Sustainability

For several years, the tanning industry has been working hard to improve its environmental, social and economic sustainability. There are major challenges to be met in terms of sustainability: complex chemical processes, high energy consumption and waste management are just some of the issues that require critical thinking and effective action.

However, in recent years, new strategies have been implemented, adopting innovative technologies and establishing collaboration between key stakeholders to promote more responsible production.

The main areas of interest for sustainability in the tanning sector are:

  • Water Management: The tanning industry requires a significant amount of water for its production processes. For several years now DEAN has been implementing strategies and practices to reduce water consumption, improve water efficiency and address waste water quality issues.
  • Waste and pollution management: The tanning industry has traditionally been associated with high waste generation and pollutant emissions. The policies and technologies adopted to reduce, recycle and dispose of waste responsibly, as well as to limit pollutant emissions, are continuously analysed.
  • Social impact: in addition to personnel management policies and practices, including aspects such as occupational safety, employee welfare and the promotion of ethical labour relations, another issue of great interest to DEAN is animal welfare. Work is underway to raise awareness among raw material suppliers to provide documentation or certification of good husbandry and slaughtering practices.
  • Transparency and stakeholder engagement: DEAN started in 2021 to disclose its sustainable performance and in 2023 began implementing blockchain to ensure the greatest possible transparency of its production process.

Leather is a bio-based material, i.e. at least 85% composed of collagen, an organic material that is completely bio-degradable at 100%, is durable and possesses a high degree of reparability, which allows its life cycle to be further extended.
Contrary to popular belief, 99% of the leather used by the tanning industry is waste from the food industry and its use prevents it from being disposed of as waste. Furthermore, waste from tanning can be recovered and reused in the agricultural, construction, cosmetics, food, etc. sectors. These two elements make tanning production an interesting application case of circular bio-economy.

DEAN SPA Renews: A Strategic Investment in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Project co-financed by the European Union, the Italian State and the Campania Region, within the framework of the Campania ERDF 2021-2027 PR Campania.

DEAN SPA Industria Conciaria, in line with its vision of sustainable growth and innovation, has completed a major energy requalification project at its headquarters in Corso Salvatore D'Amato 96 in Arzano (NA). The initiative, launched on November 2023 and concluded on April 2025represents a fundamental step on our path towards decarbonisation and improved competitiveness.

This intervention was made possible thanks to the crucial support obtained under the Campania ERDF Regional Programme (PR) 2021-2027through the 'Public notice for the support of enterprises in Campania in the promotion of energy efficiency and energy saving' (CUP: B79C23000170007 / Decree no. 981 of 23/10/2023).

Project Aim: A Greener and Competitive Future

The primary objective of the investment was to implement a holistic and integrated approach to drastically reduce the energy consumption and environmental impact of our production activities. Specific aims included:

  • Reducing energy consumption and operating costs through the adoption of the best available technologies.

  • Increasing self-generation of energy from renewable sources, decreasing dependence on the national grid.

  • Contributing to regional and national sustainability targetssignificantly reducing the company's carbon footprint.

  • Improving the comfort and well-being of employees in working environments.

  • Positioning itself as a model of technological innovation and sustainability in the tanning sector, stimulating a virtuous path for other companies in the area.

Implemented Interventions: Details of a Concrete Innovation

The project consisted of a series of targeted interventions, carried out in cooperation with specialised suppliers in the area. Each activity was completed at 100% without any technical or management criticalities, in full compliance with the timetable.

  • Production of Energy from Renewable Sources (Line B) The heart of the project was the realisation of a

-photovoltaic systemsupplied and installed by the company PIANESE & ASSOCIATI SRL. To ensure maximum efficiency and safety, the plant was completed with a

-Medium voltage measuring cell (provided by TECNO SAPRI SERVICE SRL) and a advanced monitoring system for real-time performance monitoring.

  • Enclosure and Plant Efficiency (Line A)

    • Thermal insulation: In December 2024, the company A.R.G. GROWUP SRL

performed the replacement of fixtures with new high-performance anodised aluminium solutions, improving the thermal and acoustic insulation of the building.

  • Sustainable Climate Control: The heating/cooling system was completely renovated with the installation by PIANESE & ASSOCIATI SRL, of 4 high-efficiency heat pumpswith a COP (Coefficient of Performance) of 4.73, which guarantees very high energy efficiency.

  • Intelligent Lighting: To optimise electricity consumption, SWITCH SERVICE SRL installed a new low-consumption lighting system featuring presence and brightness sensors for automated and intelligent light management, activating it only when necessary.

Results Achieved and Impact on the Territory

At the end of the project, the results exceeded expectations. The adoption of these cutting-edge technologies has led to a

drastic reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissionsimproving the company's overall efficiency and operational resilience in the face of energy price fluctuations.

The impact of this investment goes beyond the company's borders. By collaborating with local excellence, we have helped generate

positive economic impact on the regional productive fabric. DEAN SPA now presents itself as an even more solid and future-oriented company, a tangible example of how sustainability can and should be an engine for growth and innovation.

Project co-financed by the European Union, the Italian State and the Campania Region, within the framework of the Campania ERDF 2021-2027 PR Campania.

 

 

 

 

For more information

 

Sustainability Report 2024

DEAN is aware of the value of sustainability and with care, sensitivity and commitment works to reduce environmental impacts, ensuring the best quality of leather. An approach that, in recent years, uses constant and accurate monitoring, which accelerates the road to innovation and transparency in production processes.
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