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Innovative circular solutions at Scania’s production unit in Brazil

10 NOVEMBER 2022

Bruno Montanheiro is responsible for the Environmental Office at Scania in Brazil, and dedicated to do even more to turn the factory into a great example of circularity and sustainability. 

“I have been working here for more than 20 years, and the development we see in terms of awareness for the climate is truly noticeable,” he says. 

Reuse of water

A system for cleaning the water was installed at the facility during 2022. “We want to reduce our water consumption and treat the effluents we generate so they will have the purity necessary for us to use again.” So far, it’s going well, and our aim is to achieve a 40% reduction of water per produced unit.

 

He hopes that Scania will be an inspiration to other industries in the area. “We are one of few local companies that do this. Also, the water we don’t use is given to the city.” A change in behaviour among the employees also contributes, something that is important as nearly half of the usage of water is related to human- and sanitary consumption.

Bruno Montanheiro, responsible for the Environmental Office at Scania in Brazil

Uniforms turn into cab lining

Another initiative that has proven to give results is turning old uniforms into phenolic felt, a kind of blanket that works as thermal and acoustic insulation in the cabs. “Before, 70 kg of used uniforms were sent for disposal each month. But now, they have a different destination.” The number of uniforms, however, does not meet the demand, but it certainly helps to avoid wasting the material and decrease CO2-emissions.

 

Previously, a great number of uniforms were sometimes donated and turned into blankets by another company, and later donated to homeless people. During the pandemic, shirts that couldn’t be used were turned into masks by women in socially vulnerable situations. Scania later bought the masks, hence generating income for these women. “We need good circular economy, and contribute any way we can.”

Continuous change

Scania is a signatory to the Global Compact Network in Brazil since 2019, and committed to the 2030 Agenda and to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We have also joined the Pact for Water and Energy Resilience to drive universal access to water and sanitation. “The search for the reduction of environmental impacts involves the reduction of the emission of greenhouse gases, but also other environmental aspects that contribute to the balance of life on the planet, such as the reduction of water and energy use in the production process, reduction of waste, among others,” says Montanheiro. “Two decades ago, we started out with recycling, and look what we have achieved this far.”