Louis Vuitton 2005 Annual Report Download - page 67

PASSIONATE ABOUT CREATIVITY
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LVMH 2005 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
In perfumes and cosmetics, progress includes
the choice of components. The Group’s research
laboratories give priority to plant research. They
work with specialized ethnobotanical associa-
tions to find plants throughout the world which
are traditionally known for their therapeutic
effects. As a result, Capture Totale, the new anti-
wrinkle cream from Dior, is composed of seeds
from the Longoza plant that grows in Madagas-
car. Growing this plant, in collaboration with
local associations, supports several villages. Simi-
lar projects are going on in Africa, Burkina Fasso,
Vietnam and India.
REDUCING PACKAGING—A MAJOR OBJECTIVE Reducing
the tons of paper, boxes and cartons without any visible change in the
customer’s eyes is another challenge for LVMH, which sells luxury
products that are often offered as gifts and the appearance of which is
critical. Louis Vuitton is studying boxes that the customer can reuse
for storage, so they will not be thrown out. To save 100 tons of paper and
cardboard, the company is planning to package wallets, handbags and
suitcases in a final gift package in the plant. This will prevent double
packaging, a first round for shipping and a second, more attractive round
in the boutique.
Saving one hundred tons of wood and cardboard is also the goal that
Moët & Chandon has set as part of the ADEME project. The introduc-
tion of reusable wood pallets in 2005 reduced wood waste products by
20 tons. Ten tons of paper and cardboard were saved by eliminating
unnecessary packaging and using recyclable paper for labels.
A NEW PROJECT TO INVOLVE OUR SUPPLIERS Involving
our suppliers was the most innovative project for the year. This was a
difficult initiative, because they control their own plants. Nevertheless,
the various companies of the LVMH group are asking them to comply
with environmental rules.
A few examples are worth noting here. In Charente, Hennessy is encour-
aging its twenty-five supplier distilleries to obtain ISO 14001 certifi-
cation. A questionnaire covering one hundred points was sent to
each distillery to obtain information on its facilities and practices.
Veuve Clicquot has worked to empower its grape deliverers by organ-
izing tri-annual inspections and “environmental meals”.
Sephora has become increasingly demanding on its subcontractors that
manufacture the make-up, skincare creams and accessories sold under
its banner. They must now make a commitment to comply with a set
of specifications that includes an ethical section on working conditions
and environmental requirements. The same type of double commit-
ment is also included in all new contracts that Chaumet is signing with
its partners, particularly the security and maintenance companies, but also
the gold and precious stone suppliers.
NEW EQUIPMENT TO PROTECT NATURE
AT THE SITES
The various production sites of the LVMH group all have the same
concern—to do everything possible to reduce the environment impact
of their operations to the maximum. Prolonging the major action that
has been taken in the last few years, significant progress was made in
2005. Processes to compost organic waste have been developed and
new methods have been found to transform and reuse it. In addition,
most of the sites reduced their water and power consumption.
A highly organized
environmental
management team
LVMH’s voluntary policy is headed up by
an environmental team that reports directly
to a member of the Executive Committee that
advises Bernard Arnault. This team monitors
the application of the Charter, works
with associations, sets the broad guidelines
forprograms, and assists Group companies
to complete their own successful programs.
This is because each company chooses its own
environmental management system and brings
it to life, while continuing to cooperate closely
with the Group’s management. Exchanges of
information and experience take place on the
Intranet and every quarter through the LVMH
Environmental Commission, composed of the
environmental managers from each company.
Reducing the weight
of wine and spirits bottles or perfume
bottles is a technical challenge.
Accordingly, the companies initially decided
to give priority to recyclable glass.
75% of a champagne bottle is composed
of recycled glass.
Come to the gardens:
agroup of students from
Cognac in the Bagnolet
park at Hennessy during
apresentation of Rodin
sculptures, Les Bourgeois
de Calais.