Environment

Hispano-Suiza’s commitment to environmental protection is reflected in actions that range from the initial design phase to production methods and processes.

From 1999 to 2005, all Hispano-Suiza facilities received ISO 14001 certification, reflecting the efficiency of our environmental management system as it is applied in the field by dedicated teams (Health-Safety-Environment engineers and a network of local correspondents).

Hispano-Suiza’s design department incorporates environmental protection aspects right from the outset by developing lighter materials and more environmentally-friendly production processes.

The new European regulation called REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemical substances) took effect in June 2007; these requirements are integrated in the design process for all new Hispano-Suiza systems and equipment. On recent programs for example, the use of cadmium has been eliminated.

Reducing polluting emissions

One of the prime areas of focus is to reduce the amount of solvents needed, and use them in closed-loop machines. For example, by deploying a low-pressure case hardening furnace for the heat treatment of gears, we were able to reduce not only cycle times, but also harmful releases, and eliminate the use of methanol. Facilities of this type are also equipped with active carbon filters.

Recycling waste

At Hispano-Suiza we selectively sort all waste (cutting oil, used surface treatment liquids, shavings, boxes, etc.). More than 80% of our waste is recycled for reuse or as an energy source.

Reducing energy consumption

The Safran group began measuring its carbon footprint in 2007. Measuring the carbon footprint at our own facilities allows us to draw up an inventory of the energy resources used, in CO2 equivalent. Each year, the performance of our industrial plants is evaluated, in terms of the energy used to ensure the company’s operation (electricity, heating, transport, industrial processes), and objectives for the following year are set.

Aviation and the environment

- Aviation generates about 2% of all CO² emissions produced by human activities worldwide.
- Since the 1960s, aircraft fuel consumption has decreased by 60 to 70%.
- The Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) has set ambitious objectives for 2020: 50% decrease in CO², 80% decrease in oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and 50% reduction in noise. The European research program Clean Sky, including Hispano-Suiza, is seeking to meet these goals.