Vitro signs an agreement with FIDE to implement programs for energy savings

• Expectations are for energy savings of up to 5% in the first stage.
• The agreement covers all of the Vitro facilities in the country.

For the purpose of making all of the industrial facilities of Vitro in the country more energy efficient through the reduction in the amount of greenhouse emissions, the company today signed an agreement with the Electric Energy Savings Mexican Commission (FIDE).

The document specifies that Vitro, in addition to developing energy savings programs, will conduct massive awareness programs on the subject, will promote the substitution of high energy consuming equipment for more energy efficient ones and will expand the technical training of its affiliates on the subject of energy efficiency in all of its installations in Mexico.

For its part FIDE will promote energy savings programs within Vitro´s manufacturing facilities, to workers and suppliers and will help finance the purchase of high energy efficient equipment.

The agreement, which becomes effective today, was signed by Enrique Osorio, Chief Financial Officer and Alejandro Sánchez Mújica, Executive Vice-President Legal and General Council, on behalf of Vitro and by Pablo Realpozo Del Castillo, General Director of FIDE and José Luis Hernández Galán, Assistant Director for Regional Projects and Development of the same organization.

Referring to the agreement, Enrique Osorio commented that "during the current year we will be conducting energy diagnostics on which we will base the action plans that will allow us to achieve the desired energy savings in our plants. Nevertheless, in this first stage we are expecting to be able to achieve energy savings in the range of 3% to 5%".

He added that the projects undertaken in the Vitro manufacturing plants may include energy diagnostics and the replacement of inefficient equipment with more energy efficient ones, which will be financed by FIDE at preferential rates that will be paid on the basis of the realized energy savings.

Alejandro Sánchez Mújica pointed out that "Vitro voluntarily has embarked on important initiatives to meet or surpass national and international standards for environmental protection; convinced that the true progress of a company does not only focus on economic objectives but also must be respectful of the environment, worker safety and environmental protection of the communities where we conduct business".

He emphasized that through more efficient energy savings, we will avoid thousands of tons of harmful contaminant emissions and greenhouse effect gases that contribute to global warming.

"This initiative will permit the implementation of action plans for electrical energy savings in the Vitro plants, engage the use of highly energy efficient equipment and promote the creation of a culture of energy savings among company employees while significantly reducing energy consumption without compromising the quality of the products they produce", pointed out Pablo Realpozo Del Castillo.

He added that through this effort the Vitro companies not only will become more competitive by reducing electric energy costs through integration of state of the art technology, but they will be contributing to the preservation and conservation of the environment.

As the agreement goes into effect immediately upon its signing, the different Vitro facilities can present their proposals for energy savings to FIDE as of today.

The agreement contemplates the certification of the products manufactured by Vitro as having contributed to the efficient use of electric energy. The "FIDE Seal" identifies those outstanding products that save energy in their manufacturing process while enhancing the prestige of the brand.

"In the case of flat glass a great opportunity presents itself, since thermal glass is used in construction projects for housing and commercial applications which generates a reduction in heating and cooling needs in the homes and buildings where it is used and, therefore, the end result is less dependence on electrical energy", he assured.

The signing of this agreement adds to the multiple efforts of Vitro to promote sustainable development by implementing initiatives that seek to increase our competitiveness while at the same time promote a cleaner environment and a safer work place.