As Europe continues its green transition, companies across industries are retooling their procedures and facilities to reduce their carbon footprint. Wabtec Corporation’s commitment to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement is encapsulated by the sustainability efforts of its Piossasco plant near Turin, Italy. The site specialises in cutting-edge technologies for braking systems for passenger and freight rail transport, as well as in air-handling components (compressors), electronics and pneumatronics. The Piossasco team is among Wabtec’s pioneers in implementing sustainability initiatives and today employs a combination of solar energy projects, biodiversity preservation and improved industrial processes to pave the way for an industry that is fit for the future.

When it comes to renewable energy, Piossasco expanded its solar panel system in 2024 to cover 64% of the plant’s energy needs, an increase from 29% in 2023. The facility is on track to nearly double renewable energy usage, along with reductions in NO_X and SO₂.

Piossasco is far from the only Wabtec facility using solar energy. Since 2020, the company has launched 23 projects across 14 sites, resulting in a 150% increase in solar capacity between 2021 and 2022. Wabtec’s European operations include over 54,000 m² of solar panels, covering approximately 10% of its electricity needs. These efforts have led to a 3,300-ton CO₂ equivalent decrease in 2023 alone, with an aim to reach 4,100 tons by 2025.

In addition to its solar energy initiatives, Piossasco has implemented several innovative projects to improve its local ecosystem:

• Between 2022 and 2023, 500 trees were planted on site, bringing the tree-to-employee ratio to 1:1.

• The team introduced six beehives on site that are home to 50,000 bees, supporting local pollination and producing 60 kg to 100 kg of honey annually. Additionally, these beehives assist in air quality monitoring, reflecting the health of the surrounding environment.

• The facility installed a 20,000-litre tank to collect rainwater and irrigate the green areas, ensuring efficient water usage.

• The Piossasco team has also embarked on a project to replace the R23 gas used in climatic chambers with a more environmentally friendly alternative. The plant is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in this area by more than 20 times. Furthermore, the team implemented an alert system to monitor and promptly address any gas leaks, further minimising environmental impact.

In recognition of these efforts, the Piossasco team was honoured in 2024 at Wabtec’s first-ever Sustainability Awards. According to Lilian Leroux, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Wabtec, the team’s sustainability efforts go beyond economics:

‘Given the current energy crisis in parts of the world, this programme has boosted both resilience and cost efficiency. But more than that, it showcases Wabtec’s role as a sustainable technology leader. Every individual involved in these projects contributes to our mission to lead the way in decarbonisation.’