Culture also signifies a commitment to the environment and sustainable development, and consequently to safeguarding the quality of life, a primary goal for a corporation in the healthcare business. As one of the first companies to build a purification plant in Milan, Bracco has a long-standing tradition of care for the environment.

A solid commitment to the territory, sustainable use of natural resources, a preference for environment-friendly materials, a focus on environmental restoration and production safety: Bracco was one of the first business organizations to develop a culture of care for the environment and people's health and conservation of our common heritage for future generations.

Inside the Group today, a team of specialists provides guidance for issues relating to health, safety and the environment. All activities, projects and innovations at every production facility must comply with the exacting environmental protection parameters drawn up by Bracco, on the basis of the standards of excellence set out in its Environment Management System.

This system enables Group companies to optimize management of production strategies in environmental terms, through identification of targets, action to be taken, human and financial resources to be used and assessment of results in relation to the external context.

The Group's environmental protection principles provided guidelines for the recovery of the industrial areas in Ceriano Laghetto (Milan) and Torviscosa (Udine), now the sites of two Group production facilities, and continue to be core elements for correct plant management. Examples include the innovative clean synthesis reactions developed by Bracco engineers for solvent recovery and re-utilization in the company, which have increased workplace safety and reduced environment impact.

Bracco's production plants are visited frequently, often by groups of students and young people interested in the relationship between industry and environment.

As a member of the Federchimica federation, Bracco has supported the international Responsible Care program since its creation in 1992. With thousands of corporate members from dozens of countries all over the world, the program aims to strengthen the business world's voluntary commitment to continuously improve health, safety and environmental performance. Diana Bracco, the company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, was Chairman of the Responsible Care Committee for Italy from 1996 to 2002. The Group publishes the results of all its environmental protection activities in its annual Environmental Report, a transparent description of the procedures adopted to protect the territory and people in line with the corporate environmental principles.