Waste

Waste reduction

The linear “take-make-dispose” economic model based on having access to only seemingly unlimited resources is increasingly ill-adapted to Brembo’s environment, especially given the need to access high quality raw materials with sustainable costs, whilst being mindful of the environment. The very nature of some of the production processes, such as cast iron foundries, means that they are suitable as a model for applying the "take-make-reuse" concept on which the circular economy is based. The raw materials procured by a foundry are for the most part of secondary origin, resulting from machining process waste rather than from the product of the ferrous scrap salvage chain. The progressive extension of circularity to all production processes is an opportunity that Brembo intends to seize in order to ensure a steady business growth that is in balance with the environment.

During 2021, Brembo generated a total of just under 400,000 tonnes of waste, an increase on the amount generated in 2020, and a return to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic values since it was no longer affected by plant shutdowns caused by the pandemic, while hazardous waste continued to account for 5% of total waste, while non-hazardous waste for 95%.

It is worth mentioning the significant decrease in waste bound for disposal in landfills, which fell to 15% of the total compared to 38% in 2019, a result that testifies to Brembo's commitment and willingness to identify disposal chains able to reinject its production process waste materials into the market in keeping with the circular economy.

From primary to secondary aluminium

Producing a brake caliper using secondary aluminum to replace, in whole or partly, the primary one while ensuring equal performance, quality and aesthetic criteria is one of key goals in the field of sustainability.

The development of the calipers of tomorrow, fully made of recycled aluminium, will allow to reduce CO2e emissions by about 80% in the next decade compared to the current levels. The expected result will be achieve through a series of subsequent steps including:

• the gradual increase of aluminium produced with renewable energy;

• purchase of “hybrid” alloys made of a growing amount of renewable aluminium.

• the production of calipers made entirely from recycled aluminum.