Land use and biodiversity
The Group utilizes a total of approximately 456 hectares of land for its production facilities. The facilities are generally located in typical large or small industrial areas and consequently cannot be considered to have a significant impact on biodiversity. The production plant in Rio Saliceto (Italy) is located two kilometers from a wetland ecosystem rich in birdlife, which is classified as a nature reserve in accordance with Italian legislation.
Trelleborg has no proprietary rubber plantations, but purchases approximately 100,000 tons of natural rubber annually from suppliers mainly based in Southeast Asia. Rubber plantations are monocultures, and consequently, affect biodiversity in the local area.
Contamination of soil and/or groundwater has been confirmed at a number of Trelleborg’s production facilities. In most cases, such contamination represents traces of environmental problems dating from earlier periods, caused by long-term industrial activity at the site. In several instances, this occurred before Trelleborg acquired the facility. Common contaminants are chlorinated solvents and oils.
Remediation of contaminated land is currently in progress at five production units. It is estimated that a further nine plants will be subject to remediation requirements, the extent of which has not yet been established. A further three plants are affected by contamination, however, the responsibility for these does not lie with Trelleborg, but with other parties. Trelleborg participates as a formal party in a further four remediation projects (two in Sweden and two in the US), but has a marginal responsibility for costs.
In 2006, the Group’s provisions for environmental liabilities totaled SEK 64 M.