our production sites

Societal acceptance

Colas operates a vertical integration strategy, from downstream of the value chain up to operation and transformation of raw materials into products intended for construction use. The Group thus owns quarries, emulsion and binder plants, asphalt plants, manufacturing plants for waterproof membranes, road paints and resins, road marking equipment, steel building frames, etc. It is becoming increasingly hard to win acceptance of these production facilities from local communities that fear various forms of nuisance (odors, dust, noise, traffic, impact on the environment or health). Colas therefore endeavors to perform and step up actions that target the reduction or limitation of the impact of its production sites on the environment, and to renew and intensify dialogue between profit centers and local communities.

Reducing impact

Beyond simple regulatory compliance, the effort made by the Group to reduce the impact of its production activity on the environment has resulted in a systematic policy of environmental certification, e.g., ISO 14001. As of the end of 2007, 42% of revenue from the production of materials in France and abroad was certified.

Implementation of methodological tools

The Group's own tools and indicators support the profit centers, helping them improve and allowing for better monitoring and controlling of their performance levels. A worldwide checklist system was rolled out in 2007 and now covers more than 90% of the Group's stationary sites around the globe.

Creation of an indicator to monitor community relations

An indicator was rolled out in 2006 to measure the existence of a formalized structure for local dialogue that includes at least one annual meeting with neighboring residents, city officials and local authorities. Almost 20% of revenues from Group production facilities benefit from such a structure; certain subsidiaries have already reached a 100% rate for their quarry sites.