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Our Environmental Impact

We are more than conscious of the impact our company activities have on the environment and everyday surroundings, and we take our responsibility in this very seriously. Wilco acts as the clean, eco-friendly printing house. As a pioneer in the field of environmentally-friendly production, our goal is to minimise our carbon footprint and thus contribute to the slowing down of further climate change. We focus on the use of sustainable raw materials and natural resources from generating our own solar energy. Our printed matter is produced in a carbon-neutral manner; the remaining CO₂ emissions amounting to 1,841 tons is compensated with VCS credits in the Thangarabalu Small Hydel Project in India. We are ambitious in this area and want our scope 1 and 2 CO₂ emissions to be reduced by 40% in 2026 to 711 tons compared to 1,185 tons in 2021.

Our ISO 14001 certification for our environmental management system dates from the late 1990s – more than a quarter of a century ago.

Raw materials

Wood requires forests, paper requires wood, and books require paper. Wood is our primeval raw material, which we deal with responsibly. Wood-containing products such as paper and cardboard derived from responsibly managed forests are an inexhaustible raw material. They are inherently circular materials and parts of the biological cycle, provided that timber extraction is done responsibly. And this is necessary because deforestation is one of the main causes of climate change and loss of biodiversity. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that stopping deforestation and restoring ecosystems are effective measures to reduce CO₂ emissions. Wilco supports sustainable forest management and responsible timber extraction by choosing Chain of Custody certification according to FSC®, Forest Stewardship Council, and PEFC™, Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification. Both accreditations share the same mission: a focus on 100% sustainable forest management. By choosing certified paper and cardboard, forests can be properly managed and remain healthy. It is also a tool against deforestation because certified forests are not permitted to be converted into soy or palm oil plantations, or end up as cattle breeding or mining areas. Currently, over 200 million hectares of forest worldwide are FSC-certified and nearly 300 million hectares of forest PEFC-certified; comparable to 125 times the area of the Netherlands. In 2023, we deployed 99.18% FSC® and PEFC™ certified material. The remaining 0.82% non-certified material was mainly a run-out of existing stocks. Our policy is to purchase 100% certified paper and cardboard by 2024.

As at 31 December:

2023 2022 2021
% FSC/PEFC paper 99,2 97,0 97,4

Cradle-to-Cradle goes one step further in the concept of a circular economy, where waste is used as a raw material for new products, and in which people and the environment are protected. We use Cradle-to-Cradle paper (novel book printing) from Arctic Paper Munkedals AB for the literary market. This is the world’s first factory to successfully achieve the Cradle-to-Cradle-Certified® Bronze certification for an entire paper range.

Using certified paper is good; but using less paper is even better. In 2023, 71.2% of each ton of paper was effectively used; 28.8% was lost as production waste. In 2022, paper waste (loss) was at a record level due to problems in paper deliveries. At times, this forced us to purchase unfavourable, larger paper sizes – mostly in stock – to continue to meet our customers’ demands. This stock was finished in 2023, so that year’s paper waste is also higher than previously in 2021.

As at 31 December:

2023 2022 2021
production waste (tons) 6.760 8.286 7.652
% paper waste 28,8 36,8* 22,9

* Corrected compared to the 2022 CSR Annual Report.

Energy

Fossil fuels are finite and release CO₂ emissions when combusted, making the energy transition to energy from renewable sources inevitable and necessary. Since 2021, we have been using 100% green electricity. In 2023, 10.573 MWh of grey electricity was made more sustainable through Guarantees of Origin for European wind and solar power. By April 2024, 3,080 solar panels with an expected yield of 1.507 MWh per year were installed on the roof of the Clean Climate Neutral Printing House.

We are committed to improving the energy-efficiency of our operations. In 2022, this ultimately culminated in ‘the Clean Climate-Neutral Printing House’, a gas-free premises. Both properties in Amersfoort have a geothermal energy system for cooling and heating. Natural gas is used to heat our locations in Amersfoort (Vanadiumweg 9) and Zutphen only.

As at 31 December:

2023 2022 2021
electricity (kWh) 10.573.182 10.795.616 11.408.692
kWh/tons of paper 450 479* 342
natural gas (m3) 180.558 206.928 337.245
natural gas (m3)/content of the building in m3 0,605 0,867 2,16

* Corrected compared to the 2022 CSR Annual Report.

In 2023, natural gas consumption in Zutphen was reduced by over 16% compared to 2022. Turning off the drying ovens coupled with the Timson rotary presses has proven to be a significant energy-saving measure. In addition, heating of locations partly depends on the influence of the weather, expressed in degree days (when the average daily temperature falls below the heating limit of 18°C). The following applies: the fewer degree days, the fewer heating days. In 2023, weather station De Bilt recorded 65 fewer degree days and weather station Hupsel even 77 fewer compared to 2022.

(Waste) water

The process of offset printing requires water. In the computer-to-plate (CtP) manufacturing of printing plates, aluminium offset printing plates are developed and rinsed after exposure. Plate chemicals and rinse water are responsibly discharged into the sewer system using Metafix® pH control. Since 2022, a low chemistry CtP process has been used in Amersfoort, where developing and rinsing the offset printing plate is no longer required, resulting in less (waste) water. Our printing presses are operated using wet rolls that moisten the printing plate to prevent non-printing parts from absorbing ink and transferring it to the paper. Slightly contaminated dampening water can be discharged to the sewer system according to applicable regulations.

As at 31 December:

2023 2022 2021
drinking water (m³) 9.611 11.742 16.519
litres of water/m² plate 16,0 21,0 26,2
litres of water/tons of paper 409 521 495
waste water (pollution rating) 231 325 368

VOC emissions

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and solvent-based detergents are common within printing businesses for achieving consistent and high-quality printing. The use of VOCs, however, has adverse effects in the long or longer term and may cause health issues such as Organic Psycho Syndrome (OPS) – also known as painter’s disease – involving (very) severe symptoms like chronic fatigue, character changes, memory loss and early dementia. In addition, VOC emissions in the atmosphere cause severe greenhouse effects, including the formation of ground-level ozone, which results in smog. So: the less VOC we use, the better it is for people and the planet.

As at 31 December:

2023 2022 2021
kg IPA 2.779 3.501 9.082
kg IPA/tons of paper 0,118 0,155* 0,272
litres of detergent/tons of paper 0,955 0,526* 0,832
% K3+K4 detergent 95,0 92,7 97,1

* Corrected compared to the 2022 CSR Annual Report.

Our machinery for conventional offset printing consists entirely of Heidelberg XL plano printing presses that print IPA-free. This also applies to the Timson rotary printing presses. Our LED UV printing press is the only press used for IPA-reduced printing to provide high-quality printing for art, museum and photography books, etc. As of 2022, only one UV LED printing press is left in operation, resulting in less IPA. As a result, for many years Wilco’s IPA consumption per ton of paper has been significantly lower than the industry average of the larger offset printing businesses: 0.118 kg in 2023 versus 1.72 kg of IPA per ton of paper.

Waste

A linear economy implies production, consumption and, after use, disposal. A circular economy, however, is free from waste; products are reused as raw materials. Our main raw material – paper – is highly suitable for a circular economy, because paper is recyclable up to 25 times. Old paper is not waste, but instead raw material for new paper. The Netherlands is a leader in recycling paper: 83% of our paper and cardboard is collected and recycled. In Europe, this is considerably lower: 71.4%. In the Netherlands, 87% of new paper and cardboard is made using recycled material (source: https://papierenkarton.nl/, October 2023). We naturally make all of our paper and cardboard production waste available for reuse. A total of ± 98% of our waste is for reuse or recycling. This includes paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminium offset printing plates, metals, waste wood and wooden pallets.

Metal recycling is another perfect component for a circular economy. To produce new metals, metal ores are mined and converted into the pure metal form through metallurgy. Metal ores are scarce raw materials and metallurgy is an energy-intensive industry. Metal recycling generates secondary raw materials by melting metals in blast furnaces and supplying them as new semi-finished products to the manufacturing industry. In 2023, Wilco has disposed of a total of 340.247 kg of metals, including 329.810 kg of aluminium offset printing plates through recycling (melting). Transportation and processing generates 309 tons of CO₂ emissions. Using them as a secondary raw material prevents 6,388 tons of CO₂ emissions. Theoretically, this is a net saving of 6,079 tons of CO₂ emissions compared to primary mining, and equivalent to the CO₂ uptake of 289,473 mature trees (source: Recycling en recovery overzicht 2023, Korlaar Soest).

Ultimately, 1.000 kg printed matter generates just 3 kg of hazardous waste. Hazardous or chemical waste contains substances that may endanger human and animal health, the environment and its ecosystems. Incinerating chemical waste creates air pollution and may enter groundwater via precipitation. The collection and disposal of chemical waste is therefore strictly regulated. As a result, some of the raw materials from chemical waste are reused. Chemical waste that cannot be reused or recycled is incinerated in special incinerators with special flue gas scrubbers or safely stored. Important reasons why chemical waste should not be submitted for processing along with other waste streams. 99% of our waste is disposed in separate streams for processing; only 1% is unsorted combustible residual waste.

As at 31 December:

2023 2022 2021
recyclable waste (tons) 7.475 8.811 8.203
of which paper and cardboard (tons) 6.760 8.286 7.652
% recyclable waste 98,1 98,1 98,0
hazardous waste (tons) 70,6 80,4 78,4
% hazardous waste 0,95 0,89 0,94
hazardous waste (kg) / tons of paper 3,0 3,6* 2,4

* Corrected compared to the 2022 CSR Annual Report.

Reusing and recycling is good, but it is even better to not generate waste at all. Since 2022, a low chemistry process for computer-to-plate manufacturing of printing plates (80%) has been in operation in Amersfoort. No chemical waste is generated in this process, because no plate chemistry is used. Zutphen does use plate chemistry for the manufacturing of printing plates (20%). The chemical waste involved is neutralised by the application of Metafix® pH control, so that it can be discharged responsibly into the sewage system.

Freight transport

For freight transport, we are making more use of our own fleet of vehicles. 78% of this fleet falls into emission class 6 or Z(ero). The use of AdBlue effectively converts noxious NOx emissions into non-noxious gaseous nitrogen and water vapour. An increasing number of cities in the Netherlands are focusing on car-free city centres which contributes to cleaner air and improved accessibility. For example, about 40 municipalities have committed to the Green Deal Zero Emissie Stadslogistiek, with the objective of realising 100% of zero-emission transport in their city centres by 2025. This requires clean, or at least cleaner, means of transportation. To this end, three years ago we started using a 100% electric delivery van for parcel shipments in the Randstad area. However, a cleaner future with cleaner fuel requires more. We have joined the HYVIA consortium to commit ourselves to driving on green hydrogen. The delivery of the first green hydrogen-powered van is scheduled for 2024. This is also how we collaborate in developing a green-hydrogen chain.

As at 31 December:

2023 2022 2021
litres of diesel 113.329 92.247 112.403
litres of diesel/tons of paper 4,82 4,09 3,37

Business travel

Wilco focuses on a sustainable fleet for business travels falling in emission class 6 or Z(ero). Currently, staff is no longer legally obliged to drive an electric vehicle by 1 January 2025.

Our objective, however, is to ultimately bring this to 100% electric driving by providing ‘electric vehicles’ when cars are replaced. To encourage electric driving among staff and visitors, we have installed 12 EV charging stations at our facilities.

Further centralisation in Amersfoort results in greater commuting distances for more staff. This has been overcome in part by providing production staff with a transportation arrangement. Company vehicles have been provided to allow staff to come to work together. Following the COVID-19 period, customer and third-party visits have increased. All these developments have resulted in increased fuel consumption.

As at 31 December:

2023 2022 2021
% emission class ≤ 5 9,7 12,5 20,0
% emission class 6 77,4 75,0 73,3
% emission class Z 12,9 12,5 6,7
litres of fuel consumption 53.612 52.836 36.439
of which litres of diesel 16.681 19.348 18.437

Commuter traffic

In part due to the persistent tight labour market, we are now employing more and more staff from across our regional borders. This results in greater commuting distances for more staff. Computer and Internet technology makes it possible for non-production staff to work remotely from anywhere, including from home. Travelling by public transport is certainly an option for Amersfoort. A bicycle will be made available for staff to use for getting to and from the station. Shift work interferes with carpooling. Wilco has no specific bicycle plan in place, but the work expense scheme (WKR) encourages staff to opt for an (electric) bicycle.

As at 31 December:

2023 2022 2021
number of FTEs 446 460 433
number of kms per year/FTE 11.968 9.509 10.235
bicycle (%) 5,3 5,9 5,7
public transport (%) 7,6 8,2 9,6
private car (%) 87,1 85,9 84,7

Carbon footprint and compensation for CO₂ emissions

Wilco has used the Milieubarometer ©Stichting Stimular to calculate its total carbon footprint. The CO₂ emission factors applied are specified on the initiative of Milieu Centraal, Stimular, SKAO Connekt and the Dutch government. Based on the most recent insights, they are updated every year by a broad panel of experts. The CO₂ emission factors are in line with the requirements of the CO₂ Performance Ladder and the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) protocol.Wilco has used the Milieubarometer ©Stichting Stimular to calculate its total carbon footprint. The CO₂ emission factors applied are specified on the initiative of Milieu Centraal, Stimular, SKAO Connekt and the Dutch government. Based on the most recent insights, they are updated every year by a broad panel of experts. The CO₂ emission factors are in line with the requirements of the CO₂ Performance Ladder and the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) protocol.

As at 31 December:

2023 2022 2021
CO₂-emissie scope 1 (ton) 925 917 1.185
of which natural gas 375 431 635
of which emissions 22 28 73
of which business traffic 159 156 110
of which freight transport 369 302 367
CO₂ emissions (tons) scope 2 0 0 0
CO₃ emissions (tons) scope 3 916 744* 754*
of which drinking water 2,9 3,5 4,9
of which waste water 6,8 9,6 10,8
of which commuter traffic 906 731 738
CO₂ emissions (tons) total 1.841 1.647 1.923

* Corrected compared to the 2022 CSR Annual Report.

Our CO₂ emissions in 2023 were 1.841 tons. In that year, 10.573³ MWh of grey electricity was made more sustainable through Guarantees of Origin for European Wind and Solar Power. Because Wilco is not (yet) required to comply with the CO₂ Performance Ladder, its CO₂ emission factor is set equal to 0; or in other words, no CO₂ emissions from purchased electricity apply (scope 2). With a gas-free Clean Climate Neutral Printing House combined with optimum energy savings, CO₂ emissions from using natural gas for heating are now at the lowest level ever. Further reduction is considered possible only with the new construction of a sustainable, gas-free bindery in Amersfoort. Today, 78% of our carbon footprint is determined by CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel consumption for freight and passenger transport. We are therefore focusing on the use of renewable fuels such as electric transport and driving using green hydrogen.

Since 2018, we have been compensating our remaining CO₂ emissions with VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) credits in the Thangarabalu Small Hydel Project in India. Compensation for CO₂ involves investing in certified projects that reduce, remove or prevent CO₂ emissions. The reductions in emissions the project has achieved would not have been possible without the implementation of the project. Only sustainable energy(-efficiency) projects which bring long-term benefits to the country and the climate qualify as Verified Carbon Standard credits. These CO₂ compensation projects contribute to no fewer than three Sustainable Development Goals.

Compliance with legislation and unusual events

Compliance with (European) legislation concerning energy, the environment and living conditions is the norm for us. We focus on an open and transparent relationship with the competent authorities. In 2023, the RUD Utrecht conducted an enforcement inspection at the locations Vanadiumweg 2 and 9 in Amersfoort. An observed violation regarding the safe operation, optimal combustion and energy efficiency of diesel engines for both Sprinkler systems was marked as fixed by the SCIOS inspection carried out in November 2023. An inspection of the geothermal energy system was also conducted at the Vanadiumweg 2 site; no violations were found. In 2023, the Utrecht Safety Region tested the new building at Vanadiumweg 2 in Amersfoort for regulations concerning firesafe use; the fire safety regulations are complied with. In 2023, the Omgevingsdienst Achterhoek (Achterhoek environmental service) did not conduct an enforcement inspection in Zutphen. There are no issues concerning competent authority. Nor were any fines or penalties imposed. In 2023, no unusual events or out-of-containment incidents occurred with a risk of soil pollution, surface water pollution or air pollution. No complaints from interested parties and local residents were received in relation to nuisance and the immediate locality.

Research published in April 2024 shows that FSC-certified forests are home to 2.7 times more large endangered mammals, such as elephants, leopards, and gorillas, than forests without certification. This research was conducted by Joeri Zwerts, a wildlife biologist and lecturer at Utrecht University, on the initiative of the Worldwide Fund for Nature and with the support of the Wildlife Conservation Society. The research took place from 2018 to 2021 in seven FSC-certified forests and seven non-FSC-certified forests in Gabon and the Republic of Congo, using 474 camera trap locations. This involved analyzing 1.3 million photographs on which 55 mammal species were observed.

Cradle-to-cradle criteria

  • Material is safe for people and the environment.
  • Circular (renewable) product.
  • Clean air and climate protection: promote renewable energy; reduce harmful emissions.
  • Clean water and a healthy soil.
  • Social responsibility: respecting human rights and contributing to a fair and just society.

Green hydrogen

Hydrogen (H₂) is a combustible gas that cannot be extracted from the soil. There are several ways to produce hydrogen. The manner of production determines exactly how sustainable hydrogen is as an energy source. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis using green electricity, which converts water into hydrogen and oxygen. When hydrogen is produced using electricity from a renewable energy source, such as wind turbines or solar panels, no CO₂ is released. Grey hydrogen is made by heating oil, natural gas or coal under pressure. The chemical reaction creates hydrogen and CO₂. The production of grey hydrogen accounts for ± 8% of the total of CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands. For comparison: all Dutch households combined emit ± 13%. Blue hydrogen is the same as grey hydrogen, the difference being that the CO₂ emissions involved are largely captured and stored underground. Purple hydrogen is produced using nuclear power. (source: Milieudefensie, 2023). Green hydrogen fits well within the energy transition, and as a result of the National Climate Agreement, the Netherlands focuses on electricity and green hydrogen.

Thangarabalu Small Hydel Project

In India, the energy demand is rising sharply due to population growth and increased prosperity. To prevent this energy demand from causing further climate change, steps must be taken to make the sustainable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. The Thangarabalu Small Hydel Project is a run-of-river 24.75 MW hydro-electric power project across the Krishna River about 13 km downstream from the Narayanpur Dam in Karnataka. Every year, this replaces 65 million kWh of fossil fuel-based electricity, reducing CO₂ emissions by ± 54,000 tons per year.

In addition, this project has a social impact on the local community.

  • The population has been involved in the development of this hydro-electric power station from the very start of the project.
  • The project has provided employment both during construction and maintenance of the hydro-electric power station for skilled and non-skilled workers.
  • The region’s energy shortage is supplemented by the hydro-electric power station.
  • Laying water pipes and constructing water pumps make clean (drinkable) water readily available for local people.
  • The project will provide improved regional infrastructure as well as improved and expanded educational and medical facilities.
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