals

This Environmental Statement includes at the end a specific section with information on the 2030 Agenda.

Description of the activity

Activities and scope of the Environmental Statement

ALIER began its industrial operations in 1832, starting in the textile sector to produce marine supplies, moving on to paper and cardboard manufacturing, and evolving into Recovery by producing sustainable paper from 100% recovered material (waste) for the manufacture of Carton-Wall (paper for drywall), as well as for plain and semi-stretchable bags and sacks for various uses. During the last quarter of 2024, a plant was launched Recovery plastic waste Recovery pulper derived from beverage cartons. ALIER, S.A. is part of the GREEN FUTURES INVESTMENTS, S.A. group, a holding company whose primary objective is to identify investment opportunities that promote a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Description of the Environmental Management System

ALIER's Management System is structured under the Legal, Regulatory and Environmental Management and is coordinated from the areas of environmental regulations and management systems. In the course of the past year 2023, the ALIER, S.A. organization aligned itself with various frameworks such as the Global Compact, Agenda 2030, B.Corp since 2022, Ecovadis and RightSupply, enriching and structuring its triple impact action and strategy. In fiscal year 2023, ALIER's Sustainability Committee was also constituted as the main company of GFI, formed by the members of the executive committee and those responsible for the management areas of ESG issues and whose functions are:

1. Development, implementation and periodic monitoring of the strategic plan / sustainability director approved by management, and reporting of results.
2. Support to the monitoring group for the definition of the company's sustainability policies in environmental, social and governance matters, development and assurance of the principles contained therein in its areas of responsibility.
3. Identification of opportunities in relation to the strategic sustainability objectives and the company's commitments to the SDG and the 2030 agenda.
4. Periodic reporting to the sustainability monitoring team on the results of assigned GRI / ESRS indicators, and initiatives to be included in the non-financial reportsNFRD) and sustainability report.
5. This committee has an operational quarterly monitoring team.

Location and contact

Address: Camí de Benavent, 25124 Rosselló, Lleida - Tel: 933.042.860 / 973.732.705 - Mail: alierlle@alier.es

Web: https://alier.com

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Main and secondary CNAE code: 1.712, 

Organizational Policy

ALIER, S.A. assumes quality, respect for the environment and energy efficiency in the performance of its activities, with the aim of achieving customer satisfaction, complying with its requirements under the fundamental premise of making its performance compatible with respect for the environment and the improvement of energy performance.

Consequently, it is committed to adopting a responsible attitude towards the natural environment, which is required of all the personnel of its organization and collaborating companies, following principles of action oriented towards continuous improvement and the achievement of objectives, which will be defined and duly disseminated to all its personnel and collaborators.

ALIER has an Integrated Quality, Environmental, Energy Efficiency and Chain of Custody Management System in accordance with UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015, UNE-EN ISO 14001:2015, UNE-EN ISO 50001: 2018 and FSC® and PEFC standards.

Consistent with the reference standards, Alier's management establishes the following principles of company policy:

 System compliance and continuous improvement
 Value contribution
 Accountability, honesty and transparency
 Legal compliance
 Resources
 Proactivity
 Staff training
 Establishment of IMS objectives
 Awareness
 Environmental and energy efficiency responsibility:

• To optimize the rational and efficient use of the natural resources necessary to carry out its activities by using recycled and/or recyclable products and to promote energy savings and the circular economy through priority actions in waste management. 
• Apply in the development of its activities measures to optimize water consumption and to reduce the volume or hazardousness of discharges.
• Support the acquisition of energy efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly products and services to improve ALIER, S.A.'s energy and environmental performance.
• Consider energy and environmental performance improvement opportunities in design and development activities.
• Commitment to the protection of the environment through pollution prevention and compliance with the commitments that the company acquires to reduce the environmental impacts generated, from a life cycle perspective.
• To develop practices that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the promotion of energy efficiency and the promotion of renewable energies to contribute to the fight against climate change.
• Avoid or minimize air pollution generated by its activities, through atmospheric emissions, noise and vibrations or light pollution.

The Management of ALIER, S.A. is committed to lead the fulfillment of the Integrated Quality, Environmental, Energy Efficiency and Chain of Custody Management System implemented, to disseminate the principles of this policy to all personnel, collaborators, suppliers, customers and other interested parties and to rely on the principles of the policy for the strategic management of the company.

POLICY:

Mission

Our mission is to recover waste in a sustainable manner.

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Vision

Our main vision is to be value creators through sustainable recycling, developing innovative solutions.

• PEOPLE FIRST.
• RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
• HONEST, TRANSPARENT AND WITH INTEGRITY.
• EVOLUTION AS A CONSTANT.

Communication and participation

Communication and stakeholder engagement

All ALIER team members are aligned with sustainability from our own functions. Innovation and sustainable production is in our DNA. That is why we show below some articles that you can consult in our blog and that are directly related to our performance in environmental matters.

♻️ Circular economy and recycling

• February 5, 2024

  What would happen if we stopped recycling?

  Alier warns of the consequences of abandoning recycling: increased waste, depletion of resources and loss of ecosystems. The company has invested 14 million euros in technology to recycle complex packages such as Tetra Brik, transforming waste into reusable materials such as PolyAl.

  Read more

• March 12, 2024

  Alier, beneficiary of the state PERTE of circular economy

  The company receives 9.9 million euros to build a plastics recycling plant in Lleida, capable of processing 30,000 tons of beverage carton waste per year, moving towards the goal of zero waste.

  Read more

• June 25, 2024

  Spain and Alier lead new European alliance to promote circular economy in kraft paper sacks and other construction materials

  Alier is collaborating in a European initiative to promote the circular economy in the construction sector, focusing on the reuse of kraft paper sacks and other materials.

  Read more

🌿 Sustainability and certifications

• March 22, 2024

  The planet: everyone's business - How does Alier act?

  Alier manufactures 100% recycled paper and is FSC and PEFC certified, guaranteeing responsible forest management and virgin fiber-free products.

  Read more

• March 1, 2024

  Alier receives EcoVadis Gold Medal for its sustainability performance - Global Recognition

  The company ranks among the top 5% of companies evaluated by EcoVadis, standing out in environmental, social and governance criteria.

  Read more

• March 19, 2024

  Alier joins the United Nations Global Compact

  Alier reinforces its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, aligning its business strategy with universal principles on human rights, labor standards, environment and anti-corruption.

  Read more

🔋 Energy and efficiency

• May 10, 2024

  Alier and ENGIE: awarded the Bioenergy 2024 Prize for the best bioenergy project of the year by the Bioenergy Cluster of Catalonia.

  Both companies are recognized for their biomass plant in Lleida, which has achieved a 97% reduction in natural gas consumption by producing steam from forest biomass.

  Read more

🧱 Innovation in sustainable materials.

• August 26, 2024

  Recycled paper: a crucial element in gypsum board manufacturing

  Alier uses 100% recycled paper in the manufacture of gypsum boards, improving their resistance and reducing water absorption, contributing to more sustainable constructions.

  Read more

Evolution of production activity 

The main processes are the reception of recovered paper/cardboard, shredding and purification of this waste to obtain pulp. Subsequently, there are two refining sections to treat the pulp by mechanical means. The pulp is fed to the paper machines that work in the wet, pressing and drying phases. The paper comes out of the machines and goes to the rewinder where the reels are cut to the width and diameter requested by the customers and are packaged for subsequent storage and shipment.

Total mill production for 2024 is 109,995 t for Carton-Wall, Bags and Semi-Stretch Sacks.
Total production for the Controlled Warehouse for 2024 is 53,806 t managed.

Environmental management and control

The main energy consumption of our organization is electricity and steam. It should be noted that in 2023, the company Puma Volt, S.L., takes over the electrical energy production facility (cogeneration) as well as the additional thermal energy in the form of steam. From 2024 onwards, the steam consumed on a regular basis will be supplied externally. In August 2024, commissioning tests began on ENGIE's new biomass plant, which supplies steam from biomass to Alier. The plant is fully operational by the end of 2024.

In addition to the main steam supply through the biomass plant operated by Engie, Alier has a back-up supply provided by Puma Volt. This backup is activated in the event that Alier's steam demand cannot be fully met by the biomass plant. For this purpose, Puma Volt employs auxiliary boilers that run on natural gas, thus ensuring the necessary additional supply. As a result, Alier has two sources of steam supply: Engie as the main supply route and Puma Volt as a backup. Thus, the situation has changed from: in January 2024, Puma Volt was supplying 100% of Alier's steam generated with natural gas, to ENGIE being Alier's main steam supplier and the needs that ENGIE cannot cover being covered by Puma Volt generating steam from natural gas.

The external electricity supply is carried out through commercializing entities, being acquired in its entirety with a renewable energy Guarantee of Origin. Also, in 2023, photovoltaic production began on ALIER's roofs, progressively increasing the consumption of renewable energy sources. 

The following table and graphs show the different energy sources used by Alier, the "other" category being the sum of Biogas and Photovoltaic energy consumption.

Evolution of specific metrics and ratios

Units of energy consumption in MWh and their ratios associated with the activity.

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Note: Renewable consumption is the sum of Photovoltaic energy (3.29TJ) + Energy in the form of steam produced from biomass (154.14 TJ) + 100% certified renewable electricity.

Environmental management and control

Our goal is to manufacture with less water, reuse it and reduce wastewater discharge. During the year 2024, only 5% of captured water has been consumed, which is evaporated in the industrial process or incorporated into the final product. The ratio of water consumption has decreased with respect to the previous year as projects are being implemented to reduce water consumption, some of which have already been completed. The projects that are being or have been carried out are as follows:

• Biological sludge treatment and improvement of primary sludge dewatering: in order to reduce the continuous consumption of fresh water in the biological sludge and primary sludge treatment lines, these two projects have consisted of replacing the previous equipment with other equipment that only requires occasional and discontinuous consumption of clear water for maintenance and cleaning. 
• Andritz filter improvement project: which has increased the flow of filtered water after primary treatment to be used at points in the process where fresh water was previously consumed. 
• Fresh water consumption reduction project: aims to reduce the plant's fresh water consumption by increasing the reuse of process water. It consists of the following phases:
  • Installation of three stock tubs
  • Liquid ring circuit - cooling tower
  • Two clarified water circuits with disc filters.

• Project to change the diameter of the nozzles of the showers of Machine 2 and Machine 3: The main objective of this project is to reduce the diameter of the nozzles of the showers that consume fresh water and reduce the flow rate, thus reducing water consumption.
• Process modifications to reduce fresh water consumption: substitution of fresh water for process water in chillers, pumps, irrigation, etc.

Evolution of specific metrics and ratios

Environmental management and control

Our goal is to manufacture with less water, reuse it and reduce wastewater discharge. By 2024, only 5% of the water captured is consumed, which evaporates during the process or is incorporated into the final product. The remaining 95% is returned purified to the receiving environment after internal reuse. There is a biological treatment plant with an anaerobic and aerobic digester where all the water from the industrial process is treated to reduce the pollutant load discharged and to be able to carry out the processes of water reuse and return to the canal. 

Public watercourse receiving the discharge: Pinyana Canal.

Evolution of specific metrics and ratios

Environmental management and control

ALIER, S.A. calculates its carbon footprint, which has been verified under ISO 14064-1:2018 since 2020. In 2024, emissions for 2023 were also verified under the GHG Protocol. Likewise, since 2020 we have been registered with MITERD (Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge) to obtain the CALCULO seal of scope 1+2+3, and in 2024 we renewed our adhesion to the Acords Voluntaris program (Generalitat de Catalunya) in which we have been part since 2022.

In 2024 we obtained the MITERD Calculo-Reduzco-Compenso seal for the year 2023.

In terms of decarbonization, a progressive increase in the consumption of renewable energies has been planned, as well as other projects aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the main product by 66%.

SCOPE REDUCTION 1

• We stopped consuming Natural Gas to acquire steam from a 35.9 MW Biomass Plant.

SCOPE REDUCTION 2

• 11.7 MW rooftop photovoltaic installation.
• 3.195 MW above-ground installation.
• Optimization of installations and equipment.

ALIER, S.A. carried out in collaboration with Ecomundis an analysis of vulnerability to the impacts of climate change in order to foresee a better adaptation and in accordance with the Catalan Strategy for Climate Change 2021-2030 (ESCACC30). The main risk is associated with future water scarcity scenarios and adverse weather and fire episodes that may occur in the region in an extreme climate scenario. It should be noted that the company carries out projects and actions aimed at both decarbonization and water saving.

The calculated CO2eq emissions are shown below, taking into account that for the year 2024, since the emission factors corresponding to the electricity mix have not been published, those in force and published by MITERD are used as an estimate. Likewise, in each environmental statement the calculations made for the previous year will be updated with the corresponding factor.

GHG emissions certifications and_CO2 registries

-Certification and verification of the carbon footprint in accordance with the requirements of the UNE-EN ISO 14064-1:2019 standard. -Adhesion to the Voluntary Agreements Program for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of the Department "d'Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural de la Generalitat de Catalunya". -Obtaining the MITECO seal "Scope 1, Scope 2, Scope 3 calculation" commitment to fight against climate change. -GHG Protocol certification, starting in 2023.

CERTIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS: 

Environmental management and control

It is noted that Alier recycled more than 90% of the waste generated in 2022 and that, over the past year, this rate has been reduced with the aim of temporarily storing plastic waste at the controlled landfill as a stockpile for the future plastic recycling plant (the Recovery rate Recovery fiscal year 2024 was 68%).

In 2022, Alier recycled more than 90% of the waste it generated. However, over the past year, this percentage has dropped to 68% due to the decision to temporarily store plastic waste in a controlled landfill rather than recycling it immediately. This measure is part of a strategic plan for future Recovery the new plastics recycling plant. Once the plant becomes operational, a reduction in the plastic fraction of the waste is expected, and consequently, an improvement in the Recovery rate. 

Starting in September 2024, with the Recovery plant becoming operational, there has been a reduction in both the generation of plastic waste in the pulper and a gradual decrease in the amounts of waste temporarily stored at the landfill (management code R13, a Recovery route pending a Recovery management route). This implies an improving trend in the annual generation ratio in the last quarter of 2024, which should be significant in 2025, given that the capacity for managing plastic waste from Alier is 15,000 metric tons per year.

Evolution of specific metrics and ratios

Biodiversity indicators

Alier manufactures 100% recycled paper from recovered paper, both pre-consumer and post-consumer, without using virgin fiber. This ensures circularity in the paper value chain, reduces tree felling and contributes to the conservation of forests and their biodiversity. As part of this commitment, Alier has FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody certifications, as well as FSC 100% Recycled and 100% PEFC Certified.

Alier is located in the horticultural zone of the Lleida plain, outside any specially protected natural areas (ENPE) or areas of natural interest (PEIN). The controlled waste disposal facility it operates for the storage of Hazardous waste is not expected to affect the nearest protected area, ecosystems, or the area’s biodiversity, as it has all the permits and protective measures required by the applicable authorizations to prevent risks to the environment.

The areas occupied by the Alier sites in accordance with the requirements of the European EMAS Regulation are shown below. Although the European EMAS Regulation determines the "Total sealed area" as a prominent indicator, the unsealed areas are also presented as a supplement to the "Total land use". In addition, Alier does not have another "Total area outside the site oriented by nature". Therefore, the respective associated columns are shown without information or with a value of 0.

Description of the most important and significant environmental aspects

For the management and control of the organization's environmental impacts, environmental aspects are identified and evaluated in 2024 based on data and information obtained at the end of the calendar year 2023. On the environmental aspects evaluated as significant, environmental action is planned for the year 2024.

• A total of 49 direct environmental aspects have been identified, of which 5 (paper mill) have been found to be significant, with a degree of significance equal to or greater than 11.
• A total of 44 indirect environmental aspects have been identified, of which 4 have been found to be significant, with a degree of significance equal to or greater than 8.
• A total of 91 potential environmental aspects have been identified, of which 10 (+4 Controlled Deposit) are significant, with a degree of significance equal to or greater than 6.  

Description of significant environmental aspects